Cars are getting much more difficult to work on, especially with all the electronics that are being incorporated in them, but if you have a motorcycle, doing some basic repairs and maintenance is still pretty accessible. Some repairs are better to be left for the mechanics, but for the most part, you can handle some basic repairs with some common sense and a little direction. With most tools for motorcycle repairs being more accessible than they are for cars, even beginners can do a surprising amount of work by themselves.
Having a a couple essential tools for motorcycle repairs under your seat can help you prevent small problems becoming big ones. Given that your motorcycle is relatively new and well maintained, these few tools will help you take care of majority of the problems you encounter while on the road.
Pliers for example, are something that you might need at any moment. There is a large variety of pliers and depending on what you want to do, you should have a suitable one for the purpose. However, it’s always a good idea to keep several types and have them at hand in case some things go wrong.
Another thing you should have at your disposal at all times is a bike spider stand. If you’re going to work on a tyre or anything under the bike, a stand will make it much easier. Older bikes usually came with a spider stand but good luck finding a newer bike that comes with one. A stand offers stability and acts as a lift, so buying one should be high on your shopping list for tools.
Just like pliers, you’ll also need wrenches for all kinds of repairs and maintenance on your bike. There are full sets which you can buy that contain a variety of sizes, but it can also be a good idea to buy redundant wrenches with different lengths. You can never know when you’ll need a shorter one, a longer one, or two of the same length.
Besides the generic wrenches, a torque wrench is essential. Every time you tighten a bolt, you’ll want to make sure it’s tight enough to not loosen again, but you’ll also want to make sure it’s not so tight so you don’t strip it completely. In order to get it right you need a torque wrench.
And last but not least, you should get a bike coolant. It prevents the bike engine from freezing and overheating, plus it decreases the risks of corrosion affecting your bike’s engine.
