A roll of duct tape. A travel size lube - penetrant. I also carried tools needed to remove a wheel. I never used any of it on my bike, but did fix my wife’s bike once ( battery connection) and my friends bikes numerous times. They carried nothing, relying on my paranoia.
-
Hey Everyone! May's Bike of the Month challenge is now open for entries!
What's in your travel tool kit?
Getting ready for an upcoming road trip and I decided to unpack my took kit and re-evaluate what I have jammed in there over the years. I'm curious what other people consider the "must have" items.
![]()
My kit:
So, what is in your travel tool kit?
What is your must have item that I am missing?
My kit:
- 12v air pump (Din adaptor), tire plug kit (plug +rope style), good pressure guage, spare valve cores and valve core tool.
- Misc bolts, well plugs, fuses, plastic washers, zip ties, threadlock, rubber gloves.
- Small socket set, allen key set, screwdriver, tpms wrench, small pliers (not pictured), electric tape.
- Spark plug, homemade spark plug socket.
- Small first aid kit not pictured...just bandaid type stuff.
- Small bottle of oil for my chain oiler (not pictured).
So, what is in your travel tool kit?
What is your must have item that I am missing?
1 - 11 of 11 Posts
I carry a pretty full tool kit I've accumulated over the years with my BMW kit as the base, including an adjustable wrench big enough for axle nuts. Also small tire pump, patches & repair kit, fuses, electrical tape, wire, wire ties, voltage tester, relays, gas tank O rings, fuel pump, crank position sensor, spark plug wire, spark plugs.
Definitely carry a jump-starter or motorcycle jumper cables (smaller gauge than automotive ones), a few extra bungies, and a battery recharger to charge your cellphone or intercom on the road.
We also coordinate the tools between all the group that is traveling so that one person doesn't have an entire pannier dedicated to tools.
We also coordinate the tools between all the group that is traveling so that one person doesn't have an entire pannier dedicated to tools.
One side note re travel tool kits - be sure to use each tool at home at least once before dropping it in your kit and forgetting about it. 'Travel size' tools can be a bear to operate in the wild (poor grip, poor reach, less leverage, do two sockets used simultaneously share the same handle, etc). And, for example, you may have the rear wheel nut socket (esp Multi), but do you have a long enough breaker to remove it? I have needed to do this a few times. Besides the duct tape, zip ties and specific tools, I have also carried, and needed, a 12V tire inflator, a spare fuel container, and a tow strap.
Sometimes it seems that the act of carrying stuff with you means you never have to use it! Or conversely the one thing you need you don't have. However, I once carried a spare clutch lever with me on a long roadtrip. During a lunch stop a kid walks over and says 'hey mister, is that your bike over there lying on its side?' The only time ever in decades of touring that the ST2 sidestand melted into hot asphalt and the bike tipped over, snapping the clutch lever off virtually right up to the pivot (unuseable). Quick swap and back on the road. Funny, I've never carried one since (and I am much more careful of hot asphalt too).
Sometimes it seems that the act of carrying stuff with you means you never have to use it! Or conversely the one thing you need you don't have. However, I once carried a spare clutch lever with me on a long roadtrip. During a lunch stop a kid walks over and says 'hey mister, is that your bike over there lying on its side?' The only time ever in decades of touring that the ST2 sidestand melted into hot asphalt and the bike tipped over, snapping the clutch lever off virtually right up to the pivot (unuseable). Quick swap and back on the road. Funny, I've never carried one since (and I am much more careful of hot asphalt too).
This is actually very important. I like to imagine someone on their brand new adventure touring bike trying to change a tube and having never used tire irons before, not the right place to learn...yes I am bitter that the adventure tour market killed sport touring.One side note re travel tool kits - be sure to use each tool at home at least once before dropping it in your kit and forgetting about it. 'Travel size' tools can be a bear to operate in the wild (poor grip, poor reach, less leverage, do two sockets used simultaneously share the same handle, etc). And, for example, you may have the rear wheel nut socket (esp Multi), but do you have a long enough breaker to remove it? I have needed to do this a few times. Besides the duct tape, zip ties and specific tools, I have also carried, and needed, a 12V tire inflator, a spare fuel container, and a tow strap.
