Cheap Motorcycle Road Trip Essentials Under $50
You do not need to spend a fortune to be prepared on a motorcycle road trip. Here are the essential items that cost under $50 each and have saved my trip more than once over 200,000+ km (124,000+ mi) of riding.
Table of Contents
Tire repair kit ($30-$60)
A plug kit is the single most important cheap item you can carry. It contains mushroom plugs, insertion tools, and CO2 cartridges or a mini compressor. I have used mine three times over 200,000 km (124,000 mi) — twice on my bike, once to help a stranger stranded on the side of the Trans-Canada Highway. When you are 200 km (124 mi) from the nearest tire shop, a $30 plug kit gets you rolling again.
Look for a kit that includes: T-handled plug insertion tool, reamer, 5-10 mushroom plugs, rubber cement, and either CO2 cartridges (faster, single use) or a 12V mini compressor (slower, reusable). The Stop & Go and BikeMaster kits are reliable and widely available at Canadian motorcycle shops.
Digital tire pressure gauge ($15-$25)
A good digital gauge is more accurate than a pencil gauge and easier to read than an analog dial gauge. Look for one that reads to 0.1 PSI and has a right-angle head for accessing valve stems on motorcycle wheels. The Motion Pro Digital Gauge and CruzTOOLS Digital Gauge are both under $25 and accurate within 0.5 PSI.
Check your pressure cold before every ride. Under-inflated tires handle poorly and can fail. A $20 gauge is the cheapest insurance you can buy.
Rain suit ($30-$50)
You do not need a $300 Gore-Tex suit. A basic PVC or polyurethane rain suit from Frogg Toggs or Nelson Rigg costs $30-$50 and keeps you dry in a downpour. It packs into a tiny stuff sack that fits in a jacket pocket or tank bag. When the rain stops, it takes 30 seconds to pack away.
The cheap suits are not breathable — you will get damp from sweat in warm rain. But for the price, they are worth carrying at all times. The alternative — riding in wet gear — is cold, miserable, and dangerous because being cold impairs your judgment and reaction time.
Foam earplugs ($5-$15)
Wind noise at highway speeds is 95-100 dB, which causes permanent hearing damage over time. Foam earplugs reduce this by 20-30 dB, making highway riding quieter and less fatiguing. A pack of 50 pairs costs $10-$15. They are disposable, lightweight, and you can carry them in a jacket pocket.
For better comfort, consider reusable silicone or custom-molded earplugs ($30-$200), but for cheap touring essentials, foam plugs are unbeatable. After a 500 km (311 mi) day with earplugs versus without, the difference in fatigue is dramatic.
Microfiber cloths and lens wipes ($10)
A pack of microfiber cloths and pre-moistened lens wipes costs about $10 and solves multiple problems: cleaning your visor (bugs, rain residue), wiping your phone screen for navigation, drying camera lenses, and cleaning sunglasses. Keep 3-4 microfiber cloths and a small pack of lens wipes in your tank bag.
Zip ties and duct tape ($10)
The universal repair kit. Zip ties secure loose fairings, hold a broken license plate, fix a detached heat shield, and cinch a torn soft luggage bag. Duct tape patches a rain suit tear, seals a cracked fairing, and temporarily fixes a split coolant hose. A small roll of duct tape and a pack of assorted zip ties costs $10 total. They have no weight and infinite utility.
USB-C cable and charger ($15-$25)
A quality USB-C cable (rated for 100W) and a compact 30W charger keep your phone alive for navigation. Cheap cables fail — spend $15-$20 on a reputable brand (Anker, Cable Matters) rated for the power your phone needs. A 30W USB-C charger is $10-$15 and charges a phone at full speed from any wall outlet or powered USB port.
First aid kit ($25-$45)
A motorcycle-specific first aid kit should include: adhesive bandages in multiple sizes, gauze pads, antiseptic wipes, medical tape, tweezers, ibuprofen, antihistamine, and a space blanket. Adventure Medical Kits makes compact motorcycle kits for $25-$45. Keep it in a waterproof bag in your luggage — not in your jacket, where it will be destroyed in a crash.
If you ride in remote areas (which most Canadian touring involves), consider adding a tourniquet ($15-$25) and a SAM splint ($15). These are for serious emergencies but weigh nothing and take up minimal space.
Frequently Asked Questions
A tire repair kit. A flat tire 200 km (124 mi) from the nearest town is the most common road trip-ending problem. A $30 plug kit gets you back on the road in 10 minutes.
The complete list above totals approximately $140-$250 CAD. That covers tire repair, pressure gauge, rain suit, earplugs, cleaning supplies, emergency repairs, charging, and first aid. All of it fits in a small tank bag or luggage compartment.
Yes. Highway wind noise is 95-100 dB — loud enough to cause permanent hearing damage over time. Foam earplugs reduce this by 20-30 dB and dramatically reduce riding fatigue. At $10 for 50 pairs, there is no excuse not to wear them.
Prices are approximate as of August 2026 and may vary by retailer. Verify current availability at Canadian motorcycle shops.