Touring Tools For 12GS

[THE DOCTOR]

I'm currently preparing for a 2000m+ (my 1st long distance) trip on my 12GS & I'm drawing up a list of essential tools to take.

I've seen this list but I recon there are too many unnecessary items & I've whittled it down to my own 'essential' list here..

Snap-On ratchet screwdriver
Adjustable spanner
Various Torx bits
Allen keys 3, 4, 5, 6 & 8mm
Spark plug socket
Sockets, ratchet & extensions (all tools reqd. to remove both wheels)
Plastic cable ties
Tape
Torch
Puncture repair kit
Pump
Pliers
Pressure gauge

I want to take as little as possible but be covered for most eventualities.
Can anyone suggest additional essential tools that I may have overlooked?

Thanks.

 

[blackbird]

post removed - this is a technical section. Take your jokes to the pub

Dahoum

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

Been there and done that and evrytime I go on a long trip I take less tools. Reckon I've got to the optimum now.

Puncture repair kit (plugs, gun and CO2 sparklets).

Cable ties

Duck tape

Leatherman

2m wire

Keyring LED torch

First aid kit

Contact, insurance, medical etc. details together with pertinant parts of workshop manual on a memory stick.

European breakdown cover

Credit card

Mobile phone

and that's it, less is more

Andres

 

[ericthebrave]

unless you're going miles away into less developed place or away from civilisation i wouldnt bother with most of that first list. Outtomunch's list is much more realistic.

I've done 2000 mile trips around europe on a CBR600 and didnt take any bike spares apart from my breakdown cover number. Just make sure the bike is in good order before you set off, and keep an eye on oil n tyre wear. I think only thing i would consider is puncture repair kit (the plugs and CO2 type).

 

[Wizard]

It's always a good idea to carry tools. As an example, on a day run last April a crashed bike was put back on the road in about half an hour. If we'd had to go and get tools, arrange recovery etc. on a Sunday, it would have been there for a hell of a sight longer.

Similar situation in August. The bike ended up a right-off, but it was repaired at the roadside, finished about 120 miles, the weekend was enjoyed, and the bike ridden home. Without tools, the weekend would have been a bust as I waited for the recovery wagon to take me back home.

Neither of these situations were the result of (intentional) off-roading, hard riding etc. They both qualified as "one of those things", and would have been a major headache within a couple of hunded miles of home, never mind in a foreign country where you can't speak the language, have no personal support systems etc.

Have a wee look at http://www.r1200gs.info

 

[pikeydave]

Had to use the CO2 the other day and 3 cannisters will fill an empty 150/70 GS tyre to 22psi. Enough to let you get going again but it might be worthwhile carrying a few more.

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

Had to use the CO2 the other day and 3 cannisters will fill an empty 150/70 GS tyre to 22psi. Enough to let you get going again but it might be worthwhile carrying a few more.

That's good to know

Forgot to add the following to my original list:

One head light bulb and one rear light bulb.

Glow stick - useful safety marker/torch for a night time brakdown/accident and for when you chance upon a rave in the middle of nowhere

Andres

 

[BiG DoM]

I always carry a tool roll (but then I live in the 3rd World!)

I would include: 2 part steel epoxy putty ( 4 valve covers etc), small tube super glue, a small bank bag with an assortment of commonly used nuts and bolts, tow-strap, duck/duct tape, pocket size Wetwypes. Also small First Aid kit is essential (can also be modded to needs) ... and condoms and credit card of course!

 

[shuck raider]

It's always a good idea to carry tools. As an example, on a day run last April a crashed bike was put back on the road in about half an hour. If we'd had to go and get tools, arrange recovery etc. on a Sunday, it would have been there for a hell of a sight longer.

Similar situation in August. The bike ended up a right-off, but it was repaired at the roadside, finished about 120 miles, the weekend was enjoyed, and the bike ridden home. Without tools, the weekend would have been a bust as I waited for the recovery wagon to take me back home.

Neither of these situations were the result of (intentional) off-roading, hard riding etc. They both qualified as "one of those things", and would have been a major headache within a couple of hunded miles of home, never mind in a foreign country where you can't speak the language, have no personal support systems etc.

