Experienced riders: which Moto accessories should a new rider get? | Page 2 | GTAMotorcycle.com

Experienced riders: which Moto accessories should a new rider get?

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Not to be a__hole, but I think OP's question is pertinent to visualise the state of this world in the sense that to have fun with something you need a whole plethora of stuff to make the "fun" complete and wholesome as possible. And this idea of complete fun is amplified more and more by "influencers" and posts on social media saying buy this, or this or this...
If it does serve as reference for future readers, I believe a general consensus of the matter states that you only need protective gear and knowledge in how the machine works. The later, btw, is getting neglected by new generations, not only in the motorcycles but in everything...
Regardless, I will spend time outside screaming at clouds. Have a good day!
 
cvcb said:
Not to be a__hole, but I think OP's question is pertinent to visualise the state of this world in the sense that to have fun with something you need a whole plethora of stuff to make the "fun" complete and wholesome as possible.
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I didn't get that at all from the original message. He was just asking what useful stuff people who have been riding for a while get.

Curious, when you bought your motorcycle, did your moto purchases stop there? No gear? No tools?
 
shanekingsley said:
If you get a disc lock, get a neon cord to tie it to your bars so you don’t forget it’s on and try to ride off…
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The pucks that are handed out for free have a hole for a string to do the same with.
 
Lightcycle said:
I didn't get that at all from the original message. He was just asking what useful stuff people who have been riding for a while get.

Curious, when you bought your motorcycle, did your moto purchases stop there? No gear? No tools?
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No.
I am very observant about my safety, so gear was very first I bought. A set of tools is something that, well, anybody should have, and the knowledge of how to use them. That was something that I always have.
But that was about it.
Granted, you can criticise my for what I think and what I like about motorcycling, which is a very minimalistic one (but not a stupid and closed minded one). However, you may agree with me that in today's world one thing is not enough to supply the "true" experience.
 
cvcb said:
Not to be a__hole, but I think OP's question is pertinent to visualise the state of this world
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I think OP came to the right place, asked a great question, and kept an open mind.

He/She is going to be just fine with or without us old guys dumping on the next generation.

Sent from my Pixel 6 using Tapatalk
 
cvcb said:
I am very observant about my safety, so gear was very first I bought.
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So that's your answer right there. If you notice, several people in this thread also mentioned gear.

cvcb said:
A set of tools is something that, well, anybody should have, and the knowledge of how to use them. That was something that I always have.
But that was about it.
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Okay, but if you don't have tools, then that's your next answer. Nobody's born with a toolset in their hand.

cvcb said:
Granted, you can criticise my for what I think and what I like about motorcycling, which is a very minimalistic one (but not a stupid and closed minded one). However, you may agree with me that in today's world one thing is not enough to supply the "true" experience.
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I've gone minimalistic, I've gone hi-tech-everything-and-the-kitchen-sink. That's just preference.

But if you're going to gate-keep the "one true experience", make sure you're the one fabricating all the parts on your motorcycle including the metal that goes into it, as well as designing and fashioning the tools you use to maintain it.

There's always someone that's going to be more old-school than you.
 
Lightcycle said:
So that's your answer right there. If you notice, several people in this thread also mentioned gear.



Okay, but if you don't have tools, then that's your next answer. Nobody's born with a toolset in their hand.



I've gone minimalistic, I've gone hi-tech-everything-and-the-kitchen-sink. That's just preference.

But if you're going to gate-keep the "one true experience", make sure you're the one fabricating all the parts on your motorcycle including the metal that goes into it, as well as designing and fashioning the tools you use to maintain it.

There's always someone that's going to be more old-school than you.
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All right mate, I do apologise. Wasn't my intention to bring to buzz-words, but probably it is my fault that I wasn't clear enough. My target was consumerism, not common sense.
Regardless, again, apologies...
 
shanekingsley said:
If you get a disc lock, get a neon cord to tie it to your bars so you don’t forget it’s on and try to ride off…
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And along the same lines, bring a metal or plastic kickstand plate if you regularly park on hot asphalt or other soft surfaces to prevent your kickstand from sinking in, and tie a cord from that to your bar to also remember to bring it with you. Either that or hope the next place you stop is where someone else forgot to pick theirs up.
 
