5 Essentials Bikers Shouldn't Leave Home Without

Taking time off from work and going out is one of the most relaxing things you could do. And if you love motorcycles, you know that the thrill that bikers experience is a complete sense of freedom from stress, be it from work or home. Imagine the road stretching endlessly in one of your favorite destinations, wind humming on your face, and nature welcoming you — something that every true biker will understand. Whether you are a first-timer still getting used to the throttle or a seasoned explorer, the spirit of adventure never fades.

Bike riding not only reduces stress but also improves your mood, enhances focus, increases chances of meeting new people, and improves your overall well-being. However, a true biker is the one who is ready for any situation that may come, and they thrive on preparation. They pack their essentials, thoroughly check their motorcycle, and keep it well-maintained. Every rider knows that not having the right tools at the right time can turn their dreamy ride into a challenging one.

These essentials aren't just tools — they are confidence boosters that will keep stress low and spirits high even if the situation has gone south. We've compiled a list of five essentials that experienced bikers and daily riders should not leave home without.

A motorcycle and a helmet go hand-in-hand; There's no separating them. If you own a motorcycle, then you must own a helmet. It is one of the most important pieces of motorcycle gear that every biker needs to own. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), as of October 2021, 18 states and the District of Columbia require bikers to wear helmets that comply with FMVSS 218 standards. But even if your state laws don't ask you to wear helmets, you should never leave your home without one, because it is a matter of your own safety.

The helmet not only protects your head from smashing to the ground and getting a life-threatening injury if you were to crash, it also protects your face from debris, dust, and rain, while you're on the road. It is always advised that you get a helmet from a trusted brand, rather than buying a cheap one. But you have to check a few things before you can buy a helmet that is truly meant for you. Things are a bit different when purchasing a helmet online than when visiting a store to buy one. However, one thing remains constant: the safety ratings. Always prefer helmets with DOT, ECE, Snell, and Sharp certification symbols on the back.

If you fancy collecting helmets, then you would be happy to know that there is a wide range of advanced helmets that come with features such as AI voice command support and come with a 4K camera, speakers, and whatnot.

Going out on a bike means that you should be ready for all the challenges that may come your way on the road. The second thing that you should worry about, after yourself, is your bike. If your bike malfunctions or experiences issues while you are on the road chasing the sunset, things can get pretty frustrating. Similar to other vehicles, motorcycles are also prone to mechanical failures, and if you don't carry some handy tools, you might end up being stuck in the middle of nowhere rather than enjoying a beer at your destination.

However, since bikes don't come with a large cargo space, which tools should you carry with you? While it depends on your needs, you should definitely consider a wrench set with different heads. Bikes are held together with nuts and bolts, and you may have to tighten a few during your trip. You should also take a hex wrench set, as various cosmetic parts of modern bikes are fastened using hex fasteners. A multi-tool and tape are also useful to have. Another crucial thing to keep inside your tool kit is the puncture repair kit. Punctures are the most common things that could go wrong with your bike during trips and eat up time.

Keep a puncture repair kit handy so that a nail, glass, screw, or even a pothole puncture can be easily repaired. Also, you should have an air compressor to fill in the necessary amount of air into your tires so that you can at least reach a nearby shop to fix that leak. While all these tools are useful, you should decide which ones to carry based on the available space and your needs.

While you are all decked up with your protective gear and helmet and are ready for that ride, you should not skip keeping a few first aid supplies handy. Compared to other vehicles, motorbikes are considered more dangerous. Whether you are a seasoned rider or a newbie, a first aid kit is a necessity, as it will help treat any minor injuries and medical emergencies, and give you some time before you reach the hospital. Although you hope you would never need one, a properly prepared first aid kit could save a life on the road.

However, an important thing to note here is that you shouldn't include things in your first aid kit that you don't know how to use. Better would be to learn how to use them before packing them in your first aid kit, or you can carry a cheat sheet or a compact first aid book. Also, pack only the stuff that you deem essential for your outing. Things to consider packing include medical gloves, an instant cold pack, sting relief, band-aids, and a few medicines for the road.

One more important thing is to keep a water bottle with you. We often forget to keep ourselves hydrated while on the road. Pack the first aid kit and the water bottle in an easily accessible place. Also, if you are carrying an old kit, be sure to check for expired items and replace them with new ones.

Nature is unpredictable, but that shouldn't keep you away from your motorcycle and the open roads. The best thing is to carry a dependable rain gear that will keep you dry if it rains and give you the confidence to go about your ride. The market is now flooded with rain gear for bikers, and you will find so many options for waterproof, gloves, boots, jackets, and more. However, you cannot just pick one from your local store or online store and call yourself ready. Selecting rain gear that suits your body is quite essential, as it will be the deciding factor between an enjoyable ride and a wet nightmare.

You should first make sure that the rain gear actually is waterproof and has a proper ventilation system in place. Then, you should check that it fits your body structure perfectly – not too loose and not too tight. Also, if you have to choose between a one-piece and a two-piece rain gear, know that a one-piece is preferable, as it covers your entire body, while a two-piece gear leaves your mid-section vulnerable to rainwater seeping in.

The next things you should look for are the seam, the material of the gear, and how compact it is. Finding one shouldn't be a difficult task, as there are several companies making rain gear that is portable and easy to wear.

It goes without saying that mobile phones are probably the only thing we won't miss out on while going out. But they don't last forever, and if you want them to keep functioning, you should carry a power source with you. Your phone not only tells you the time, assists in navigation, and provides weather information, but it is also a device to keep you entertained during your ride. You might love blasting your favorite song through its speakers or headphones, or posting images of yourself and nature on your social media. But all these come at the expense of your phone's battery.

A portable power bank will keep your phone or tablet charged for the road so that you can connect with your loved ones or contact emergency services in case of need. There are so many portable power bank options available in the market that fit right in your pocket. If you spend a few bucks, you can get one of the fastest power banks as well. Whichever you pick, make sure it comes from a trusted brand, as they tend to have all the necessary safety precautions in place and offer you the performance you expect out of it.

Before you pack your power bank with you for the ride, make sure to fully charge it.