I carry a cable repair kit, it comes in a small round tin with two lengths of steel cable and various attachments for you levers or throttle body. Today my clutch cable snapped, 20 min later I was back on the road. Cheap, universal and compact, around the size of an old fashioned snuff tin. Life saver.
Yep. I’m Australian, live on the coast, more than a thousand miles from a desert, but I ALWAYS carry water. We just had a very long hot summer and many times I drank from my emergency water when in town going to the shops. I have a spare bottle beside where I park my bike at home so the first thing I do is swap them if I have used any of the water.
I live in Canada where water is regularly available so I always bring one of those small hiking water filters just in case. Much smaller and lighter than a litre of water.
You covered most of the little things I brought to Central America. I also carried a small variety of nuts and bolts, a spare key stashed on the bike, a spare master link and dude, a bicycle pump is way lighter and more reliable 😎
Use hose clamps to hold your tyre lever(s) onto the subframe. Hose clamps (or, as I like to call them, high-temp zip ties) are incredibly useful things to have.
I also used to think the idea of pulling the cables parallel was brilliant. Today I think more differentiated: 1. If I fall and damage one cable, the chance for the second one is the same. 2. New cables (on new bikes) seem to last forever. On old bikes, simply replace the cable before the tour. 3. Many “long-term adventurers” leave the replacement cable there for years. When you need it, it's just as dead as the one next to it - even tape won't help. I think that a tour is not a race and the cable from the (dry and clean) bag is more efficient.
Fuses and 3m of insulated electrical wire and some crimp connectors and crocodile clips. Rolls up small and light. Can work around a failed starter relay, worn torn wiring harness etc. take bulb from from headlight to make a diagnostic lead lamp / continuity tester. Bike's wiring diagram on phone.
@@BrakeMagazine to even add up - electric wire with dimention 1,5mm is sutable to work a s a jumpstart wire. is it the bes option - no, after cuple runs it will burn out. but as a single instance solution, I'vew tested it and it works ok.
Towel, just a small one that is easy clean. So many uses: makeshift work mat to help prevent losing nuts and bolts when making repairs, possible firestarter material (when shredded with a knife), cleaning visors or oil sight glasses, makeshift medical tourniquet, and whatever else your mind can come up with.
Here's an amazing 'bush repair' I learned in Wales. The clutch cable failed on a mate's DR-Z 400. The nipple snapped off in the handlebar lever (he'd fitted a horrible Mankyglide cable just a few weeks before). We were near a house. He knew the people in the house. He borrowed an old detachable 3-pin mains plug. Within it were a couple of clamps to attach the wires to the terminals. And, guess what, we attached one to the broken cable and it was enough to restore the clutch action when threaded through the lever.
Ok. If I can explain this well enough. I found when knocking out a wheel bearing without a special tool. I found but taking the bar end clamp out of my Acerbis hand guards I could use the clamp to knock the wheel bearings out.
Securing foot brake lever and shifter end with some steel cable in order not to have it catch and brake off is a pretty good tip I personally like, also spare clutch lever, easy to have stored on the bike
After losing one, I now carry a spare Brembo brake pad pin complete with the two R clips - I take a rear 61mm with an extra hole I have drilled so it will fit the front 56mm calliper too. Made from titanium it is stashed under the seat. Weighs nothing but gives peace of mind.... After your issues with that hydraulic clutch system I now also carry a teeny tiny bottle of brake fluid and a short length of tubing that will enable me to bleed brakes using no-loss recirculated fluid.
This is perfect timing. I have a mandatory week off work and want to just ride for a few days. Having a bit of understanding of the essentials is really going to help me properly prepare. Great work 👌
I carry a mini-air compressor and a few ounces of tire lube. I keep the lube in a 2-3 ounce plastic bottle with a flip-up nozzle. These are commonly used for contact lens solution. A couple ounces of talc can also be carried like this. This can be used to prevent pinch flats by keeping the tube from sticking to the tire/rim. Not all bottles are the same. Find a flexible one to prevent breakage. The clear ones tend to be brittle.
I like to pre-talc my tubes then wrap them in plastic wrap so they are ready to go. I also carry a small squeeze bottle of tire lubricant stored in a plastic bag upright so it doesn’t spill.
I like a nylon tie down strap. Useful if you need a tow or to haul the bike out of a ditch or even to pin the bike down if it's howling a gale and it rolls up small.
Gerber is a great multi-tool brand and I think one that is often overlooked. I've had the same 600 for 27 years and it is still brand new, in fit and function.
3 in 1 tool. My 24mm ring spanner (for rear axil nut) has the open end ground off to a spoon shape as a tyre lever end. I then cut a 17mm ring end off a spanner (for front axil nut) and ground the outside to a hex shaped so it just fits inside the 24mm ring spanner.
