also JB Weld, duct tape, cable ties (plastic and stainless ones), headtorch, sanitary pads (good to soak up oil/gas/blood), silicon tape, knipex pliers, leatherman crunch (has vice grips), Garmin Inreach, nitrile gloves, none of those wrenches except one specifically for chain tension adjustment, sockets instead of wrenches plus extension, hex adapter for socket drive then bits for hex, philips, torx, flat, right angle connector for tire pump, small length of wire. Instead of pouch I use a metal tin about the same size as his pouch in volume. You can use the open lid to put bolts, screws, sockets you are using on so you don't lose them. Great idea to tape your tools so they don't get mixed up with others, will do that. Cheers, happy trails.
Great video Brett. I am almost 66 years old and have been riding since I was roughly 13-14. My toolkit has constantly evolved over that time. I will be adding a telescopic magnet and the bead breaking irons you have just shown. Thanks again and safe riding. (Aussie fan)
The marking of the tools, red strips, and white stripes, is brilliant. Very intelligent, Bret. Love it! This is why I watch your channel. Small little genius tips like this stop the chaos!
Ran across this video literally a week after taking my bike measurements. Did the whole schtick of writing every size down for anything and everything on that bike. Glad to see i ain't crazy.
Not sure why youtube took so long to suggest your videos to me, but I'm glad I finally found your channel. You have one of the most informative ADV channels on youtube!
Amazing video, but some tips for people who want to go lighter: I used combo mini wrenches isntead of single sized wrenches, 8/9, 10/12, 13/14 and 15/17. Valve core removal tool is built into the valve stem cap on my bikes. I carry some of the specific stuff on the bikes themselves but I'm vehemently against buying a platform that can't be fixed with metric tools or tools you can buy at a local store. I actually don't even support aftermarket companies that use standard bolts for their products that were only designed to be used on Japanese or foreign motorcycles (I remember trying to remove a vance and hines on a trail and it used standard bolts). I carry what needs to get me home or to a store, not what lets me keep having fun that day and keep riding on the trail like nothing happened, those are two different tool packs.
I used to carry my entire Stanley toolkit on long rides. This video helped me figure that 80% of the tools were unnecessary as they wouldn't fit my bike and also that some important tools were missing in the kit. Now my kit is complete and is less than half the weight and size! I'm ready for a world tour :-)
Fantastic advice coming from a lot of experience. Having recently had to be rescued for the first time in my riding career, I am now carrying a rechargeable head torch under the seat. My rides normally end before dark but when things start to go wrong it soon gets dark and the torch on your phone is pretty useless when trying to identify and fix a problem by the wayside. You need good light and you need 2 hands free. The head torch would have saved me a very long wait for a rescue truck. Thanks for all the great videos. ☺
Great to know that I am not the only biker to carry one of those magnet wands!! The number of times that I have retrieved a nut or washer from some inaccessible area on my bike is countless. Never leave home without it.
Great tip about doing service with your travel kit. It’s way too easy to rely on your garage and not really know your travel kit will really work when you need it too.
I've ridden off road in Washington State in between Mt St Helens and Mt Adams for decades. Having the right tools and parts is the difference between getting back to camp before dark and spending the night out. Each rider carried some essentials, tubes, pump, tire irons etc so we all would be covered in case of problems. Pre ride maintenance is also the key. All of us took very good care of our mounts and we could rely on each other as we rode our 95 mile loops. Thanks for the great instructional video. I will now go out and try all my bike tools on my KTMs to make sure they fit and are necessary. Keep up the good work.
About spending the night - it sucks but happens and it gets really dark. Along with the lighter, light and other survival gear I carry a trauma pack and a gun for the worst case scenario. Also very helpful to have fixed all the stuff once before at least so you know what you're doing before you're doing it in the woods heading into sunset.
Very useful.... one thing to add is that I always carry spare clutch and brake levers as well as rear brake and gear selector levers. Thanks for a great channel....
Great video! I would add a few things that different people already mentioned but I will list them together: Duct tape (I roll a few feet of it onto one of my Allen wrenches), zip ties (large and small), small baby can or wd-40, latex gloves (not incredibly necessary but they are nice to have, they take no space and weight nothing), and a sm/md vise-grip...I think that's it...hope your video helps someone finish their ride with a smile some day!
I recently bought my first adventure bike. I chose a 2011 Suzuki V-Strom 1000. I won't be bush riding due to my age. (77) but I do intend to do some gravel roads. Your video was very helpful to me as regards building up my kit. I am especially impressed with the fact that you added the specialized tools below. Thank you. Yes, I did subscribe!
Nice kit. I like the Knipex adjustable pliers wrench in 7 inch length. Leatherman Wave with all bits that fit my bike. Tape measure for chain tension adjustment for us slugs who ride chains. Love my cheap magnet wand. Oh wait...I thought if you've got tubeless tires you never would need a tube...LOL.
Great subject matter that never gets old. I’ve sorted through and narrowed down my tool kit the as you have. My GSA is a 2011 and my tiny kit can take me just short of removing the frame and my pannier rack attached tool box isn’t compIetely full. I keep a Leatheman and GS 911 in my tank bag and I keep my air compressor, oil filter removal tool, oil cap tool and spark plug wire thing-a-ma-jig under my seat. I gotten so used to using my on the bike tools for everything I do that even while in the shop I seldom visit my tool box. Oddly enough when I am using my regular toolbox tools it’s become a strange and not so comfortable feeling.
I just did the Dempster on my 1200GS and changed tires in the wild with the Motion Pro bead breaker like yours. You do the same as me by working on your bike with just the tools you carry. I had to replace an exhaust rocked on my KTM 690 in the Atacoma desert and had all the tools I needed.
Great ideas & tool kit , in the past I`ve dropped small items in the dirt or grass , & while I can`t see it I get the magnet do the finding . Worked for me.
