stuff you always have with you and where do you keep it?

[CODan]

I'm a dirt bike rider in the CO mountains and there are some things that are permanently on my bike for every ride.

Here's a description: DBG tool recommendations

I realize that the needs of a street biker are very different, but surely there are things that any well prepared FJR rider should always be carrying.

So far I have:

1) appropriate riding gear

- jacket, boots, gloves, helmet, ...

- rain gear

- within a month this will include warmer gear as winter is coming

2) flat repair

- slime compressor

- string flat kit

3) tools

- right now I have the standard Yamaha tool kit but I'll replace and augment that with perhaps better and more tools

4) cell phone

Some questions:

1) But the above has to be very incomplete. I don't want to carry all the tools, etc. for doing anything and everything, but what SHOULD I carry as sort of the minimum?

2) How about extra little parts for the bike? fuses obviously but anything else?

3) Finally, where do you carry this stuff? Right now I have a NR tank bag that carries my rain suit, etc. but I think I'll need more room. I don't want to HAVE to use the saddlebags. I think I'll probably end up just making a bag to go on my seat or luggage rack.

Thanks.

 

[HartClimbs]

I'm a dirt bike rider in the CO mountains and there are some things that are permanently on my bike for every ride.
>snip<

3) Finally, where do you carry this stuff? Right now I have a NR tank bag that carries my rain suit, etc. but I think I'll need more room. I don't want to HAVE to use the saddlebags. I think I'll probably end up just making a bag to go on my seat or luggage rack.

Thanks.

I've got a slime compressor, and string tire repair kit under the seat. I also have extra fuses, some wire ties, electrical tape, connectors, etc... in a ziplock bag next to the slime compressor kit (that pretty much fills the underseat space along with the Yamaha toolkit). Nothing too fancy - just the basics.

Under/behind the pillon seat I have some extra earplugs, a bungy net, and a "bubblewrap" bag I stash my radar detector in if I want to lock it away while I don't have the saddlebags. I was happy to see how much room I had under the seats in the FJR. If rain threatens - I use the bungy net to stash raingear on the pillon seat.

Cellphone, wallet, and extra key in my jacket - and I'm good to go pretty much anywhere even with the bags left in the garage.

 

[ctfjr]

I'm sorry but I know I'm in the minority here (or the silent majority).

I NEVER carry:

more tools than what is in the standard toolkit that comes with the bike

a tire repair kit or compressor

I always carry

appropriate riding gear

a cell phone

I know I shouldn't say this but in 42 years of riding - over 400K miles (including early dirt bike days)

I never had a mechanical breakdown that I could have fixed (the only breakdown was on a wing when the alternator brushes wore out)

I never had a catastrophic blow out or tire go so flat so I couldn't ride it.

These aren't experimental machines. I don't doubt that some riders have experienced problems on the road. I just don't think the odds are so great that I should carry a tool chest with me or worry about flat tires.

 

[trmn8er]

I always carry a Surefire LED Flashlight, a high quality Knife (Emerson Tactical), and a Windmill lighter in addition to some of the items you mentioned. A high quality light should always be with you, a knife can not only save your life, but allow you to get a meal, and flame is needed in many emergency situations.

 

[sonicspeed]

a six pack of beer and a box of condoms

always be prepared is my motto

 

[War Machine]

Things in my tool tray:

3/8 drive ratchet, extentions & sockets

1/4 drive ratchet, extentions & sockets

Combo large/small phillips/slotted screwdriver

Allen key set

6" adjustable wrench

Double box end offset 10mm & 12mm wrench

Here's pic:

This pic is with the Wallymart air compressor (without case) on top of tools:

And a tire repair kit in the tailsection:

I also ride with a Nelson-Rigg Magnetic Tank Bag (sorry no pic available) that has fuses, tire gauge, needlenose pliers, mini screwdriver, mini box cutter, mini 12v test light, 9 led flashlight, electric tape, assorted zip ties, a mini first aid kit, side stand coaster, my gloves & sunglasses.

All this without the side cases mounted!

 

[HartClimbs]

.... a knife can not only save your life, but allow you to get a meal......

Maybe I'll start keeping McDonalds coupons on the bike...

Plus....I'll strap a 1 iron to the seat. It'll help keep me safe from cagers because "EVEN GOD CAN'T HIT A ONE IRON". :yahoo:

 

[DocDanDC]

I always carry a tire repair kit, the FJR tools, Spare key, earplugs, Surefire flashlight, zip-ties, eyewash kit, first aid kit, Battery tender, and a cell phone plug cord. I also carry a cell phone, unless I forget to Zip my pocket, like NAFO trip.

