Emergency (Long Distance) Tool Kit

I am looking for a good list of must have tools for a long distance ride.  Obviously storage space is at a premium so I cannot haul the whole tool chest.

My wife and I are taking our first long ride from Kalamazoo MI up to Houghton over Memorial Day weekend.  With her on the back I am extra concerned about not becoming stranded.

Suggestions?

Two ways to take care of this. Join the AMA and get free road service with the membership.
As far a tools take a tyre repair kit(tacky string and electric pump) a ratchet and sockets(for the chain pinch bolt w/adjuster); shock adjuster in case you want to change the setting(if you didn't get it where you wanted it on the 1st try). Sockets for front axle and pinch bolts: brake bolts;fairing bolts;zip-tys;rear wheel lugs;Small crosspoint screwdriver.

Since I believe our viffers are so bullet-proof, I do not worry too much about tools for repairs. I've used the underseat kit for most of my on the road maintanence.

The Iron Butt website has an Archive of Wisdom. Item #28 is a tool kit upgrade.

Ride safe.

Basic tool kit, mini vise-grips, zip-ties, tire patch kit, and a credit card(Wal-Marts carry all the tools you need)

Mini Vise Grips can really be a lifesaver if you drop your bike and break off a peg, lever, or shifter.


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K-zoo to Houghton sounds like a nice trip. Wish I could go.

Credit card, AMA (vehicle assistance) card, small basic hand tools (crescent wrench, chain tool, multi bit screwdriver), rags. If it is something serious enough to really stop you I personally think any more tools will likely not be of much use, other than a tow truck.

Cruz Tools sells replacement kits that are supposedly better quality than their oem counterparts; you might want to check out the types of things they include to get some more ideas.  I vote for zip ties and tape; a multitool; some spare fairing fasteners; small socket wrench with metric sockets to fit levers and other bits.

In addition to basic tools, I  carry an extra set of levers, an extra shift lever and an electric tire pump - never thought of using vice grips for a shift lever - great idea.  I'd rather self-rescue over simple things if I can than wait for a rescue - especially in very remote areas.

When touring, besides stock tool kit, I bring tire plug kit, 12v tire pump, tire gauge, zip ties, electrical tape, pocket knife.  I can fix a flat in 30 minutes and be back on the road.  Four flats in the last 80k miles.  I would bring that minimum.

Some times a multi meter, sockets & ratchet to remove wheels, less likely needed.

Craftsman replacements for the factory crap took kit, a small multimeter, (I've used it more on other peoples bikes since I got my electrics sorted) duct tape electrical tape, spare hand lever, a multitool, fuses, spare key, tire repair kit w/pump. Lives under the seat or in the tank bag on overnight trips. AMA membership for the towing. Some other stuff too, been a while since I had it out. Oh, a spare R/R, of course.

12V tire pump, Slime makes a nice small one where the guts can be removed from the oversized plastic case and carried easily under the seat in a zip lock bag.

A few latex gloves for those on the road repairs where you don't want to put greasy hands back in your m/c gloves.

Some JB Weld, you never know when you might need it.

A small roll of wire and wire strippers/cutters, depending on your electrical skills.

Aerostich has a few nice all in one mushroom/tacky string tire plug kits.

Bottle of wine (for the wife after a day on the bike). :smile:

and as for bits and pieces.....................




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:tour:

What you need to think about is what is going to happen on a long distance trip that you will want to try and fix yourself instead of a tow and professional help.
Take the tools you need to help you in these situations, it may be different for different bikes. (R/R comes to mind for a VFR :rolleyes: )

My list is:
-tire flat
-drop in the parking lot, (what would break and what then would I need)
-quirky issue you have dealt with before and want to be prepared
-standard tools for day to day checks, ie fluids, chain, etc.

Since this is street riding, you don't need to pack a kit like an off-road rider, IMO.
If I really had an big issue, I would find a bike shop or a hardware store, always recommend the smartphone on the trip.

Wow! Thank you all for your input!  I think I can put together everything I might need from everyone's suggestions.  Its a good point to consider that I am not going to do any major surgery on the side of the road.  I will look into the AMA membership just incase.  I have to admit, I am not sure what the "R/R" is that several people suggested... Sorry.

My bike is a 2007 and in very good shape.  I do not anticipate any issues but the ride from KZoo to Houghton is mostly desolate.

I appreciate anymore suggestions.

