Revzilla has a BMW specific rider's roll up tool kit for $113.00. Anyone have any experience with this kit? I'm trying to put together a tool kit to take along on trips. I wonder if the Revzilla kit will allow me to remove the front and rear wheels in the event of a flat. Have any of you put together your own kit that works for you. I have a 2018 R 1200 GSA and need advice on the best way to go in putting together a useful rider tool kit. Thanks for your help.
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Rider's Tools
- Thread starter 1hpyrider
- Start date
akbeemer
SURVIVOR
There have been some good threads on tool kits in the past; it might be helpful if you can find them. Some are minimalists, some carry a vast selection of tools; some have the skills, knowledge and abilities to diagnose and repair many problems; and some like me carry many tools in hopes that a capable mechanic will stumble upon me if I have a problem. Much of what can go wrong cannot be fixed on the roadside. Parts, many electronic in nature, are needed to fix common problems. Fixing a flat tire is a common problem that can be addressed on the road. So carry what you think you can use to rescue yourself, and always have a good tow plan that will take you and the bike to where it can be fixed... no mater how far away.
The link HERE is to JVB Productions (Jim Von Baden) where you will find a list of recommended tools to carry. Note the last column shows for which model line (Hexhead, Camhead, Wethead) the tool is recommended. I think the list errors on the side of too much, but then I do not have Jim's level of experience.
The link HERE is to JVB Productions (Jim Von Baden) where you will find a list of recommended tools to carry. Note the last column shows for which model line (Hexhead, Camhead, Wethead) the tool is recommended. I think the list errors on the side of too much, but then I do not have Jim's level of experience.
Gillie Dog
Old and Tired
Adventure Designs tool kits seem to have it all.
Expensive
Complete for roadside work
And did I say expensive.
Might check theirs out for comparisons.
Their tool kit came in handy putting fuel pump controller bypass wire in an RT out in the boonies one time. A lot of stuff to take off to get at the fuel pump controller on an RT, don't you know. (paid for itself in one use possibly)
GD
Expensive
Complete for roadside work
And did I say expensive.
Might check theirs out for comparisons.
Their tool kit came in handy putting fuel pump controller bypass wire in an RT out in the boonies one time. A lot of stuff to take off to get at the fuel pump controller on an RT, don't you know. (paid for itself in one use possibly)
GD
Using the "Tag Cloud".....
https://forums.bmwmoa.org/showthread.php?83824-The-infamous-R1200RT-tool-kit
https://forums.bmwmoa.org/showthread.php?80151-Tool-Kit-which-wrenches-to-take
And there are more! Just enter "tool" and you will see the options for "tool kit(s)".
OM
Thank you guys. I now have a place to start Looking. As a long time Harley rider, I've accumulated everything I need for travel. This BMW stuff is all new to me. Thanks for your insight and patience with me.
You are now going to acquire a shop full of various metric tools. There are a lot of good previous posts to guide you in acquiring specific tools for your machine. All those Harley tools, except for the five different sizes of hammers, are now surplus.
Friedle
Truthfully not a whole lot you can do to a bmw with simple tools
My kit
Mini snap-on ratching screw driver with T15-25-30 bits along with Phillips and flat blade
Leatherman tool
Front axel tool
Spark plug socket and spare spark plugs
Patch kit along with electric tire pump
Mini start battery
Last 2 items are the only ones ever used
If your riding with a group not everyone needs to carry every tool
Jim
My kit
Mini snap-on ratching screw driver with T15-25-30 bits along with Phillips and flat blade
Leatherman tool
Front axel tool
Spark plug socket and spare spark plugs
Patch kit along with electric tire pump
Mini start battery
Last 2 items are the only ones ever used
If your riding with a group not everyone needs to carry every tool
Jim
pglaves
#13338
For every bike I think about a few things. First, what do I need for tire repairs. And not just a plug kit. What do I need to remove either wheel. That is in the kit. Second, are there any known issues with the specific model. Airheads - rotor removal tool. K bikes - how to get at a failed fan. Oilheads - how to remove final drive. And so forth.
When I was, for 20 years, writing my Bench Wrencing column I often said, and still believe that for any BMW, 90% or more is basic fundamental mechanics and 10% or less is model specific. An oil drain plug is still an oil drain plug and brake caliper bolts are still just brake caliper bolts.
My kit is and has almost always been overkill. I confess. But removing a broken starter ring gear at a rally so the rider could bump start the 600 miles home, or fixing a bad R1100GS ground under the battery tray and ABS unit at a rally were just what we/I did for years.
Even Voni hauled more tools than she knew how to use because somebody might know what to do with them if she needed help when traveling cross country alone.
When I was, for 20 years, writing my Bench Wrencing column I often said, and still believe that for any BMW, 90% or more is basic fundamental mechanics and 10% or less is model specific. An oil drain plug is still an oil drain plug and brake caliper bolts are still just brake caliper bolts.
My kit is and has almost always been overkill. I confess. But removing a broken starter ring gear at a rally so the rider could bump start the 600 miles home, or fixing a bad R1100GS ground under the battery tray and ABS unit at a rally were just what we/I did for years.
Even Voni hauled more tools than she knew how to use because somebody might know what to do with them if she needed help when traveling cross country alone.
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Like Jim said above, there is just so much you can do on a BMW with rider's tools. All good advice from above. I'll keep it simple with a few basic tools and make sure I have the 800 phone number for road side assistance in case I need a tow. Being able to jump start the bike and fix a flat are important things that every rider should be able to perform while on the road. However, I am looking forward to many trouble free miles on my GS. Thanks for the input.
akbeemer
SURVIVOR
There are many of these things on the market. This is one I picked at random after searching for "lithium booster battery".
https://www.walmart.com/ip/DBPOWER-...-Smart-chareging-Port-black-yellow-/216839159
lee
Debbie's Servant
A spark plug socket was mentioned earlier. On the new bikes you also need some type of coil puller.
This tool has a coil puller and front axle tool.
http://stores.promachdualtool.com/promach-dual-tool/
If the GSA axle is the same as the R1200RS you also need a 12 mm hex tool for the left side of the axle.
This tool has a coil puller and front axle tool.
http://stores.promachdualtool.com/promach-dual-tool/
If the GSA axle is the same as the R1200RS you also need a 12 mm hex tool for the left side of the axle.
lee
Debbie's Servant
The front axle tool fits the right side of the axle, 22mm, not the left side, 12mm.
The 19mm side of the axle tool will fit a F800.
On my R1200RS I need a tool for both sides of the axle, this may not be true for the R1200GS/GSA.
Thank you!
akbeemer
SURVIVOR
Right you are.
Here is a link to the website with the exact details. The maker is a friend here in Montana. I need to tug on his chain to add the 12mm.
http://stores.promachdualtool.com/promach-dual-tool/
Antigravity mx3 amazon $104
Yea all are correct promac front wheel and coil remover
Remember to get a thin wall socket for spark plugs
I have put close to 200,000 miles on Harleys the last few years, carried a bag of tools, tire plugs and compressor and never used them. My tool kit for my R1200RT is a cell phone and a credit card! I still have my Harley and the tool kit is going away in favor of the same tools as the RT!
The only times I have had trouble on the road I would have needed a fully equipped shop to do the repairs.
The only times I have had trouble on the road I would have needed a fully equipped shop to do the repairs.
