What tools should you take on a motorcycle road-trip?

While crossing the Moroccan desert, Emile Leray suffered a breakdown on his 2CV. His solution? Build a motorcycle from Citroën parts to get to the first village. Just goes to show that, with the right tools (and a little know-how), you can get out of any situation. Well then, in this article we won't be revealing how to transform your GS into a motorized unicycle and escape from the Sahara. Instead? A list of essential motorcycle tools for everyday use as well as for long-distance adventures:

Always have your insurance number to hand

AI works miracles! But unfortunately, yelling "Siri, fix my damn grindstone!" won't have any effect on your wrench, however new it may be. The moral of the story? A tool is only useful if you know how to use it. Maybe that's why bikers tend to ride in groups: there's bound to be someone in the group who knows how to change an inner tube. So, you don't feel like a handyman? Then keep your breakdown insurance number handy.

Pack the bare essentials and know your bike (a minimum)

When you're on a motorcycle road-trip, you don't need to pack much. The motto for tools? Take only what's strictly necessary, to keep space to a minimum. Of course, to get it right, you need to know your bike a little bit. And yes, some grinding wheels require slightly "exotic" tools, which are never a good thing to discover when stranded on the side of the road in minus 5°C weather. So it's better to be safe than sorry, and carry out repairs in the warmth of your garage.

The tool kit, for the essentials

"The flathead screwdriver is at the bottom of the left side panel, the socket wrench is in the top case, and the open-end wrenches are under the seat: it's all good! Well, what can I say? Proper tool storage is essential. Firstly, so as not to waste time, but also so as not to be plagued by doubt when the quest for the holy BTR starts to drag on. A tool kit is still the best way to store your tools. You can steal your kid's and put your favorite wrenches in it, or opt for a ready-made tool kit like these:

----> Enduristan motorcycle tool kit

----> Kriega tool kit RSD ROAM BLACK

----> SBV TOOLS motorcycle tool bag 60 pcs

Can't see yourself replacing your clutch in the middle of the Brazilian jungle? Don't worry, that's not the purpose of this rudimentary tool kit. Its role is much more humble: to deal with the little glitches of everyday life, such as a loose rear-view mirror or a loose cable guard. Here's a short shopping list:

• set of Allen keys ( also known as BTR)
• set of open-end wrenches (diameters from 6 to 19, beyond that just for show)
• screwdrivers with reversible tips ( flat and Phillips, for the advantage of compactness)
• flat-nose pliers and wire cutters
• a few plastic clamps (ideal for securing fairings that want to stand alone)
• multi-function knife (Swiss or American)

Would you like to become more independent? Want to roll up your sleeves and get carnally involved with your lady? Then it's time to beef up your toolkit. For this 2nd degree of intimacy, we're going to equip ourselves to get out of a flat tire as well as a possible electrical glitch. Whether you're on a road-trip or off-roading in the undergrowth, you're not immune to a nasty nail or a blown fuse. Wouldn't it be a shame - especially for your ego - to have to call the tow truck for that? Here's how to add to your toolbox:

In the event of a puncture, there are two schools of thought:

Either opt for the anti-puncture spray option. This is a temporary solution, but it allows you to get to the nearest garage to repair your tire properly.

Or really roll up your sleeves and equip yourself accordingly:

• drill bits and insertion tools if you're riding tubeless
• tire levers and spare inner tubes if you're not tubeless
• a means of re-inflating all this with your choice of: Jean-Reno-style lungs in the deep blue sea, gas cartridges, a good old-fashioned foot pump or the must-have: a portable self-inflator.
  

In case of electrical problems :

rudimentary equipment will get you out of many situations (cut cable, damaged insulation, etc.):

• sparefuses
• domino set
• spark plugs (with appropriate spark plug wrench)
• electrical tape
• a few spare bulbs
• two meters of wire

Do you wish you could completely reassemble your bike on the Mongolian steppes? Do you feel the practical genius of Emile Leray bubbling up inside you? We understand. So, to reach the ultimate degree of intimacy with your bike, here's a shopping list that covers 99% of breakdowns (and yes, you may have the best hammer, but a leaking connecting rod is still a breakdown that's hard to repair on the roadside):

• socket wrench
• hammer (apart from the practical aspect, using a sledgehammer is a recreational activity, and even a lifesaver when your fellow adventurer says "I wouldn't have done it like that").
• hacksaw
• wrench (for that nut you didn't know you needed until now)
• multi-bit screwdriver ( flat, Phillips, BTR, Torx, etc.)
• threadlocker (to hold that p**** stubborn bolt in place!)
• American tape (good old duct tape, the best invention after the wheel)
• chainlink and riveter
• wrench for wheel spokes

It's all very well to have the tools, but you can't tinker with a clutch cable with a wrench. And you don't need to bother with a spare engine if you're going to be on the road for 10 days. The mantra? Carry the bare essentials. Here again, you need to know your bike inside out. Known breakdowns, possible weaknesses in certain components, and above all the average lifespan of wearing parts such as the clutch, brake pads, etc...

Here's a basic list of spare parts to be adapted to the mileage of your motorcycle tour:

• gas pedal and clutch cables
• clutch and brake levers (you can also opt for folding models to avoid breakage)
• gear selector (here, too, it's a good idea to install a foldable product upstream)
• voltage regulator
• brake pads
• oil, air and fuelfilters
• a sprinkling of hardware (washers, bolts, nuts, titanium hip, etc.)
• clutch discs (lined and/or smooth)
• wheel bearings

It's okay to be adventurous, but it's also okay to indulge in a little luxury. Here are a few accessories that may not be essential, but they're damn handy!

• headlamp, because you need to be able to see where you're putting your fingers
• battery booster (so you don't have to start your stroller early in the morning)
• removable kickstand, also known as a maintenance kickstand, otherwise there's the option of a log under the bike, but hey...
• one or two straps to securely fasten the watermelon you've just been offered by a Turkish trader

We hope you've found this article useful. And don't hesitate to use it as a basis for your own pre-roadtrip checklist. Tip to keep in mind? Take only the bare essentials. And if you're tempted by the idea of setting off on an adventure to the four corners of the globe, we invite you to take a look at our tutorials on the subject: Bivouacking on a motorcycle, best practices for fording a river, how to carry petrol on a motorcycle, etc....

.

.

.

.

Image credits: Header photo by Freepik, woman garage photo by Kireyonok_Yuliya on Freepik, motorcycle inflator photo by Freepik