I could add a few personal things I like to carry but my fave new one is one of those USB powerbank jump start kits (FLYLINKTECH 1000A Peak 13200mAh Portable Car Battery Jump Starter Booster). I bought one after a drama on my own drive when my wife had taken the car. Didn’t use it until the other day and I flattened the battery on my van and I couldn’t believe it started it. So now if on my own or even as a group where there’s a bit more danger of being stuck, it goes in my bag, but it is very small, and you also have an emergency USB powerbank and a torch. Thanks Llel, some great tips as ever
I run cable through the key and use a carabiner to attach it to the clutch cable so it's slightly more difficult to steal, and stash the spare. Also decent bungee straps secured to pannier mounts. Various bits of velcro around frame / bars. Leatherman. For longer trips: decent EFAK with tourniquet, chest seal and bleedstop - as much for other people as myself. A roll of good quality paracord in with the basic tools. Lots of RO filtered water and a SpotX because I ride in hot, dry places where there's no phone signal.
Small electrical kit: some wire, a few butt connectors, fuses that fit and I also carry a printout of the wiring diagram and a cheap test light. In addition two or three bolts and nuts for the common size fasteners on the bike. I also have a length of webbing that can be used to lash something down or be used as a tow strap. OH and needle nose vise grip. Its multi use, can be a clutch or brake lever, shift lever.
Another cracking minitip. Nice one, thanks. Im terrible, i always carry all the equipment, not sure if it's laziness or anxiety. My tip, for what it's worth, is a trail stand. Ive one made from an old set of crutches, velcro strapped to the frame. Its probably on of the most versatile things on the bike.
I keep a half roll of electrical tape in my toolkit. Huge save last year when my kickstand sensor got knocked off. Taped the magnet to the sensor and it's been there ever since.
Self-fusing tape to Patch radiator hoses, self-soldering shrink-wrap cable connectors for fixing any torn cables, a lighter for those connectors and fire in general, spare electrical wire to bypass whatever needs bypassing, small multimeter, hose clamps ( i just put them on the handlebar or rack)
@@BrakeMagazine self-amalgamating tape is what it is called and along with repairing rubber hoses it also works to stop vibration on things. You can fold it onto itself and put it between two parts then bolt it back together. Or as replacement the packers you get for different size handlebar mounted accessories.
Voile Straps are one thing I keep under the seat of all my bikes. They are basically big rubber bands and are great for afixing things to the bike (spare/broken parts, firewood) since they are slightly stretchy and very durable. On a recent ride I broke off the crappy skid plate on my bike and used the Voiles to strap it back to my crashbars and footpegs.
You can get half-width duct-tape if you prefer to keep a whole roll and then just double up on how you wrap it. Another thing I 100% agree with is the ties... more so for clothing and or bits catching on trees and what not but my boots have a fold-over strap that got nicked by a rock and fatigued until it snapped.. I have had the same twist-tie on it for some months now. You can also buy hand-pumps or air-canister pumps for your tires but expect a single canister to only half inflate a tire and you may need to do the rest manually... either way, does not require electricity and is infinitely re-useable so long as you have the patience (and canisters) plus they strap to the bike really well compared to a bulky electric pump.
All comments (nearly) were helpful AF. Phone/lighter/small hose /muesli bar are the ones i thought of first,but have been mentioned individually. Top vid!
first aid kit, tyre repair kit, portable pump, cable ties and steel cable ties, build your own tool kit and take only what your bike needs, GS911, emergency reflective blanket they literally fit in your pocket, power pack for charging devices, water bladder in my jacket, primaloft tnf jacket this packs very small and could be stored in the back of your motorcycle jacket in the map pouch if needed, they are equivalent of a 400 down jacket so very warm and make a fantastic layer when cold, spare fuses, tow rope/paracord, small can of chain lube.
For remote trips i would most likely add these to what you already mentioned that you have secured to the bike: Electronic component with a known fail rate on modern bike, like a T7 rectifier for instance. A couple of extra spokes Small pump spray bottle w. alcohol desinfectant & some cleaning wipes Paper map of the region. Small First Aid kit (and knowledge to go with it) Super glue. Vulcanizing tape. Mylar emergency blanket, a lighter, and tinder. Extra fuses. Wire and a few butt connectors with solder and insulation (cable repairs made easy with the lighter). Oil filter, -small, light, and nice to have if something pokes a hole in the old one. A couple of "power bars" or some sort or trail emergency food stashed on the bike - a nice to have after spending four hours on repairs along the trail.
I'd recommend to everyone to try the mentioned repairs before leaving for a trip. Many just buy a general kit (for example a Touratech Toolbag) and leave it at that, but then you are just carrying unnecessary weight and even then the tools might not be enough or right for the job. My father and I both ride old BMW R100 GS bikes. To remove the gearbox you need a short angled allen key for a single screw that screws the gearbox to the engine. We specifically a cut down Allen key just for this one bolt in our garage.