Have a wee look at http://www.r1200gs.info

Listen to this man. He knows more about horizontal motorcycling than almost anyone on this site

 

[cookie]

Had to use the CO2 the other day and 3 cannisters will fill an empty 150/70 GS tyre to 22psi. Enough to let you get going again but it might be worthwhile carrying a few more.

more details of the scientifically conducted test:

1 bulb = 6psi

2 bulbs = 15psi

3 bulbs = 22psi

 

[Pukmeister]

Concentrate on your pre-departure preparation rather than your toolkit. Loctite everything that might shake loose if off-roading or taking the rough route. Make sure that the bike is fully serviced and ready to go. Don't forget a small first aid kit and a water bottle. Don't forget your passport and toothbrush.

Enjoy the touring.

 

[Deleted account 210609001]

Where are you going on your first long ride, Panzerphil?

I take the full bike toolkit (which includes the spanners/torx keys I might need) in addition to the pathetic standard toolkit. Duct tape is an essential, as is a puncture kit, and roll of insuating tape doesn't take up much room. And the box spanner to remove the front wheel, which isn't a tool most people would have on them and could make all the difference to geting a new front tyre fitted. A wind-up torch is handy for all sorts of things. And a mini-Stanley knife.

A spare headlight and taillight bulb wrapped up somewhere will save looking for a replacement if needed.

Personally, as someone not confident enough to undertake major work by the roadside, I don't see the point in taking too much more. If anything other than minor repairs are called for, it's time to call the breakdown people for me.

 

[GSmonkey]

Cable ties, duct tape and a leatherman. Anything that can't be fixed with those three I use my forth item - RAC Card.

 

[THE DOCTOR]

Where are you going on your first long ride, Panzerphil?

Scotland via France.

I'm riding to Nantes, just left of Le Mans for 3 nights with my firm's bike club then I'm off to Glen Coe for another 3 nights on my own.

 

[Mav]

Duct tape

As others have said - Duct tape is v useful but often left behind because the roll is typically quite big. An alternative is to wind some on to a credit card type piece of plastic - I used my blockbuster video card You can still carry quite a few metres, it doesn't lose it's stickiness and takes up far less space

 

[Yellow Peril]

Stcik ultraseal in the tyres, carry a pump thats punctures taken care of. Next the forementioned blubs front and back. Cable ties various plus pliers to pull tight that will hold bits on oh plus duct tape. Rescue card, credit card with some credit limit left on it. Oh mobile phone again with credit on it.

Almost forgot some sort of hammer great for alsorts of jobs

 

[Gaz]

more details of the scientifically conducted test:

1 bulb = 6psi

2 bulbs = 15psi

3 bulbs = 22psi

Do you know where those CO2 canisters can be bought?
Do they screw directly into the valve?

..sorry for the slight hijack, but it seems pertinent

 

[THE DOCTOR]

Do you know where those CO2 canisters can be bought?
Do they screw directly into the valve?

..sorry for the slight hijack, but it seems pertinent

I assume you already have a repair kit & you just want more canisters.
They screw into an adapter that is supplied with the repair kit.

Your local Home Brew supplier should be able to sort you out with extra canisters.

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

I assume you already have a repair kit & you just want more canisters.

And if you need the whole shabang this is what I have. And here is the plugger - neither has yet been used in anger.

Andres

 

[Baz]

Heres what I take in addition to the BMW toolkit.

8 X 40 CM Cable ties
Tyre inflator-just strip the motor out of an old tyre inflator along with the hose & cables, hardly takes up any room and will inflate to the correct pressures.
Bike Jump Leads- Needed them in Marrakesh
Gerber multi tool
Duck tape
Tyre Pressure Guage
Pack of Bulbs/ Fuses/ split pins/ 5mm nuts & bolts. Secured with elect tape
Tie down strap Secure with tape.
Gloves

All fits in an old wash bag at the bottom of a pannier.

Also carry a couple of Allen Keys, Mini Maglite, first aid kit & hi viz in the tank bag.