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Graduate from the School of Hard Knocks
I have been riding motorcycles since 1994, and as you could imagine, I have had a few roadside emergencies. As a result, I developed a "master kit" that I keep with me at all times. It easily transfers from bike to bike and is equipped to serve me on long rides as well as short ones. The idea is to be self-sufficient on a motorcycle. When you're exploring deep into unfamiliar areas without any phone service, the only option you have is self-rescue. Having a plan, tools, and experience is the best way to explore on a motorcycle without letting common issues disable your ride.
Sort Out the Bits Once
The first thing at the top of the bag is a rain jacket. For obvious reasons, I want quick access without having to take the bag off of the bike. After that, things are packed in a way to reduce the chances of a tool puncturing a hole or wearing through the bag. I have a few small bags tightly packed with tools and wrenches. The usual hex wrench kit, and 8mm, 10mm, and 12mm wrenches for shifter levers and axle spanner bolts. Assorted sockets, a mini ratchet, and a flat oil filter wrench. I even carry a Deltran battery tender for destination charging. If I am hundreds of miles from home visiting friends or family, I have the ability to maintain or recharge the bike's battery from a standard outlet if needed. It's simply another layer of self-sufficiency. I don't want a weak battery becoming the reason I can't ride home.
Emergency Kit Heroes
The main heroes of this kit are the tire repair kit and the rechargeable air pump. I can't count how many times I have gotten a flat tire in the middle of nowhere. If I get a flat, the first priority is to stop and assess both the motorcycle and my surroundings. Continuing to ride on a damaged tire can be dangerous, but the side of a highway is not always a safe place to make a repair either. It may be necessary to ride extremely slowly for a short distance to reach a safer location. Doing so may cause additional damage or completely destroy the tire, but that may be necessary to get myself out of harm's way. Once I determine that the puncture can be safely repaired, I have what I need to plug the tire, add air, and get moving again. If it can't be safely repaired, the plan changes from repair to recovery. I have always been able to make the repair, but I never lock myself into expecting that as an outcome. I'm not going to risk myself, the bike, or further tire and wheel damage trying to force a roadside solution. There are many other things that can go wrong, but with the right equipment and a recovery plan, a tire puncture doesn't have to become a major problem. The only thing I am looking to improve here is having a small manual air pump in case the battery-operated pump fails. But finding a small, reputable unit for long-term storage is a bit of a challenge. I am looking for a serviceable one that I can disassemble, re-grease the seals, and buy extra seals to store (greased) in a plastic bag for a field repair if necessary.
"It is better to have and not need than to need and not have."
To jam all of these things into one bag and leave them in there is too simple. I spent one day combing over the bikes for what I may need, then packing those tools in the bag. That bag has been with me more days than I could count. That's a great return on my time invested. No need to think about it anymore. Periodically recharge the air pump, but that's it. The ultimate goal is to "Have and Not Need." Part of that is properly prepping my "Battle Bike" for long road trips. This is discussed in detail on the Road Trip page.
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