Must-Have Tools for Touring

 

I'm a product of the "Shovelhead" era and I STILL carry far too many tools, once a must, now paranoia I believe!

In reality, the little tool kit that comes with your bike, a tire plug kit and either the CO2 canisters or perhaps a mini-compressor, a credit card and a cell phone should get you most anywhere you need to go

 

I'd add one of those portable jumper/power packs to the list.

 

Credit Card

 

Full Flask?

 

I love the "Cell phone and credit card" responses that usually follow this kind of thread.
Those folks must not get out much.

 

Duct tape .. and cable ties, (large and small), amazing what these two items can do to get you out of trouble on the road..... And an assortment of tools you use for normal basic maintenance .....

 

Cell phone and credit card is very last resort for sure... I carry a crap load in the saddle bag. Has come in handy a few times.

 

I carry one always. Helped out brothers on two occasions so far, not myself..... yet.

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Three times last summer I used the HOG towing package. Once for a flat tire, once for a bad set of rear bearings and once because my Panhead would not start (that one was my fault, my clean spark plugs and the wrench where at home). This can be a very good thing to have, especially if your get remote, like on your way to Alaska, or out on 93 in Nevada.

When I lost the rear bearings, because I had warranty, it cost me notta. And from the time I called Road America (Hog's contractor) until I got back on the road it was about 4 hours total. Same with the flat, but I choose to put a new tire on the eGlide so I had to pay for that.

The portable jumper is also very important. I once used it to ride my Panhead back to the shop, even though the battery was dead and the Generator was kaput. Well, I got half way back anyway.

I don't trust the CO2 repair kits. I had one blow up in my hand once. I have a very good bicycle pump plus a plug kit for my eGlide and a tube for my Pan.

Duct tape, tie straps, locktite, Wrenches and sockets. Extra batteries for your FOB. Cash. Telling someone to take a Credit Card, is like telling them to make sure they take Rain Gear..... If I have to tell you that, oh boy.... Of course a Cell, twice last year it saved my *** when I needed a tow in.

Now, if you get remote, like I do, a really good tool is a Delorme InReach Satelite device. They can be charged on your bike, and you can use your Cell phone to text for help. I never used mine for an emergency, but did test it when I had no Cell service by texting people. They are not cheap, and there is a monthly service fee. But it could save your ***. Instead of abandoning your bike, you could get someone to call HOG for you, HOG texts you, and then by texting they sort out where you are, and who to dispatch to come fetch.