Can’t live without? That seems a bit over-the-top, but “would rather have than not have” just doesn’t have that sort of ring to it. Idiomatic trivialities aside, these are things that I find absolutely indispensable, and certainly wouldn’t give up without a fight. So here we are, the ten motorcycle accessories I can’t live without.
Bluetooth Comm
I never thought I would dig having a Bluetooth comm as much as I do. Initially, when I didn’t have one, I even kind of looked down on the idea.
Music? Whatever, I have the sound of my engine and the wind. Besides, I had tried both wired and Bluetooth earbuds under my helmet, and the experience always kind of sucked, so how could this be any better?
Talking to other riders? Pffft. I’m a hand signal expert. I’ve written entire articles about hand signals.
Then I got a Sena 20S EVO in a giveaway, and decided to give it a shot rather than selling it on eBay.
And that’s when I learned how wrong I was. It was a monumental game changer.
Turns out that an audio device designed and tuned for being used in a motorcycle helmet while riding provides a significantly better listening experience than just stuffing some earbuds in your ears under your helmet.
When my wife got a motorcycle in January of 2020. I immediately set her up with a Bluetooth comm, so we could communicate clearly and directly during practice and training sessions while she was learning to ride. Hand signals are fine, and we’ve all gotten by fine for decades with them, but they certainly have a few drawbacks:
- Riders need to know and remember them in the first place.
- Someone needs line of sight to the rider making the signals, which can be a particular challenge if the one signaling is in the back or is otherwise out of sight.
- It’s challenging and potentially unsafe to use them in emergency situations where you should probably be paying attention to operating the bike’s controls.
A Bluetooth comm makes all of this better. There’s nothing to know or have to remember (just use your words). Thanks to the magic of technology, line of sight becomes irrelevant. You also don’t have to remove your hands from the controls in an emergency situation. It’s better, more effective, and safer.
RSD Jagger Jacket
Hands down my favorite motorcycle jacket ever made. It’s very close to being the perfect year-round jacket. Read the full review.
With the zippered vents and moisture-wicking/thermoregulating CoolCore liner, it works great in all but the hottest summer days here in Texas. Even then, it still works pretty well, as long as you’re willing to sweat a bit (which you’ll do even in a mesh jacket, so whatever, right?).
Then there’s the seam-sealed waterproof hoodie base-layer that’s included. It blocks wind and rain just as well as any dedicated rain gear I’ve ever had. It keeps me warm and dry in all but the absolute coldest, wettest days.
It’s also a very safe jacket. The thick buffalo leather is durable and will absolutely save your skin in a slide, and top-notch Knox Mircolock elbow and shoulder armor is included. The back protector doesn’t cost much, and is easy to add.
Unfortunately, the Jagger has been discontinued by RSD. Ostensibly, the new Linden and Paramount jackets offer the same multi-season functionality, albeit sans waterproofing, but come it at remarkably affordable price points. The Hemlock jacket comes in at a higher price, but sports ultra-premium water-resistant full grain leather, and seam-sealed construction, so should be solid for wet conditions. There isn’t really a do-it-all solution from RSD anymore, but there are plenty of options, and you won’t see me complaining about having to add more RSD gear to my kit.
Rear Stand (and Spools)
A couple of my previous bikes (my CX500 and FZ1) had factory center stands, which made rear wheel service nice and easy. I think more bikes should have factory center stands, but that’s another rant for another post.
My Z900RS wasn’t equipped with a center stand, and I didn’t want to drop $275 to add the Kawasaki accessory. Instead, I added some Woodcraft spools to the swingarm and bought a rear stand.
A good rear stand with interchangeable arms that can be used with either spools or paddles (for bikes not equipped with spools), is a valuable piece of equipment for any DIY’er to have in their arsenal. It makes chain and wheel maintenance a breeze, and is also great for holding the bike upright and stable for cleaning, to check fluid levels and much more. Unlike a center stand bolted to the bike itself, it can be used with more than one bike, which is great if you have multiple motorcycles, get a new bike, or to work on a friend’s bike.
Kriega Luggage
My favorite way to carry my stuff, whether I’m going across town or across the country. Kriega’s products are well-made, durable, and highly functional. They don’t come cheap, but they basically never wear out or break, and are backed with an insane warranty in the event that something does fail.
I’ve been using (and abusing) my Kriega Urban WP Messenger Bag for years now, even going so far as crashing with it on, and it’s still somehow in great shape. I’ve also added an R15 Backpack and Max28 Expandable Backpack to the arsenal for when the messenger bag isn’t the right choice.
I also have a pair of US-20 dry bags for use on the bike(s). Technically, one is for my bike, and one for my wife’s, but with Kriega’s modular system and abundant external straps and loops, I can quickly strap them together and stack them or use them like saddlebags on one bike.
Their mounting system is secure, easy to use, and works with virtually any bike.
