These maybe silly but I haven't found answers to these questions...
Is there a basic set of tools that I should carry with me on rides? Perhaps a set for only rides out into the twisties or out of town? Are people keeping something special in all of those tank-bags that I should have been told about in my MSF course?
I'm going to purchase some leather riding pants, and textile over-pants in the next week or so (TourMaster Cortech). Obviously, the over-pant can be worn over jeans, but what about the leathers? Pull them up right over my briefs or do riders wear something under them?
And any opinions on the TourMaster Cortech apparel or bags? I seem to keep purchasing their products. I've been very happy with it thus far, but I'm not sure if I am buying questionable gear.
:dunno_white:
There's no such thing as a stupid question, just stupid people.
for tools it's pretty much up to you. personally i dont carry anything with my except my wallet, cell phone, license & registration. some people go as far as a basic first-aid kit, tire repair kit and emergency inflator, etc.... I suppose it depends on how far you're riding; maybe others can chime in on what they carry on a day-to-day basis.
Most leathers; both two-piece and one-piece suits come with a mesh liner zipped in for comfort. that is, you can go ahead and wear just your underwear under them and not chafe too much. I think some people get those under-leather suits. they're like that underarmor stuff but cover your entire body to absorb sweat. Again this is up to you. I think most people just wear a pair of mesh athletic shorts and a tee shirt under their leathers. you could go commando if you really wanted too. I think a pair of pants stuffed under a leather suit would be insanely hot during the summer.
I've got a Cortech Impulse Jacket, and I love it, except the pad in the right shoulder moves around alittle, and I want to get the pants that go with it, so I could zip them together if the need ever arises (trackdays)
I've also got a AVG one peice leather suit... when I'm wearing this, its a shirt underneath, and boxers and socks. thats it.
And.. tools, your bike should have a tool kit under the seat
The GS toolkit has a lot of the basic tools you need to work on the GS... Besides that, I've heard of a lot of people taking extra clutch and brake levers with them... One of the most common things to break when you go down are the levers and it's pretty hard to ride without them.
As for the leather pants......
There are leather overpants and leather pants that aren't really designed to have pants under them. The question is: How and when do you want to use them? If you want to wear them when you commute or ride other places you might want regular pants (and not want to change), you should probably check out "Over Pants."
Wearing two pairs of any pants (leather or not) is going to be less comfortable than wearing a single pair of pants... And hotter.
Comfort and temp worries == Just undies and leathers...
Convenience of not needing to change into regular pants (just taking off the leathers) == Over Pants.
You might look into some textile/mesh pants too... They'll be about 100x the protection of jeans and a lot thinner and lighter than leather.
(I couldn't find the scale that listed all the denier ratings for various materials... :()
all i can say is chain breaker and spare link. :icon_mrgreen:
thats speaking from experience on a long trip with no bike shops open for the next 2 days, all for a $5 link, i lost about $500 for hotels lost wagers ect, not a good look,
but really a plillips and flat head screw drivers, multi grips/cresent should be all you really need
liek 90% of the bolts are 10mm...So I carry that around in my tool kit. \
DEFENTlY agree with the advise with the extra levers...long story shotr I broke the clutch lever one time and had to get home...I tore my finger up and a pair of gloves :mad: :mad: going home :mad:
but basicly just bring you charged up cell phone and you can always have the little Gs towed :bs:
The two must-haves that I carry in my tank bag are a small (4" long) 3 LED flash light (I do 50% of my riding before or after the sun goes down, and a Gerber Multi-Tool.
I've been grateful to have both on more than one occasion.
Thanks for all the great advice! :thumb:
I could have done my carbs with just the tools in the tool kit. Seriously, everything you need is there except the carb cleaner. I could do a new chain with it too! Heck you can take off the front wheel and do fork seals! To those who say nay you must not be very inventive/desperate.
Granted none of these is fun with the stock tool kit, but hey, sometimes ya just gotta do it. Also AFX makes a SWEET helmet with integrated fans and map reading LED's that are rather bright. I don't have one so I stow a mag lite. Tire goup? Nope would never do that on a bike. Of course have your cell-phone and such.
A really nice thing to have is an emergency rain poncho. I had a time today where it would have been a GREAT thing to have, but alas, I thought of this BECAUSE of the rain. :laugh:They have them in a little baggie at Wally World.
First aid is not a bad idea, heck if you're adventurous hollow out the pillion (passenger) seat and put it there. I haven't gone down but I'm sure in a bad wreck I would want some Gauze if there was no one around. Ya know, to stop/slow the bleeding.
That being said I'm going out to buy some gauze and stuff. Scary to think of.