The best portable and onboard toolkits as chosen by MCN's team of experts

There are times when you need some tools with you on a ride. It might be a day out or a long tour, but somewhere along the line you might need a portable and onboard motorcycle toolkit to do a little fettling so this should be a must in your packing list.

We’re not talking about an extensive tool kit for carrying out a full on service or repair here but perhaps you need to pop one or two bits of bodywork off to check a level or re-route some wiring.

Maybe you need to connect or disconnect an accessory from the battery. Perhaps you need to make some repairs to your camping gear. Something that will mean more than your bike’s original tool kit can offer.

In any of these cases, a portable and onboard motorcycle toolkit will be invaluable. You won’t be able to remove the rear wheel or change a spare plug, for example but you will be able to undo screws or the battery terminals. You’ll also be able to trim guy ropes or get boy scouts out of horses hooves…

What to consider when buying a portable toolkit

It probably seems obvious, but first and foremost you want it to be compact and lightweight as if you are carrying it around with you for every ride or long distance journeys you don’t want the added weight or bulk as packing space is precious.

Most kits will come in a handy little pack away case or roll to keep them all together and neat. Some are designed to be stashed in a bag or under a seat while others will have mounting options for attaching to bodywork.

Also consider if the tools included are well made, you don’t want to find yourself in desperate need of a basic repair but when you get started the tolls are flimsy and not up to the job, leaving you no better off than if you hadn’t taken a toolkit.

What should it include?

A simple toolkit ideally should contain a set of sockets, pliers, adjustable or set of spanners, allen keys, cable ties, ratchet driver and screwdrivers.

Whether you’re after an all-in-one multi tool or a more conventional – yet small and portable – toolkit, here are some good portable and onboard motorcycle toolkit options to take with you.

Other options to consider

Frequently asked questions

How do I look after my tools?

After use on your motorcycle, give your toolkit a basic clean with an oil-tainted cloth to remove grit and corrosive fluids before storing. And don’t lend them out – friendships have been ended over the ‘loss’ and damage of tools.

Should I always carry a basic toolkit with me?

It’s up to you as a rider really, but the saying goes ‘better safe than sorry’ suggests it’s better to be prepared than regret it when you aren’t.

My bike came with a little underseat toolkit is this enough?

These little kits are handy, but they aren’t very comprehensive, so you may find that there just ins’t enough tools in them to carry out the repairs and maintenance that you need to carry out roadskide on a long trip.

How MCN tests tools

At MCN, our team of expert journalists have decades of experience gained over hundreds of thousands of miles. We don’t usually test our tools to destruction; we use it exactly how you do, in the real world and in all conditions, using them to carry out maintenance and upgrades to our motorcycles. That means we can deliver impartial buying advice you can rely on.

Each of our writers has an in-depth understanding of the needs of today’s biker… because they are one.

If you can’t see a review against an item on this page, it’s because we haven’t tested it yet. These items will only be included if we think they’re important and relevant in the market, and rest assured, we will be working on bringing you a review as soon as we’ve done the miles.

To find out more, head to our dedicated page explaining how we test motorcycle products.

What our star ratings mean

When we review a product, we award it a score out of five. In the ratings tab of a given product, you may also find more specific scores for the different aspects of a product’s performance to help you make an informed decision. Here’s a guide to what each number score means:

• 1 star – Poor performance in this category or overall. A product with a single star rating has fallen below the expected standard and should be avoided.
• 2 stars – Basic performance in this area or overall. A product with a two-star rating has managed to perform to a barely acceptable level and there is room for improvement.
• 3 stars – An average performance in this area or overall. A product with a three-star rating has achieved a basic level of performance and is deemed adequate.
• 4 stars – A product has performed over and above the accepted averaged in this category or overall. A product with a four-star rating has surpassed expectation and delivered in a particularly impressive way.
• 5 stars – A product has performed at the highest possible level in a particular category or overall. A product with a five-star rating has delivered to the highest possible level, impressing the tester with its performance. We would happily spend our own money on it.

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