I’m such a huge fan of Kriega luggage because it is versatile and simple. There’s cheaper luggage out there, as well as more expensive options, like hard bags with more complexity and features. I’ve spent a ton on other luggage over the years, and nothing has supplanted Kriega. I prefer the straightforward nature of their bags. They just get the job done.
Neck Gaiters
The unsung hero of a motorcyclist’s gear ensemble.
They make sense and see a lot of use in the colder months. The benefits in the cold are obvious; better insulation and wind-blocking. Makes sense.
I’m surprised by the number of riders I see who haven’t caught on to wearing a neck gaiter, tube, or scarf in all weather, though. Personally, I’ve been wearing one at all times for years now.
Once you get a cooling gaiter for the warmer months, you’ll never go back. Keeping hot air and sun off your neck and wicking away sweat for better moisture and temperature control makes a huge difference in your comfort level.
Level-up your cooling by wetting (and even chilling) the gaiter before a ride and have extra cooling comfort for hours. This will help prevent you from sweating in the first place, so you’ll also stay hydrated longer.
Pinlock Shield
No. More. Fogging.
Anti-fog coatings are junk. Products and cleaners that promise to prevent fog, or hacks like putting shaving cream on your face shield only work for awhile before having to be reapplied. Cracking your shield open to defog it on a cold or rainy day just sucks.
Solution? Get a Pinlock shield. Once I got a helmet with a Pinlock shield insert, there was no turning back.
Every helmet should come with a Pinlock shield standard. It’s absurd that this is an add-on for most helmets, or not even available for many. Bell gets it with the double-paned ProVision shield on the Eliminator. The Eliminator itself is far from perfect, but it probably has the best face shield out there.
Sort yourself out helmet companies.
K&N Oil and Air Filters
The oil filters provide great filtration and the wrench on/off design makes life easier. I can do a complete oil change on any of my motorcycles with nothing more than a single 17mm wrench.
They’re also more durably constructed than other brands, meaning they’re less likely to puncture and suffer a failure if struck by road debris.
Their gasket design also seals better than the competitors. You don’t really have to screw them on much more than hand tight, which prevents stripped or crossed threads and makes removal for oil changes a bit easier.
Their air filters are inexplicably even better than their oil filters. They’re engineered to last for the lifetime of your vehicle, improve airflow, and protect your engine with state-of-the-art microscopic cotton fibers, and an innovative design of layered, oiled cotton media to capture dirt and shield your engine from contaminants. They never need to be replaced, just periodically cleaned and re-oiled. You’ll save money in the long run, and improve performance and engine protection. How can you lose?
I’ve literally never used a motorcycle air or oil filter that wasn’t from K&N, they’re just that good.
Motul Products
I won’t pick just one thing from Motul, so it’s really their entire catalog of products that you’ll have to pry from my cold lifeless hands.
Motul makes some of the best oils and chemicals in the industry. From engine oil to superb cleaning and lubrication products, they cover everything you could need to care for your motorcycle and keep it immaculate, inside and out.
Loop Earplugs
Wind and road noise causes a surprisingly large amount of both mental and physical fatigue for riders. Loop earplugs wage war agains that noise, and take no prisoners.
Loop earplugs made a huge impact on reducing fatigue for me, and have made riding much more comfortable. I can’t believe I’ve gone this long without good hearing protection.
They’re designed to let voice and music through, and I found that audio from my Cardo headset sounded better with them than it did without.
They’re not custom earplugs that are custom molded to perfectly fit your ear canal, but with their flush-fitting design and multiple ear tips included, in both silicone and foam materials, it’s pretty easy to get them dialed in and comfortable.
Now it seems weird to ride without them. Even if you already ride with hearing protection, unless you’re rocking custom-molded earplugs, give Loop earplugs a look.
Training Cones
What? You don’t practice? You probably should. On a pretty regular basis, too.
Find some exercises and drills, like those taught by the MSF, Total Control, MotoJitsu or other training programs. Then get some training cones you can use to set up a course, and get out there and practice. The Lee Parks ones are the best, but they aren’t cheap. I’ve found that simple low-profile soccer agility training cones work grea, and are much more affordable.
A few hours here and there can dramatically improve your skills. Better skills quickly translates to more enjoyment during the ride. I’ve come to love practicing, as well as teaching. Sometimes it’s actually more fun to set up a course and do drills all day than it is to rip through some twisty backroads.
Bonus: A Badass Keychains
Only losers leave home without a kick ass keychain. The Hell Yeah keychain from Draplin Design is my #1 pick. Aaron Draplin is a paragon in the design world, and never ceases to inspire and inform. This keychain he designed is the coolest ever.
I lost my key once, and was more concerned about recovering the keychain than the motorcycle key attached to it.
The Mooneyes Rat Fink keychain sold by Lowbrow Customs is pretty rad, too. I wouldn’t be doing what I do if it weren’t for Ed Roth.
So there you have it. 10 motorcycle accessories I can’t live without.