Day 0
  • All the gear you will wear in the summer
  • Earplugs
Day 1
  • Crash bits for your bike (frame sliders, axle slider, etc)
  • If your bike has a chain final drive
    • Quality rear stand
    • Rear Spools/Bobbins (if your bike has provisioning for it)
    • Some sort of chain lube/wax/gear oil
    • Some sort of lube/wax/oil cleaner
  • Whole lot of shop rags
  • Brake cleaner
Month 1
  • If you are going to go do the basic maintenance yourself
    • Socket and ratchet set
    • Hex set
    • Funnel
    • Oil drain pan
    • Figure out what kind of oil your bike uses and what you want to use
    • Figure out what oil filter your bike uses and what you want to use
  • Luggage situation (backpack, thigh pack, gear with more pockets, tank bag, top case, side case, milk crate and bungees, none at all)
  • Infotainment
    • Music via headphones/helmet comm/speaker system
      • Have you found your riding buddies yet? Do they use comms?
    • Navigation via Phone/GPS/Bike built in
      • If phone, mount? power?
  • Gear
    • Did the gear you bought fit well? (fit= sizing, off bike use case, temperature regulation, riding style)
      • If you need more/different, do research into options now that you have lived what was only theory before
      • Use Case. Riding sneakers not cutting it? Waterproof = smell of death? MX boots too hard for standing in a tims parking lot?
      • Riding style. Rain riding not for you? Rain or shine you put in 500km a day minimum? (hint: weather app with weather radar like Weather Channel)
  • Mechanic
    • You had your first maintenance if you bought new right? Did you like where you took it? Time to start thinking about who is going to do the bigger jobs or the jobs you don't want to do
  • Bike Wash and cleaning supplies
End of Year 1
  • Base layers for inclement weather
  • Cold weather gear (if you want to ride in cold)
  • Winter storage solution
    • If storing yourself
      • Battery Tender
      • Something insulating to put under the tires (tiles, several yard waste bags, up on stands)
      • Cover for dust/animals (motorcycle cover, old bedsheet, you are going to wash it in spring)
      • Exhaust plug if you have furry animals in your storage location
    • If not yourself, who? Do they also service it for you with their storage option?
Start of Year 2
  • Depending on the mileage
    • Your next set of Tires (some research needed, or just go with OEM recommended, up to you)
      • Are you going to change them yourself? Take the wheels off yourself? Take it to your mechanic bike and all?
    • Maintenance items
      • Air filter
      • brake fluid
      • general lube and greasing

Anything past this, you should be able to figure it out by yourself based on your needs.
 
The first things I do to a new motorcycle is customize it for my ergos:

- comfy seat if the stocker is a plank of wood
- shortie windshield because I prefer clean air
- shortie levers because I use two fingers to brake and clutch

After that:

- install a 12v pigtail for a float charger/portable jump start pack, and to connect compressor or USB charger
- gps mount if I'm touring with the bike

But the most important mod:

- stickers for more horsepower!
 
Never needed a rear stand, that can be optional. Most of mine have had a centrestand.

First thing is to adjust all the bits that can be adjusted, to better fit you. e.g. levers.

Next would be to get the seat set up if you're doing long rides, although some seats break in over time.

Finally, things such as a higher/lower/wider/narrower windshield, a gps if you get lost, and trunk if you bring stuff.
 
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Baggsy said:
Never needed a rear stand, that can be optional. Most of mine have had a centrestand.

First thing is to adjust all the bits that can be adjusted. e.g. levers.
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Agreed. Even on my bikes w/o a c-stand. Most jacks can be used in a pinch with a bit of creativity.
 
Perhaps more clarity from OP about main use for bike. Is it a few hours each weekend, commuting, group rides, mainly street or mixed, maybe all these and more. You planning on keeping this bike or are you learning on this one and getting a….
Then those more experienced in that direction can give you what they covet most about what they’ve done and what was the biggest/most expensive item they got for it and told their significant other it was only 10% of the cost. But had to get it and still love it.
So there is a contribution, I thought the Works shock, tank bag and Zumo GPS were my top 3, for long distance touring. ATGAT is a given.
 
Mad Mike said:
Basic kit:

  • Service manual for your bike.
  • Oil change kit. Wrench, filter wrench and pan.
  • At pressure guage.
  • Metric Allen Keyset tor remove plastics necessary for accessing bulbs, coolant.
  • Good quality phone mount.
  • Pretty Blonde pillion rider.
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Great list. I've been trying to source something on this list for years!
 
Relax said:
Which bike and what gear/other accessories do you already have?
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I'm on a Husqvarna Svartpilen 401.

I have all my riding gear: full face helmet, jacket with armour, gloves, boots, riding jeans. It's all top notch stuff, from reputable local retailers that meets Canadian, US, and EU safety certifications. I should mention that I did the M2 safety course to answer the sanctimonious commenters (not you) on this post.

I have a high quality bicycle pump with a pressure gauge and used it once to add a few psi to my tires. I'm likely gonna buy a Moto specific pressure gauge that's more accurate at lower pressures. (I ride at 105 psi on my bicycle).

I have the owners manual and parts manuals seem to be readily available online.
Lightcycle said:
Make sure you get CAA Plus, not the Basic.

CAA Plus covers motorcycles and gets you access to a flat-bed truck if the bike is dead. Also tows you up to 200 kms.
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I'll double check - thanks for the tip.
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