Building a Motorcycle Toolkit

Tackling motorcycle maintenance on your own can be a great way to save money, but you'll need certain tools to get the tasks done. The following tips will walk you through building your motorcycle maintenance toolkit. If you run into issues that require a professional's help, contact the service department at Bert's Barracuda Harley-Davidson in Clearwater, FL.

Prioritizing the Tools

Start by thinking about the types of motorcycle maintenance and repair tasks you want to handle. Remember that you don’t have a lot of storage space on a bike, so make your toolkit wisely.

If you’re transporting your motorcycle with a vehicle, such as towing a dirt bike to a trail, you'll be able to pack much more inside the tow vehicle. When you’re riding with a group, check in and see what tools others are bringing along. Coordinate what each person packs in order to maximize the types of tools brought on the ride.

Choosing Tools for DIY Motorcycle Maintenance

The exact tools that you'll want to pack depend on your repair skill level and specific motorcycle, but they can include:

• Spare fuses that are compatible with your motorcycle, which you can find in the owner's manual.

• Battery cables, especially a lightweight option, which can be rolled tightly to reduce the space they take up.

• Pliers for straightening, loosening, and tightening parts.

Make a Back-Up Plan

Even if you have the tools and knowledge to handle a motorcycle maintenance task, you may not be in a position to safely do so. For example, maybe you’re stuck on a narrow shoulder on a high-speed route. Safety is the priority and it's best to take your motorcycle to a service department, rather than stay and try to handle the repairs. It's wise to have a chosen service department on hand that can repair your motorcycle quickly and effectively.

Need help with maintenance or want to browse our selection of motorcycles? Whatever you need, the experts at Bert's Barracuda Harley-Davidson are here for you! Call us or stop by our dealership in Clearwater, FL, today! We welcome all our patrons visiting us from Tampa and St. Petersburg.