 

[ctfjr]

I always carry a Surefire LED Flashlight, a high quality Knife (Emerson Tactical), and a Windmill lighter in addition to some of the items you mentioned. A high quality light should always be with you, a knife can not only save your life, but allow you to get a meal, and flame is needed in many emergency situations.

Ya just never know when the next nuclear winter will come & the menfolk will have to hunt & gather

 

[Fairlaner]

American Express.....

R

 

[BikerGeek99]

I've got a tool set from Lowes.

Dunno why. Hell if I know how to use 'em.

Sticky string and some other tire plug kit.

First time I use 'em I'll look like an ***** on the side of the road reading the directions.

Slime compressor.

Neat little gizmo.

All that is just thrown into the Givi trunk.

Why do I carry this crap?

'Cause if I have it, I won't need it.

Oh - one other thing.

A spare pack of smokes.

 

[artistonFJR]

Simple really, the bigger the trailer you haul the bike on, the more stuff you can carry, like big tents, coolers, flyfishing gear, queensize inflatable beds. I'd recommend a 12 footer, then you can even bring a generator and a BBQ!

C

 

[brazos parker]

Ditto some of the above mentioned items...

Plus, I always carry a baseball cap to wear to lunch, sightseeing, etc.

 

[Crash Cash]

I know I shouldn't say this but in 42 years of riding - over 400K miles (including early dirt bike days)I never had a mechanical breakdown that I could have fixed (the only breakdown was on a wing when the alternator brushes wore out)

I never had a catastrophic blow out or tire go so flat so I couldn't ride it.

Well, I've had breakdowns, but those were a piece-of-crap that I'd just rebuilt, as I was a starving student, and yes, I've never had a breakdown that I would have been able to carry tools to fix, even if someone had told me "$FOO will break down this trip" beforehand.

However, I've had a couple of flats, and since it's simple to pull out a nail, do a string-plug, and run the compressor for a while, AND small compressors are now available that fit under the seat, I carry one. Besides running out of gas (which is my own damn fault) that's the major issue I see cropping up.

Since I've had a cell phone ruined because of rain, and T-Mobile tried to ***-**** me for it anyways, I no longer carry one.

 

[Crash Cash]

Things in my tool tray:
[ton 'o ***** listed]

So I gotta question for everyone... how do you expect to work on an FJR by the side of the road? You can't get to even the sparkplugs w/o 15-20 minutes work, and it's going to be fun keeping track of all the plastic & fastener doo-dads. I mean, on my SV, a Hardley, or a Beemer, the engine's right there, but if my FJR conked out and it wasn't electrical, I wouldn't even think about it. Are people seriously suggesting it's possible? Or are all the tools just there for the warm fuzzies and mainly symbolic?

 

[Rob]

I always carry a Surefire LED Flashlight, a high quality Knife (Emerson Tactical), and a Windmill lighter in addition to some of the items you mentioned. A high quality light should always be with you, a knife can not only save your life, but allow you to get a meal, and flame is needed in many emergency situations.

I carry the flash light cause I tent to drop crap like my keys at night. The Docs still haven't released me to carry a knife yet.

a six pack of beer and a box of condoms

Maybe its just the ladies I see but you only have six beers. What are you gonna do hit them in the head with them to get to the Condom part of the night? :assassin:

 

[Finder]

Some good advise so far. If I'm on an extended trip, I usually always carry a set of small/medium vise grips, spare brake and clutch levers, and a small tube of J-B weld. And yes, I've had to use them before.

Cheers!

 

[Rob]

Some good advise so far. If I'm on an extended trip, I usually always carry a set of small/medium vise grips, spare brake and clutch levers, and a small tube of J-B weld. And yes, I've had to use them before.
Cheers!

You know not to use the JB Weld on the Condoms right?

 

[Knifemaker]

Always have? I don't load up on tools unless I am taking a trip..same goes for tire repair kit and pump (I do have Ride-On in my tires)

I always carry a clean micro-fiber cloth and a small can of Plexus. There is also a tiny pump bottle of soapy water in the glove box. Nothing worse than hitting a giant bug and having it's guts blocking your vision with nothing to clean in off (your windshield or visor)

I always carry a knife..bike or not. So Cell phone, ID and credit cards are the things I take with me allways. Sometimes my gun....

Most of the other stuff listed comes and goes according to how long the ride will be.

KM