I'm no mechanic but want to do some adventure riding / touring someday soon -- so this is very helpful. Thanks so much for listing everything in the notes. Awesome channel, by the way... Cheers.
Bret, have you ever tried a regular small, fit in a back pack size...bicycle pump ( quality of course). I have one left over from my bike riding days. To test how it would work, I let out the air on my front and rear tires ( DR650) . I was able to pump up both very easily. I see no need for an electric air pump. Thoughts? Great video btw and thanks!
Nice tool set. I've recently retired the 4" ChannelLocks and inserted a 5" Knipex water pump pliers. They're a bit heavier, but a lot heavier duty, and the shape of the jaws allow them to grasp hex nuts very, very firmly, so they double as another wrench set. // Instead of an old toothbrush, I cut the nylon bristles on an acid brush down to 1/4" (6mm) and it cleans anything off anything in tight spaces. It can be cleaned up with gasoline or soap, so it's pretty much indestructible.
Going to the desert this weekend and have been cruising videos to build a repair kit, this vid was very well done and it helped add several items to my repair kit list
@mototrek your video finally encouraged me to get a tool I always wanted but procrastinate to purchase, so I used your link and bought the valve core remover. I hope it will serve me well. Thanks for your content.
Back in the old days....BMW R1100GS....it came with a complete tool kit, all I had to add is a 30 mm socket and a 14 mm allen key and I could remove the gearbox to change the clutch, since the 1100 GS BMW have basically not provided tools for their motorcycles. Good hint of using the same travel tool kit for servicing the bike at home that you take with you when you travel.
I love the concept of using the tools on the bike to do services while at home. I have a Harley Streetglide, so I have plenty of room for a set of tools. The multimeter has NOW been added. Thanks
Awesome informative video! Impressive how savvy you can be with such a compact tool kit. The telescopic magnet and color coding your tools are being added to mine right away. The few bits i've learned could also be useful are a few zip ties, small amount of duct tape and some JB weld. Thanks Bret!
Even if I have better tools in my garage I try to do all my normal maintenance tasks, from mounting a new tire to an oil/filter change, with the tool kit I carry on my bike. It may be annoying at times but it gives me way more confidence that I can fix my or another riders bike on the side of the road if need be..I also always carry a spare tube or plug kit (depending on the type of wheel) and a a manual or electric air pump in case of a flat.
Hi Bret, this is the most entertaining and informative UA-cam channel I ever seen; great job !!! I usually carry also metal wire, spare nuts and bolts, spare globes, electric wire and electric tape :)
Smart to color-code your tools. Firefighters have multiple companies training or scene of call. Thier tools are painted to designate the engine or station.
Great advice! I like the instruction to do routine maintenance in my garage with the tools I carry with me on the road. I really like your cap too, I notice you wear it whenever you don't have a helmet on!
Modern Japanese bikes have fuel injection. The ECU controls spark and fuel and cooling fan etc. If the engine needs anything it needs coolant, oil and a scan tool and probably some unique part. Fortuately they are very reliable. I carry some gasket cement to plug a crack in a casing or cover in an emergency. I carry metal zip ties- more robust than plastic and can be used on hot things like exhausts. A can of tyre inflator/sealant and some tubeless tyre repair inserts. Tubeless tyres are a bitch to break the bead on but the upside of that is they can be fixed without removal most of the time. When that wont fix it the tyre is needing replacement in which case riding it flat at walking pace will do no harm. Tubeless tyres stay on the bead so well I've seen people limp to the next town with the side walls in tatters but the tyre stayed on the rim. So tyre irons hammers and pumps are too much bulk and weight. Allen keys are light so replace bolts on things like front sproket covers with allen head bolts as it saves carrying deep 8mm sockets and socket tools etc. 250mls of oil in a narrow necked bottle is enough to top up somewhere on a trip to save buying oil which may not match the synthetic stuff you run. If you just can't keep the weight down and start carrying spare leathermans incase you loose your one on your belt then I guess you need to save up for a gs1200 to carry the weight.
I bought a pump in phuket couple of months ago and 5000 kilometres later after much anxious deliberation you've convinced me to remove the largish plastic cover/housing... cheers!
Great video, Bret! I wish I'd seen it while I was still in the US. Now that I'm back in Vietnam, it's going to be a challenge to source a couple things I want to add to my kit.
Great advice! Thanks! I would really love to see how to put a tube into a tubeless tire with a sidewall tear or damaged rim. In the middle of nowhere - ofcourse!
...plus one subscriber...I just got into riding motorcycles and it is an absolute blast I was lucky enough to get set up with a dual sport for my first and I am enjoying both worlds! I was watching you video and saw that you said pudget sound safety It tripped me out because I live in Port orchard and went to pudget sound safety for my msf...at Cheney stadium...shout-out from Port orchard!!!
You did the much the same as I did. I went thru the factory tool kit and replaced the cheap wrenches with better ones. Of course a flash light, wire ties and adjustable end wrenches are a good idea also. When I go on a long trip, I even carry a 12 volt air compressor and tire plug kit (ya never know) I ride Hondas, so I've never had to use any of my tools on my bikes, but I have helped other riders with some of my tools. I guess I'd rather have it and not need it, then to need it and not have it!
There is safety and security in being prepared for something that may never happen. I do the very same thing, and have been able to help others. To me it is not redundant but essential.
I have done the same thing in a way, I lay my tools down on a sheet of cardboard, spread out the tools and hit them with a bright vibrant color of spay paint, I'm not gonna take the time to individually wrap tape one or two times around all of them, this way is soo much faster, they dry in 10 mins and back in the bag.
