9 Tools You’ll Need for ATV & UTV Repair

If you’re new to the motorsports industry or have just become curious about doing your own repairs, you’ll probably want to pick up a few tools to get started. Repairing your own ATV, motorcycle, or UTV can be fun and educational, especially if you have an older model that’s easy to learn repairs on. Also, the process can give you some knowledge should your ATV or bike break down away from home. As long as you don’t actually make the problem worse, repairing your own bike can also save you money. Here at Sky Powersports in Tampa, Florida, we’ve assembled a brief tool kit for the aspiring motorcycle, ATV, or UTV technician. And if the job ever gets out of hand, don’t hesitate to call us or bring by your bike. Our team of talented technicians can help.

Tire Pressure Gauge

The first tool every motorcycle, ATV, or UTV owner should purchase is a tire pressure gauge. Whether or not you have any mechanical inclination whatsoever is almost irrelevant, because if you don’t know the pressure in your tires, you shouldn’t feel safe riding. If you are planning on doing your own repairs, a tire pressure gauge will fit into your normal maintenance routine while being helpful should you ever need to change your own tires.

Wrench Set

A wrench set is indispensable if you ever want to do any repairs or upgrades on your bike. A good wrench set should feature a full array of wrenches. These should be in metric, since your ATV or UTV is almost certain to have metric hardware. However, you might consider getting a standard wrench set, too. A good wrench set will also include the other types of wrenches necessary for working on a bike, including allen wrenches and crescent wrenches.

Screwdrivers

Screwdrivers are just about as important as wrenches when it comes to basic Four Wheeler and Side by Side maintenance. Find a set with a comfortable handle that provides sufficient grip for turning difficult screws. You might also consider investing in a set with a magnetic tip, as these can help keep small screws and parts from falling away and getting lost.

Socket Set

If you want to move a little bit faster than what would be possible with standard wrenches, try a socket set with ratchets. You’ll want two or three ratchets of different sizes so that you always have a socket that’s the appropriate size for the job at hand. As with the wrench set, make sure that the sockets you buy or metric (or if your bike has standard hardware, buy standard). Some people prefer to combine their sockets with their wrenches and buy a ratcheting wrench set. These can be handy for light jobs, but they shouldn’t replace sockets for any tougher work. Plus, low-quality ratcheting wrenches can break and wear out quickly.

Torque Wrench

Once you get a little more in-depth in your mechanical work, you’ll want a torque wrench. A torque wrench is a large wrench that allows you tighten fasteners to the same level of tightness every time. This is necessary for any parts on your engine, especially spark plugs. There are multiple types of torque wrench on the market. Some include a dial with numbers on it and the harder you twist, the more the needle moves on the dial so you can set your fastener to a specific tightness. Another type of torque wrench features a breakaway action so that once the fastener is tightened to the point selected by the user, the wrench will break away and not apply more tension. This is a very reliable type of wrench and is less breakable than the dial variety.

Air Compressor

Air compressors can be on the expensive side, and you might not need one if your bike only makes it out of the garage once or twice a month. But if you do many of your own repairs, change your own tires, or simply want to make sure your tires always have enough air without having to drive to the nearest gas station, an air compressor can be very helpful. It can also be helpful if you want to dry off your bike after cleaning it.

Breaker Bar

A breaker bar is basically just a big level. It’s designed to help you get the most mechanical advantage possible on big, frozen fasteners. Breaker bars generally take sockets from your standard set, meaning they can be used on nuts and bolts of all sizes. For large repairs or projects, a breaker bar works great for removing those knuckle-busting fasteners that get frozen from lack of use.

Wood or Urethane Mallet

The rule of thumb with mechanics is that if you’re using a hammer, you’re probably doing something wrong. This is sort of true, but it doesn’t necessarily account for all the situations that can occur while assembling or disassembling a bike. Urethane and wood mallets are helpful because they can give you some of the advantage of a hammer, but aren’t likely to do any damage to your bike or make any permanent marks.

Multimeter

For the average hobbyist, a multimeter might be an unnecessary expense. But if you really want to start making a complete toolkit, a multimeter is extremely helpful. Basically, a multimeter is a handheld electrical device that measures voltage, amperage, resistance, and other elements in a system. This meter will help you find and diagnose electrical problems, from bad connections to low electricity levels, to a number of other things.

Hopefully this guide gives you a few places to look as you start putting together your own toolkit. When buying tools, it’s best to always invest in the best quality tool you can from the beginning. Good tools can be passed down for generations to come. What you can’t immediately buy, you may be able to borrow from a neighbor. And if your Saturday repair job starts getting out of hand, remember that the skilled technicians at Sky Powersports can help you get your bike in the best shape possible. Our service center and dealership serves Tampa and Brandon, Florida, and we can help you today!