Tools for 600mi. trip?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,332
Likes: 3,873
From: Upstate New York
I copied this from a similar post I made in the Evo section. I ALWAYS have these tools with me whether I'm riding to the next town over for dinner or the other coast. Fact is, over the years I've used them more on other's bikes than my own.
"First rule I follow is I only carry tools for what I can do myself on the road. I still run tubes, so a flat means I call road service-there's no way I am going to remove/install the rear tire on a Heritage Softail on the side of the road without a lift.
I do carry:
small vise grips
small LED flashlight
multi-bit screwdriver
6" crescent wrench
3/8,7/16,1/2,9/16,5/8 combination wrenches
Allen wrenches
duct tape (not a roll-wrap a couple feet around one of your wrenches)
Electrical tape
baling wire
a couple feet of electrical wire
pliers
spark plug socket & a couple of spark plugs
an assortment of small nuts, bolts, cotter pins and such in the sizes that experience has taught me might "go AWOL" on a long trip.
All this goes in a tool roll carried at the bottom of one saddlebag.
Cell phone with number of AMA road service & platinum VISA card (haven't needed it yet-knock wood)."
Throw in a spare H-4 headlamp bulb and I'm set.
"First rule I follow is I only carry tools for what I can do myself on the road. I still run tubes, so a flat means I call road service-there's no way I am going to remove/install the rear tire on a Heritage Softail on the side of the road without a lift.
I do carry:
small vise grips
small LED flashlight
multi-bit screwdriver
6" crescent wrench
3/8,7/16,1/2,9/16,5/8 combination wrenches
Allen wrenches
duct tape (not a roll-wrap a couple feet around one of your wrenches)
Electrical tape
baling wire
a couple feet of electrical wire
pliers
spark plug socket & a couple of spark plugs
an assortment of small nuts, bolts, cotter pins and such in the sizes that experience has taught me might "go AWOL" on a long trip.
All this goes in a tool roll carried at the bottom of one saddlebag.
Cell phone with number of AMA road service & platinum VISA card (haven't needed it yet-knock wood)."
Throw in a spare H-4 headlamp bulb and I'm set.
Last edited by Uncle G.; Aug 11, 2016 at 01:04 PM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,899
Likes: 3,412
From: OH
That is about what I carry. I store mine in the bag set that sit in the voids at the bottom of the saddle bags. The way I see it is that it's primary function is the bike but if I am camping or staying in a cabin somewhere the tools can serve a variety of functions.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,984
Likes: 5,220
From: Michigan
Due to my indoctrination to H-D during the "Shovelhead" era, I still carry more tools (and misc. items) than I usually need.
Common sense would be that you carry (as someone else has already stated) the tools that you may need to do roadside repairs, and possess the knowledge and ability to use them.
In addition to tools, I also carry electrical tape, tie straps a tubeless tire repair kit, a mini-air compressor, an air pressure gauge, and a siphon hose.
I will second the major credit card and a cell phone.
This week, as I was riding through KY my voltage regulator started signaling that something was wrong.
At 65 miles to the nearest dealer, my concern was that the battery would not remain charged and I might find myself stranded by the side of the road.
As I got closer to the H-D dealership, I took the time to stop, remove the seat and check my battery cables just to make sure (even though I knew better) that they were tight.
Having the tools necessary to change the part did little good as I didn't have an extra regulator in my saddlebags, so the major credit card came in darn handy (even though I have the ESP on my bike).
With my ESP card, my credit card and thirty minutes at the H-D dealership, I was back on the road!
Common sense would be that you carry (as someone else has already stated) the tools that you may need to do roadside repairs, and possess the knowledge and ability to use them.
In addition to tools, I also carry electrical tape, tie straps a tubeless tire repair kit, a mini-air compressor, an air pressure gauge, and a siphon hose.
I will second the major credit card and a cell phone.
This week, as I was riding through KY my voltage regulator started signaling that something was wrong.
At 65 miles to the nearest dealer, my concern was that the battery would not remain charged and I might find myself stranded by the side of the road.
As I got closer to the H-D dealership, I took the time to stop, remove the seat and check my battery cables just to make sure (even though I knew better) that they were tight.
Having the tools necessary to change the part did little good as I didn't have an extra regulator in my saddlebags, so the major credit card came in darn handy (even though I have the ESP on my bike).
With my ESP card, my credit card and thirty minutes at the H-D dealership, I was back on the road!
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,512
Likes: 345
From: Ohio
I do carry a small roll up tool kit and a patch kit in my saddlebags but this post got me to thinking. I just crossed over 13,000 miles on my Road King and I've never once grabbed for any of that. Of course, this is probably cursing myself right now, but I haven't been roadside or even in a parking lot and wanting a tool for anything. The bike's been perfect so far and my only use for tools has been during the oil changes or when I was adding/changing a part on the bike.
I think I'd be happy to ride 1200 miles or more with just a cell phone and a credit card for reassurance.
Novice
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: wisconsin
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Joe Kucinski
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
My touring experience for over 10 years and 300K is that I call them Gas and Go bikes. From Key West to the Arctic Circle and ocean to ocean and all 49 continental states and most of Canada I never had an issue.
When I first started I carried a spare battery, battery charger, 12v air compressor, tire plugs, bulbs, fuses, lbs of tools, wire, duct tape and more. As time went on I thinned down to four credit cards, 5 to 8 hundred in cash and a cell phone.
I finally had an issue at Sturgis. I went on a ride through Spearfish Canyon onto 85 to New Castle Wyoming where I topped of the gas tank to continue S on 85 to 18. When I went to start the bike it would only frantically blink all the flashers.
But it was my failure. Senility must be setting in. When I left the camp grounds the fob was in the tent but close enough to for the bike to fire up.
Each bike that has security I usually set my own pin number. But I did not do this bike yet. Then I remembered that the H-D tech told me some years ago that they set up each bike during prep to 11111. I entered that and the bike started. Otherwise the cell phone and credit card would have gotten a tech there or a tow truck to the dealer.
When I first started I carried a spare battery, battery charger, 12v air compressor, tire plugs, bulbs, fuses, lbs of tools, wire, duct tape and more. As time went on I thinned down to four credit cards, 5 to 8 hundred in cash and a cell phone.
I finally had an issue at Sturgis. I went on a ride through Spearfish Canyon onto 85 to New Castle Wyoming where I topped of the gas tank to continue S on 85 to 18. When I went to start the bike it would only frantically blink all the flashers.
But it was my failure. Senility must be setting in. When I left the camp grounds the fob was in the tent but close enough to for the bike to fire up.
Each bike that has security I usually set my own pin number. But I did not do this bike yet. Then I remembered that the H-D tech told me some years ago that they set up each bike during prep to 11111. I entered that and the bike started. Otherwise the cell phone and credit card would have gotten a tech there or a tow truck to the dealer.