Forums > Parts, Accessories & Gear > Tool kit

I think having the extras you mention up to the zip-ties and duck tape (two of my personal favotites) are important.  The stubby wrenches and others you mention at the bottom of the page are fine at home.  Even on a long trip I think you got it covered.  I also think the kind of bike you have matters.  For your RT and my GS we have the room for a bigger kit and can actually work on stuff if needed.  If someone has a K sport bike then there might not be much room.  I have always been of the mind "if you think there is a possibility you might need need it then bring it."  Unfortunately that has often led to overpacking for trips.    Tire plugging and torx wrenches are important.  Making sure you have the tools necessary to get to the battery is important.  If the bike is mobile then you can get to walmart or a dealer.  If not then you gotta get it running.  Unfortunately there is big range of potential problems.  But with our bikes not that many catastrophic AND roadside repairable.  On my CLC, to get to the battery you have to remove the gas tank.  Even to jump it.  To me that is asking for a roadside/parking lot headache.  So I installed a jumper that goes from the postive terminal and is accesible under the left cover.  May never need it but it is there.  So planning ahead on things like that is important.  Nice topic.  Kevin

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SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE SLINKIES .. . . THEY ARE NOT REALLY GOOD FOR ANYTHING, BUT THEY STILL BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE WHEN YOU PUSH THEM DOWN A FLIGHT OF STAIRS.

On this topic.... I try to think backwards to get to what tools are worth bringing. 

As in, what could possibly go wrong that I could possibly fix in a millions years?  You see where this is going, right....

Easy one first.... (only because I've done it)

Flat tire...... obvious.

After that, I'm totally blank....

So, for the guy that's dangerous with a screwdriver in hand.....

It's cell phone, credit card, and roadside service card....

To go with the tire repair kit.....

After ten years of riding,  that's all I've ever needed.....I've been fortunate.

But my fantasy is breaking down and being rescued by some hot redhead from Colorado.....   So, just in case, I'm traveling light.....

 

 

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******Mike****** "We choose our joys and our sorrows long before we experience them."

I'm with Nut here, and I'm no stranger to working in a shop.  I carry what I need to fix a flat (I opted for the CO2 cartridges-big ones).  As a side note, I suggest the next time you need new tires, you drill a hole in your old tire and practice plugging it.  I did it at home and it will be much easier on the road now.  That's when I learned I need 3 BIG 25 gram CO2 cartridges to get a decent fill on the rear tire.  Other than that, I reverse engineer like Mike.

I think:

1) Loose nuts and bolts: Hopefully I'll find these before I set out as I do a good inspection.  Otherwise, it will have to wait till I get to a gas station or truck stop.  FYI, truck stops are great if you need tools.  Truckers carry a lot of tools (maybe even small welders!) and are pretty good at helping a guy out if they are on a break or overnight stop.

2) Electrical problems:  These are easy to fix, hard to troubleshoot.  No way I'm carryiing a multitester so it's waiting for a shop.

3) "Plumbing problems": Fuel lines, hydraulic lines, oil leaks:  waiting for the shop.

4) Engine problems:  Coils, sensors, CPU, bad injector, etc.  Not happening on the road.

5) Crash damage:  I do carry wire ties, duct tape, and will consider adding JB weld as it is great stuff.  Duct tape, incidently, makes a good first aid supply.  If you have a nasty deep cut on your arm, you can wrap duct tape around it and make a leak proof bandage until help arrives.  You can make a tourniquit with it also.  Vise grips are going to be added as well.  You can do so much with them, from turning a bolt to bending metal.  Good suggestions.

I pretty much had the same attitude with my R75/5.  I knew that bike inside and out, having done a complete teardown and rebuild on the bike and partial on the engine.  And there was very little I could do in the field, or, would want to do.

Finally, my favorite tool kit is a Harley Rider!  I'm not kidding.  The Harley rider who I'll be riding with this May carries a great tool kit, including a full socket set!  So, if you can't find a trucker, waive down a Harley!  (No offense to HD, I like to poke fun, but they make fine machines now.)

Robo.

.....my fantasy is breaking down and being rescued by some hot redhead from Colorado.....   So, just in case, I'm traveling light.....

 

Sorry Robo... I forgot to mention....

"and of course...... riding a Harley!"   

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******Mike****** "We choose our joys and our sorrows long before we experience them."

Redheads and Hog riders aside, I have tweaked the kit a bit. As Pat would say, "this thread is useless without pictures." So I shot a couple for clarity. Not sure this thread has legs, but I still would value your input.

 

CW from top left: Cycle pump, Tire Plugger, JB weld, Duct tape, loctite, self bonding tape. Small tin with tape has assorted bolts, washers, nuts, and a couple small hose clamps. Two tins on blue pouch hold drivers, etc.... Also on blue pouch are oil cap wrench and spark plug coil wrench. In black OEM pouch: wire, cable ties, small scotch brite pad, and medium hose clamp. Below cable ties are two small saw blades (can be used with vise grips and wire). Tool roll now holds: vise grips, small Torx driver, OEM tools, 10mm ratcheting combo wrench, 3/8" ratchet and 3" extension, adjustable wrench, 6 in 1 screw driver (w/ Phillips x2, straight x2, 6 and 8 mm driver), Hex wrenches, Hex bits, and folding Torx wrenches.

Sockets and adapters in tins (oiled rag to keep sockets rust free and quiet):

 

The ratcheting 10mm combo wrench has a couple of tricks. First, with a small adapter it can become a 1/4"  ratcheting driver:

 

And with a second adapter it can become a Hex bit driver. Nifty.

 

Not quite like using an actual ratchet, but it works pretty well. And provides several options for tight spots.

All the above picture items fit comfortably under the seat of the RT.

