#FlatRepairKit

When setting out for a tour, be it extended or just a weekend jaunt, you need to plan for any hurdles you may encounter on the way. The best strategy to increase your odds of being able to continue your ride after a mishap or mechanical issue is to carry a tool kit that includes more than just the basics. While your bike probably came with a factory kit, you’d be foolish to count on it to serve as anything more than a paperweight. Read on to see what tools I think you should carry – at a bare minimum – on your next tour.

Let’s just get the disclaimers out of the way right up front, shall we? No tire manufacturer wants you to plug its tire if you run over a nail, not even a brand new one. Some of them might tell you it’s okay to patch a tire, with a permanent patch glued on from the inside. But that’s not what the plugs here are for: The Stop&Go mushroom-style plug and the Dynaplug pointy-style are here to keep you from having to ride a tow truck to your destination when you pick up a nail en route and don’t have a tire mounting machine at hand. Stop&Go says “Safety experts all agree that a punctured and/or plugged motorcycle tire should be replaced as soon as possible. That is our opinion also.”

Well, it’s that time of year, again. Those who care for riders are searching for the perfect moto-gift. Even if you don’t have a lot of scratch, you can still find a ton of nice presents for under $50. If you don’t believe us — or if you simply need some inspiration — take a look at the list below. We’ve tried to choose items that will appeal to a broad spectrum of riders, but with only 10 slots available on the list, we’ve necessarily left out many, many other good options. Don’t see your favorite bike-related item on the list? Share the love with MO readers by leaving a comment. (Or you could just vent your spleen and call us jerks, but remember Santa is watching.)