Touring Tools For 12GS

[GrinningGSer]

And one of these to keep your fuel pump going :

That'll go with the little bit of rag that you'll need to get that little bit of dirt off your wheels

 

[THE DOCTOR]

And one of these to keep your fuel pump going :

What on earth is THAT?
How much is it?
Where does it go?

 

[Brian ROSEN]

Mobile phones

We rely on them nowadays - BUT make sure that yours will operate in the countries you are visiting.

 

[GrinningGSer]

What on earth is THAT?
How much is it?
Where does it go?

Fuel pump controller, £49.97 incl vat, which, with the exception of battery failures, is possibly the most common reason why you see the 1200GS on the back of a recovery truck:

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=72507

One member here said that you can fix it yourself, but he failed to reply to any questions as to HOW, so I don't believe him !

Oh... and it goes on top of the fuel pump.

 

[THE DOCTOR]

Fuel pump controller, £49.97 incl vat, which, with the exception of battery failures, is possibly the most common reason why you see the 1200GS on the back of a recovery truck:

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=72507

One member here said that you can fix it yourself, but he failed to reply to any questions as to HOW, so I don't believe him !

Oh... and it goes on top of the fuel pump.

Thanks.

Hope you get your fuel filler cap sorted!

 

[THE DOCTOR]

There's some interesting posts on the ADV site regarding the controller.
(Just search for 'Fuel Pump Controller'.)

Grinner, your item is the new 'improved' version. If your cooling fins are running parallel with the black connector socket it's an 'old version' controller.

I've just been out to my garage & although my bike is running fine my '05 GS is fitted with the Parallel finned old type. I'll be buying a spare to be on the safe side.

 

[GrinningGSer]

I have just read the adv site and there are descriptions of bi passing this controller and also descriptions of why we have a controller in the first place
Not completely inderstood though... something to do with 80% and fuel filters

 

[Brian ROSEN]

Advanced 'adventure' motorcycling

I do feel that with modern bikes it can become very complicated to catalogue a list of useful possible spares. I have found, during the last few years, that the main tool required on the very rare occasions that I have been stuck, has been the computer in the dealer's workshop. Hence I would make CERTAIN that your portable telephone WILL work in the area into which you are going and obtain a list of dealers in that area. No, it is not very adventurous, I am afraid but unless you are a competent modern mechanic don't be too optimistic!

 

[Katiana]

OR

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

Remove center core and squash it- sorted

 

[Peter Pan]

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.

No! No! No!

All you need is a hammer and a condom.

If something stops working, hit it with the hammer. If that doesn't work fek it!

 

[k12pfc]

Stop worrying and just enjoy it, make sure you are happy with the bike before you go, get good breakdown cover carry a credit card and go for it, I have been on numerous trips to various countries covering an average of 3k per trip and other than standard toolkit not bothered with anything else, no great stress just go.

 

[PhilBolton]

I have a "long" trip each summer, probably Turkey was the furthest at 8300 miles in five and a half weeks, by a quite roundabout route.
I've found that whatever you think you need, and take with you, you probably won't use. In recent years I've taken brake pads, and the tools to change them, because I found that I needed pads on a couple of years in succession. But since taking them with me I've never had to use them and bring 'em back home again. Sod's Law!
Last year I needed a new chain (Triumph Tiger) in Slovakia but found a Ducati dealer who fitted a new chain for 60 euros. No problem.
The point is, if your not careful you can end carrying a lot of weight, and using up a lot of storage space on the bike, carrying stuff when you're not really that far from civilisation and help or dealers/shops to buy the stuff. Yeah! I know it's different if you're doing a Ewan, but most of us are further away from home on a Sunday ride out than we are from help almost anywhere in Europe, and we don't take half a workshop with us on a Sunday.

That's my twopenneth, now I'll sit back and wait for the flak!

Phil

 

[Brian ROSEN]

In a nutshell

I have a "long" trip each summer, probably Turkey was the furthest at 8300 miles in five and a half weeks, by a quite roundabout route.
I've found that whatever you think you need, and take with you, you probably won't use. In recent years I've taken brake pads, and the tools to change them, because I found that I needed pads on a couple of years in succession. But since taking them with me I've never had to use them and bring 'em back home again. Sod's Law!
Last year I needed a new chain (Triumph Tiger) in Slovakia but found a Ducati dealer who fitted a new chain for 60 euros. No problem.
The point is, if your not careful you can end carrying a lot of weight, and using up a lot of storage space on the bike, carrying stuff when you're not really that far from civilisation and help or dealers/shops to buy the stuff. Yeah! I know it's different if you're doing a Ewan, but most of us are further away from home on a Sunday ride out than we are from help almost anywhere in Europe, and we don't take half a workshop with us on a Sunday.

That's my twopenneth, now I'll sit back and wait for the flak!

Phil

I think that you have put the matter clearly. It is impossible with a modern bike to be prepared for any and every eventuality. If you are going out of (telephone?) range of properly equipped workshops you either need a back up truck or a different type of bike altogether!

 

[Dee Tee]

Carole Nash Breakdown Card and a Mobile Phone.


Am i not taking BMW Ownership seriously enough ??

 

[chasr]

Suits me;
http://www.motorradconcepts.com/eshop/motorcycle-tools-and-repair/cruztools/econokit-m1-tool-kit/

 

[GrinningGSer]

See... here you go again again, today's post,another Fuel pump controller failure : :
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=105370

 

[pberrey]

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

I've done 7k miles all at motorway speeds (90-100) with a plug in a rear Anakee from one of those tyre pluggers. I had the BMW kit which works fine but Blowzorn insisted on demonstrating his kit. He toured Italy with two plugs in one tyre if I remember correctly.

FWIW, I think you need to carry enough bits to plug a tyre in the dark, other than that I wouldn't bother. I do 30k/year and I average one puncture per year and no other brakedowns...touch wood.

Well, I had my rear diff/bevel box replaced but it was rideable so that doesn't really count. ;-)

Paul.

 

[pberrey]

I've done 7k miles all at motorway speeds (90-100) with a plug in a rear Anakee from one of those tyre pluggers. I had the BMW kit which works fine but Blowzorn insisted on demonstrating his kit. He toured Italy with two plugs in one tyre if I remember correctly.

FWIW, I think you need to carry enough bits to plug a tyre in the dark, other than that I wouldn't bother. I do 30k/year and I average one puncture per year and no other brakedowns...touch wood.

Well, I had my rear diff/bevel box replaced but it was rideable so that doesn't really count. ;-)

Paul.

What would be a good idea if you aren't feeling lucky, is an umbrella. Falling that, try and breakdown underneath a bridge.

;-)

Paul.

 

[JDH]

Hi-vis jacket thingy, always take it when I'm touring, just in case of a breakdown.
JDH

 

[adventure-spike]

and not forgetting a sense of humour!