What’s In Your Garage? Essential Motorcycle Tools And Gear
In the days before Man Caves and She Sheds had formal names, there was a place where men and women used to go at home on the weekends or maybe after a long day at work to enjoy some solitude, work on a hobby, and feel a tremendous sense of satisfaction. Those places are called garages, and they’re still a place where motorcycle riders who like to work with their hands can find solace, tinker with their machines, and maybe even invite other like-minded people over for a few adult beverages to plan their next adventures.
Cycle Trader salutes the home mechanics who still spend time in their garages, whether they’re just cleaning the bike and polishing the chrome, changing the oil and checking the tire pressure, or making modifications that will help them enjoy their riding experience even more.
If you’re just starting down this noble path and you’re looking for some pointers on what to stock in your garage, we’re taking a look at some of the most common tools and gear that every rider should have, even if you don’t have room for rows of rolling tool chests with drawers and every imaginable part on the planet.
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Tools
A basic biker’s tool kit should include pretty much the same as every household toolbox with a few exceptions. Both should have:
- Socket set that has both metric (millimeters) and imperial (inches) sockets
- Extenders
- Ratchet wrench
- Nut driver (which looks like a screwdriver handle with a socket end for small socket heads)
- Different sets of pliers and wrenches, including an adjustable wrench
- Set of Phillips and Standard screwdrivers
- Wire cutters and/or metal snips
- Flashlight
- Utility knife with a retractable blade
Additionally, a few specialized items you might want to have on hand for your bike box could include:
- Open-end and/or box-end (or combination) wrenches
- Motorcycle sparkplug socket
- Oil filter wrench (cap style or strap and plier style, depending on what works best for your bike)
- Torque wrench
- Set of Torx bits
- Set of Allen (hex) wrenches
- Hammer, although not the kind used for percussion therapy but smaller wooden or rubber hammers for loosening stiff fasteners and moving stuck parts
- Breaker bar for when nuts and bolts need a little extra force
If you plan on changing your own oil, you’ll also benefit greatly from a funnel and drain pan. For spark plugs, you may want a gap tool. And, no garage would be complete without a tire pressure gauge. Finally, you may want a smaller travel kit that has some basic tools to carry on the bike when repairs are needed out on the road.
Parts
In addition to any fluids and filters you’ll change or top off yourself, your garage can benefit from a few things to help with motorcycle maintenance and projects, such as:
- Can of degreaser
- Lubricant spray
- Chain lube
- Waterproof grease for axles, wheel spacers, and control pivots
- Wire brush for the battery and cables
- Old toothbrush for cleaning the chain
- Nitrile gloves (unless you like a little dirt and grit under your fingernails)
- Shop rags for cleaning up spills and messes
- For oil spills, you may also want some clay kitty litter or sawdust to help soak up the oil
You’ll also want a quality detergent for cleaning your bike, as well as any recommended waxes, polishes, a specialty cleaner for the wind screen (if applicable); and treatment chemicals for cleaning and rejuvenating any rubber parts (such as grips) and maintaining the life of your seat/saddle.
Gear
When it comes to gear, the most basic item you should have is a Department of Transportation (DOT)-approved helmet. A good pair of riding boots are also recommended for protecting your feet and ankles. If your helmet doesn’t have a shield and your bike doesn’t have a fairing, you’ll need something to protect your eyes from things flying at you. A good pair of sunglasses can not only protect your eyes from debris, they can help you see better, especially in bright and sunny conditions.
Gloves are good to help you keep a better grip on controls when riding in hot weather or to protect your hands and fingers from freezing when biking in cold weather (unless you have heated grips). A high-quality rain suit is a nice benefit when you get caught in a storm and don’t have a place to shelter immediately. Plus, there are jackets and full suits that can save you from road rash and worse if you should ever dump your ride.
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Ready To Roll
Now that you have all the tools and gear for the garage, all you need is the right bike fit for your lifestyle. For all your buying and selling needs, check out our marketplace online for a selection of new and used motorcycles to choose from with lots of search options to find what you want quickly. Let’s get going.
Barrett Baker
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