A beautiful bend, the sun at your back, a full tank. And then an ugly noise. A stone hits, a bracket breaks, or the bike simply tips over at a photo stop. When you break down on a motorcycle tour, there are two kinds of riders: some call roadside assistance and wait three hours. Others open their tank bag and take out something that costs almost nothing and looks unremarkable: the cable tie.
Here is our cable tie collection. Not a technical manual, but a list of emergency fixes that get you moving again at the roadside.
Why cable ties are so valuable in a breakdown
Everyone knows the feeling when the technology fails and the nearest workshop is far away. That is exactly when the cable tie becomes a spare part for almost everything. It is the MacGyver tool in your pocket: it dampens vibrations, patches cracks and holds together what has actually already come apart.
15 tricks: how a cable tie can save your motorcycle tour
1. Repair a broken gear lever
The nightmare: you want to shift up and your foot finds nothing because the end of the lever has snapped off. Before you despair, wrap 15 cable ties really tightly around the stump. Shifting feels strange, almost rubbery, but it will get you over the pass. And when first gear clicks in again, the relief is huge.
2. Patch cracks in the fairing
A crack in an expensive fairing hurts. Drill small holes on either side of the crack and insert the cable ties like surgical staples. The result looks like Frankenstein, but it has a certain charm. Above all, it keeps the fairing in shape and stops it breaking further on the road.
3. Strap a spongy brake lever overnight
Your brake lever feels spongy and the uncertainty rides with you. Pull the lever firmly against the grip overnight with a cable tie. Small air bubbles can rise, and in the morning you often have a firmer pressure point again. This is not a repair: have the brake bled properly as soon as possible.
4. The improvised snow chain
Freezing rain in the Alps and your tyres can't find any grip? Then your motorcycle gets snow chains made of cable ties. Pull ten thick ties around the tyre (through the rim on spoked wheels). The locking heads dig into the slush. This is an emergency solution to get out of a dangerous situation at walking pace, nothing more.
5. Fix a dangling indicator
A dangling indicator looks sad and quickly becomes a problem. Strap it tight: two ties around the fork leg and the indicator is back up. You ride on instead of tinkering for ages.
6. Save your number plate at the last second
Vibrations wear metal down. If your number plate is only half attached to its bracket, "sew" it on with cable ties. Losing a number plate abroad can get really expensive.
7. Dry your gloves on the handlebars
Soaking wet hands are the worst. Use cable ties as S-hooks on the handlebars. While you drink your espresso, the gloves hang in the wind and can't blow away.
8. Tame your drinking tube
When the tube of your hydration system flaps around in the wind, it's annoying. A loosely tightened cable tie on the shoulder strap keeps it where it belongs. That way you drink enough and stay focused on the road.
9. Emergency eyelets for luggage
A hook on your pannier has broken? Don't panic. Link two ties into a figure of eight. One loop goes on the motorcycle, the other takes the strap. That way your luggage stays on even when the road gets rough.
10. Secure a tangle of wires
Chafing leads to short circuits. A cable tie with a little play holds the wiring loom to the frame. A small action with a big effect: this is how you prevent a cable fire in the middle of nowhere.
11. Tie up a loose boot sole
If the sole of your boot comes loose, you stumble at every stop. Pull two strong ties once all the way around the boot. Looks adventurous, but it works.
12. Check your fork travel
A small cable tie around the fork tube tells you a lot about your suspension. After the ride, its position shows how far the fork has compressed and whether it bottoms out. You won't find a cheaper data logger.
13. Secure your ignition key
If you lose your key in long grass, the tour is over. Secure it to your jacket with a cable tie loop. Peace of mind for 1 cent.
14. Zip puller
Can't grab the tiny slider on the zip with gloves on? Pull a cable tie through the eyelet. Then you can adjust the ventilation easily even at 100 km/h.
15. Snapped throttle cable: the last resort
Really only in an emergency: with a snapped throttle cable, the carburettor can sometimes be fixed at a steady, slightly raised idle with a cable tie. This is for experienced mechanics and is only meant to get you slowly out of the danger zone.
In a nutshell
At moto-guide.com it's not about glossy catalogues but about the real road. This collection shows that not every problem on a motorcycle tour needs a credit card – often a bit of brainpower is enough. Pack a handful of black, UV-resistant cable ties today. When you are stuck somewhere in the middle of nowhere one day, you'll be glad you did.
Frequently asked questions
Which cable ties should I take on a motorcycle tour?
A handful of black, UV-resistant cable ties. For jobs like the snow chain or the boot sole, a few thick, strong ties make sense.
Can I replace a broken gear lever with cable ties?
As an emergency solution, yes. Wrap about 15 cable ties very tightly around the stump. Shifting feels soft, but it will get you to the next workshop.
Does a cable tie help with a spongy brake lever?
Pull the lever against the grip overnight. Air bubbles can rise this way and the pressure point often becomes firmer. The brake should still be bled properly soon.
How do I check my suspension with a cable tie?
Put a small cable tie around the fork tube. After the ride, its position shows how far the fork has compressed and whether it bottoms out.