What to take with you on every ride (emergency toolkit)?

[tzzzel]

Hi everyone,

I'm just curious what you guys bring with you when you ride your GS500. I just want to make sure I'm not stranded out on the road and have to walk miles to get to an auto parts store.

Here's what I've thought of so far given my 3 weeks of experience with the GS500 so far:

- multimeter
- screwdriver (phillips with skinny and wide tips)
- 10mm + 12mm socket heads with wrench (for rear fairings, passenger handlebar, and battery bolts)
- spare 20 amp fuses
- hex key (for fairings)
- electrical tape
- zip ties

[Erika]

A spare key. I lost my key for half a day on a long trip in the middle of nowhere and finally found it as I was about to panic. I now carry a spare key in my wallet. Also, a bit of duct tape wrapped around a small flashlight. Should never be without duct tape... or light.

[Banzai]

And that flashlight should be a wind-up LED type. Batteries die/leak, incandescent globes blow. I keep a little dynamo LED torch under the seat. Wind it for 30 seconds and get 15 minutes or so of light.

I carried multimeters in my mobile tool kit for 20 odd years and never used them except at home. I did however use a probe light a couple of times. Compact, robust and again, no batteries to worry about.

It is also worth considering a rope-type puncture repair kit along with gas cartridges. For long trips you can also get very compact tyre pumps, not much bigger than a couple of decks of cards.

And some disposable gloves for when things get dirty or greasy.

[fetor56]

As good as it can be given the space tool kit & tire repair kit.

[Suzuki Stevo]

A Stop & Go tire plugging kit, a bicycle tire pump, and a set of MC jumper cables. And of course the most important thing a Cell Phone 

[jestercinti]

A cell phone and a towing service.

[JAS6377]

Depends on how far you're going? If it's just a commute, cell phone, basic tools, zip ties (if your freaking prime connector keeps exploding on you), and a bottle of water. I always have water and a Clif bar with me.

I've actually been looking into hydration packs for longer rides. That may be something to consider as well.

Tools aside, nothing can replace a good maintenance record, skills, and a level head when riding. Those can fix more problems than any tools.

[vinny]

The standard under-seat tools, a multi-bit screwdriver with additional bits, few spare fuses, pair of disposable gloves, and a multitool.
^That stuff pretty much lives on the bike at all times, its been enough for me so far..

[tzzzel]

A cell phone and a towing service.

Oh man, I just started using towing service on my insurance a year ago - it's great! Barely adds any to my premium and tow claims don't affect my future premiums too much either. Getting towed isn't fun, but definitely plan B when none of the tools with me can do anything. Also, it's a lot harder to find motorcycle tows than it is to find car tows. I ended up waiting overnight once for a flatbed :-(.

A Stop & Go tire plugging kit, a bicycle tire pump, and a set of MC jumper cables. And of course the most important thing a Cell Phone 

Well, that's quite a bunch of stuff to bring with you... but I guess it's not a bad idea since we can't carry spares. Luckily for me, in the past, when I've gotten nails stuck in my tires, they've remained stuck and did not cause any air leaks.

[tomgus]

Yep, standard tool kit and the tyre plugger kit that Suzuki Stevo has in his picture.

But .... how do you carry it all?

My toolkit fits under the seat as normal ..... but the tyre plugger kit? I have to carry it under the front fairing screen, (ancient after-market fairing!), as there is so little space under the seat. The rear light and wiring is very vulnerable and I don't feel happy squeezing everything into that cramped space.

What does everyone else do?

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[Suzuki Stevo]

But .... how do you carry it all?

I located my kit to see what was actually in it...

• Tire Plugging Kit
• Bicycle Tire Pump
• Siphon Hose
• Multi Meter
• 4 Oz's of Motor Oil
• 4 in 1 Screwdriver
• Led Worklight
• MC Jumper Cables
• Park Allen Wrench Set
• 10mm Wrench
• Hand Cleaner
• 1" Piece of Bicycle Inner Tube (2 counting the one holding the paper towel around oil)

[Slack]

I always have:
A spare brake lever
clutch lever
brake peddle
shift peddle
both throttle cables
clutch cable
spark plugs
1/2 quart of oil
blue thread locker
needle nose pliers
6" adjustable wrench
two 3/8" ratchets
three flashlights
tire gauge
a rag
6 in 1 screwdriver
metric allen key set
large cotter pin
3/8" extension
18mm spark plug socket
12mm deep socket
8, 10, 14, 17, 19, 22mm standard sockets

I used to fit everything except the oil under the seat.  After installing the Rentec rear rack I had to pull the tool bag out because the rack eats up a bunch of room under the seat.  I still store all the spare parts under there, but the tool pouch (a little smaller then a quart of oil) and the oil now travel in my left saddle bag (the opposite side of the exhaust, to distribute the weight)

If I were going on a multi day trip I would also bring a length of fuel hose (I might see if I can stuff that under the seat for daily carry anyway), a chain, set of sprockets, and a chain tool, a tire patch kit and bicycle pump, a set of snap ring pliers, a multimeter, and a spare choke cable.  I don't see the need to carry the extra weight and take up the extra space with jumper cables, just push start the darn thing.

The most important tool when broken down on the side of the road is your mind.  If you can't figure out what's wrong or how to fix it there's no reason to have the tools.  At the same time, the best mechanical minds still can't turn a bolt without a wrench.

[Erika]

I also bought an OEM toolkit from Ebay. But then realized I had to add a few things... like needle nose pliers and some extra alan wrenches and a rag to keep bolts and stuff from getting lost on the side of the road. The thing that breaks always requires the one tool you don't have for some reason.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SUZUKI-GS500F-GS-500-OEM-TOOL-KIT-TOOLKIT-SET-TOOLS-COMPLETE-/151066399336?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item232c425268&vxp=mtr

[ausgs]

water and a basic first aid kit