Must carry items on our bikes

[Juanca]

I was looking at the calvarez post regarding his kick stand spring falling, and he mentioned that usually he carries zip ties and wires on his tool kit, so I said to myself, What would be the must items we should always carry on our bikes, taking into consideration that we got panniers.
I always have chain lube, wrenches, but what do you guys in your vast experience would suggest?

Thanks

[imapdog]

will have to think of things to fit in a burrito tube. maybe that could be a good marketing idea....

[calvarez]

I've never had an adventure bike before. So I was always carrying either a street/sport bike kit, or a dirt only kit. Things need to change, which is why I've put off actually doing something about it. Also I have two large and two small burrito tubes coming. I think a large will be great behind the left bag, and a small under the right bag. The others TBD or wait for another project. I also carry many things in my Jeep so that will help guide me for this bike (which is like a Jeep).

So, items...

Zip ties in short/small and long/large.
Some rolled up galvanized wire for tying things (not electrical wire).
Lineman's pliers.
Chain lube.
Clean cotton towels and red work rags.
Honda polish.
Flashlight.
Knife.
Glow stick.
Butane lighter and/or waterproof matches.
Emergency blanket.
Tools relevant for the bike.

More will come to me. Great idea on a thread!

[Working_ZS]

My list:

1. Flashlight - A large DeWalt LED worklight with a 6 AH lithium battery. It puts out a ton of light for up to 15+ hours if needed. It has a hook for hanging and can stand flat on its own. It can double as headlight if need be. See it here (you have to supply the battery; smaller AH batteries are available if you don't need it to run as long as me):

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SKOCRCW...541028279&sr=1

2. Nitrile gloves - To keep the hands clean. Toss them when I'm done.

3. WD40 - Lubes the chain and can drive water off of ignition components. Cleans the tools and helps prevent them from rusting.

4. Custom socket kit - Contains assortment of bits to fit the fasteners on the bike, allen, hex head, etc. Uses a 3/8" ratchet with an adapter for the smaller 1/4" drive sockets. Includes a 2" and 6" 1/4" drive extension.

5. Adjustable wrench x2 - They're any size that I need them to be.

6. Tire Irons x2 , Bead Buddy & Spare Front Tube - Flat repairs, tube will fit front or rear in a pinch.

7. ZIP Ties - Good name brand, UV resistant and releasable so they don't need to be cut.

8. Wire Cutters/Stripers - For Electrical Repairs.

9. Needle Nose Vice Grips - Can get into tighter places than regular nosed versions.

10. Multi-meter & Electrical Tape & Connectors - For electrical diagnostics and repair. For tape, use 3M Scotch Super 88 high temp tape. It's the good stuff.

11. Screwdriver Bit Set - Less space versus individual screwdrivers.

12. Hammer - Persuades stuff back into shape, or for when nothing else works.

13. First Aid Kit - For when the hammer malfunctions.

14. Spare Levers & Cables - Easier than jury-rigging and I've got the room.

15. Small Spray Bottle with Soapy Water - Aids tire repairs and cleans windscreen, helmet visor and headlight.

16. Microfiber Towels & Paper Towels - First one is for stuff I do not want to scratch and the second is disposable, for greasy or grimy stuff.

17 ROK Straps - Better than bungee cords.

[sqwert]

Originally Posted by Working_ZS

My list:

1. Flashlight - A large DeWalt LED worklight with a 6 AH lithium battery. It puts out a ton of light for up to 15+ hours if needed. It has a hook for hanging and can stand flat on its own. It can double as headlight if need be. See it here (you have to supply the battery; smaller AH batteries are available if you don't need it to run as long as me):

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SKOCRCW/ref=sxts_kp_bs_tr_1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p= 8778bc68-27e7-403f-8460-de48b6e788fb&pd_rd_wg=pV9az&pf_rd_r=23SS0JCXEFVRKE 2W3ZVF&pf_rd_s=desktop-sx-top-slot&pf_rd_t=301&pd_rd_i=B00SKOCRCW&pd_rd_w=HGwyw& pf_rd_i=dewalt+led+light&pd_rd_r=b1c7e2bc-a90e-4f51-bb68-c71586175f5f&ie=UTF8&qid=1541028279&sr=1

Good quality light with head straps. These days, LED is the best way to go. Wherever you look, there light shall be. I have 2, one can provide a broad light pattern to light a work area, just set it on the ground or use a strap to hang it from a tree branch or the bike.

Really, when was the last time you needed a headlight?


2. Nitrile gloves - To keep the hands clean. Toss them when I'm done.

Good idea! I'll have my son pick some up for me.

3. WD40 - Lubes the chain and can drive water off of ignition components. Cleans the tools and helps prevent them from rusting.

