Emergency Roadside Kit recommendations
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
From: Daytona Beach
Yeah I second a AAA card with motorcycle towing on it. They will bring you gas if you run out. It's probably the most looked over item. Most of the time standing on the side of the freeway trying to fix something is the worst thing to do. Most of the morons screaming by you in cages not paying attention to driving, while shaving, eating, reading the paper. etc etc and talking on their cell phones, can get you killed. If it's something that will take more than a few minutes to fix. Call for your free tow and get it moved to a nearby parking lot, where you can fix it without worrying about being someones hood ornament. Oh and if you are traveling alone, leave a route map with someone you know in case you don't arrive.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
if you use autolite 4164 plugs, you can use a 11/16 spark plug socket. why is this important? because it just happens to be the same size as the nut on the clutch pack for doing a clutch adjustment.
i like tools that i can use for more than one use, takes up less space that way.
what i do when i do any maintenance on my bike is to use my 'on bike tool kit'. if i can't fix it in the garage with that kit, then i'm damn sure not gonna be able to do it on the road. if i find a tool that i need that isn't in my kit, i add it.
sorry, i disagree. a couple of spark plugs does not take up that much room. it may not happen often anymore, but plugs do still get fouled (or even broken) and i would hate to have to use that umbrella on the side of the road when i could have just changed out the bad plug and gone about my business. besides, 2 plugs takes up less room than an umbrella. i do agree about the anti seize. i carry that with me too (comes in solid stick form). works great on exhaust flange nuts, spark plugs, and derby cover screws.
again, i disagree. the items that i bolded i consider to be essential, and again, do not take up that much room. the tp, anti-monkey butt powder, and sunscreen could easily save you from being anywhere from mildly annoyed to seriously uncomfortable.
i like tools that i can use for more than one use, takes up less space that way.
what i do when i do any maintenance on my bike is to use my 'on bike tool kit'. if i can't fix it in the garage with that kit, then i'm damn sure not gonna be able to do it on the road. if i find a tool that i need that isn't in my kit, i add it.
Spare spark plugs are a carry over from times past and no one with any sense or money overhauls a motorcycle on the side of the road now days. Pulling spark plugs out of a hot aluminum jug isn't smart either so my spark plugs have anti seize on the threads. A small umbrella in the bottom of one of those bags for shade in west Texas waiting for the trailer. Haul plenty of water and a cell phone.
That is way too much stuff - unless you are going cross country or through the desert.
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.
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.
Last edited by skratch; Aug 18, 2010 at 03:53 PM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,476
Likes: 5
From: Republic of Texas
I wasn't criticizing and you sound just like the guy I like to see when we roll up on the scene. One other thing along with aspirin might make a big difference with cardiac patients---Calm. The less excited the patient the less their overstressed heart is having to work. Only thing I woulds change is get rid of the baby aspirin. I carry regular strength aspirin. I personally would use a couple of regular aspirin to replace the four baby aspirin sometimes recommended. If my chest was hurting and it fit my thoughts of a heart attack I would be all over aspirin. Severe allergic reactions--- benedryl can save a life but the patient still needs to see a doctor. Nothing worse then better now dead a little later. Because of the tort laws I have to be careful. I am held to a higher standard but nothing beats a good calm knowledgeable person during an emergency. They save a lot of lives and prevent a lot of injuries from being worse. Some of the most interesting classes I have been to are the ones that teach how to think out of the box.
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 victim a hand full of baby aspirin 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 don't 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.
Point I was making is..... Last heart attach victim a hand full of baby aspirin 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 don't 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.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,476
Likes: 5
From: Republic of Texas
You can carry what you want but I save room in my bags for other things I deem more important. I haven't fouled a plug on the road in over twenty years and the only reason I carry a plug wrench it out of habit and it is easier to check fire for me with a plug. I know have sufficient means to overhaul and tune my motorcycles before plug fouling becomes a problem. I will not be adjusting clutch packs on the road. Haven't cleaned plugs in ten years. Buy new ones--check gap--anti seize---install---reattach plug wires and throw old plugs in the trash. That is something I do a week before the long trip or as part of my routine maintenance. If it breaks down on the road --it is broke. Last time my bike left me on the side of the road it was a fuel pump regulator on an fuel injected bike. I am not taking all that apart on the side of the road unless I am the only one that has traveled that road in the last fifty years and a cell phone will not work. Things get that desperate I might use the bike as a signal fire. I would throw some of that monkey butt powder on the signal fire but I don't carry it either but I do have a matchless fire starter.
