Do you carry tools?

[Scout63]

I never used to carry tools on short rides. Now I keep an old BMW tool toll in one side of my backpack.  It’s pretty much all metric with some extras like master links, a clutch lever and zip ties. I should put together another for the Brit bikes. That would make more sense but I would need to pack tail lights etc.

[JJ]

Yes.....in a leather pouch above the front fender...plus the factory tool kit under the seat...because you never know!

[inditx]

Standard tool kit and tire repair/plug kit.
Would carry more if doing more than around town riding.
inditx

[egschade]

Yes, and probably too many.

My kit includes tire irons/bead breaker, tubes, patches, compressor, assortment of sockets for wheel removal, multi-tool, zip ties, gorilla tape, allen wrenches, and a few other bits. It's all in one of my saddle bags which I leave off on short rides.

[SemperVee]

  I carry the same pack up cross country as I do on everyday rides.  Tools do no good back in the garage when you need them.  I carry enough to take care of flats, take wheels off, 12V pp mini air compressor,  tire plugger, assortment of small odds and ends, fuses, relays,  emergency battery jumper box, tie-ties, etc.  The same for all bikes less the clutch kit now that I am hydraulic. + my emergency tow card.  Hand sanitizer, one use gloves, first aid package and small towel.
Luckily I've only needed it once.  Better to have it and not need it then need it and not have it.

[Dirk_S]

I love seeing this topic pop up every year.

[twowheeladdict]

It depends on what I am riding, and where I am riding. 

Van van has basic no o-ring chain.  Always needs adjustment when riding washboard forest service roads. 

The further from civilization, the more I think about it.  Otherwise, a multitool, zip ties, duct tape, tire repair.

[John A]

I carry enough to be self sufficient, especially on long trips. I hate to be stopped by an easy fix for lack of simple tools. The hard part is trying to not have too much.

[JJ]

In the old Harley days, I cannot tell how many times on an overnight Road Trip where "bailing wire, hose clamps, and tie wraps" saved the day!

I once also fixed a pair of broken prescription sunglasses with a roll of "Mini-Duct-Tape" - another essential!

[lazlokovacs]

if you've got tubless tires, you've just got to carry a repair kit surely? It's such an easy, if temporary fix!

I like how Dave Richardson put it, something like 'when the flies are starting to eat your face there is no finer fix'

[fotoguzzi]

On some long trips I pulled a trailer full. Never really needed them

[Tkelly]

Almost always,one time I didn’t I was riding locally with 3 other guys and a young biker with no tools needed help for a simple problem and not one of us old farts had tools.I try to stop if Someone is broke down and sometimes I have had the necessary tool to help get them back on the road.

[Zenermaniac]

I carry some basic tools for the occasional loose bolt, duct tape, and a tire kit, although, in 50 years of riding I’ve only had 1 flat. Hope I didn’t jinx myself in stating that. 

[SemperVee]

  This might be an age related thing but I started out with Harley in the 1970's on a  kickstart and electric Shovelhead and we never left home without knowing who was in the area with tools and a truck or trailer just in case..  :^)   Heck maybe not.  I carry "Stuff" in my brand new truck still..   

[Frenchfrog]

Always have the essential on the bike...you never know what might happen !

[Guzzistajohn]

Some tools, but mostly tire plugs and Co2 cannisters. 

[Canuck750]

I carry a tool kit in every bike except my modern BMW(just a tire plug and small air compressor).
In one of the side cases in my Eldorado I carry replacement cables, a generator belt, tire patch kit and air compressor, spare points and condenser, a pair of spark plugs, a couple extra nuts and bolts, zip ties, a JB Weld epoxy kit, fuses, plus wrenches, screwdrivers etc.
My KLR gets to more out of the way places and I carry the above plus spare levers, a section of chain and two master links, a pair of tubes, some fuel line and hose clamps plus a spare CDI and reg/rec and a tiny micro meter.
at a minimum every bike I have has extra spark plugs and fuses plus a small tool kit.

[rocker59]

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

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

[bikeridertim]

I carry a tool roll with several different basic tools. I've used it more for other riders that myself. Oh and a tire plug kit with mini air compressor on trips.

[nc43bsa]

Many mentions of mini-compressors.

Just how small are these pumps?

[tris]

Yes, because the single Allen key provided by Guzzi on the V9 won't cut the mustard!
Just a few basic tools plus when touring tyre repair kit and compressor
If its a simple fix I'll do it but if not break down recovery is there as insurance

[bobrebos1]

I don’t carry as many tools as I used to.  Now I carry simple bike tool set a tire plug kit and a small air compressor. (About 5”x7”).  But with my new bike I need to install a 12 volt outlet for the compressor and order my bags yet before I’m carrying anything! 

[luthier]

Last flat I had on a bike was about 1972. There's the original tool kit but it's useless and may as well not be there. If I'm going interstate I might take the full kit just so I won't be needing it. But hang on, I'm not packing my laptop and diagnostic tools so what the hell is the point?
I'll just pay for a tow if that ever happens. I just re-entered Guzzidom for the express purpose of reliability.[ Among a few other things.] I hope that Guzzi ain't gunna let me down. I'm counting on you baby.

[s1120]

When I got my cali stone it did not come with any tools, or even the box to place them in. Im the kind that used to always have a tool for anything in my old cars, but its one of those things I just havent gotten to yet, and I really should. I started a can that holds whatever tools I use for maintainace on the bike, and just got to find/make a box/roll to hold them, and find a place to put them on the bike. So the answer is no I don't but I know I really should, and one day ill pay for my procrastination.

[mechanicsavant]

Yup , I don’t leave the driveway w/o my tool pouch .mini compressor (about the size of a pack of cigarettes +wiring & hose). Plug kit & some basic tools , zip ties & gorilla tape . Total weighs about 5 lbs. Tucks nicely into the front of a HB 30l side bag , about the size of a Fosters oil can !

[Luap McKeever]

12V compressor, plug kit, crescent wrench, 10mm wrench and a couple screwdrivers.

[larrys]

Forty plus years ago riding Brit bikes and HD's always had a set of tools aboard. When going on group rides there was always a truck or van with us for the inevitable breakdown(s).
Today, no tools. But I just do day rides, no traveling anymore.
Larry

[Ncdan]

Leatherman tool, medium adjustable wrench, medium size Vice grip, a couple feet of electrical wire, electric tape, a few medium grade zip ties, tire plug kit.
Most importantly, an update AAA card.

[Guzzistajohn]

Many mentions of mini-compressors.

Just how small are these pumps?

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

[Jack Straw]

I carry the basic hand tool items plus a DynaPlug kit with compressor.  A nifty jump start gizmo from Battery Tender has me covered for most problems.  My riding is just day tripping but out on some pretty lonely roads. There's little storage space on the V7III so I use a tank bag and a small side pouch.