Zip ties. JB weld. Bic lighter with a segment of friction tape and a segment of electric tape wrapped around it. Section of tygon for syphoning. A few dollars for the country you're traveling in (it's money, it's paper, it's an insulator, it's a shim) Tube patch kit. Felt tipped pen. Length of common wire size for the bike. Couple of spare fuses. Small thing of lube. Everything I just listed is worth gold in a pinch and would add negligible weight/size to your kit
Nice kit! I did the same thing! I would suggest a head lamp vs a handheld light because it frees up your hands and allows you to point the light where you need it. Also, I wouldn't recommend you carry a leatherman or any other tools in your jacket or on you. Doing so can cause serious injury should you fall. Oh and having zip ties, hose clamps, and tape is a great idea! I also carry lock tight.
I do normally have a headlamp in my kit somewhere. This just happened to be what was under the seat that day. my kit changes slightly based on the bike and mission
I'm new to riding. I've enjoyed & learned from many of your videos. As a long time mechanic, I have a different slant on tool use. The tool pack supplied with most machines is for emergency use only. Marginally better than the rocks & sticks you'd be using if there was no tool kit. In the shop, I use the best tool available. The supplied tools are often ill fitting, soft steel stampings. Many are open ended & thin in profile. With each use there is distortion & damage to the wrench & the fastener. Each use of those tools takes a toll. Routine jobs like oil & filter changes, tire or chain replacement can be done with no damage using good tools. And faster, with less aggravation. Working in the shop, I'd pull out the tool kit to confirm that it had what was needed, but I'd do the job with the better equipment. Respectfully.
Thanks. I carry a simple tool kit On my bike. I like the idea of marking the tools. I also carry survival kit too. Mostly basic stuff. I carry a spare pair of glasses that fold into a small case. I don’t need them when I ride but if I broke my good pair I have something to get me by. I carry a bike pump that is double action. It’s surprisingly how quickly you can fill a motorcycle tire.
The Motion Pro tire tools are indeed excellent. I filled an empty toothpaste tube with rubber lube I got at the local NAPA store. Simple, handy and a great compliment for the tire tools. I also carry some rubber gloves from Harbor Freight tools.
One other trick I use on my KLR650 is that I bought a set of stainless steel allen screws for my bike on eBay (I think). Not that I am particularly interested in dressing up my bike with them, I mostly carry them because I have a pretty complete set of screws to replace any that I lose on the trail. Haven't needed it often, but when I have, it was good to have them.
This is a great video. I would add one thing though, try to decide ahead of time, what resources will be available to you on your trip. I usually weigh myself down unnecessarily by carrying tools I will never use because the jobs they are needed for are not something I am likely to attempt given available resources. I also tend to carry stuff I know my travelling companions will need because they didn't bring it!
Again you nailed it with your great videos and easy way of explaining. By far the best ADV channel on youtube. Hope to se much more from you in the future :-D
Hi Bret. Great advise, especially on a quality multi-tool and ratchet. Like others mention, I also have a small vise-grip pliers (they do replace a broken shift lever), and my small ratchet set has a pivoting head so it can be use a a screwdriver, and does include the needed Torx and allen long bits. We also carry lots of Zip-ties (they are cheap and light), and I do have a ClampTite tool & stainless wire (very useful). The majority of repairs we had was mostly related to tires, so we also have a small bead-holder. The best advice you gave is to match the tools to the bike, and use them at home to test it and find the shortcomings of the kit. Thanks for the great video!
I know it is a few years on, but thanks for the video and I appreciate the tips you have provided. Looking through all of the comments and questions, I do not see anything about the "red stripes" that you have on all of these tools to differentiate them from your other bike's tools. Is it pinstripe tape? Apologies if this has already been covered.
Bret, on my GS I also carry a small bottle of Ru-Glyde which I picked up from NAPA. Super helpful on the tire beads for breaking and reseating. There are a couple of things you have which I’m going to add into mine. Great vid.
Great video.... something extra that I carry on my bike is a spare set of clutch and brake levers including gear and rear brake levers. Also a spare set of cheap mx footpegs won't hurt. These items are packed either away under the seat or tie strapped to the sub frame.
Yes! After recently dropping my CB150R, 60 kilometres out of Vientiane, Laos, and again near Na Mor, northern Laos, I added levers and handlebar to the list of potential items to carry! (Didn't break mine but bent them up)
One quick suggestion for cleaning up the clipped ends of zip-ties: A concave nail clipper will leave a nice, skin-safe, mildly rounded end. I use a larger Revlon clipper, as it’s gap between the blades is a bit larger.
I started carrying nail clippers when I was in Mexico where knives can be illegal to carry. I still have a knife packed away but nail clippers are handy in lots of situations.
Thanks for highlighting the importance of a tyre removal kit. I'm from Singapore and usually only have short road trips around Malaysia or Thailand. On one of my rides I stopped by the roadside after noticing a bunch of motorcycles and people gathered and everyone. Turns out the group was on an off road trip and one of the riders had a minor crash but the impact smashed the plastic right where it's fastened to the bike. Guess what? No one had duct tape or zip ties so since in had a bunch in my panniers, within minutes they were back on the road, or off road rather. So I'd say duct tape and zip ties would be necessary.
great video. great way of passing on wisdom. maybe you could talk about easy quick fixes that can help out a fellow rider when they're SOL...ie. i saw this video where these guys stuffed the tire full of grass to get to the nearest garage for a full repair. OR, how about a video on fixing a chain with your tool pack (that would be very cool too)...thx!
I went on a tour of European Russia in 2019, took a whole bunch of tools with me, and did around 6000 miles in total from home in England and back. I used 1 tool the whole time. Vice grips. I dropped the bike in a gravel lay-by which bent the rear brake pedal and I straightened it out with the grips in about 5 minutes.
