Do you carry tools?

[PeteS]

BMW tool kit covers the 4 metric bikes. My first cross country trip on my ‘71 Norton, the clutch came off. Now I carry a homemade clutch tool. Probably not needed as it now has the locking washer in the nut which the ‘71s didn’t come with.

Pete

[Zenermaniac]

Google Slime compressor, I have one but I went to the even more compact C02 cannister and aluminum fitting

I have the Slime compressor but it’s too big for my liking. How many CO2 canisters does it take to fill a tire?

[Roebling3]

I retired 2/2009. 72 years on the road and still counting. 8.37 million miles in North America, Canada, Switzerland, France, Belgium, Netherlands et. al. I never bothered about how many miles were ridden on MC's. The logged miles were betwixt big trucks and cars.
I have done 11 Bunn Burner Gold's, + 100 miles added to each. (add 100 to 1500 in 24hrs. and you can get very cool 'Grosjean numbers). I rode MC's whenever and wherever I could. I had a 'Just show up and take one' in France, Belgium & Switzerland.
Except for 3X I never needed any of the large number of tools I carried for work related reasons. I used to fly commercially for repairs, installs, sales and trade shows.
At some very late way point I realized there was seldom a need for 3 types of Freon, vacuum pump, welding equip. bearings, etc. I nearly emptied the trunk.
Clients in Europe always had what I needed - regardless. I've had one flat on a motorcycle - in my garage! Lost a clutch within a block of home. 
I've not carried any tools for more than 30 years. In most ways I'm the luckiest guy I know. 
 
You can plan - of course. Save yourself real grief! Don't ride motorcycles with 2 sided shaft drives. Don't ride on wire wheels - unless you have those hi-zoot rims, w/no tubes. Don't ride with plastic parts in your fuel line. i.e. pumps - filters.  Good fortune,  R3~

[LowRyter]

Yes.  And a tire plug kit with mini air compressor.

I've needed the tire plug kit more often than the tools.

I keep all that in my tank bag, move it from bike to bike.  But my Ducati, it has special sockets for each wheel as well as well as needing 1/2 ratchet drive for Torx & C-wrench to adjust the chain.  it's easy, so long as you have the peculiar tools. 

[ScepticalScotty]

All the time - the standard kit that came with the Breva 750 plus what I have added to it. Of course, now it doesn't fit under the seat and I have to fit the panniers, but thats no bother. Or if you are Scottish, nae bother ava!

[Dr. Enzo Toma]

This is my V7 Stone e5 kit:







I have a similar kit pieced together for each one of my motorcycles that see more use than just around town. I use the travel toolkit to do most of the work and maintenance on the bike, to make sure the tools are useful should they be needed. They are mostly things I purchased a la carte from Tekton on a few other tool makers. The DynaPlug micro inflator and plug kit gets moved between bikes so I don't need to own so many of them. This whole kit fits quite nicely in the bottom layer of one of my panniers for travel.

I replaced the brake and clutch lever with adjustable ones, so I also carry the OEM levers when touring so I have them as spares.

[Perazzimx14]

In the motorcycle world the tool roll is a badge of honor. You're not a serious biker until you have a least a 35lb tool roll with enough different tools, tie wire, epoxy, tape and zip ties in it to rebuild at least 9 different motorcycles. It really doesn't matter if you know how to use any of these things as long as you have them, you'll be fine if there is a failure along the road.

While I do carry a few tools its nothing crazy. More important to carry is a tire repair kit and pump and most importantly know how to use it.

Follow up questions:

1. Out of those who carry tools how often do you used them when out riding your? Tire repair kits and tools to adjust a chain do not apply.
2. Out of all the tool you carry home many of them have never been used?

[AJ Huff]

Nope.

I wouldn't know what to do with them if I had them with me, so what's the point. Phone and credit card.

-AJ

[Canuck750]

Follow up questions:

1. Out of those who carry tools how often do you used them when out riding your? Tire repair kits and tools to adjust a chain do not apply.
2. Out of all the tool you carry home many of them have never been used?

Things I carry that I have used:

Clutch cable (twice - 72 Eldorado and 2006 KLR 650)
Throttle cable(s) - once Eldorado
condenser - Twice Eldorado
Zip ties - many times, mostly holding broken plastic back on the KLR
JB Weld metal putty - once to repair cracked crankcase on a KLR
Electrical wire- a couple times to by patch up busted off tail light, handlebar switch etc.
booster cables, several times to boost a dead battery
Air compressor to bring tire pressure back up after leaving the sand trails - KLR
Brake lever - once KLR
Multimeter - a couple times to diagnose other dead bikes, two were Harleys.
Tire irons to remove a tire to patch a tube, several KLR
Tire patch kit, compressor several times.
Nuts and bolts, replacing missing fasteners after a couple thousand kilometres of rough gravel roads.
I wouldn’t be without a good Philips and flat head screwdriver and enough wrenches to remove a wheel, fuel tank and seat.

[MotoG5]

Always,
Old tank bag with tire plug kit, air pump, tool kit (my own selection based on past experience), shop rag and what ever I think I may need at the time. Rain suit if it looks possible to need it. I only do day rides now so I wont go into what I used to carry on my previous road bikes for long hauls. I consider this stuff a good idea for now as even a good day ride can get me a couple of hundred miles from home round trip.
 
