Fully Equipped Motorcycle
Saw this motorcycle (I think there’s one under all that gear) at our local BMW dealer (Kissell Motorsports soon to be renamed under new ownership) when I dropped my friend Paul Ruby off to pickup his scooter. It got me thinking about the need to carry a motorcycle tool kit. Along with all the other gear this rider had packed on his motorcycle, he had the tools necessary to do some work on the front wheel.
Do you carry a motorcycle tool kit with you on the road?
Fully Loaded, Fully Prepared Motorcycle for Life on the Road
I don’t often see machines like this. From my vantage point, it seemed like every usable space was doing duty for storage or undertaking other utilitarian purposes. It was a little mesmerizing looking at this BMW F800 Adventure motorcycle and all the thought that must have gone into preparing it.
The owner was busy running back and forth with the dealer — they were ready to close and he was in a rush. One of the mechanics was nearby just in case this episode of roadside maintenance went south. The mechanic was a BMW rider himself. I was admiring his 1996 BMW K75.
Too much BMW stimulation all at once. But back to the need for a motorcycle tool kit.
BMW Envy
Even without a front wheel the motorcycle was interesting. It was like looking at one of those intensely posted bulletin boards with all sorts of unique information. My friend Paul had just bought a 2016 BMW R1200 RT. I was wondering if he was now wishing he had gone a different path.
It was the absent front wheel that got me thinking about the motorcycle tool kit and how much wrenching I was prepared to do along the road.
A Custom BMW Motorcycle Toolkit
This is what the rider had out on the ground. Not sure if he had other tools packed away somewhere on his motorcycle. But he had enough to get the front wheel off the bike. There’s an argument here for a center stand as well. No need to find a stump to put your motorcycle on.
I’ve never really surveyed riders about their motorcycle tool kit — what they carried in terms of tools, spare parts and how much they were prepared to fix if necessary.
Vespa Tool Kit
My own tool kit is packaged in an inexpensive vinyl tool wrap I purchased from Harbor Freight. In it are the tools necessary to do a variety of jobs should the need arise:
- Change the spark plug
Remove the front or rear wheels
Remove the muffler
Change the engine and/or hub oil
Tinker with various hoses, wires and “stuff”
Fix flat tires (with a nifty little tire repair kit I purchased from Aerostich) - UPDATE: I carry an AntiGravity battery to jump a dead battery.
I suppose there are other things I could do if pressed but I wanted to be able to take care of some of the simple, common problems that arise with a Vespa GTS scooter. I carry spare parts. Down the road I may add the tools and parts necessary to change out the CVT drive belt. For now I have the dealer change it on a liberal schedule.
So, what sorts of motorcycle tool kits do you carry? A few riders have told me the only tool they carry is a credit card. I understand the feeling. For me, there are a few things that I would like to take care of quickly.
The messy part of riding…
I always have a tire repair kit. I have had to use it locally and on the road.
On trips I carry more tools than I need, but my conscious will not let me leave them behind. However, every tool has a purpose, though many I have never used it on a trip. There is no need to carry a whole set of wrench’s or sockets if only two or three can be used on the scooter. The kit grew as the 250 racked up the miles and more problems emerged. When I got the new 300 I tried very hard to leave the tool kit. I had the scooter packed and ready to go, but I just could not pull out of the garage because not having the security blanket of the tool kit made me feel as naked as riding without a helmet.
If I went to a basic kit, all I really need is the tools and parts for the following:
1. change a exhaust gasket
2. tighten a mirror
3. pull a rear and front wheel.
4. change a belt
That is it. Everything else is just dead weight really, but I still carry them. The kit was developed as I search out long rides in the hinterlands and the cannonballs.
If you ride far from home the number one item in the kit is tow insurance with unlimited miles. Mine is through my insurance company, Progressive, and for $10 a year they will tow me to “the nearest qualified repair facility”!! That means the nearest Vespa repair shop and that could be hundreds of miles.
I’ve not yet become completely attached to the tool kit. I always take it along when I’m riding “away from home” but seldom have it around town. Always have the tire repair kit though. Reading your basic list — one thing that always seems to surface is the loose mirror. I should probably always have a wrench along for that.
I have tow insurance through the AMA and my regular insurance carrier. Not sure what the rules are around mileage. Should check. A lot of coverage on the cars doesn’t apply to the Vespa. Like the accidental death coverage!
Once you get your new garage project completed — you’ll have plenty of room to leave the tools behind Ken!
