New Motorcycle Must Haves
- Motorcycle Gear Reviews
- Jan 24, 2024
- 7 min read
So, you just got a new motorcycle? There are somethings you are going to need. In this article we are going to explore some of the basics that any new rider or new motorcycle must haves.
New Motorcycle Must Haves - Battery Tender
It would be awesome to ride your new motorcycle everyday, and I hope you do. For most rider's that is just not possible. Often, motorcycles sit nestled in the garage, until the weekend or until the weather is favorable. On a modern motorcycle, there are a lot of electronic components. Some of these systems can drain a battery fairly quickly. So, if your bike is going to sit for a few weeks at a time, a battery tender is a necessity.
A battery tender prolongs the life of a battery by maintaining a change on the battery when not in use. Typically, battery tenders range from 1 amp to 5 amps. I would not recommend a tender less than 1 amp as it may not be able to keep up with the drain on the battery. Also, going out and starting and letting it idle will not keep your battery charged. In fact, it will make it drain faster. To charge the battery by simply riding, you would need to ride for at least 15 minutes.
There are three types of battery tenders. A trickle charger is the most common and one of the most affordable. A trickle charger, provides a low amperage charge to ensure your bike will start up when you are ready to ride. They are not well suited for long term storage of the bike, as they can overcharge a battery. A float charger is very similar to a trickle charger, but it can adjust the charge rate to prevent overcharging. A multi-stage charger can monitor the batteries voltage and adjust the charging rate based on need. For most rider's a multi stage charger is a little overkill. My recommendation is either a trickle charger or a float charger. If you are going to put your bike up for a long time, I would suggest disconnecting the battery from the bike.
You should also be aware of what type of battery you have. A lithium battery requires a different charger than a standard lead acid battery. Make sure you select a charger for your particular type of battery. Lithium batteries are not common place, but are becoming more popular due to their performance and weight reduction.
Finally, you will want to make sure you have a pig tail attached to your battery to charge your bike. This is simply the wiring that connects to your battery and stays connected to the bike. You simply plug the tender into the end of the pig tail and do not have to remove anything to use alligator clamps to connect the tender. I do not recommend using alligator clamps on a battery. They can easily be moved or knocked off the small connection points of a motorcycle battery and could arc.
New Motorcycle Must Haves - Tool Kit
Hopefully, you will log thousands of trouble free miles and never have a need for a tool kit. A tool kit is a lot like carrying a handgun. You hope you never need it, but if you do, you want to make sure you have it with you. Obviously, with a road side tool kit, you will not be making any major repairs on your motorcycle. If you are like most riders, you wouldn't know how to tackle them anyway. A tool kit is for light and simple repairs. Motorcycles are subject to a lot of vibration. Due to this, the most common roadside repairs are related to something vibrating loose. I've had heat shields vibrate loose, an air cleaner cover almost fall off, lost a shifter peg, and even nearly lost a slip on exhaust. Just having a simple tool to tighten something up can be a life saver! A tool kit is there to get you off the road so you can get to a safe place to have proper repairs made. If you are looking a something seriously wrong with your bike, call for a tow.
Here's a confession. I do not carry a tool kit every time I hit the road. I usually only carry a tool kit if I'm going for a longer ride or if I am going to be in a more isolated area. I probably should carry it more often, but I guess I'm just playing the odds.
The tool kit you choose should match your bike. If you are riding a metric bike, it should include metric tools. If you are on a Harley-Davidson, the tools should be standard. For Harley riders you will want to make sure the tool kit includes allen and torx bits as they are very common on Harley-Davidson's. Regardless of which tool kit you decide on, I suggest adding two items in your kit. Zip ties and some paracord are great additions. You would be amazed what you can patch together with a few zip ties and string.
New Motorcycle Must Haves - Cleaning Supplies
The most basic way to take care of your motorcycle is to keep it clean. Who doesn't want a clean shiny motorcycle? Selecting the right cleaning products can often seem overwhelming. There is a difference between cleaning your bike and detailing your bike. Here we are going to explore some basics of what you might need to keep your bike looking great.