I've been watching your videos for a little while now and I really appreciate the direct and straight forward information. Yesterday was a maintenance day on my bike and I can say I love the idea of having a fully stocked usable and compact tool kit on your bike. Is there a particular type or brand of tube you like to keep with you for those scenarios when you cut a tubeless tire? I experienced that scenario when practicing off road techniques in a pasture on my own property. I found a left over piece of a broken metal fence post that was buried about 1/4 under the soft soil and my back tire didn't stand a chance. So thankfully it wasn't a big deal to just walk it back to my garage.
Nice video. I've made a habit of carrying JB Weld not because I've needed it, but because of horror stories I've heard. 2006KLR650; 2007GS1200; 2015F800GSA; 2012WR250R
I think you shouldn't remove the casing of the tire inflator. Two things that haven't been mentioned: duct tape, and a Micro Start if your bike won't start. Not in the same category, but I carry a Garmin inReach mini (for 2 way satellite texting, weather and SOS) , hand sanitizer and cash.
I’ve just started Enduro riding and your channel has been a godsend! So much great information and really well shot and produced. Your channel rocks! Thank you so much for all your hard work.
I'm new to your channel... but I like your style. And I think you have some SOLID points. Especially using your tool kit you service your bike. It will IMMEDIATELY let you know if you are carrying the right kit. Well done.
I also have a short piece of conduit pipe in my tool kit, about the same length as your Pro Motion tire irons, to extend the handle of the wrench used to remove an axle nut. I find it hard to get enough leverage with a short 3 or 4 inch handle.
Thank you for sharing. Great advice. Maybe you want to do a sequel in which you show everything up close. Great information but zooming in is quite helpful.
Great video (Iike all your videos). I have the exact same bike, same year. Maybe it’s just me, but I can’t find a complete list with a description of every tool in your kit. That would be very helpful in order to copy yours. Thanks.
Hi Bret, UK calling. Not sure if you have seen these adjustable wrenches they are the bees knees (meaning very good). They are produced in Germany they are called Knipex, pronounced K_ Nip_ Ex. Once adjusted to nut size no need to keep adjusting when turning. They are expensive but great quality. Knipex do have a You Tube video of them in operation.
Hey Brett. Thanks again for the videos. You mentioned putting in a tube if you slice a tubeless tire. What tube do you carry? I normally just carry a 21" since it can also be used in the back. I also lean towards a Kenda since they are much more resilient. But they are really bulky and take up space. What do you use and where do you store it? Also, you have room under your seat for all those tools?! I think on my 1090 I would need to get rid of the fuel scavenging box to have any room at all under there (on my to do list BTW).
A couple of things: 1) Buy tools made of the best quality steel you can afford, having a cheep wrench (spanner) bend or brake in the middle of nowhere is useless. 2) Practice at home changing, patching and installing a tube, and all other "spares" that you carry BEFORE your adventure. 3) A chain can be "broken" with a hammer, correct size punch and something that can act like an anvil with a hole, ask your bike shop for an old wornout chain to practice on.
I have a small tool kit for dirt/enduro riding. I have tools for simple jobs and replacement levers, but not tools for bigger jobs, size and weight is important for my style of riding. Some issues like flats are just too hard to do in the bush. It's too much, carrying a tube + axel tools + pump, sometimes you gotta sacrifice for benifits. I've seen guys carrying everything they need, never used half of it. I know a guy who doesn't carry tools in the bush because, quote "everyone else does" - camo
Enjoy your videos! One comment - I might have missed this but - when being towed the strap should be placed as near the center of the bike as possible. Doing this will keep the bars from being turned if there is a jerk on the strap.
Thoughts on ditching the multimeter and picking up a test light? Some can be very compact, it doubles as a light and you can sacrifice its wire for a repair. They’re also impervious to water and if you feel you need more diagnostic function than that, you’re probably smoked until you can reach a town in any case.
also JB Weld, duct tape, cable ties (plastic and stainless ones), headtorch, sanitary pads (good to soak up oil/gas/blood), silicon tape, knipex pliers, leatherman crunch (has vice grips), Garmin Inreach, nitrile gloves, none of those wrenches except one specifically for chain tension adjustment, sockets instead of wrenches plus extension, hex adapter for socket drive then bits for hex, philips, torx, flat, right angle connector for tire pump, small length of wire. Instead of pouch I use a metal tin about the same size as his pouch in volume. You can use the open lid to put bolts, screws, sockets you are using on so you don't lose them. Great idea to tape your tools so they don't get mixed up with others, will do that. Cheers, happy trails.
Great video Brett. I am almost 66 years old and have been riding since I was roughly 13-14. My toolkit has constantly evolved over that time. I will be adding a telescopic magnet and the bead breaking irons you have just shown. Thanks again and safe riding. (Aussie fan)
I really like your idea about labeling the tools with stripes. Very helpful!
Wait. I take that back. Your tape measure comment is hilarious. I really look forward to upgrading to a different bike and taking your course.
The marking of the tools, red strips, and white stripes, is brilliant. Very intelligent, Bret. Love it! This is why I watch your channel. Small little genius tips like this stop the chaos!
Ran across this video literally a week after taking my bike measurements. Did the whole schtick of writing every size down for anything and everything on that bike. Glad to see i ain't crazy.
Not sure why youtube took so long to suggest your videos to me, but I'm glad I finally found your channel. You have one of the most informative ADV channels on youtube!
Amazing video, but some tips for people who want to go lighter:
I used combo mini wrenches isntead of single sized wrenches, 8/9, 10/12, 13/14 and 15/17.
Valve core removal tool is built into the valve stem cap on my bikes.
I carry some of the specific stuff on the bikes themselves but I'm vehemently against buying a platform that can't be fixed with metric tools or tools you can buy at a local store. I actually don't even support aftermarket companies that use standard bolts for their products that were only designed to be used on Japanese or foreign motorcycles (I remember trying to remove a vance and hines on a trail and it used standard bolts).
