What do you carry with you on your bike is the long way of saying “Be Prepared”.
Oh course, this all depends on the type of bike, saddlebags or panniers, backpack, storage areas, where and when you ride. For the sake of this article, we will assume highway riding.
There are also a number of personal factors to consider as well when taking something along.
Essentials:
These are the items that I believe you should have with you each time you ride. Others will probably disagree and say it is too much, and others may say “not enough”, but at least it starts making you think.
Oh course, this all depends on the type of bike, saddlebags or panniers, backpack, storage areas, where and when you ride. For the sake of this article, we will assume highway riding.
There are also a number of personal factors to consider as well when taking something along.
Essentials:
These are the items that I believe you should have with you each time you ride. Others will probably disagree and say it is too much, and others may say “not enough”, but at least it starts making you think.
- Cell phone - your communication tool in case of a breakdown, or worse, or just to let others know where you are. Caution the fact that not all areas have cell coverage so you may want to check this out before you ride.
- Air pressure gauge - bike tires and rims flex and contract and expand with the weather. Keeping an eye on the pressure in your tires is a good way to make sure you get the longest wear out of your tires, but also to make sure that while you are on a trip or ride you do not suffer the fate of a slow leak and not know it.
- Spare key - now, where did I put the key to my bike? Been there. No more explanation needed!.
- Water or Equivalent- we sweat, even when it is cold, and hydration is important to keeping you alert and mobile.
- Bike manual and tools- when in doubt, refer to the manual. Hard to do when you don’t have the manual. Most manuals are accessible on the internet if you have a bike without one. If the tool kit that should have come with the bike is not there, make up a small tool kit based on the most common nuts, bolts, and drivers needed.
7. CAA /Auto club /etc. Membership - look at it as additional insurance. In the case of a breakdown, you know who is going to get you home, or at least to a destination that can get you back on the road. There is nothing more lonely than being on the side of the road and trying to get someone to pick up your bike, and do it for a reasonable price. Beware of the tow / lift gouging that has happened to so many. By having a membership, you don’t have to concern yourself with this.
Should have: (but not limited to)
- Tire puncture kit - a DIY on the side of the road. However, not much good without the next item.
- Small bike pump or electric pump - pays for itself the first time you have to use it on the side of the road, or starts paying for itself a little at a time when you “top up” on the road.
- Multi-Tool - I carry one of these with me wherever I go, as it can be used to pull a nail from your tire, complimenting items 1 and 2, and has a knife that can be used for many applications. Also, they are not heavy and attach to your belt.
- Small LED flashlight - even in the daylight, shadows cast on hard to see and reach places make it very hard to fix what you can’t really see.
5. Weather gear - rain skins for sure, if cold weather, warm clothes, especially socks / gloves or liners , scarf. Hypothermia can occur at a number of different temperatures, especially if you are wet.
6. If cold, “hot paws” - great for the hands or feet. Heated grips work well on the palms of your hands, but the back of the hand can still get “uncomfortable”, and a heat pack can take that away. You can also place them in your riding jacket (yes, you use a real riding jacket!) to help keep your core warmer.
7. Energy bars or equivalent - like your bike, you need to be refueled, and an energy bar can temporarily do that while you are on the go. Combine with water and it is even better.
6. If cold, “hot paws” - great for the hands or feet. Heated grips work well on the palms of your hands, but the back of the hand can still get “uncomfortable”, and a heat pack can take that away. You can also place them in your riding jacket (yes, you use a real riding jacket!) to help keep your core warmer.
7. Energy bars or equivalent - like your bike, you need to be refueled, and an energy bar can temporarily do that while you are on the go. Combine with water and it is even better.
8. Hat or neck / head scarf- ( as above) -at some point you are going to stop and want to remove your helmet. On a hot, sunny day, they speak for themselves. However, when the temperature drops, having a scarf to wrap around your neck and keep the cold air from going down inside your jacket via your neck helps keep you riding comfortably.