if you use autolite 4164 plugs, you can use a 11/16 spark plug socket. why is this important? because it just happens to be the same size as the nut on the clutch pack for doing a clutch adjustment.
i like tools that i can use for more than one use, takes up less space that way.
what i do when i do any maintenance on my bike is to use my 'on bike tool kit'. if i can't fix it in the garage with that kit, then i'm damn sure not gonna be able to do it on the road. if i find a tool that i need that isn't in my kit, i add it.
sorry, i disagree. a couple of spark plugs does not take up that much room. it may not happen often anymore, but plugs do still get fouled (or even broken) and i would hate to have to use that umbrella on the side of the road when i could have just changed out the bad plug and gone about my business. besides, 2 plugs takes up less room than an umbrella. i do agree about the anti seize. i carry that with me too (comes in solid stick form). works great on exhaust flange nuts, spark plugs, and derby cover screws.
i like tools that i can use for more than one use, takes up less space that way.
what i do when i do any maintenance on my bike is to use my 'on bike tool kit'. if i can't fix it in the garage with that kit, then i'm damn sure not gonna be able to do it on the road. if i find a tool that i need that isn't in my kit, i add it.
sorry, i disagree. a couple of spark plugs does not take up that much room. it may not happen often anymore, but plugs do still get fouled (or even broken) and i would hate to have to use that umbrella on the side of the road when i could have just changed out the bad plug and gone about my business. besides, 2 plugs takes up less room than an umbrella. i do agree about the anti seize. i carry that with me too (comes in solid stick form). works great on exhaust flange nuts, spark plugs, and derby cover screws.
Last edited by oldairboater; Aug 18, 2010 at 04:04 PM.
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 600
Likes: 0
From: La Vernia (San Antonio), 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.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,476
Likes: 5
From: Republic of Texas
Thanks for the compliment. I live on the coast south of Galveston. Born fifty miles from here and never left home for long. I like riding in your area. Don't know if you caught the trick yet but when we ride your way we freeze water overnight and let it thaw wrapped in towels in out saddle bags as the day goes on and drink it while it is still cool. Warm water is better then no water but cool water hits the spot.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
You can carry what you want but I save room in my bags for other things I deem more important. I haven't fouled a plug on the road in over twenty years and the only reason I carry a plug wrench it out of habit and it is easier to check fire for me with a plug. I know have sufficient means to overhaul and tune my motorcycles before plug fouling becomes a problem. I will not be adjusting clutch packs on the road. Haven't cleaned plugs in ten years. Buy new ones--check gap--anti seize---install---reattach plug wires and throw old plugs in the trash. That is something I do a week before the long trip or as part of my routine maintenance. If it breaks down on the road --it is broke. Last time my bike left me on the side of the road it was a fuel pump regulator on an fuel injected bike. I am not taking all that apart on the side of the road unless I am the only one that has traveled that road in the last fifty years and a cell phone will not work. Things get that desperate I might use the bike as a signal fire. I would throw some of that monkey butt powder on the signal fire but I don't carry it either but I do have a matchless fire starter.
a couple of times that i've had to do something for someone else, they have taken it upon themselves to either have their bike looked over before leaving, or started carrying some of their own stuff.....
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,476
Likes: 5
From: Republic of Texas
Does it bother you to have to work on someone else's bike on the side of the road? I have a friend and he usually has about five of us working on his junk every trip. Between all of us we have a pretty good set of tools. Doesn't bother us but we now laugh as we predict what it will be. We now ask him what has he worked on last and what spare parts is he carrying in his saddle bags. I ran into him today and he is going on a trip several states over. I will not be making the trip even though it is a club ride. I asked him if his bike was ready and the first thing he told me is he has a new set of points in his saddle bag. I started laughing when I read your reply--right on time with my discussion today.
you're right, i've never fouled a plug on the road. i change mine before i leave as well. and i also make sure my clutch is adjusted before hand as well. but, i have had to adjust a brothers clutch so that we could all get to our destination together. i don't necessarily carry all of what i do for me, sometimes, i like to hook a brother up.....
a couple of times that i've had to do something for someone else, they have taken it upon themselves to either have their bike looked over before leaving, or started carrying some of their own stuff.....
a couple of times that i've had to do something for someone else, they have taken it upon themselves to either have their bike looked over before leaving, or started carrying some of their own stuff.....