Not pictured (in glove box): tire gauge, flashlight, rags, manual tire pump, and multitool .

Yet to be tried or added: oil filter wrench, spare plugs, spare bulbs, tire valve caps with built in valve core tool, latex gloves. Also to be considered: small multimeter. I expect that as I learn to do more maintenance some additional items may be added. But for me this is a basic kit. I can make some minor repairs and do some roadside maintenance.

Now, what about a first aid kit.... 

 

 

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"There ain't no Devil, there's just God when he's drunk." -- T. Waits

Hey Jack.  I'm pretty sure you might be able to use that thingy in the roll kit - far right - if we eat ribs Wed. night....

First aid kit?  No problem.  We'll just order an extra bottle of sauce - rub it on anything and it'll be OK....

Sorry I'm not taking this "what to carry" thread too seriously.... but I am having fun writing unrelated commentary....

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******Mike****** "We choose our joys and our sorrows long before we experience them."

 

Jack,

Excellent thread and post.

I used to carry a lot of stuff.  Even around town.  Now, I'm in the credit card and cell-phone camp.

On a cross-country trip I'll carry the plugger, air pump, a small first aid kit, and an extra liter of fuel in an aluminum nalgene bottle.  If I'm on a bike with a chain I'll carry just the tools necessary to adjust and lube the chain.

I think you might want to consider adding a compass, two flashlights, and some tie-down straps.

Here's what I used to carry, though:

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Another sunrise, These bright and crystal moments, Crow flies overhead.

This is a very useful thread.  Hopefully someday I'll be able to find it again.  Here's my wish that all of the tools pictured in this thread go un needed and unused.  Yes, gentlemen, that sentence started out differently.

laissez le bon temps rouler, yall.

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jean

This is an excellent post.  I noted that the toolkit i received with my new bike paled in comparison to the tool kit provided when I picked up my other BMW in 04'.  I do carry the first aid kit, my old tool kit with a couple of add-ons for the oil filler plug etc... and a tire patch kit with three 3 C02 cartridges.  I watched an instructional video from Globe Riders on adventure touring to show me how to use the patch kit.  It also showed me some other tools and items to take on an adventure ride.  You may want to pick up a copy since it is pretty good to know what you might expect.

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"Don't worry about avoiding temptation. As you grow older, it will avoid you." Winston Churchill

Thanks for the video tip. Do you have a pump in addition to the CO2 cartridges? On my KTM I carry a little pump that can accept cartridges as well. (I like redundancy.)

As Charlie suggested, I have added a couple of ratcheting tie-downs to the kit. The ratcheting mechanisms take up a fair bit of space and add some weight, so I may substitute some plain webbing and use a trucker's hitch to tension the straps if needed.

I have updated my kit and will post the changes soon.

 

Jack 

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"There ain't no Devil, there's just God when he's drunk." -- T. Waits

I hadn't thought of that, but it sounds like a good idea.  I'll probably include it if I'm heading out for a cross country run, but for around town or shorter trips I travel light.

 

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"Don't worry about avoiding temptation. As you grow older, it will avoid you." Winston Churchill

Does anyone know exactly what you're SUPPOSED to get included with the bike when it was new as "standard BMW issued" stuff? (I used "stuff" since some of the items would stretch the defination of "tools")

Comparing the "cartoon" sketch in the owners manual,  then on the inside of the tool pouch cover, and what's actually IN the tool kit yields 3 different results! And that even depends more yet on the yr & model as well!

Compairing the actual contents IN the tool kit on the following bikes:

The '02 RT has the equivelent of a well stocked Snap-On tool truck.

The '05 LT looks like the driver forgot to lock the tool truck & a lot of items disappeared.

The'09 LT looked like the driver left the keys in the ignition & whole tool truck disappeared! (But there was a little credit card looking piece of plastic!)

I assume this "progress" through the years is in the interest of lighter weight and better fuel economy???

 

My guess is that you have it figured out.  The kit on my '07 RT was crap: Oil cap removal tool, cheap screw driver with extension, small allen-type torx wrench, and ... and ... it think was it.  Woeful. 

Here is what I'm currently carrying (a few changes from previous post):

 

 As Charlie suggested I added a couple tie-down straps. I got the ratcheting type because they seemed simple to use. But they are heavy and bulky. (On the KTM I have a couple plain straps: KISS)

Also added a 3/4" T-handle driver from Motion Pro. I love this tool. It replaces my standard ratchet, weighs less, is less prone to failure, and fits better. With an extension it has good reach as well.

 

 

Also pictured are the flash light, multitool, Torx set, and tire gauge I keep in the glove box. 

I replaced the previous tool roll with one from Wolfman luggage. They make good stuff; the tool roll is no exception. The pockets are elastic, and it has a built in pouch for the little stuff I usually lose.

With the exception of the tie downs and the glove box stuff, it all fits under the RT's seat.

The more I think about it the more I want to replace the ratcheting straps with plain straps. I can tie a knot. 

Still a work in progress. A few items still to consider. I do most of my riding in Wyoming and Colorado. All the best places have no cell phone coverage. If you have a mechanical issue, you may have some time on your hands. 

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"There ain't no Devil, there's just God when he's drunk." -- T. Waits

[quote user='Rw'] The '05 LT looks like the driver forgot to lock the tool truck & a lot of items disappeared.

But OH MY-GOSH!! I almost neglected to say that with all the advancements in technology that the almighty "TORCH" was added to the vast arsenal of survival equipment!!! (and to think I just thought it was a little itty bitty penlight in the cubby hole conpartment, until I read the proper terminology in the riders manual)  .......And there I was stranded along the side of the road on that DARK STORMY NIGHT only saved from the monsters by nothing other than my trusty itty bitty little penlight....uhh, I mean "TORCH"