When doing a basic wash on one of my bikes, I like to start with a cycle cleaner and would recommend S100 Total Cycle Cleaner. A cycle cleaner cuts through grease and grime and is generally safe for all surfaces. This product can be used on it's on, or prior to a bike wash. It comes in spray bottle. Simply spray and cover the bike, focusing on grimy and hard to reach areas. Next, rinse your motorcycle very well with low pressure water.
When it comes to washing your bike, I recommend a two bucket system, but we aren't going to dive into debates of the proper process here. Generally, most car wash soaps are fine here. There really isn't a need to spend extra money for special motorcycle soap. Do be cautious if you have Denim paint. To maintain the flat appearance of your paint job, you want to be sure to avoid any products that contain any wax. They do make special Denim Pant soap, which might be worth the investment. Otherwise, Dawn dish soap works pretty well. Use a clean microfiber towel or wash mitt to wipe down the already wet motorcycle. Be sure not to miss any spots. I generally repeat this process twice. Use a wheel brush for the wheels. Rinse often as to not allow any soap to dry on the motorcycle. Do a final rinse to ensure all soap has been rinsed offer.
Dry your motorcycle. You can use a chamois for this or a blow dryer to get all of the water off of the bike. Leaving any water can cause spots. I am guilty of using a leaf blower from time to time, but keep in mind that a leaf blower can blow debris on the bike causing minor scratches. A real motorcycle blower filters the air before blowing it on the bike.
Finally, I go over the bike with either a spray wax or a quick paste wax (Do not wax Denim paint). The S100 Carnauba Wax is great for this. It is on the oilier side, which means it goes on quick and is really easy to remove. Remember, this is a quick wash, not a detail. I generally use this as a good between details wax because it is so quick and easy to apply.
Finally, I like to apply a light coat of engine brightener. It really makes a difference in the appearance of the bike. This is a silicone (usually) based spray that is applied to the engine to make the black parts shine. It gives a new bike look to most any motor. Do be careful where you spray, as it can make the floor very slippery.
I might also suggest a travel cleaning kit as well. The travel kits are great for longer trips or if you are riding somewhere where you will want to clean your bike when you arrive. Riding hours to get to a rally and showing up with a dirty grimy bike when the trailer queens are all bright and shiny, make make you feel bad about cruising the strip.
New Motorcycle Must Haves - Locks / Security
Motorcycles are often a target of thieves. A unsecured motorcycle can be lifted by a few guys and put in the back of a truck or trailer, or simply pushed and walked away with. Having a way to secure your motorcycle is a big plus. Most motorcycles will come with some security features. This could come in the form of a security fob. This simply prevents the motorcycle from being started and doesn't address the most common forms of theft. Fork locks are present on most every motorcycle. This is a physical lock that secures the handlebars in a turned position and is operated by the key that come with your bike. Some bikes will come with a siren alarm. These systems work much like a car alarm by giving an audible alert when the bike is moved. All three of these systems are great in their own right and I strongly recommend using all of them. There are some additional protections available to you.
Some of the most common motorcycle locks are rotor locks. A rotor lock is attached to your front rotor and prevents the front wheel from rolling. So, the fork lock that is on your motorcycle, only allows the bike to be pushed in a circle where the rotor lock prevents it from rolling at all. In most cases, this is enough, as it prevents someone from walking off with your bike.
What if they pick your bike up? I know, that might sound crazy, but it happens. A group of guys can easily pick up a motorcycle and place it in the bed of a truck or on a trailer. That gives them time to deal with the locks later, once they have fled the scene of the crime. A cable lock laced through the wheel or rotor and attached to a pole or secure object is one of the most effective locks. It prevents the bike from rolling and being lifted. Of course, if the criminal has enough time, they might could cut the chain.
As the saying goes, a lock just keeps an honest person honest. There is no way to 100% ensure your motorcycle will not be stolen. The presence of a lock may deter a would be criminal. Think about it, if you were going to steal a bike and there were two bikes parked together. One has a lock and one doesn't, which would you steal? Obviously, they will go for the easier target.
I also want to mention the two best protections for your motorcycle from criminals. Common sense and insurance. You might be shocked to learn how many motorcycles are stole because the rider simply forgot to secure or lock the bike or even left the keys in the saddle bag. Nothing will ever completely stop a determined thief. That's why maintaining full coverage insurance on your bike is so important.