Emergency Roadside Kit recommendations
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 335
Likes: 14
From: Baltimore
Small basic bike tool kit, air pump for shocks, spare fuses and turn signal bulbs, zip ties, small LED flashlight, small first aid kit with some basic meds and ointments, sun screen, wet wipes in case you gotto go, also useful to clean your hands and get the sun screen off your hands, a bottle of water, spare keys for locks, HOG map or GPS with dealers loaded into it, rag to wipe things off if needed. I carry some benadryil (sp) in case someone I am riding with gets stung by a bee and is allergic to bees. Becuase I'm not as young as I use to be I carry some asprin in case my butt or back gets sore on a 8-10 hour ride and I take them before the pain starts. All of the above is always on my bike in addition to rain gear and a couple pair of gloves.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,476
Likes: 5
From: Republic of Texas
The OP is in central Texas. It is almost always hot and sunny so two types of sun screen and mosquito spray sealed in a plastic baggie should be in the top of the trunk. Sweat towel should be in top trunk along with spare night glasses and sun glasses. Tool kit which should never be needed much should be in a bottom lower corner of his saddle bag[hard case]. Rain suit for the flood and small umbrella for the sun should be in the other saddle bag. Plenty of water and a few extra shirts and a light jacket should be distributed equally between both saddle bags. Aspirin and antihistamine should be in windshield bag. Working knife should be in jeans pocket. Convincing knife should be either in boot or on belt in scabbard. Pistol should be in hideaway holster. Cell phone should be in pocket or pouch opposite of knife. Money and credit cards in wallet. Gloves worn when riding. Winter time substitute chaps and coat for light jacket.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,748
Likes: 0
From: NC
I went to Auto Zone and bought cheap tools. I can turn anything on your bike below a 1 inch bolt. They are in two zipper bank bags and I put one in each saddle bag. More importantly I put together my own medical kit. You brake it, cut it, have an allergy, and baby aspirns for heart attack I got you covered. I have seen some ugly sights riding and I made my mind up the next ugly sight I see of a biker in trouble I will be able to help. I can not cure them with what I got but I can hopefully keep them alive till someone gets an ambulance to the scene.
Shiney side up guys and have fun.
Shiney side up guys and have fun.
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
, but it would be great to be able to help someone else out. Aerostich has what appears to be a pretty nifty self-priming device (no mouthful of gas). Haven't actually tried it (and I'm not affiliated with Aerostich), but it gets good reviews.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,476
Likes: 5
From: Republic of Texas
I am the ambulance crew. I don't know what you have in your medical kit but you probably don't carry enough on your bike to make that much of a difference. Not saying a kit is bad but most people confuse a medical kit with a medicine cabinet while thinking they have a trauma bag. A cell phone to get timely help. Directions and location to ease the search. Antihistamine and aspirin are nice. An epi pen is good. An AED would be great. Water for heat problems. Extra clothing to maintain body temp. Notice maintain---not heat up. Bandages, dressings, and splints are everywhere. Training would be nice. Maintaining airways without aggravating injuries. Too many good Samaritans are hurtful instead of helpful. Intelligent help that is cool and calm is always a plus. Panicked idiots are aways in the way. I probably left something out but I will get by till an ambulance arrives.
I went to Auto Zone and bought cheap tools. I can turn anything on your bike below a 1 inch bolt. They are in two zipper bank bags and I put one in each saddle bag. More importantly I put together my own medical kit. You brake it, cut it, have an allergy, and baby aspirns for heart attack I got you covered. I have seen some ugly sights riding and I made my mind up the next ugly sight I see of a biker in trouble I will be able to help. I can not cure them with what I got but I can hopefully keep them alive till someone gets an ambulance to the scene.
Shiney side up guys and have fun.
Shiney side up guys and have fun.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,208
Likes: 374
From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74
Of course nobody here would be so foolish as to run out of gas , but it would be great to be able to help someone else out. Aerostich has what appears to be a pretty nifty self-priming device (no mouthful of gas). Haven't actually tried it (and I'm not affiliated with Aerostich), but it gets good reviews.
, but it would be great to be able to help someone else out. Aerostich has what appears to be a pretty nifty self-priming device (no mouthful of gas). Haven't actually tried it (and I'm not affiliated with Aerostich), but it gets good reviews.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,301
Likes: 7
Was pulling together some ideas for building the roadside emergency kit for my bagger. Thought I'd post it here to generate some discussion for items to add or remove from this list.
Might also be good for many of the new riders we have that read this forum.
Here are my thoughts for an emergency roadside kit (in no particular order of importance):
1. Toolkit containing:
a. vice grip pliers
b. needle nose pliers (most double as wire cutters)
c. multi-head screwdriver kit
d. electrical tape
e. multi-tool (Leatherman)
f. adjustable wrench
g. assortment of allen and torx keys (if your bike came with the Harley tool kit, you probably have these already)
h. zip ties
i. shop rags
j. ground cloth (Ive used an inexpensive shower curtain for this. Costs just a few bucks and can double as a rain shield in a pinch.)
2. Tire repair kit with can of Fix-a-Flat, CO2 cartridges, or equivalent
3. Roadside reflector kit
4. Road flares
5. Bottled water
6. Emergency blanket (space blanket)
7. First aid kit
a. bandaids
b. antibotic ointment
c. sterile gauze patches
d. aspirin, Advil, Tylenol, etc.