Steve, Great timing for this post. My GTS300 started cutting out randomly the other day and the tool kit anxiety started. I guess it’s time to put something together. Hopefully it will be mostly for tummy comfort but the thought of an extended trip some day means more prep than I’ve done to date.
Doug
A common cause of intermittent cutting out is a loose spark plug wire. The connector can wear due to the torsion between the coil and plug. Might want to pull that wire and make sure everything is tight. Scooterwest sells a replacement wire (which I now have) that is a little longer and mitigates the torsion issue.
I’m with you — I hope I never need the tool kit. Just helps with any rational or irrational anxiety about being far from home and having a breakdown. Of course, that kind of thinking leads to the need to learn how to wrench on more things. A friend sent me a text message this morning that he just wants to ride. His repair kit — a button on his phone and a truck and trailer swoop in an carry the motorcycle away…
Thanks Steve, I haven’t been riding since but I’ll check that connection and order the plug lead. The folks at Scooters West have been great. The cell phone and plastic card are two wonderful inventions too.
I agree about the cell phone and plastic card. Those two items can surmount a lot of bad luck.
Read an interesting piece on smart phones on the Geezer With a Grudge blog. He doesn’t think much of what smart phones have done to us. I’m still thinking about that question — especially considering the cost. How did I survive without that expense???
There is a long-running (197 page) discussion on this over at the ADVRider site (http://advrider.com/index.php?threads/the-toolkit-thread.262998/) dating back to 2007. Some kits are developed from scratch, some are adaptations of purchased or came-with-the-bike tool kits. Many good suggestions but I still think it comes down to what field repairs you feel comfortable/capable doing. Similar thought to tool/spare parts kits for autos and trucks.
Wow. Thanks for the Toolkit Thread link. I love looking at that kind of stuff. Just like wading through workshop sites showing how people customize their shops and garages.
You’re right though — the tool kit really is driven by the repairs you’re able or willing to make on the road. At this point I’m often more willing to call for a tow than make a repair along the road. Still sorting out personally where I fall on that spectrum.
I don’t carry any repair stuff for the cars aside from a tow rope and jumper cables.
I have built a tool kit from scratch that will fit 95+ % of my scooter. At this point I have only ever needed it to conduct routine maintenance and adjustments. I am hoping to it stays that way. All the major repair work I have been able to carry out in my own garage. I keep in a tool roll http://www.bucketboss.com/70004.html. I also carry a tier plug kit https://www.stopngo.com/pocket-tire-plugger-for-all-tubeless-tires/ & a portable air compressor. https://bestrestproducts.com/product-category/cyclepump-ez-gauge/.
I love the Bucket Boss toolroll. Almost enough to ditch what I have and get it. Looks more elegant and as you know, Vespa riders are all about elegant!
Iron and Resin sells a cool one but it’s $80. Ugh.
I’ve thought about a portable air compressor as well but never pulled the trigger. I carry a little mt bike pump but it would take forever and a day to pump up a tire. If it’s even possible.
We’ll see.
As you may have guessed, I take a lot of stuff with me on the road. I also don’t differentiate from local trips and longer excursions.
Full set of metric combination wrenches plus all the Ural specific specialty wrenches and open end wrenches that are included in the tool roll. Metric and SAE 1/4″ socket set, metric ball-end allen wrenches, pry bar, hammer, all tools for replacing tires, scissor jack, air compressor, battery jump box, volt-ohm meter, spark plug socket, phillips and standard screwdrivers in a variety of lengths and sizes, etc. Between tools and spare parts, there is probably around 40 lbs of stuff. Just about everything needed to disassemble and reassemble the rig.
Richard, you’re tool kit is pretty serious. Probably should be called a rebuild kit. The local URAL mechanic said all you need to work on these is a wrench and a hammer. He seemed serious…
I would need a trailer to bring that along on the Vespa. Or a sidecar!
Yep, pretty much what RichardM listed, some spare parts that I’ve come to need and now carry as well: Fuel injector coupler for fuel line, a driveline donut, spare clutch thrust bearing components/actuator rod, spare clutch and throttle cables, fuses, pusher brake pads (for the period when I was going through pusher brake pads in an insanely swift manner)….I do my scheduled services only with the tools I carry on the rig, to ensure I can do same type work and repairs while on the road or during a long trip.
Wait a minute. Are you riding a motorcycle? Or driving a 1953 MG TD?
I rely on making sure everything is fairly ship shape before I leave the garage for daily trips. I haven’t taken a long trip in years that I might be packing tools for but it would include a tubeless tire plug kit and an air pump, a six and twelve adjustable wrench, multi bit screwdriver and some box/open wrenches. Maybe a small socket set. Last year when I took the Chinese 250 to Danbury and back I just made sure I had my cell phone charged for the 300 mile round trip. I also rejoined the AMA at a Life Member discount just to have roadside assistance available.
