Essential tools

I'm starting to ride longer distances from home. Are there any tools you guys would recommend to gather and carry for an always-on-the-bike tool kit?

Tyre repair kit.

Here's also a link from this site that might help.
https://www.silverwing600.com/t5912-2011-tool-kit
I put my own tool kit together from "extra" tools I had in my garage tool box. I had an old Army surplus pouch that held them all very nice and just put that under the seat. Although I still have to get myself a tire repair kit and some sort of hand air pump to carry.

#1 tool is roadside assistance. #2 tool is a cell phone.

Mobile phone and breakdown insurance card. If it's bad enough to immobile the bike, you need some means of getting help

Enough to remove both wheels, addition tire repair kit,, hand pump, as miles pile up spare drive belt....dealers seldom have them in stock.

Tools should be good quality and tested at home.

hotwings wrote:

#1 tool is roadside assistance. #2 tool is a cell phone.

Black Sapper wrote:

Mobile phone and breakdown insurance card. If it's bad enough to immobile the bike, you need some means of getting help

+1 to both those posts.

Thanks for all the input! It def helps!

Cell phone, Roadside service, phillips screw driver, extra fuses, small socket set, tire repair kit, cold beer (while you wait for the service truck)

My Silverwing was supplied from new with a tool-kit which should be adequate for minor roadside repairs.
I carry a roll of 200-MPH tape, some string and an extra spanner in case the wing-mirrors come loose, spare bulbs and fuses. Any extra tools are appropriate to modifications and gadgets I've added to the scooter. For example my mirror extenders need a large allen key to tighten them.

My phone and 'Roadside Assist' card travel with me in any case.

The Scootist wrote:

Cell phone, Roadside service, phillips screw driver, extra fuses, small socket set, tire repair kit, cold beer (while you wait for the service truck)

Toilet paper...for the roadside service that takes too long to arrive

No reflection on anyone but I think we need to stick with 'tools' as the OP requested.

There are certain items those of us in Europe might have to carry to comply with various countries' Rules & Regulations but they aren't tools as such.

If I was to list them it would be somewhat confusing in this thread. ...... and I concur with Cosmic_Jumper's last suggestion.   

[quote from Dale.  Although I still have to get myself a tire repair kit and some sort of hand air pump to carry.[/quote]



Dale, You will probably never need the pump. Last time I used a pump on the road I used a stripped down 12 volt really cheap pump about 5 years ago. Throw away the plastic housing and you will be surprised how small a space it takes up, less than a hand pump and at our age less chance of pumping ourselves up for a coronary. NB hold it with pliers, it gets bloody hot!

Before that, it was back in 1968.

Addenda. One of those high pressure air containers. You will need to get high pressure very quickly to seal the beads.

Adding----in US----carry socket to get rear axle nut off/ metric. Proper metric allen wrench for front axle pinch bolts. Reason: often people will offer to help, even if you cannot do work yourself, maybe they can......backroads, this is inch country---better you have metric stuff with you. Proper tubeless tire repair is from inside...so wheels have to come off. Idea no costly delays for simple repair----Example: several years ago Kawasaki Voyager ( the real 4 cyl one, not the cruiser type) rural Missouri, rear tire wore to nothing, found long established small Honda dealer...with tire, but no thin wall 27mm socket that would fit in small space for rear axle nut---he had 27mm socket but wouldn't fit. Aware of the problem from earlier tire change, I carried the proper thin wall 27 mm socket---tire out and change routine then and on way. Ride enough and flat tires are out there. Idea for me at least=always keep going when it is possible.

I carry a can of fix-a-flat or the like,a can of starting fluid, a couple tie down straps and a bottled water.
I figure if i do get a flat, the flatstop in a can ,should get me home or somewhere to fix it proper.
Starting fluid to either help seat the bead on the tire or let me know if it's getting any gas or spark.
Water and straps for the wait for the tow truck to show up.

Are the tools you consider essential the same no matter how far your travel plans? IE, would you always carry a spare belt and tools to replace it if only doing city traveling? I carry a tire patch kit that is inserts a patch using a tool from the outside of your tire and mushrooms on the inside. The repair kit also comes with a CO2 cartridge to inflate the tire. I also have Ride-On in my tires.

I carry a small first aid kit ... for people ie me. One doesn't like to bleed all over one's steed!  


As for tools, restrict yourself you those you know how to use, for jobs you know you can do at the roadside.

A Multi-tool might come in handy for odd jobs.
eg Leatherman* (pliers/screwdriver with changeable bits/knife/bottle opener/thing for prising boy scouts out of girl guides! etc)

As suggested, a few spare parts may prove more useful:-
A belt
Bulbs
Fuses
All things that may suddenly fail.

Plus:-
Gaffa tape
Insulating tape
Cable ties

For putting bits back together after an 'incident'.




*Other makes exist.  

I concur with all of that.
Interestingly for me one was required to carry a First-Aid kit in car and on bike in Belgium.

I prob wouldn't carry a spare belt unless I went more than a couple hours from home. Didn't think about a first aid kit though. Right now I have metric sockets, wrenches, Allen wrenches, skin spoons (for Tupperware on/off), screw driver w changeable bits, and a small rechargeable screwdriver. I also have zip ties and electrical tape, fuses, needle nose pliers, and side cutters. I will look into roadside assistance and the tire repair kit. That just makes sense to have even close to home. Thanks again for the input!

Tool kit basics, Duct tape and WD40. If it moves and it shouldn't, Duct tape. If it should move and it won't, WD40.

LDB wrote:

Tool kit basics, Duct tape and WD40. If it moves and it shouldn't, Duct tape. If it should move and it won't, WD40.

Haha!! Love it!!