jumper cables
 

handy to have, too big to bring. 1 dollar will buy you 2 metres of thick insulated copper wire. Folds up to the size of a pack of fags. Jumped me all the way across south america.

(Alternatively get a bike that works)

Nice tip
 

Yeah i like that one, cheap and cheerfull. A great back up if youre Bike has no kick start. Compact enough to stuff the wires near the battery.

Cheers

What wire size?
 

fward,

Yep, it is a good idea to carry that wire without the crocodile clips.
Do you know how thick the electrical wire is? i.e. what is the minimum diameter that will do the job of handling the high current but still folds up to the size of a packet of fags (thats a pack of cigarettes for you North Americans!).

When you say get a bike that works, I guess you mean get a good battery.:rolleyes2:

8mm-q will do for most bike's, all but big engine guzzi's for one :)

The size of the size of the wire (cross sectional area not length) depends on what you want to do;

Power the starter motor - then you'll need somethign the same (or larger) then the wires used on the bike ..

Charge the battery - this will depend on the amount of time you have avalible - the more time the less the thickness of wire.

----- For flexable wire with a good variation of size I find "Hi Fi" speaker wire to be Ok... not looking to power the starter motor - just charge up the battery enough that the bike will start.

----- For clips - you want some that fit your bike ... I use a large one for the chassie connection and put that on an engine bolt.. The battery positive terminal is alsways hard to get to .. and needs some care as it is usually sourounded by other stuff.

Also, the shorter the cable's, the more effective they are (and so can be thinner.)