I laughed when someone suggested carrying a spare chain and sprocket set then my buddy asked if I still had the old speocket I took off my bike. I wrapped it in cardboard and gave it to him. We had to change it on the last day of our ride. His big sprocket had no teeth the chain was spinning on the sprocket.
I like to always carry my own re-useable cable-ties. Often the cable ties you find a hardware stores on the road are terrible quality. Top tip to avoid scratched up hands, twist the tail end of the ties off rather than cutting. Learned that the hard way.
Since we're on UA-cam, i have to bring this one up - research. Watching stuff like the mini-tip videos can salvage an otherwise ruined trip. Just going down the rabbit hole of what common mishaps are, or stories of people overcoming their hardware failures is just a good exercise in general . You never know what piece of knowledge can come in handy.
I manage to put all the tools and spare parts I need under the seat of my t7, tools to take off both wheels, patch kit, multitool, 2 mini tie down straps, hand pump, 18 and 21 tubes stored inside the front fairing, zipties in the same spot you have. Having that permanently in my bike is one less thing I have to worry about.
Great list, love the idea to attach different places on the bike. If I’m not far from civilization I’ll swap the lithium jump pack for a neat little set of jumper cables. Just elongates the pack life. Also a 3 in 1 charge cable so I can recharge anything (GPS, Cell, comm., InReach). Also a tiny Sawyer water filter is an absolute non negotiable must for me. Tow rope and headlamp and 2 Visine bottles with DOT and oil too. 8” of velcro to hold the front brake on the mirror stalk. Obviously the first aid goes without mention. And, well, only used it once in many years but, a bit of TP. You never know.
Tire valve caps that have a valve core remover. A little cheapo multimeter. Fuses. A tiny tube of grease. A tiny tube of super glue. Some double sided velcro strap around the handlebar for holding levers closed. Assorted spare screws. A fork seal cleaner.
Regarding the cables. Had a few snap on my small pig. Both clutch and throttle. Usually I carry a cable repair kit (usually around 10€ in Sweden. However, last time the clutch cable broke I repaired it with an old BMX bike brake line a farmer had laying around. Next time I'll bring an appropriate size for the clutch aswell. Just push it through the old cable path and you'll be back on the road in no time. However, the best tools I used is luck and creativity!
for me, when thinking about tubed (edit: earlier was tubeless) puncture repair, a thing that could be a trail jack is also must-have. you not always have centerstand or someting to put bike up when removing a wheel. for me a piece of aluminium pipe does a job. i keep my tire levers and zipties inside, so it doesn't add too much weigth and space, i keep it ziptied to engine skid plate. if needed i put it either under skig plate to lift fron, or under swingarm to lifr tear, and together with a velcro at front break leaver (to prevent any roll) and side stand, it allows to lift any of wheels of grount and take it out without too much hassle.
You know whats lighter and smaller than a 12v air compressor? A travel bicycle pump. I don't get flats often. So why not save the space? Your tire repair tool is very compact and I may have to upgrade my hacked up T style. Overall, you carry more stuff than I do. Which was very funny given the title of the video.
Take a 🙏 with you, very light weight 😊. Other tips: There is no need for a weighty booster pack if you don't ride alone. Just a good length of 2-wire even as thin as 16ga will boost from a buddies bike. And a good length of thin, strong rope for towing another bike. It's an old trick I learned and have done with enduro bikes a few times when repair was not possible. I have not tried with real heavy bikes, but we wrap rope once around the right foot peg to right foot peg and both use your weight to your boot to hold it on, then either rider has a safety release if need be. Right peg assuming the tow vehicle drive chain is on the left side. 👍
I carry almost everything you have mentioned including some first aid stuff and fortunately haven’t had to use any of it, except some duct tape for when I was rear ended last year
Amusing that in your list of bikes you listed the two I have (800gs and crf250) 😂 And to add to the irony, I managed to burn-out the clutch on my 800 in the middle of MCC Classic Exeter Trial this year….It was my own stupid fault, as I knew it was on the way out but didn’t have time to replace before the event 🫣
Can't go wrong with a handful of chocolate blocks (electrical), they can join a clutch cable in emergency. Pack of condoms are handy, always carry a bottle of baby oil, can be used as emergency clutch and brake fluid among other things.
I take it you're not or weren't familiar with the can opener on your multitool lol no shame, I have the same one and didnt even know what it was at first. One of my essentials is my 9mm bad guy repelent. Great video, and lots of other good tips in the comments! Nice work!
if your adv bike dont have a center stand its a great mod to make repairs or tire change/repairs easier. some xtra fuel for the longer trips in the middle of nowhere if you have a small tank. umbraco keys, small ratchet set and a strap or two. i personally switch out every bolt i can to a umbraco one in stainless steel so i can easy repair it on the side of the road, but thats more of ease of mind kind of mod. spare fuse, hose clamp and something to stop a brake leak if worst comes to worst, like a bolt you can tread inside to keep pressure.