And I definietly need to add a 12V power outlet to the bike!!

R/R = regulator rectifier. Common VFR issue from multiple generations. It has become a point of humor!

http://www.sears.com..._SPM1983874201P

i use something similar to this only it was about 1/3 the price with all the same stuff. I also added a couple things to it that have been mentioned already. I have yet to need it myself but several friends I ride with have been saved by me keeping it in my tail bag

In associated news... Anyone know where I could get another OEM underseat tool kit. When I bought mine recently the tool kit was missing (why fools keep them when they on sell the bike is beyond me). Have tried eBay etc with no luck.


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I am here: http://tapatalk.com/map.php?0kedfz
Larrakin ;-)

The things I mentioned below is more for Long distance tool kit than Emergency tool kit. Of course they listed out of some mandatory things as bike paperwork, driving license, money, credit card, some emergency name cards...

I may have a bit different from you guys as our route/road/ are not the same in terms of distance, scenery, cultural...  I will try to note the reason.

Just for share.

1. Multifunction knife - I have a Leatherman Supertool 300.
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2. Tire repair kit:
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3. Food pump - Just for temporary inflate the tire when needed. In here, we have a lot of motorcycle (small one) repair shops along the road, very easy to find one with proper tire repair, air comp, jack, etc...
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4. Tire pressure gauge: Some motorcycle repair shops here they don't have the pressure gauge integrated with the air-comp, we need to bring our own to make sure the tire is not over pressure.
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5. Hex key wrench set: This is very useful. This fit to all VFR or other Sportbike fairing bolts. You can have your bike to be naked at the middle of nowhere.
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6. 2 in 1 screw driver: Just  need 2 in 1 type, as I have the Leatherman knife already.
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7. Pliers - It's better if you have a locking pliers
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8. First aid kit: Just for minimum requirement, with some ergo pads, medical cotton...
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9. Battery charger: I try to select my electronic gadgets could utilize the same battery charger. I just use Blackberry and happy with that as it has the same battery charger slot with many other stuff, i.e. the GoPro, the Cameras, hand-held GPS, torch light...
I have a solar battery to make sure my electronic stuff always alive.
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10. Handheld GPS: I don't use the big GPS as the roads here not so difficult to get lost. We can easily stop and ask the locals. My GPS is more for tracklogging purpose. However, if a Zummo is cheap, I can consider then... hehe...
I have with me now a Garmin Etrex Vista Hcx
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11. Camera: Yeah, the thing I may never forget for every trip. So that I can bring you some Vienamese breaths...
I am using Sony A290 - it's cheap, but fit for my needs now. Sometimes, I bring along my old friend, CanonA620.
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12. GoPro or Contour camera: I may not need to explain on this.

13: Keychain: Why I put this as a tool!? Yeah, it should be considered as a must have thing for your trip. I have heard and read about many guys lost his key and feel crazy when Not knowing where they put the his key after taking off all his damn heavy riding gear. You just need to have this on your neck and attach the key on when pulling out from the bike.
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14. Miscellaneous: Some plastic tapes, some small nylon rope, a rubber rope, tissues, clean cloth, nylon bag.

Hope those will not add you 20kg more... :tour:

[image: View Post]CSlate03, on 28 April 2012 - 02:12 PM, said:

And I definietly need to add a 12V power outlet to the bike!!
http://www.amazon.co..._C1_cs_sce_dp_1

I recently got one of these that uses the trickler fused line to power things like a phone or air pump.

Btw- your wife will love you for a padded top box...

[image: View Post]Larrakin, on 30 April 2012 - 10:00 PM, said:

In associated news... Anyone know where I could get another OEM underseat tool kit. When I bought mine recently the tool kit was missing (why fools keep them when they on sell the bike is beyond me). Have tried eBay etc with no luck.


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I am here: http://tapatalk.com/map.php?0kedfz
Larrakin ;-)


If the "quality" of a 2006 toolkit is the same "quality" of a 1997, do not bother.....  buy some real quality spanners etc. The only "must" is the chain tensioner. A largish flat blade screw driver will work (prone to damaging the notches in the ring though...)

Get a sparkplug socket with a rubber insert to ease pulling it out the hole

Copy, thanks Dutchy. Btw, what would basics be? Obviously flathead & Phillipshead screwdrivers, Allen key etc. what about pin spanner and socket sizes req etc?


Larrakin ;-)