SeaFoam. Lots better than WD40, especially if exposed to a salty environment. Not cheap.

4. Custom socket kit - Contains assortment of bits to fit the fasteners on the bike, allen, hex head, etc. Uses a 3/8" ratchet with an adapter for the smaller 1/4" drive sockets. Includes a 2" and 6" 1/4" drive extension.
Same. No sense toting sockets that don't fit anything. I have a magnetized 6-point for screwdriver bits, too. Working_ZS is right about not carrying extra screwdriver handles--adds weight fast. I don't carry any screwdrivers or handles.

5. Adjustable wrench x2 - They're any size that I need them to be.

1 adjustable. Box wrenches that fit. Cut the ends off that don't fit, weld the remains together.


6. Tire Irons x2 , Bead Buddy & Spare Front Tube - Flat repairs, tube will fit front or rear in a pinch.

Works on bikes with front and rear tires about same size. Seen many stranded over the years due to tube failures trying to make the wrong size stretch to far.

7. ZIP Ties - Good name brand, UV resistant and releasable so they don't need to be cut.

YES! Hard to find these days. Most these days you can break with a good tug. Not good.

8. Wire Cutters/Stripers - For Electrical Repairs.
Good multitool takes care of that and more. Not cheap. Not at Walmart, either.

9. Needle Nose Vice Grips - Can get into tighter places than regular nosed versions.

Multitool.

10. Multi-meter & Electrical Tape & Connectors - For electrical diagnostics and repair. For tape, use 3M Scotch Super 88 high temp tape. It's the good stuff.

Meter is too bulky and heavy. I use a test light with a battery box if I need a continuity test. 3M is good.

11. Screwdriver Bit Set - Less space versus individual screwdrivers.



See above, no handles.

12. Hammer - Persuades stuff back into shape, or for when nothing else works.



No.

13. First Aid Kit - For when the hammer malfunctions.



Most first aid functions can be taken care of with duct tape and a tire tool.

14. Spare Levers & Cables - Easier than jury-rigging and I've got the room.



Spare cables already routed, lubed, ends sealed with duct tape.

15. Small Spray Bottle with Soapy Water - Aids tire repairs and cleans windscreen, helmet visor and headlight.



Yes.

16. Microfiber Towels & Paper Towels - First one is for stuff I do not want to scratch and the second is disposable, for greasy or grimy stuff.



YES!

17 ROK Straps - Better than bungee cords.

YES! I am very picky. No slide adjustment, old fashioned winches aren't pretty, but they don't slip. Be sure hooks are at least 180 degrees. Many cheap straps, hook does not go arount far enough considering the shank bend. I have some with spring loaded safety latches on hooks. Hard to find.


Fact is, when invited to ride in a group, especially an adventure tour type ride, first things I look at are tire treads and luggage retention. Those are about 80% of problems right there. Tire treads: can never be too aggressive off pavement, but not aggressive enough will dump you in a heart beat. 12 times in 1 day. Most aggressive treads still work on pavement, NOT the other way. Luggage retention: stopping to pick up same rider's luggage 12 times in 1 day gets old. Considering someone would trust cheap straps, wonder what kind of investment he was willing to make with the rest of the bike. Those 2 reasons alone are why I will not group ride with about 95% of invites. Back in the olden days, 6 of us regularly rode together, bikes ranging from a TW200 to a 650GS, and only 1 KLR. Lots of independent thinkers. The only breakdowns we ever had were that 7th rider, whomever he or she might have been. Maybe I should write a book about what makes a difference?

[Juanca]

Happy to see this will help other.

I also think a portable tire inflation to connect to our 12V outlet, spare tire tubes, tire changing tools .

Let's keep thinking.

[rjmorel]

JB Weld or tootsie roll type epoxy to patch a small hole in engine cases. spare master link, spare key, tool kit with specific tools for that bike for axle nuts, S'plug ,allen wrenches or torx if needed, just off the top of my head, rj

[wheelbender6]

Cork screw.

[sqwert]

Water.

Everything else depends on where and when, but always water.

[calvarez]

Originally Posted by wheelbender6

Cork screw.

Whiskey doesn't need one.

[Sport Rider]

duct tape. no southerner would be without this....

[sqwert]

Originally Posted by Sport Rider

duct tape. no southerner would be without this....

Well, if you wanna be racist about it, don't forget the bailing wire.

[StevieUT]

An item not mentioned so far that I always have is self fusing/sealing silicone tape. That stuff is magic and has gotten me out of a couple jams!

[Sport Rider]

Originally Posted by sqwert

Well, if you wanna be racist about it, don't forget the bailing wire.

but then ya gotta add bubble gum.

[bogieboy]

Cant leave home without a spare master libk for the chain.... i learned that one the hard way....