The best thing about owning a motorcycle is that many routine maintenance tasks can be done by the owner. That being said, these tasks can’t be completed without the right equipment. If you’re a new rider or looking to start doing maintenance on your bike for the first time, here is a list of 5 basic tools you’ll need to get most jobs done.
WRENCHES
There are many different styles out there but combination wrenches are one of the best to use on motorcycles. The open end side applies turning pressure on the flat sides of any fasteners and provides the strongest connection. The closed end applies pressure to the corners of the fasteners, giving the user greater angles to hold the fastener.
Another great wrench to have handy is a ratchet/socket wrench set. These let you quickly change fasteners that are recessed or in inconvenient locations with ease. A driving lug will slot into the back of the sockets, and a lever will allow you to adjust from tightening to loosening. This tool has made many of my maintenance days go quickly, and I’m sure it will do the same for you!
HEX/ALLEN KEY
One of the most common fasteners on motorcycles are bolts with internal hex shapes. The tool used to remove these bolts is a hex/Allen key. These are available in metric or SAE sizing. A good place to start when getting these is to look for those sets that include both long and short lengths because some bolts require more torque than others to undo them.
FRONT/REAR TIRE STAND
Front and rear stand's offer a quick way to get your bike off the ground and upright, which helps during most maintenance jobs. If you are unable to get both stands, I would recommend starting with the rear one as this would help with more jobs. When deciding on which stands to buy, it's very important to make sure you get a good quality stand that is made to support the weight of your bike. You don’t want to get something that will crack under pressure which can lead to injury or damage to your motorcycle.
SCREWDRIVERS
One of the most basic of basic tools available anywhere. Be sure to get a set of screwdrivers that are different sizes and are split up between Phillips and flat head. If you like moving quicker, there are screwdrivers with interchangeable tips so that you don’t need to walk around with multiple tools.
AIR COMPRESSOR
Now this one isn’t a typical type of tool that will help you with any wrenching on your bike, but this is so essential. An air compressor will help you keep your tire pressure where it needs to be. Many problems can occur from riding on tires that are over/under inflated so it's important to have one of these around to keep things accurate. There are many different types of these available, the best for motorcycles is the portable kind.
CONCLUSION
Like stated above, maintenance tasks can’t be done without the right equipment. The tools listed in this article are sure to get you set up to start working on your bike. This is bound to save you a lot of money in the long run…which is something we all should try and do these days!
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