MC Garage Video: 5 Tools Every Motorcyclist Should Carry

It’s happened to just about everyone at some point or another: You get stranded. In our experience the three most common reasons for getting sidelined during a ride are running out of gas, getting a flat tire, or having a part rattle loose. Thankfully it’s pretty easy to be prepared for all three of those scenarios. In fact, everything you need to get yourself home can fit into a small tank bag, your backpack, or maybe even under you seat. In this video from the MC Garage, Senior Road Test Editor Ari Henning discusses the 5 items every motorcyclist should carry to keep from getting stranded. For running out of gas there’s a length of hose that can be used to siphon gas from a fellow rider’s tank; for flats there’s a plug kit; and for loose parts there’s not only a compact tool kit but spare 6mm and 8mm hardware to replace pinch bolts, lever pivots and the like. Add a few bungee cords and an assortment of zip-ties to the mix and you’ve got a compact kit that’ll get you out of most sticky situations. To learn more, watch the video below.

Being prepared for problems is important, but the best plan is to avoid problems in the first place. And that’s where the pre-ride safety check comes. Spending a few minutes checking over your bike before a ride can save you from a breakdown or worse. Not sure what to inspect, or need a refresher? Watch our Pre-Ride Safety Check video.