I carry what needs to get me home or to a store, not what lets me keep having fun that day and keep riding on the trail like nothing happened, those are two different tool packs.
I used to carry my entire Stanley toolkit on long rides. This video helped me figure that 80% of the tools were unnecessary as they wouldn't fit my bike and also that some important tools were missing in the kit. Now my kit is complete and is less than half the weight and size! I'm ready for a world tour :-)
Fantastic advice coming from a lot of experience. Having recently had to be rescued for the first time in my riding career, I am now carrying a rechargeable head torch under the seat. My rides normally end before dark but when things start to go wrong it soon gets dark and the torch on your phone is pretty useless when trying to identify and fix a problem by the wayside. You need good light and you need 2 hands free. The head torch would have saved me a very long wait for a rescue truck.
Thanks for all the great videos. ☺
+ some disposable gloves, so you don't have to put oily hands back in your riding gloves.
indeed
Great to know that I am not the only biker to carry one of those magnet wands!! The number of times that I have retrieved a nut or washer from some inaccessible area on my bike is countless. Never leave home without it.
From 322 subscribers back then.... to 142,000 in 2020. Congratulations Bret.... and thanks for so many practical, interesting and informative video's.
He left Mototrek though for some reason. You should subscribe to his personal channel too if you didn't yet
Great tip about doing service with your travel kit. It’s way too easy to rely on your garage and not really know your travel kit will really work when you need it too.
I've ridden off road in Washington State in between Mt St Helens and Mt Adams for decades. Having the right tools and parts is the difference between getting back to camp before dark and spending the night out. Each rider carried some essentials, tubes, pump, tire irons etc so we all would be covered in case of problems. Pre ride maintenance is also the key. All of us took very good care of our mounts and we could rely on each other as we rode our 95 mile loops. Thanks for the great instructional video. I will now go out and try all my bike tools on my KTMs to make sure they fit and are necessary. Keep up the good work.
Good advice!
Love that area. Gifford Pinchot. Took my dual sport out there many times. Heading out again in a few weeks. Perhaps we'll see each other.
About spending the night - it sucks but happens and it gets really dark. Along with the lighter, light and other survival gear I carry a trauma pack and a gun for the worst case scenario. Also very helpful to have fixed all the stuff once before at least so you know what you're doing before you're doing it in the woods heading into sunset.
Very useful.... one thing to add is that I always carry spare clutch and brake levers as well as rear brake and gear selector levers. Thanks for a great channel....
really appreciate the fact that you elaborate on the why in all your videos. thanks
Great video! I would add a few things that different people already mentioned but I will list them together:
Duct tape (I roll a few feet of it onto one of my Allen wrenches), zip ties (large and small), small baby can or wd-40, latex gloves (not incredibly necessary but they are nice to have, they take no space and weight nothing), and a sm/md vise-grip...I think that's it...hope your video helps someone finish their ride with a smile some day!
WD40 to lube rim, chain lube to lube chain. One pint of oil.
I recently bought my first adventure bike. I chose a 2011 Suzuki V-Strom 1000. I won't be bush riding due to my age. (77) but I do intend to do some gravel roads. Your video was very helpful to me as regards building up my kit. I am especially impressed with the fact that you added the specialized tools below. Thank you. Yes, I did subscribe!
Nice kit. I like the Knipex adjustable pliers wrench in 7 inch length. Leatherman Wave with all bits that fit my bike. Tape measure for chain tension adjustment for us slugs who ride chains. Love my cheap magnet wand. Oh wait...I thought if you've got tubeless tires you never would need a tube...LOL.
Great subject matter that never gets old. I’ve sorted through and narrowed down my tool kit the as you have. My GSA is a 2011 and my tiny kit can take me just short of removing the frame and my pannier rack attached tool box isn’t compIetely full. I keep a Leatheman and GS 911 in my tank bag and I keep my air compressor, oil filter removal tool, oil cap tool and spark plug wire thing-a-ma-jig under my seat. I gotten so used to using my on the bike tools for everything I do that even while in the shop I seldom visit my tool box. Oddly enough when I am using my regular toolbox tools it’s become a strange and not so comfortable feeling.
I just did the Dempster on my 1200GS and changed tires in the wild with the Motion Pro bead breaker like yours. You do the same as me by working on your bike with just the tools you carry. I had to replace an exhaust rocked on my KTM 690 in the Atacoma desert and had all the tools I needed.
Love the colored tool stripe to locate the tools and owner. Great idea
Great ideas & tool kit , in the past I`ve dropped small items in the dirt or grass , & while I can`t see it I get the magnet do the finding . Worked for me.
I lost the small key to my Shadow in the tall grass. Didn't have my spare with me. The magnet thingy found it. (HUGE sigh of relief)
@@aloisius4188 So So , glad you found it .
Your channel has grown incredibly in the last 4 years. Way to go!
I'm no mechanic but want to do some adventure riding / touring someday soon -- so this is very helpful. Thanks so much for listing everything in the notes. Awesome channel, by the way... Cheers.
Likewise, excellent information.
Bret, have you ever tried a regular small, fit in a back pack size...bicycle pump ( quality of course). I have one left over from my bike riding days. To test how it would work, I let out the air on my front and rear tires ( DR650) . I was able to pump up both very easily. I see no need for an electric air pump. Thoughts? Great video btw and thanks!
Nice tool set. I've recently retired the 4" ChannelLocks and inserted a 5" Knipex water pump pliers. They're a bit heavier, but a lot heavier duty, and the shape of the jaws allow them to grasp hex nuts very, very firmly, so they double as another wrench set. // Instead of an old toothbrush, I cut the nylon bristles on an acid brush down to 1/4" (6mm) and it cleans anything off anything in tight spaces. It can be cleaned up with gasoline or soap, so it's pretty much indestructible.