Sometimes it seems that the act of carrying stuff with you means you never have to use it! Or conversely the one thing you need you don't have. However, I once carried a spare clutch lever with me on a long roadtrip. During a lunch stop a kid walks over and says 'hey mister, is that your bike over there lying on its side?' The only time ever in decades of touring that the ST2 sidestand melted into hot asphalt and the bike tipped over, snapping the clutch lever off virtually right up to the pivot (unuseable). Quick swap and back on the road. Funny, I've never carried one since (and I am much more careful of hot asphalt too).
It's also not a bad idea to make sure you have cash and a siphon...depending on how far away from civilization you plan to get.
This year in Western Canada we will also be taking N95 masks, but for smoke this time, not COVID.
I carry the rope style tire plugs and contact cement. I've never used them but it gives me a chance. People seem to have had good success with them. If not, I'll use my most valuable tool, the cell phone.
In case something won't move that should: WD40
In case something moves that should not: Duct tape
😝
In case something moves that should not: Duct tape
😝
I used to carry rope style plugs. I have used them quickly, easily and successfully several times on four-wheel vehicle tires. But I got a flat in the rear a few years ago up the Dempster Highway and I could not get one to work after 5 tries and 4 bleeding knuckles. It was a large, deep cut and the tire was completely deflated. It is likely that these work best when there is some residual pressure in the tire; otherwise it is very difficult to get the rope in all the way as the rubber deflects inward too much. Fortunately, the only garage for ~500km around was able to patch it from the inside until I could ride back down to Whitehorse for a new tire.I carry the rope style tire plugs and contact cement. I've never used them but it gives me a chance. People seem to have had good success with them. If not, I'll use my most valuable tool, the cell phone.
My last rear flat was a tiny, very slow leak. In that case, I made it far enough to a buddy's place and he had Slime. We poured it in and inflated the tire and it held great for another 1000 miles. Now, Slime is what I bring.
Sounds like I get a lot of flats, but only 3 in about 40 years of riding. Never had one in dual sport riding, but had to replace a bunch of other guys' flats!
Credit card and a cell phone.
The side of the road is no place to make repairs.
The side of the road is no place to make repairs.
Similar situation here. The road was full of gravel so I kept riding thinking it was the gravel that causes instability. But it was actually a puncture. And by the time I realized that, the cut was too deep into the sidewall of the tire. I had to replace the tire. After that, I put a TPMS on the wheel. It always notifies me when the pressure is below 2.0 bar which actually saved me twice on the road.I used to carry rope style plugs. I have used them quickly, easily and successfully several times on four-wheel vehicle tires. But I got a flat in the rear a few years ago up the Dempster Highway and I could not get one to work after 5 tries and 4 bleeding knuckles. It was a large, deep cut and the tire was completely deflated. It is likely that these work best when there is some residual pressure in the tire; otherwise it is very difficult to get the rope in all the way as the rubber deflects inward too much. Fortunately, the only garage for ~500km around was able to patch it from the inside until I could ride back down to Whitehorse for a new tire.
My last rear flat was a tiny, very slow leak. In that case, I made it far enough to a buddy's place and he had Slime. We poured it in and inflated the tire and it held great for another 1000 miles. Now, Slime is what I bring.
Sounds like I get a lot of flats, but only 3 in about 40 years of riding. Never had one in dual sport riding, but had to replace a bunch of other guys' flats!
Another + 1 on the rope plugs. I got the Slime plug kit with its rubber cement. Never fails me. The rubber cement will completely seal off the plugs. On the contrary, the mushroom plugs still leak a bit. I guess it's probably due to me not used to the mushroom plugs but I find the rope plugs to be way more fool-proof.
1 - 11 of 11 Posts
Ducati.ms - The Ultimate Ducati Forum
A forum community dedicated to all Ducati owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, troubleshooting, superbike racing, maintenance, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Recommended Communities