8. Your favorite anti-monkey butt medication Gold Bond powder, spray, etc.
9. LED headlamp with spare batteries
10. Micro flashlight with spare batteries
11. Bike-specific fuses, bulbs, and pre-gapped spark plugs
12. Cigarette lighter / waterproof matches
13. Toilet paper in a waterproof bag
14. Sunscreen and after-sun lotion
15. A carrying case for all the above
Might also be good for many of the new riders we have that read this forum.
Here are my thoughts for an emergency roadside kit (in no particular order of importance):
1. Toolkit containing:
a. vice grip pliers
b. needle nose pliers (most double as wire cutters)
c. multi-head screwdriver kit
d. electrical tape
e. multi-tool (Leatherman)
f. adjustable wrench
g. assortment of allen and torx keys (if your bike came with the Harley tool kit, you probably have these already)
h. zip ties
i. shop rags
j. ground cloth (Ive used an inexpensive shower curtain for this. Costs just a few bucks and can double as a rain shield in a pinch.)
2. Tire repair kit with can of Fix-a-Flat, CO2 cartridges, or equivalent
3. Roadside reflector kit
4. Road flares
5. Bottled water
6. Emergency blanket (space blanket)
7. First aid kit
a. bandaids
b. antibotic ointment
c. sterile gauze patches
d. aspirin, Advil, Tylenol, etc.
8. Your favorite anti-monkey butt medication Gold Bond powder, spray, etc.
9. LED headlamp with spare batteries
10. Micro flashlight with spare batteries
11. Bike-specific fuses, bulbs, and pre-gapped spark plugs
12. Cigarette lighter / waterproof matches
13. Toilet paper in a waterproof bag
14. Sunscreen and after-sun lotion
15. A carrying case for all the above
ground cloth
Toilet paper
Your favorite anti-monkey butt medication
Emergency blanket
Road flares
Sunscreen and after-sun lotion
shop rags
This is way over kill. Even in an emergancy - this stuff is not required.
Also - any good kit does not contain duplicates since this is wasted space, effort and weight.
Example of redundant items:
LED headlamp with spare batteries
Micro flashlight with spare batteries
Emergency blanket
ground cloth
There is not much you can fix on the side of the road. I have not seen a failed sparkplug in a couple decades so I no longer carry extra plugs. These are replaced before any long trip anyways. The tool kit should be only that required to fix a flat tire (if its not too bad) and tighten loose bolts/connectors. tape and tie wraps are great and do not take up any space. Here is my kit that only gets packed on LONG trips. bike night and the 100 mile round trip to work don't count. Of course the bike gets a complete tune-up and go over before any longtrip.
Toolkit (includes tape and tie wraps)
3 pliers (needle, standard, vice)
Ratchet set that contains only sized needed for bike bolts)
2 screw drivers
torx and allen heads to fit bike only.
knife.
Tire repair kit with CO2 refill.
Basic first Aid kit.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,658
Likes: 33
I carry one of these, because I don't always have cell service when traveling the back roads. Especially out west.
www.findmespot.com
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,748
Likes: 0
From: NC
I am the ambulance crew. I don't know what you have in your medical kit but you probably don't carry enough on your bike to make that much of a difference. Not saying a kit is bad but most people confuse a medical kit with a medicine cabinet while thinking they have a trauma bag. A cell phone to get timely help. Directions and location to ease the search. Antihistamine and aspirin are nice. An epi pen is good. An AED would be great. Water for heat problems. Extra clothing to maintain body temp. Notice maintain---not heat up. Bandages, dressings, and splints are everywhere. Training would be nice. Maintaining airways without aggravating injuries. Too many good Samaritans are hurtful instead of helpful. Intelligent help that is cool and calm is always a plus. Panicked idiots are aways in the way. I probably left something out but I will get by till an ambulance arrives.
Your right I just got the general stuff. One of those little blankets, many different types of bandages, stuff to do splints, stuff to help stop bleeding, water in a bottle, Antihistamine, and other medical cabinet stuff. I have had a little training but no where near your level. Far as calm..... I have seen things and been involved in things. Calm I am in all things and level headed. Cant explain why I am that way when times are bad but I always am. Its after the bad events are over like a few hours or days that it hits me but never during.
Point I was making is..... Last heart attach victum a hand full of baby aspirn saved his life per the Doctor that worked on him. A buddy of mine had the meds to give to the guy while I stood watching since I had nothing. Last major reaction to a sting Benadrl kept the person from having their airways closing till they could get to a doctor. Last major bleeder .... using my rubber tube tightly around their leg and tight bandages kept them from bleeding to death till people in your occupation could arrive. That happen many years ago. Joe Nobody that rides a bike in my opinion should try to help a fallen biker if he can do it calmly and takes a class or two in first aid. Neck and head injuries thats completely your field not mine. Too dangerous to move if they dont have to me moved. I did keep the lady from freezing on the cold ice while we waited for the ambulance one time.
Riding a motorcycle is dangerous and people should take some classes so they can assist if possible in my opinion. An ambulance is not around the corner waiting for the event normally. It takes time and the bleeder, Sting reaction, snake bite, or heart attach may not have time to wait for an ambulance with out some type of minor assistance.
Last edited by csbreeze; Aug 18, 2010 at 02:11 PM.