The pliers are useful but prone to destroy bolt heads imo. More difficult to squeeze and turn at the same time.
Going to the desert this weekend and have been cruising videos to build a repair kit, this vid was very well done and it helped add several items to my repair kit list
Glad it helped
@mototrek your video finally encouraged me to get a tool I always wanted but procrastinate to purchase, so I used your link and bought the valve core remover. I hope it will serve me well. Thanks for your content.
Great job! Super thorough and easy to follow. I’m going to get my toolkit in order now.
Back in the old days....BMW R1100GS....it came with a complete tool kit, all I had to add is a 30 mm socket and a 14 mm allen key and I could remove the gearbox to change the clutch, since the 1100 GS BMW have basically not provided tools for their motorcycles.
Good hint of using the same travel tool kit for servicing the bike at home that you take with you when you travel.
I love the style, service the bike using the tools on it, I changed the tires on my car using the kit in the trunk, good to know it can be done.
I love the concept of using the tools on the bike to do services while at home. I have a Harley Streetglide, so I have plenty of room for a set of tools. The multimeter has NOW been added. Thanks
Awesome informative video! Impressive how savvy you can be with such a compact tool kit. The telescopic magnet and color coding your tools are being added to mine right away. The few bits i've learned could also be useful are a few zip ties, small amount of duct tape and some JB weld. Thanks Bret!
Even if I have better tools in my garage I try to do all my normal maintenance tasks, from mounting a new tire to an oil/filter change, with the tool kit I carry on my bike. It may be annoying at times but it gives me way more confidence that I can fix my or another riders bike on the side of the road if need be..I also always carry a spare tube or plug kit (depending on the type of wheel) and a a manual or electric air pump in case of a flat.
Excellent, Al!
Hi Bret, this is the most entertaining and informative UA-cam channel I ever seen; great job !!! I usually carry also metal wire, spare nuts and bolts, spare globes, electric wire and electric tape :)
Just discovered your site. Very good! Clear,clean and to the point. Love the Hi definition.
Thanks, Warren!
Smart to color-code your tools. Firefighters have multiple companies training or scene of call. Thier tools are painted to designate the engine or station.
Great advice! I like the instruction to do routine maintenance in my garage with the tools I carry with me on the road. I really like your cap too, I notice you wear it whenever you don't have a helmet on!
You should see him Switch between cap and helmet...perfected to an art ! 😉
Modern Japanese bikes have fuel injection. The ECU controls spark and fuel and cooling fan etc. If the engine needs anything it needs coolant, oil and a scan tool and probably some unique part. Fortuately they are very reliable. I carry some gasket cement to plug a crack in a casing or cover in an emergency. I carry metal zip ties- more robust than plastic and can be used on hot things like exhausts. A can of tyre inflator/sealant and some tubeless tyre repair inserts. Tubeless tyres are a bitch to break the bead on but the upside of that is they can be fixed without removal most of the time. When that wont fix it the tyre is needing replacement in which case riding it flat at walking pace will do no harm. Tubeless tyres stay on the bead so well I've seen people limp to the next town with the side walls in tatters but the tyre stayed on the rim. So tyre irons hammers and pumps are too much bulk and weight. Allen keys are light so replace bolts on things like front sproket covers with allen head bolts as it saves carrying deep 8mm sockets and socket tools etc. 250mls of oil in a narrow necked bottle is enough to top up somewhere on a trip to save buying oil which may not match the synthetic stuff you run. If you just can't keep the weight down and start carrying spare leathermans incase you loose your one on your belt then I guess you need to save up for a gs1200 to carry the weight.
Clear, concise, and well thought out. Thank you!
I bought a pump in phuket couple of months ago and 5000 kilometres later after much anxious deliberation you've convinced me to remove the largish plastic cover/housing... cheers!
Great video, Bret! I wish I'd seen it while I was still in the US. Now that I'm back in Vietnam, it's going to be a challenge to source a couple things I want to add to my kit.
Good luck, John.
Love the 'stripes' idea. Definitely going to adopt that!
I always keep a pack of baby wipes, for obvious reason, but mostly to clean up for various other reasons, oil or dirt on hands etc...
Great advice! Thanks!
I would really love to see how to put a tube into a tubeless tire with a sidewall tear or damaged rim. In the middle of nowhere - ofcourse!
I ride a 1200 GSA thanks for some great ideas I will put them to use. Great videos keep them coming love to watch them
...plus one subscriber...I just got into riding motorcycles and it is an absolute blast I was lucky enough to get set up with a dual sport for my first and I am enjoying both worlds! I was watching you video and saw that you said pudget sound safety It tripped me out because I live in Port orchard and went to pudget sound safety for my msf...at Cheney stadium...shout-out from Port orchard!!!
You did the much the same as I did. I went thru the factory tool kit and replaced the cheap wrenches with better ones. Of course a flash light, wire ties and adjustable end wrenches are a good idea also. When I go on a long trip, I even carry a 12 volt air compressor and tire plug kit (ya never know) I ride Hondas, so I've never had to use any of my tools on my bikes, but I have helped other riders with some of my tools. I guess I'd rather have it and not need it, then to need it and not have it!
There is safety and security in being prepared for something that may never happen. I do the very same thing, and have been able to help others. To me it is not redundant but essential.
A great idea with the stripes on the tools. I like it!
I have done the same thing in a way, I lay my tools down on a sheet of cardboard, spread out the tools and hit them with a bright vibrant color of spay paint, I'm not gonna take the time to individually wrap tape one or two times around all of them, this way is soo much faster, they dry in 10 mins and back in the bag.