Do you know what the limitations of the AMA Roadside Assistance are? Can’t remember if it has a mileage or cost limit or whether it will tow to a “qualified” facility.
Always had more than just a comprehensive too kit on the Goldwing. Over time and numerous kilometres parts and connections fail. It is inevitable. One of the main reason I sold the Goldwing after 30 years of ownership and 500,000 kilometres was the lack of available parts just to keep the machinery functioning.Nothing lasts forever and it can be somewhat embarrassing to discover the mechanics at the local Honda motorcycle dealership had not been born when your motorcycle had been assembled nor has they any experience with carb fuel systems.
I did use my comprehensive tool kit at times as needed on the road and over time added bits and pieces as required to maintain the machine. These days Goldwings are to me a plumbers nightmare, and resemble a laden with accessories Honda Accord.
Not for the fain of heart to repair or maintain.
I think there is a line between riders who want to fix some things on the road so they can keep riding and those who throw in the towel when something fails and ride another day. I’m not sure which side I want to be on.
Carrying a lot of tools and spare parts feels good but I need to make sure I know wheat to do with them. The three times my Vespa failed on the highway — only two I could have fixed. First, ran out of gas. Simple fix. Second, bad sparkplug wire. Could have fixed that if I knew what I was doing. Third, destroyed spines on crankshaft — a result of my changing the drive belt without really knowing what I was doing. Required an engine rebuild.
So I tend to ride with the same expectations of when I drive. If it fails, I’ll call a tow truck. If it’s a 500 mile tow, oh well, poor me…
Tools are a lot like rain gear. If you leave it at home….its gonna rain!
I’ve used my rain gear once now. Most times I just ride wet. But as it gets colder that will change.
This post got me to thinking, and it wasn’t pleasant. I have a pretty comprehensive tool kit on the Honda, and have only once needed it once on the road, to change a bulb in my headlight, on our cross country trip. But I have no tools on the Vespa. None.
Oops.
I think I’d better get on it!!
Let us know what you put together.
I generally just take 2 tools with me on the road; a credit card and a cell phone. Honestly, I’ve been in 37 states so far on motorcycles, and the only problem I ever had was 2 flat tires a long time ago (and both on the same day). I’ve always been riding lower mileage motorcycles, mostly Hondas, and BMWs, and they have been reliable for me, so I’ve never had any problems or breakdowns. I can do basic maintenance like oil changes and valve adjustments, but beyond that I let the factory mechanics take care of anything additional I might need – which for the last 45 years has amounted to just about nothing besides replacing tires.
Makes sense Kitty. Was talking to a friend this morning and he echoed your comments. Take care of the machine and do the maintenance required and it should serve you with good reliability. We were discussing a BMW R1150 RS with 91K miles. Service records and appearance show it was meticulously cared for. Should have another 100K miles in it easily with only typical maintenance repairs.
Or so one would hope!
Since I’m fairly new to on-the-road moto stuff (my off-road moto experience was decades ago, and way more off-the-cuff), I’m still getting my bearings here, and went a still-new-ish bike at that. But I can tell you about my cycling days, both inner-city and out-of-town day rides, where my basic kit consisted of:
– Flat-fix kit, which at first was simply a basic patch kit, but later evolved into a patch kit augmented with both a tire boot (in the event of a damaged tire sidewall), extra tube, and C02 carts for a quick fill to augment whatever frame pump I had. (I still do this.)
– Basic First Aid kit; nothing elaborate, but the usual bandages/tincture/Advil
– 21st-Century/First-World Additions: phone, credit card. We can lightly joke about them (and the whiff of privilege they obviously carry), but when you need them, you’re damned glad to have them.
I’m in the process of modifying this list in terms of my longer-distance excursions with the GTS, but the basics remain as guidance; I don’t need the kitchen sink, but a few necessities from the cupboard are clearly in order. 🙂
Each of us comes to our own place of comfort in terms of taking care of ourselves on the road, and in life. What that entails will vary as wildly as we do. In regard to the whiff of privilege — being here, engaging online and having some sort of two-wheeled machine on the highway, that would indicate some level of privilege. Or luck.
As I settle into retirement I understand how privileged I am. Even though I paid into a fund my entire adult life, having that opportunity was a gift.
Oh, nearly forgot: AAA card. Between that and my ancillary Geico coverage, I’m a bit better prepared.