Default Things That motorcycle Riders Should Have ?

Absolutely, and even with brightly colored/reflective gear, I ride with the assumption that I am invisible to everyone except the police. 8O

 

Meatloaf: Bat Out of Hell on repeat, and pants.

Sting can see us all.

 

He'll be watching you.

 

The road is trying to kill us too....well some road engineers are. "Hey, I have a great idea! Let's melt plastic turn arrows onto the pavement instead of using paint. Everyone loves slippery plastic!"

 

Here is my summary of what has been posted with a few additions/modifications:

safe reliable bike:
rubber brake lines less than 4 years old. SS lines preferred.
tires within proper age limits
rear brake checked for delamination - replaced if still original
OEM fuse box replaced

clear head - no drugs or alcohol

proper gear:
helmet (full face) highly visibile: reflective paint? bright color?
face shield either shaded or sunglasses
jacket with proper protection and reflective material
gloves
boots that protect ankles
abrasion resistant pants
packable rain gear
rear flashing LED on helmet, side/rear reflective tape.
Leather: elkskin and kangaroo are tougher than most
earplugs are arguable, although stock exhaust and good helmet would seem adequate.

Insurance
Headlight Modulator
Tailight modulator
Standard emergency road gear:
flare
flashlight
triangle
emergency blanket
water
matches
basic tool kit w/8, 10, 12, 14 mm, philips 1&2 head, flat head

What else?

 

cell phone, credit card, wet rag for bugs on your face shield, master link if you have a chain, can of fix-a-flat or tire plug kit, tie downs in case someone with a pick-up offers a ride.
i guess it really depends on how far your going or how far your willing to walk

 

OH....one more thing........a motorcycle!

 

Fix a flat or tire plug? Nah, you'd have to have air too and ... a bad tire aint worth risking your life on ... Now, there is that run flat stuff, I forget the official name, that you can have put in the tire that will automatically balance the tire and instantly plug any holes ... that stuff is a great idea. I believe a shop will add it to your tires for about $7 a wheel, its even cheaper if you do it your self and by the stuff by the quart/gallon. I think you put in about 12 oz for a front and rear tire, but not sure. Almost pays for itself since you don't have to balance the wheel when you add the stuff, it does it for you.

I want to stress the head and tail light modulators. They help significantly to reduce collisions. Also, bikes with 3 headlights are less likely to be in a collision than bikes with one. Argue all you want, but the numbers don't lie. The key is to increase your visibility to others. Loud pipes don't help people hear you, they can't in their modern sound proofed vehicles. They can't even hear the EMS vehicles flying down the road. In our Pacifica, particularly if playing music, I don't hear EMS until they are right on me. But I can and DO see the lights.

 

NO ALCOHOL!!!!

 

Gee Mike82mxm,

Then you must have it bad living in Winnipeg where winter lasts for what, 6 months of the year?

 

IT SUCKS