Spares to carry on tour

[Bury_Dave]

I'm off to Nordkapp in June this year. Up through the minor roads of Sweden and back down the classic E6 and then other roads with various detours etc, etc

Just wondering if anyone had any thoughts on which spares might be wise to carry ? Apart from the obvious like bulbs

Bike is April 2009 and with 20,000 miles on it and never (yet .... ) a problem with it.

 

[MikeMike]

If you can afford it, purchase a spare fuel pump controller unit.
If you don't go that route, learn the excellent splice method that Tim Cullis presented, that will get you moving again. I know from experience.
You can also build your own emergency cable using an old duff fuel pump controller, I have now done this and won't travel on my bike without that and a size 10 Torx key to fit it.
Also, learn the side stand bypass.

 

[stephen.stallebrass]

Defo take
Puncture repair kit - especially spare tubes & plenty of gaffer tape (can be used as rim tape)
Levers (if you don't have hand guards)
Bulbs

Maybe take
Chain repair kit - spare master links (probably depends on chain quality & current wear)
Wheel bearings (probably more likely to blow a bearing if you're riding hard off road - if in doubt change before you leave)
Clutch/accelerator cables (I prefer a cable repair kit)
SPOT satellite tracker (depending on how 'wild' you're going)

Some people advocate
Ring antenna
Fuel Pump Bypass

I wouldn't bother with
Brake pads (just make sure you have fresh on before you leave)
Sprockets (change before you leave if you think they're running down)
Serviceable parts: oil, filters, sparks... (service before you leave)

 

[CuzGS]

A credit card and list of phone numbers of local dealers

Decent breakdown cover

All you need

Lovals are v wilco about helping you to nearest point of recovery IME, I crashed a 916 e6 and folk v helpful, id keep it simple, less kit, more cover

 

[smaytum]

- Puncture repair kit and tyre levers.

- Basic tools incl cable ties and electrical tape.

- Chain oil.

- Some climbing rope (strong light and useful for all sorts of stuff)

Everything else is weight which you just carry there and back again

 

[Bury_Dave]

Thanks for the advice guys. I'd wondered about wheel bearings too.
Sounds like i need to look at the fuel pump controller cost.
I'll have breakdown cover too of course but don't really want to end the trip early or be waiting about somewhere for a day or more if the problem is minor enough that i should be able to fix it. Eg cables and punctures.
Cheers

 

[stephen.stallebrass]

You're in Europe so there's going to be places around to get it fixed or have parts shipped out quickly if something goes wrong. I'd definitely get some EU break down cover though. I use the AA and they're great. I used them once when in the Netherlands, I thought the big end was gone so I had it trucked home just in case... luckily it turned out to be nothing.

 

[Farmer Palmer]

I carry my 'enhanced' tool kit and a tyre compressor and pocket plugger kit for my tubeless tyres and some spare fuel. Fuel was never a problem on my 30litre 1150GSA whereas it was always an issue on my 13.5litre HP2E although i never ran out and always carry at least 4 litres spare just incase the fuel station is closed but they're mostly card operated nowadays after hours.

Spare levers are always handy to have on the bike

Good brakedown/recovery cover is very important.

The two times i went up to the Nordkapp i didn't need to use anything on the bike as the only problem i had in 2003 was the heated grips sticking on and that was a blessing rather than a problem but i did need good warm clothing/waterproofs and you get a numb arse with all the riding so it's good to take a break more often.

The road surface seemed to be very hard on the tyres although i was running TKC 80's and Karoo's which were completely unneccessary but very handy on the Swedish gravel roads..........Tourances would be ideal!

The 24 hour daylight messes with you a bit aswell as you sometimes don't want to sleep when you're tired and watch for the reindeer as they're hard to spot when they're sleeping on the road and I was told never to ride at night as the wildlife can be a problem.

Good sunglasses are essential aswell as there's a lot of snow about in late May/June and if it's sunny you get a lot of glare off it.

I'm still thinking of heading up there in late May but i'll not know for sure if i'll be able to get away untill nearer the time.

FP.

 

[Bury_Dave]

Thanks for the tips Farmer. Alway handy to hear from someone who has already bindaredundat

I'll be on Tourances - as always