Onboard tools

[cliffd]

Hi I am new to the group. My apologies if this has appeared before, but I didn't see anything in my searches here so, I thought I would ask. What tools should I have handy onboard for my 2009 1200RT? The kit that came with bike is long gone so I want to put together one of my own, say from Lowe's or something like this. I ride mostly on highways and city streets and am somewhat competent with a wrench. Granted, I am not a mechanic, but when I started driving long ago the only vehicles I could afford needed work. I know how to do a few things and want to be prepared to get me off the side of the road should I ever find myself broke down. Does someone have a list of must have tools I should get for my bike? Thanks in advance for the help.

Cliff

 

[52184]

BMW apparently feels that the only two tools you need carry are a credit card with sizeable limit, and a cell phone to call a dealer or tow company. In spite of that, many BMW riders are carrying thus kit, which is probably comparable in cost to what you might put together at a Lowe's, but nicely packaged and ready for use.

https://www.amazon.com/CruzTOOLS-RT...703046&sr=8-1&keywords=BMW+motorcycle+toolkit

Best,
DGerber

 

[cliffd]

Ha!

They'll probably charge me extra for trying to fix it myself first . Thanks for sharing.

 

[henzilla]

Welcome to the Forum cliffd from the Bayou City

Here was an informational and maybe amusing discussion on the toolkit from the Hexhead/Camhead sub forum

http://forums.bmwmoa.org/showthread.php?83824-The-infamous-R1200RT-tool-kit

 

[cliffd]

Thanks!

Thanks for pointing me in that direction, Henzilla. That thread had a lot of good information. I made a list and am off to the store. Of course, I am making plans for the roadside services too, should I ever need it. Thanks everyone for that advice.

 

[t6pilot]

I carry a snap-on mini ratching screw driver with some torx, Philips and a flat blade bit and a leatherman mutt tool
Tire repair kit and cycle gear electric pump
Also front wheel socket from Mark parns

 

[BC1100S]

BMW apparently feels that the only two tools you need carry are a credit card with sizeable limit, and a cell phone to call a dealer or tow company.

When you open the tool kit on the new bikes, there's a small folder that has printed on it, "Insert credit card here". Ducatis are the same but say, "Insert gold credit card here."

 

[cliffd]

I carry a snap-on mini ratching screw driver with some torx, Philips and a flat blade bit and a leatherman mutt tool
Tire repair kit and cycle gear electric pump
Also front wheel socket from Mark parns

Thanks, i bought a few items today and did get a leatherman wingman tool to add to my kit. Also ordered a small compressor with some tire plugs. Thanks for the tips.

 

[st13rt12]

Tools carried R1200RT

Tire plug kit & pump= mine happens to be Slime kit Wally World. I just used it in Vermont on my way north to Yankee Beamers camping/pig roast. Picked up a construction staple RT100. Rear tire.
Seeing that the spark plugs for the wet head, are special/hard to fine on the ROAD? Only at BMW dealer's. I do carry my OLD 1"s with me with a socket/tools for change out.
All the other tools needed BMW supplied under the seat.

Some 1 stated U can carry a lot of tools & spare parts=BUT never the 1 that is needed. How true that is.

 

[PGlaves]

Some 1 stated U can carry a lot of tools & spare parts=BUT never the 1 that is needed. How true that is.

Parts agreed. Tools, not so much. But then we bike travel most of four months of summer; often miles from any qualified repair facility.

 

[henzilla]

Seeing that the spark plugs for the wet head, are special/hard to fine on the ROAD? Only at BMW dealer's. I do carry my OLD 1"s with me with a socket/tools for change out.

Old school...Must be an old Airhead or two stroke owner

Have yet to need a back upset of plugs on a modern machine while out on the road...but they don't take up much room at least! Now, a modern stick coil...well ,yeah!

I have always carried tools and a few ride ending if not available parts...have helped more folks than myself thru the years...a set of fuel QC's a few times , a set of brake pads to another, an alt belt,Many Zip-Ties, can't count how many tires I have plugged ...paying it forward is a good thing...has re-paid me as well. I have tweaked my kit as well, thinning it as much as experience has shown what was needed...on occasion may have to buy some oddball wrench or part...as Paul G has done to repair Voni's 800 in a parking lot

 

[lkchris]

Just add a tire plugging kit and a pump. You'll probably need a pair of pliers to pull the tire plug into place. I've got a T50 wrench for the rear wheel lugs just in case a local repair shop doesn't.

If you're out with a really worn rear tire, your likelihood of needing tools is greater than if your rear tire is new.

 

[cliffd]

Thanks again

I am glad I went for the small Slime compressor. I saw the kits with the CO2 cartridges and almost went that route, until I read a review that someone had posted saying it takes all four to fill a tire to 22 psi and I would most likely need 32 or so psi. I'm a little heavy on tools right now, just cause I'm a newb, and that's part of the fun too, shopping for more stuff for my new bike. Thanks again everyone.

 

[61996]

This is the kit I put together:

 

[akbeemer]

61996, I cannot recall hearing of anyone successfully using CO2 cartidges to inflate a tire on the road. Have you ever used them? Will they seal a bead? Why not a pump?

 

[36654]

61996, I cannot recall hearing of anyone successfully using CO2 cartidges to inflate a tire on the road. Have you ever used them? Will they seal a bead? Why not a pump?

How long do the CO2 cartridges in the Genuine BMW tire repair kit last? The ones I bought with the purchase of my 1986 K75c are looking for a home in that dinky storage space under the new passenger seat.

 

[akbeemer]

How long do the CO2 cartridges in the Genuine BMW tire repair kit last? The ones I bought with the purchase of my 1986 K75c are looking for a home in that dinky storage space under the new passenger seat.

I have the repair kit from my 1993 GSPD, including the patches. They would probably not be very helpful at this point.

And, in my previous post I should have said - I cannot recall hearing of anyone successfully using less than 5-6 CO2 cartidges to inflate a tire on the road

 

[pauls1150]

On my K75, I used all three cartridges in the kit to get me several miles to a gas station for air. (I now carry six!)
The CO2 gave me about 20 psi (and I did lose a bit from the first one, before I got the technique, and dang that's cold!), but that was enough to ride on, carefully.
Tain't No Way they'd re-seat a bead, though.
Note that CO2 - very cold when compressed - will expand with temperature (as in riding), but I don't know by how much.

 

[PGlaves]

On my K75, I used all three cartridges in the kit to get me several miles to a gas station for air. (I now carry six!)
The CO2 gave me about 20 psi (and I did lose a bit from the first one, before I got the technique, and dang that's cold!), but that was enough to ride on, carefully.
Tain't No Way they'd re-seat a bead, though.
Note that CO2 - very cold when compressed - will expand with temperature (as in riding), but I don't know by how much.

Note: You may use 1 or 2 just to find the leak. It happened to me which is why I had to buy my first pump.

 

[henzilla]

Our 11S came with the C02 setup as well, I carry one on the R12S as there is room for not much else unless geared up with sidecases.I carry a pump kit on the other bikes.
Have used them if by myself and no better option.They will at least get you to civilization with 3-4 small cartridges.No, will not reseat a bead, but even my Cyclepump struggles with that task...how many of you have unseated a bead on a puncture?
Luckily I saw the item causing the punctures the few times I have used them as Paul points out, you will waste a couple searching.The 11S has three in the holder.
If you have the tiny supplied cloth hose, you either will have a dry rotted one or you will lose half your air trying to use it. The one on the 11S cracked.
Try one of these frpm a bicycle shop. One for threaded,one for non-threaded...just two examples of what's out there. I noticed one was in the tool roll picture