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Riding a motorcycle into the middle of nowhere is a daunting task; even more so if you travel alone. As such here is a list of the gear that I carry and have put to use on more than one occasion. While not all inclusive, this guide includes the basics of what you should carry on adventure rides. Long trips may necessitate additional gear and/or larger quantities than shown so plan accordingly.
- Tire tools- Flat tires are a fact of life in offroad adventuring. Fortunately a set of tire irons (three preferred) and a valve core remover (I use the valve cap type) will go a long way to getting your tire off the rim. Add a set of rim protectors if you have pretty rims and don’t like scratches.
- A tire gauge will help you set the new tire to the correct PSI.
Patch/Plug kit- Depending on the tires you are running, carry plugs for tubeless, patch for tubes.
- Duct tape – Make a small roll of this by wrapping it on itself. Works great for fixing just about everything temporarily. Electrical tape in the same fashion is also handy.
- Zip ties – carry an assortment of these for replacing missing fasteners or repairing crash damage.
- Tool kit – Whether OEM or aftermarket, make sure you have the tools to complete basic disassembly and repair.
- Multitool (Cruz) - As the KTM kits contain decent quality tools, I usually only supplement them with a Multitool to have extra functions or to fix other less prepared adventurer’s bikes.
- Bungee cords – Great to have when you pick up some extra food/beer/etc. and need to haul it to your campsite.
- Mini Leatherman tool. Pliers, wire cutters/strippers, a knife, file, tweezers, and an assortment of other small tools
- Hose clamps- make strong lashing devices or help repair coolant leaks.
- 14 or 16 gauge wire – repair wiring shorts or use for emergency lashing. Add several Posilock connectors for added versatility.
- Spare nuts and bolts – As a former Buell owner these work great for those fasteners that seemed to disappear along the way.
- Octane booster – these small durable pouches contain a dose of rocket fuel for those times when you end up buying questionable gas in the third world.
- LED headlamp - if you’ve ever had to make a nighttime roadside repair you will understand the value of this one. LED equals extreme long life and a head strap keeps your hands free. This one also features a flash mode for signaling or blinding your friends.
- Fire starting implement- when you are cold and wet nothing beats a warm fire. I carry a magnesium fire starter/flint as it has no moving parts, doesn’t leak, isn’t affected by moisture, etc. Combine it with a little gas soaked tinder and you have a fire that will light in even the soggiest conditions.
- Fuses – pop a fuse and then you realize you already used the spare… Doh.
- Ear plugs – hearing damage is irreversible, use these to replace those that you lose.
- Tire inflator- Here you have several options. Pneumatic, CO2, and electric. Personally I usually carry a CO2/Pneumatic Mountain bike pump and 6 CO2’s for daily use and add an electric pump for longer trips. Be advised that if your motorcycle uses tubeless tires you will need a CO2 pump to reseat the bead if it becomes unseated.
- Hand sanitizer- kills germs and supposedly can aid in fire starting. You never know when you may need it to wash out some rusted cans to boil water from a bacteria filled stream.
- Eye drops- dust and sand are major optical irritants and can make a ride miserable. Use this to flush them out.
- Compass – if you’ve lost, this will help immensely especially after the batteries on your $500 GPS die.
- Space blanket – multitude of uses including staying warm and making shelter.
- First Aid kit. Boo boo’s happen. Take your pick of commercially available kits. I usually supplement mine with extra ibuprofen/Aleve, antacids, and insect/bee sting treatment.
- Phone card – my cell phone doesn’t work in Mexico
- Tow strap – if you ride with a buddy this may be the difference between leaving your busted adventure bike behind or a long tow to civilization.
- Water purification tablets – fill your camelback with stream water, add the necessary amount, wait 30min, and you can be drinking water sans intestinal parasites.
- Coolant- top off that tank or add to regular water to help you make it out after a coolant leak.
- Oil- fill’er up or add to a roaring fire to aid in signaling.
- Gasoline – 1 little bottle of gas can be the difference of riding 10 miles or walking there.
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