 





 

 

[egschade]

Many mentions of mini-compressors.

Just how small are these pumps?

I carry the Slime power sport pack which is roughly 6x6x2 and has room for plugs in the case. Used it one and it worked fine for a motorcycle tire. Pretty low volume so a car tire would take a long time.

[Perazzimx14]

I carry the Slime power sport pack which is roughly 6x6x2 and has room for plugs in the case. Used it one and it worked fine for a motorcycle tire. Pretty low volume so a car tire would take a long time.

I carry and use DynaPlug pumps on my motorcycles. Fit in the palm of your hand and work a treat. Most of the 12v mini tire inflators if you remove the plastic shell are very similar as far as pump and motor.

[ScepticalScotty]

Might get one of them tool roll things - the bags from 2004 are looking a bit ratty.

[ChrisG]

This comes with a V7 Stone 850. What more could one possibly need?

[bobrebos1]

I have added carrying a can of electric contact spray cleaner with my 2021 V7 due to the crappy ignition switch!  Geez it’s always something!  Lol

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I carry and use DynaPlug pumps on my motorcycles. Fit in the palm of your hand and work a treat. Most of the 12v mini tire inflators if you remove the plastic shell are very similar as far as pump and motor.

http://www.dynaplug.com/microproinflator.html

[DougG]

Hi Scout,                                                                                             1-19-23
Tool kit, puncture kit, water and first aid kit.  Luckily I've never had to use them but on two occasions I helped other riders. 

Be well, stay well,
DougG

[Perazzimx14]

This comes with a V7 Stone 850. What more could one possibly need?

Honestly probably not a lot other than a credit card and a cell phone. If a component breaks/fails on the road unless you have a replacement with you and the ability to replace all the tools in the world are useless.

[s1120]

Hi Scout,                                                                                             1-19-23
Tool kit, puncture kit, water and first aid kit.  Luckily I've never had to use them but on two occasions I helped other riders. 

Be well, stay well,
DougG

Really in my experience I would get far more use out of a first aid kit then the tool kit. Not for anything major, but I have got cuts, and scratches that just will not stop bleeding far more then I have needed any tools.

[Perazzimx14]

http://www.dynaplug.com/microproinflator.html

Shame is 3 or 4 years go Cycle Gear had them for $19.99 now they are $69.99. Glad I bought as many as I did when I did

[Bulldog9]

Always. I used to plus up the 'oem' tool kit with the extras, but several years ago bought this https://www.rrrtoolsolutions.com/adventure-tools.php super compact and so far useful. I also carry a stopngo plug kit with pump.

I have both in a small carry bag that also contains extra bulbs, zip ties, electrical tape, crimp connectors, a small multimeter, specific tools to change a tire and spark plug and portable battery jumper pack thingy. Also carry a first aid kit with compression dressings with chitosan. This goes in a saddlebag and I will throw in the trunk of the Porsche or Mustang. I run rideon sealer in all my tires which has been helpful in several situations where I picked up a nail or screw. Not helpful in situations like I had on my Novi Scotia ride several years ago when I ran over something on a gravel road chasing lighthouses that tore a chunk out of the rear tire and sliced the front down to the chords. 

The Griso is the only bike I have without a saddle bag, but I don't do more than day trip thugging around on it.

[pebra]

Nope.

I wouldn't know what to do with them if I had them with me, so what's the point. Phone and credit card.

-AJ

Yeah, I'm mostly there 
Those Guzzis are so reliable I've hardly ever missed tools.

At times, on long trips, I carry just a few screwdrivers, hex keys, pliers, zip ties, tape - - - -  Come to use just once.
A clutch wire if I have one.

[Steph]

I carry a full set, under the seat, on the older bike and recently added a Knipex 150mm wrench pliers after seeing them in this video: https://youtu.be/T2D49jEVIrk

[LowRyter]

Shame is 3 or 4 years go Cycle Gear had them for $19.99 now they are $69.99. Glad I bought as many as I did when I did

Don't even try to buy Plexis now... $30.  Even the Pink can is $14, double the last time I bought some.

[tommy2cyl]

Bought new tubeless wheels for my 2020 V 85 so eliminated spare tubes & tools to change tubes.   Carry 2 sockets, ratchet and round metal tube (leverage bar) to be able to remove front and rear wheels.  A few other small sockets,  3 open wrenches, Phillips and flat screw drivers, air pump and tire plug kit.
Small roll of duct tape and a few zip ties.  Any repair requiring more than that it is pull out the credit card and make a phone call time.

When doing back country camping trips on the DR 350, tire irons and spare tubes are back on the list.

[tommy2cyl]

...and a multi allen head tool.    ....oh, and Leatherman in my saddleback.    

[Perazzimx14]

Don't even try to buy Plexis now... $30.  Even the Pink can is $14, double the last time I bought some.

Even when it was less expensive Plexus was too expensive.  I'm good with $4 a can Trueliving lemon furniture polish from Dollar General. Heck I don't even see the advantage of spending $5.75 a can for lemon Pledge.