9. Side stand pad - protection against falling over on hot pavement or on dirt or gravel.
10. 1st Aid Kit with latex gloves- or at least bandages and alcohol swabs - goes back to knowing 1st aid, but, if you don’t, at least you will be somewhat prepared if something happens to you or someone else. The gloves can also be put on under your gloves when it rains to keep your hands dry or at least better insulated from the cold rain, even in summer.
11. Sunscreen and Bug Repellent – Sunscreen is not just for hot, sunny
days, but you can get a good sun and wind burn by riding open faced, or a burn on a cloudy day is not impossible either. The bug repellent speaks for itself, especially in some watershed areas where the bugs can almost seem to eat you alive if you stop.
12. Map of Area-I am old school on this on. I have found a GPS can give the wrong directions and cell phone coverage can be inconsistent to always use the maps apps that I may have. Many times I will print out the routes I plan to take and bring those along. If bike does not have a compass, bring one along to compliment the map.
13. Bungee Cords - easy to attach, and attach items to your bike.
11. Sunscreen and Bug Repellent – Sunscreen is not just for hot, sunny
days, but you can get a good sun and wind burn by riding open faced, or a burn on a cloudy day is not impossible either. The bug repellent speaks for itself, especially in some watershed areas where the bugs can almost seem to eat you alive if you stop.
12. Map of Area-I am old school on this on. I have found a GPS can give the wrong directions and cell phone coverage can be inconsistent to always use the maps apps that I may have. Many times I will print out the routes I plan to take and bring those along. If bike does not have a compass, bring one along to compliment the map.
13. Bungee Cords - easy to attach, and attach items to your bike.
Let’s Go Crazy!
- Camera attached (front / back)- it is amazing how many “non-bikers” back off from tailgating you when they see a camera staring back at them. A camera(s) also doesn’t lie and can be quite useful if a situation ever occurred. Hopefully that never happens.
2. Oil - when was the last time you checked? Not so necessary on the short haul, but better to have it on those long hauls, especially in isolated areas.
3. Spare fuel- This really depends on where you are traveling. In most cases, you will be close enough to find fuel (however, if you use premium gas, and you should, it may not be available, only regular. Therefore, some octane boost might be in order as well.
3. Spare fuel- This really depends on where you are traveling. In most cases, you will be close enough to find fuel (however, if you use premium gas, and you should, it may not be available, only regular. Therefore, some octane boost might be in order as well.
4. Alarm or cut resistant cable - although they will not stop a determined thief, they will slow them down or make them move on to an easier target. There is more bike theft than you would think, and this is one of the many reasons bike insurance is so high. Most bikes that are stolen usually end up being parted, and therefore not recoverable.
5. Duct tape - why not! Remember Red Green’s philosophy, “if they don’t find you handsome, at least they will find you handy” when it came to duct tape.
5. Duct tape - why not! Remember Red Green’s philosophy, “if they don’t find you handsome, at least they will find you handy” when it came to duct tape.
One of my rides (Honda ST1300, as of this writing) has plenty of storage space available, which is one of the reasons I chose it.
I know this is a big list, and there is no way to carry all of it on most bikes. Or are they all necessary. These are suggestions and ideas that you may or may not have thought about. There are also other items that may be important to you.
If you ride a sport bike, I recommend the use of a properly designed motorcycle backpack because they are specifically designed to work with you in weight distribution and aerodynamics. In this way it interferes the least with the dynamics of rider and bike.
On cruisers, the use of saddlebags (“baggers”) is essential, but again, that is a personal choice. Regardless what you do, the main idea here is to help prepare you for the unexpected, the same as you do when you are riding, always expecting the unexpected.
Ride safe, and be prepared for almost anything!
If you ride a sport bike, I recommend the use of a properly designed motorcycle backpack because they are specifically designed to work with you in weight distribution and aerodynamics. In this way it interferes the least with the dynamics of rider and bike.
On cruisers, the use of saddlebags (“baggers”) is essential, but again, that is a personal choice. Regardless what you do, the main idea here is to help prepare you for the unexpected, the same as you do when you are riding, always expecting the unexpected.
Ride safe, and be prepared for almost anything!