Touring Survival Kit

[nzspokes]

Your bikes must break down a lot.

[bogan]

Your bikes must break down a lot.

Not really, we're just competent enough to do a roadside repair on nearly any bike (and many cars) that does break down, with only a handful of tools.

[Akzle]

Not really, we're just competent enough to do a roadside repair on nearly any bike (and many cars) that does break down, with only a handful of tools.

weeeeeell. Dunno bout you, i just have them, and hope someone turns up who knows what theyre doing.
Like cops, theres heaps of them on the road, and theyre only there to hel///
uh. Nevermind.

[SMOKEU]

Not really, we're just competent enough to do a roadside repair on nearly any bike (and many cars) that does break down, with only a handful of tools.

Except if an onboard computer or even a sensor fucks out...

Well, not if it's a sidestand sensor or something easy to fix like that.

[bogan]

Except if an onboard computer or even a sensor fucks out...

Well, not if it's a sidestand sensor or something easy to fix like that.

Yeh, it's certainly not a fix-all, but a few basic tools and a bit of knowhow can go a long way on the roadside. Even just the ability to figure out the problem is in fact the ECU, and not a simple switch is handy, as it means the time to get a towie isn't wasted for an easy-fix breakdown.

[T.W.R]

Your bikes must break down a lot.

Not about whether a bike breaks down or not it's being able to remedy a problem if it happens, seperates someone who rides a motorcycle from a motorcyclist

10yrs since I had a bike fail out on the road on me and 8yrs since I had to take a piece of a bike into a shop for work to be done on it and even then the shop had to out source the work

[R650R]

Couple of hose clamps could be added to list, worth their meagre weight in gold. Hard pressed to find a garage that stocks them these days.
Usually wrap my kit in one of those cheap blue tarps so always got shelter of some kind too.
I'm also a believer too in the factory toolkits being nothing more than fishing sinkers, couple of real screwdrivers, sockets and driver goes long way along with 8,10,12mm ring spanners.
Duct tape, always the duct tape.

Ye old blue tarp and extra load security comes in handy


DRW00005 by DR650NZ, on Flickr

[Gremlin]

Your bikes must break down a lot.

Through adventure riding you learn to be more self sufficient, even the basics like tape, zip ties etc. Given I ride a BMW, the credit card joke isn't far off, as there isn't much you can do roadside for some stuff.

Spare levers are important... I've learnt that one now. I also carry a personal locator beacon, hopefully if ever used it's for someone else.

Anything more serious and I have a ute at home

[Flip]

On the vintage bike I carry:

points
condensor
coil
plugs 2
generator rotor
set of bowden cables
bulbs
head gaskets 2
fuel stop cock
ignition switch
19" tube
rectifier-regulator

4l fuel
motor oil 2l
gear box oil 1l
Gasket silicon
wire
cable ties
tape
tools
nuts and bolts, split pins and a spare axle nut
spare wheel (on the bike)
puncher repair kit
first aid kit
bike tire pump

All of it has proven to be usefull from time to time, if not on my bike then on others.

[Laava]

Cos preparation is power!

Finally got around to getting mine together, figured I'd share it, and compare/fill in gaps with you fullas.

Variety of tools, original kit plus allen keys and wire cutters/knife and adjustable wrench; plus container for em obtained from pedly shop.
Multimeter and a few m of spare wire.
Large and small zip ties
Insulation tape
Fastener assortment
Cash
First aid kit
Fire extinguisher
TP
Puncture repair kit

Do not underestimate the usefulness of a decent, and decently sized, knife.
Plus no-one has mentioned WD40/CRC! You can get a very small sized can with a mister type nozzle, instead of being pressurised?
Where you going?
Murphys law means if you carry all this shit you will not need it.

[JATZ]

I can't believe no ones mentioned a bottle of tomato sauce

How many times have you been eating a pie or fish 'n' chips and wished you had some sauce to go with it

[Stylo]

I can't believe no ones mentioned a bottle of tomato sauce

How many times have you been eating a pie or fish 'n' chips and wished you had some sauce to go with it

And I always have a pack of cards in my luggage, never know when you might need them.

[Old Steve]

Oops, forgot.

Good quality tire gauge - always run on properly inflated tires. Even if you've got to ride to the servo on the way out of town and do the calculation:

Required pressure at servo = recommended pressure + (current pressure at servo - gauge pressure before starting)


One of the motorbike mags here in Aussie gave away a small right angled tire valve connector with one month's magazine, it makes checking tire pressure so easy. I just inflate the tire to a couple of psi above the recommended pressure as there's a slight loss of pressure as you take it off.

[Mike.Gayner]

Selection of spare fuses....dunno how many times I've seen bikes stranded because of lack of appropriate fuses
half a roll of dunny paper
ditch the oem screw drivers & spanners and get some semi decent spanners and double ended dog leg screw drivers..... better quality metal

Good thing my bike only has one fuse.

[Mike.Gayner]

Your bikes must break down a lot.

It's cheap insurance. Maybe you could learn to turn a tool and you won't look like such an idiot all the time.