Zip ties. JB weld. Bic lighter with a segment of friction tape and a segment of electric tape wrapped around it. Section of tygon for syphoning. A few dollars for the country you're traveling in (it's money, it's paper, it's an insulator, it's a shim) Tube patch kit. Felt tipped pen. Length of common wire size for the bike. Couple of spare fuses. Small thing of lube. Everything I just listed is worth gold in a pinch and would add negligible weight/size to your kit
Nice kit! I did the same thing! I would suggest a head lamp vs a handheld light because it frees up your hands and allows you to point the light where you need it. Also, I wouldn't recommend you carry a leatherman or any other tools in your jacket or on you. Doing so can cause serious injury should you fall. Oh and having zip ties, hose clamps, and tape is a great idea! I also carry lock tight.
I do normally have a headlamp in my kit somewhere. This just happened to be what was under the seat that day. my kit changes slightly based on the bike and mission
I'm new to riding. I've enjoyed & learned from many of your videos. As a long time mechanic, I have a different slant on tool use. The tool pack supplied with most machines is for emergency use only. Marginally better than the rocks & sticks you'd be using if there was no tool kit. In the shop, I use the best tool available. The supplied tools are often ill fitting, soft steel stampings. Many are open ended & thin in profile. With each use there is distortion & damage to the wrench & the fastener. Each use of those tools takes a toll. Routine jobs like oil & filter changes, tire or chain replacement can be done with no damage using good tools. And faster, with less aggravation. Working in the shop, I'd pull out the tool kit to confirm that it had what was needed, but I'd do the job with the better equipment. Respectfully.
Very good video! To my set I also take gloves, duck tape, 1m of wire and cable ties. Never know when you need them.
Thank you soo much. Thank you for taking the timw to make this video.
Much appreciated from 🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦
Good time to for an update on what tools you carry now. Love the channel!
Thanks. I carry a simple tool kit On my bike. I like the idea of marking the tools. I also carry survival kit too. Mostly basic stuff. I carry a spare pair of glasses that fold into a small case. I don’t need them when I ride but if I broke my good pair I have something to get me by. I carry a bike pump that is double action. It’s surprisingly how quickly you can fill a motorcycle tire.
The Motion Pro tire tools are indeed excellent. I filled an empty toothpaste tube with rubber lube I got at the local NAPA store. Simple, handy and a great compliment for the tire tools. I also carry some rubber gloves from Harbor Freight tools.
Bret, cracking video. Building up my gear and skills and your vids are excellent. Thank you for making them.
You just cracked 10k subscribers, I predict you're going to get a lot more. Nice videos clearly and concisely explained.
Thanks!
One other trick I use on my KLR650 is that I bought a set of stainless steel allen screws for my bike on eBay (I think). Not that I am particularly interested in dressing up my bike with them, I mostly carry them because I have a pretty complete set of screws to replace any that I lose on the trail. Haven't needed it often, but when I have, it was good to have them.
Awesome and informative. And i am glad that the drums were silent while you was talking
From 322 subs to 216K subs. I'd say you got to UA-cam sensation!
This is a great video. I would add one thing though, try to decide ahead of time, what resources will be available to you on your trip. I usually weigh myself down unnecessarily by carrying tools I will never use because the jobs they are needed for are not something I am likely to attempt given available resources. I also tend to carry stuff I know my travelling companions will need because they didn't bring it!
Again you nailed it with your great videos and easy way of explaining. By far the best ADV channel on youtube. Hope to se much more from you in the future :-D
Hi Bret. Great advise, especially on a quality multi-tool and ratchet. Like others mention, I also have a small vise-grip pliers (they do replace a broken shift lever), and my small ratchet set has a pivoting head so it can be use a a screwdriver, and does include the needed Torx and allen long bits. We also carry lots of Zip-ties (they are cheap and light), and I do have a ClampTite tool & stainless wire (very useful). The majority of repairs we had was mostly related to tires, so we also have a small bead-holder. The best advice you gave is to match the tools to the bike, and use them at home to test it and find the shortcomings of the kit. Thanks for the great video!
Congrats!! From 223 to 63K suscriptions!! Excellent videos, keep them coming...
I know it is a few years on, but thanks for the video and I appreciate the tips you have provided. Looking through all of the comments and questions, I do not see anything about the "red stripes" that you have on all of these tools to differentiate them from your other bike's tools. Is it pinstripe tape? Apologies if this has already been covered.
Bret, on my GS I also carry a small bottle of Ru-Glyde which I picked up from NAPA. Super helpful on the tire beads for breaking and reseating. There are a couple of things you have which I’m going to add into mine. Great vid.
Thanks for the tip!
Great video.... something extra that I carry on my bike is a spare set of clutch and brake levers including gear and rear brake levers. Also a spare set of cheap mx footpegs won't hurt. These items are packed either away under the seat or tie strapped to the sub frame.
I carry a spare engine... just in case. 😝
Yes! After recently dropping my CB150R, 60 kilometres out of Vientiane, Laos, and again near Na Mor, northern Laos, I added levers and handlebar to the list of potential items to carry! (Didn't break mine but bent them up)
One quick suggestion for cleaning up the clipped ends of zip-ties:
A concave nail clipper will leave a nice, skin-safe, mildly rounded end.
I use a larger Revlon clipper, as it’s gap between the blades is a bit larger.
I started carrying nail clippers when I was in Mexico where knives can be illegal to carry. I still have a knife packed away but nail clippers are handy in lots of situations.
I agree with the duct tape and wire. I would add JB Weld too. I’m new to your channel but it’s pretty awesome, some might say, “sensational” :-)
Thanks for highlighting the importance of a tyre removal kit. I'm from Singapore and usually only have short road trips around Malaysia or Thailand.
On one of my rides I stopped by the roadside after noticing a bunch of motorcycles and people gathered and everyone. Turns out the group was on an off road trip and one of the riders had a minor crash but the impact smashed the plastic right where it's fastened to the bike. Guess what? No one had duct tape or zip ties so since in had a bunch in my panniers, within minutes they were back on the road, or off road rather.
