I was talking with a friend the other day and the subject of what tools to carry on your bike came up.

Not too long ago a good tool kit was a necessity when packing, especially for a long trip. These days I have my doubts though.

Now we all pretty much have cell phones, and coverage across the US is pretty darned good. There are a few holes in the coverage, but they grow smaller every year. Most of us also have towing coverage either through our bike insurance or HOG or IIRA or whatever.

So wouldn't be easier and better to just make a call and get a tow? I'd like to hear opinions about that.

I've not re-vamped my took kit yet, but what I'm thinking is along the lines of:

1. Flashlight
2. Hazard reflector or flares
3. Fire extinguisher
4. Zip ties
5. Duct tape
6. Blade and phillips screw driver
7. Crescent wrench
8. Varmint gun
9. Six pack of beer

So am I wrong to think that I can reduce the number of tools I carry?

 

Interesting opinion. I agree - hard core tools don't appear to be as much of a requirement as they used to be. For your screwdrivers you could probably get by with a Leatherman.

 

It seems to be a sort of threshold thing.

When does fixing something become more difficult or less desirable than calling a tow truck?

When does hauling 40 pounds of tools around become too much of a pain?

 

I actually just ordered this.
http://www.amazon.com/Cruztools-OH13.../dp/B00028A8ZM Has quite a few things in a small package. I hoping this and maybe a few zip ties is something gets loose or falls off on the road.

 

Do you travel long distances and do you think you will be completing something other than minor repairs or tightening on the road? What is your mechanical ability?

If all minor and local, a crescent wrench, vice grips, wire ties, slot and phillips screwdriver, and a leatherman.

If a long way from home and more in depth repairs, a basic craftsman socket set of metric and sae. (less than $200) set of torx bits, set of allen wrench bits, a few screwdrivers, flashlight, wire ties, vice grips, leatherman, tire plug kit, air compressor.



The tools thread comes up a lot. In the past I've always taken the time to list out tools I carry etc. In my case it is an extensive list.

I've thought about this question a lot recently I believe there is a more correct answer though.

The answer is, take the tools that you know how to use and, can and will use on the side of the road or motel parking lot.

For some of us that means a lot of tools. We have the experience to wrench on our bikes whenever needed.

For others, that is not the case. It isn't a bad thing. I know peope that are not inclined or able to do the most simple of tasks on their bike when it is parked in their garage. It makes no sense for them to load up $400 worth and 30 pounds of tools they don't know how to use repairing their bike.

If you are comfortable tearing into the engine while the bike sits outside your tent, take the tools you feel you need to be comfortable in your travels. if your mechanical ability is limited to dialing a cell phone and providing a credit card number, that is cool too, your list of what to pack is much simpler.

If you are asking what tools to take, my guess is you are not wrenching on your bike a lot yourself, so don't take tools to do a repair you can't complete without your shop manual. If you do all your own wrenching, you can make a run through your tool boxes and know what you need to take on a trip to be covered.

Whichever camp you fall into is fine. It isn't good or bad. Just take what you need and feel competent to use.

Just a thought.

(and if you still want the list I carry on long trips, just ask)

 

... is the six pack and a AAA card.


GSF

 

add in condoms...... for the tool

 

You must not ride our mountains very much. A traveler is lucky to find cell phone coverage on many of the mountain and canyon roads in our state when away from I-70.

Having said that, you're right in questioning what tools are really needed any more, especially if you're not knowledgable about repairing your bike. I still think a small set of tools for tightening things that can come loose is a smart idea. For example, a 10mm combination wrench to tighten a battery terminal that's coming loose or say a screw driver to tighten your seat. Maybe even have an extra screw or pair of nuts for your seat.

I think it would be a great exercise to come up with a list of the most probable failures that can happen on the road that have a fix that a complete hack could make.

 

If I'm just riding around the area none, but while planning a trip I'd probably take:

Flashlight
Phillips & Flathead screw driver
Allen wrenches
T25 & T27 Torx
Vice grips
Ratchet and sockets
Zip Ties
Duct tape

Am I going to tear into the engine? No but I am going to select the tools that I specifically need for my bike. Who knows if I need to tighten a battery terminal or a brake line. Most likely I won't but you never know.

 

Six pack takes up too much space, Jack Daniels fits better in the saddle bag.