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Suitable Tool Kit

bobs_one

Member
So, I've been carrying around a collection of tools since I got my GSA. I had them wrapped in an old towel and stuck in one of those Touratech tool boxes that fit inside the pannier mount frame. The other day I decided that I'd get a tool roll and organize them better. When I laid out the tool roll to fill it, I then started to think about what tools I had been carrying and wondering it they made sense and what was missing.

For example, I didn't have a Torx 50 driver or the front axle tool so I couldn't remove a wheel. But, I can't think of a situation where I would have to remove a wheel ... I do carry a plug kit and a small compressor and the wheels are tubeless, so is it ok to leave the tools to remove a wheel out of my kit? I have CAA roadside assistance, so if I really got stuck, I'd just call them anyway.

I do carry a Torx screw multi-driver, some cable ties, electrical tape, a small 3/8" socket set and a pair of pliers. I also have a container for some small body-wrok type metric screws, in case I lose one.

Realistically, for almost any serious mechanical issue I can think of, I wouldn't be trying to fix it at the side of the road, so having a whole bunch of larger sockets, Torx drivers, vice grips, etc. seems redundant.

I do own spare clutch and brake levers that I could bring, but I have proper bark busters on the bike so I'm not likely to break a lever.

I do ride the bike off road, but I haven't done anything serious like a BDR (yet), so I'm never too far away from civilization.

I have been stuck in mud before and I've thought about bringing rope and a pulley or two as it would have made life easier.

I figure if I free up space, I can pack a small first aid kit (which I haven't carried yet) or something else useful.

What should I be carrying that I haven't mentioned? What can I leave behind?
 
For example, I didn't have a Torx 50 driver or the front axle tool so I couldn't remove a wheel. But, I can't think of a situation where I would have to remove a wheel ... I do carry a plug kit and a small compressor and the wheels are tubeless, so is it ok to leave the tools to remove a wheel out of my kit? I have CAA roadside assistance, so if I really got stuck, I'd just call them anyway.
Here is the problem with that scenario. Your roadside assistance is going to haul you to the nearest place you can get your tire replaced. That might be a huge multi-brand motosports dealership, a small specialty shop, or a single brand dealer like Harley Davidson where the specific Torx and axle tool for your odd German motorcycle might not be available. I ran into such an issue once in Alaska where a BMW Oilhead rider had a final drive problem and the independent shop that had his bike lacked a specific tool to remove it. I had one with me so lent it to him to take to the shop so they could get the work done.

Another time I had a flat which ruined the rear tire on my K75. I took the wheel off and rode Voni's bike into the nearby town. I found a shop with a suitable tire to sell me. They mounted the tire but did not have a correct flange to bolt to the wheel so it could be balanced. Because I had that problem once before, I had mine with me. So, no problem. I admit I am a tool junkie and haul too much.

But if it were me I would have the two simple tools to remove the front wheel on the bike when I traveled. That way no matter which shop the bike gets hauled to the tools will be on hand to do the job.
 
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I've used my tool roll to remove a wheel to have the tire repaired on a camping trip. Plugging was unsuccessful but it was rideable enough to get to the tire place. The guy says "You said on the phone the wheel would be off." "Give me five minutes."

The next year, same trip, we replaced my friend's K1600 xenon bulb at the campsite, a two-hour front-end disassembly. So yeah, bring everything. With both of us working it was handy having two of things too.

My tool roll is optimized for size, so everything is as small as possible, at the expense of usability. Now when I go further afield I throw in a handful of adult-size tools as well. (Full-size ratchet, extension, couple screwdrivers.) I think I have the Adventure Designs kit.
 
Ted Porter use to carry a tool roll from Moto Hansa that was for the wethead. He no longer offers the Moto Hansa stuff, but something similar (or perhaps the same) can be found at -


Ted Porter now has the SBV tool roll which appears to be essentially the same as that of the Moto Hansa tool roll -


52502N-1000-x-1000-2.jpg
 
I can attest to the awesomeness of the SBV toolkit from Ted Porter. High quality tools and the kit has every tool needed to take the bike apart. I do have a few extra handy tools added to make life easier such as extra 1/4" and 3/8" universal joints and a few extensions, side cutter, tape etc.
I also ended up losing a few pounds over the mishmash of tools I had assembled over the years.... YMMV
 
Another +1 for the SBV kit. Like @riderr1150gsadv I carry that along with stuff to fix flats (two kinds of plugs/strings), a pump, a multitool, duct tape, zipties, JB weld, gloves, a small towel, paracord, a GS911, an Antigravity jump pack and a whole bunch of other stuff I am forgetting. The SBV kit is an excellent place to start IMO.
 
When I travel my entire left side case is full of tools & spare parts. It is so full I have to remove the side case to close & open it safely. I use the left side case because on most trips I never have to open it & it's on the low side of the bike on the side stand. My right case is always empty so I always have somewhere to store my helmet. I have never noticed or cared about the unbalance of the motorcycle with one side case overweight & the other side case empty. I have rode over 300,000 miles on BMW motorcycles since 2008 & have only needed to use my tool kit a few times on my motorcycle. Most of the time I needed my tool kit was to help other riders.
 
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