So I'd say duct tape and zip ties would be necessary.
great video. great way of passing on wisdom. maybe you could talk about easy quick fixes that can help out a fellow rider when they're SOL...ie. i saw this video where these guys stuffed the tire full of grass to get to the nearest garage for a full repair. OR, how about a video on fixing a chain with your tool pack (that would be very cool too)...thx!
Great idea on building a kit based on your bikes fastener sizing! Killer content and advice well done!
Mole/vice grips. They can be a footpeg or a brake lever in a pinch.
I went on a tour of European Russia in 2019, took a whole bunch of tools with me, and did around 6000 miles in total from home in England and back. I used 1 tool the whole time. Vice grips. I dropped the bike in a gravel lay-by which bent the rear brake pedal and I straightened it out with the grips in about 5 minutes.
Great vid. I have the '07 and the factory tool kit was MIA.
I've been watching your videos for a little while now and I really appreciate the direct and straight forward information. Yesterday was a maintenance day on my bike and I can say I love the idea of having a fully stocked usable and compact tool kit on your bike. Is there a particular type or brand of tube you like to keep with you for those scenarios when you cut a tubeless tire? I experienced that scenario when practicing off road techniques in a pasture on my own property. I found a left over piece of a broken metal fence post that was buried about 1/4 under the soft soil and my back tire didn't stand a chance. So thankfully it wasn't a big deal to just walk it back to my garage.
I love the stipes of electrical tape. Brilliant...keeps them from walking in a group effort tire change as well...
Nice video. I've made a habit of carrying JB Weld not because I've needed it, but because of horror stories I've heard. 2006KLR650; 2007GS1200; 2015F800GSA; 2012WR250R
I think you shouldn't remove the casing of the tire inflator.
Two things that haven't been mentioned: duct tape, and a Micro Start if your bike won't start.
Not in the same category, but I carry a Garmin inReach mini (for 2 way satellite texting, weather and SOS) , hand sanitizer and cash.
And a FN 40 shorty .
That’s experiance for you ,you are very well organised thank you for the tips mate very help full
I’ve just started Enduro riding and your channel has been a godsend! So much great information and really well shot and produced. Your channel rocks! Thank you so much for all your hard work.
I'm new to your channel... but I like your style. And I think you have some SOLID points. Especially using your tool kit you service your bike. It will IMMEDIATELY let you know if you are carrying the right kit. Well done.
Awesome video love it when people don’t mind sharing there experience
i've been in that classroom! thanks for such great content, and instructing us newbies.
Alumni!
I also have a short piece of conduit pipe in my tool kit, about the same length as your Pro Motion tire irons, to extend the handle of the wrench used to remove an axle nut. I find it hard to get enough leverage with a short 3 or 4 inch handle.
Thank you for sharing. Great advice. Maybe you want to do a sequel in which you show everything up close. Great information but zooming in is quite helpful.
Great video (Iike all your videos). I have the exact same bike, same year. Maybe it’s just me, but I can’t find a complete list with a description of every tool in your kit. That would be very helpful in order to copy yours. Thanks.
Yeah Awesome. And M. Chu below - duct tape YES! And you can multi - multi-layer Duct Tape and get it to hold things solidly together amazingly well.
Great video. I'm slowly building my toolkit for my vstrom
Hi Bret, UK calling. Not sure if you have seen these adjustable wrenches they are the bees knees (meaning very good). They are produced in Germany they are called Knipex, pronounced K_ Nip_ Ex. Once adjusted to nut size no need to keep adjusting when turning. They are expensive but great quality. Knipex do have a You Tube video of them in operation.
We'll check them out, Dereck! Thanks.
I am surprised you're light is not a headband light, just came to your site and love it , keep up the good work
We carry those too. This video is more about the bare, basic, as compact as possible tools.
Hey Brett. Thanks again for the videos. You mentioned putting in a tube if you slice a tubeless tire. What tube do you carry? I normally just carry a 21" since it can also be used in the back. I also lean towards a Kenda since they are much more resilient. But they are really bulky and take up space. What do you use and where do you store it? Also, you have room under your seat for all those tools?! I think on my 1090 I would need to get rid of the fuel scavenging box to have any room at all under there (on my to do list BTW).
Yeh I want to know this also!
A couple of things: 1) Buy tools made of the best quality steel you can afford, having a cheep wrench (spanner) bend or brake in the middle of nowhere is useless. 2) Practice at home changing, patching and installing a tube, and all other "spares" that you carry BEFORE your adventure. 3) A chain can be "broken" with a hammer, correct size punch and something that can act like an anvil with a hole, ask your bike shop for an old wornout chain to practice on.
I have a small tool kit for dirt/enduro riding. I have tools for simple jobs and replacement levers, but not tools for bigger jobs, size and weight is important for my style of riding. Some issues like flats are just too hard to do in the bush. It's too much, carrying a tube + axel tools + pump, sometimes you gotta sacrifice for benifits. I've seen guys carrying everything they need, never used half of it. I know a guy who doesn't carry tools in the bush because, quote "everyone else does" - camo
Enjoy your videos! One comment - I might have missed this but - when being towed the strap should be placed as near the center of the bike as possible. Doing this will keep the bars from being turned if there is a jerk on the strap.
Great series of videos, really useful.
Thanks, Greg!
Thoughts on ditching the multimeter and picking up a test light? Some can be very compact, it doubles as a light and you can sacrifice its wire for a repair. They’re also impervious to water and if you feel you need more diagnostic function than that, you’re probably smoked until you can reach a town in any case.
I also like to check out battery charging voltage from time to time on bikes without a voltmeter
Awesome run through your tool kit. Thanks for posting 👍👏
Glad you enjoyed it, Hugh!