I do have a few favorite motorcycle gadgets - one of which is completely inexpensive and totally useful. My throttle rocker has been on whatever bike I've ridden since my first Honda Nighthawk.
The throttle rocker allows you to rest your wrist, keeping the throttle at a constant speed for long distance highway rides. My hands are a bit smaller than an average man's, so anything I can do to relieve the amount of squeeze, or to give me some rest is a great gadget. Once you put a throttle rocker on the throttle, you can forget that it is there, and use it as a cradle for your right wrist. So cheap and so useful!
There are other cruise control "systems" that can you let you cruise long distances without using your right hand to keep the throttle rolled at a constant speed. You also need some sort of battery charger, to keep your bike always charged and ready to go. There are various type of battery chargers, you just need to make sure that it is a low voltage charger. In terms of Motorcycle Gadgets, a battery charger is almost a necessity. You can't ride a motorcycle with a weak battery. The chargers that we use: Battery Tender Plus .A hydration backpack system has a dual function during really hot weather. You can fill the reservoir with ice cubes and water, for a "air conditioning" system and a source of refreshing cold water. You're still going to need to stop for bathroom breaks, but you are going to be cooler on the road.
You need a tire repair kit
, and you really need to know how to use it. We carry an Automatic Tire Inflation Kit
and I keep a tire iron in my tank bag. (Can you tell that we've had our share of flat tires?) Speaking of flat tires, you really should know how to fix one
. Not as hard as one might think.
Another good idea is to carry a basic first aid kit
. Although none of us like to think that there will ever be a need, it is much better to have equipment and never need it - than the alternative.
Little tiny portable radar detectors are perfect for motorcycles, and can be installed on a little shelf, or even placed in a tank bag.
Most of these detectors allow for the placement of a little speaker in, or near, helmet that will sound the alarm when you come across a police vehicle. Just be careful. If you do get caught, take your punishment gracefully. (Yes, you do sense the voice of experience. Thank you, Mr. Green Bay Wisconsin Sheriff, who complimented me on my female-ness, and then gleefully awarded me with a nice ticket for doing 90 in a 45 mph zone)
So what ever model or make you pick, make sure that the human who inputs the data doesn't make any errors. And, I'd take a map along, just in case. And, maybe a compass?
I still happen to ride with someone who prefers maps. He says he hates motorcycle gadgets.
Somewhere in Arkansas. And no,
I can't tell you where, because we were lost.