I run a length of wire that will reach the bars thats already connected to the battery positive , coil it up next to the battery for emergency use I know it is live can use it for whatever to test, or power when stuck. a short length of fencing wire can be good, spare clutch lever, spak plug and tool some spare nuts and bolts with penny washers, this one a Welsh special, some spare rope to tie that gate with the original stupidly short tight bit of bailing cord the farmer used and you cut with your Gerber, be much quicker for the next guy along and you next time, might even make the farmer smile. been a long time fan of this channel, the mix of super tech precise tutorial to simple bits of tape and ties, tiz the channel to watch ta very much.
Small first aid kit. A couple gauzes, bandages, some plasters, anti-septic wipes, superglue and a few safety pins. Not so much for the riding/bike itself. But you will probably be camping. The sheer annoyance of having a wound that you can't close can ruin a trip. Ignoring the actual medical reasons of avoiding infections and such.
For punctures, breakdown etc. There are many options, some of them more costly than others... considering I am new to motorcycles, but a very old hand at cars, in which I can carry a spare tyre or two, tools, and anything that may save the day! but with the bike, It's not an option to carry all of that, I can't carry a tow rope, jumper cables or any of the other things that fit inside the spare wheel. so the way I went, considering any excursions off road will only be short and fairly easy ( I only have a V-strom DL250SX ) so I will never be far from a road. I also can't be one of those people who don't insure their vehicle, Hopefully it is never crashed into, and I am fairly certain I will be doing everything I can to avoid crashing into someone else. but theft is always of concern, and why should I loose my mode of transport because someone else needs a bullet in their head?! Two birds with one stone here AA... the Automobile Association! has Insurance... and it includes AA membership, and that means free towing, free roadside assist, and for just a couple of extra dollars a month on the premium. I could have gone for another insurer, but some things just make more logical sense, and spend another $20 a year to save hundreds if you need help at the worst possible time, is one of those things that make more sense than carrying way more stuff than you need to! Chains... I first thought you were talking about tyre chains... I was confused, tyre chains on a motorcycle? But yes, I can see the value in a spare chain, but I would rather know that the one on the bike is up to scratch before going on a long trip. I intend to get soft bags for the sides, and they will permanently carry a first aid kit, tie downs, wet weather gear, a torch and some tools, a small bottle of oil, things like that, but not too much of it, I suppose a new chain could go in too, but there's nothing like checking over the vehicle before a trip!
Thats literally the stupidest place to mount zip ties. When you take few out, the rest of them can fall out, and since you trimmed the access, you cant tighten it up.
I think the stupidest place would probably be the header pipe. They don’t fall out and you can synch them up if you need to by squeezing the whole tie together. If you have a better solution maybe provide it rather than throwing comments out like that 😂
@@BrakeMagazine jokes aside i do take a bicycle hand pump for the tires. Yes it will take you almost half an hour to pump it up, but it will sure never fail. Dont want my pump failing on me in the middle of the desert or in the himalayas. Also always take a rope with at least 2-3m in length. You cant tow or be towed if no one has a rope in hands (another one of those things you only need one per group). You can also use the rope for some crazy fix aswell. For example i once managed somehow to loose or brake all screws that hold the rear chainring onto the wheel. So i pretty much laced it back to the wheel by passing the rope through the chanring and the rear spokes. Rode another 200km like that no issues. I also hide a spare ignition key sowhere on the bike. Airfilter box is a great place for this if you dont need the key to access it..
I actually forgot to put the rope in. I typically use a cam buckle tie down as the stretch and bounce less but I agree, never leave home without it. The hand pump is an interesting theory!
@@BrakeMagazine would be cool maybe a second part to this video, cuz reading through the comments many ppl mentioned many great ideas/solutions, like my chainring lacing thingy (a problem i never thought i could ever run into)
Carrying the front AND rear tube size was a no brainer for me. The 2nd tube is really not that much more and in my experience the rear tire gets a flat a lot more often than the front. I considered it false economy to leave it at home.
OEM toolkit over those wired heavy aftermarket ones in big hard cases with tools your bike dosent even have a use for. i think people just get carried away spending money on the hobby.
Insightful article this... also the comments are full of nuggets. Here in Kenya, riders are swapping tubeless tyres from tubed. The plus side is that you can apply a gel cure inside the tubeless that practically bulletproof tires... Also remember to pack extra spark plugs
get a round metal tin with water in it, use a metal strap or cable-tie it to your exhaust and after about 20 mins of riding you take out a decanter, filter-less screen and your pre-ground coffee and do a quick pour-over on the nearest flat surface... I always carry a good steel water bottle.. allows you to gather water and boil it anywhere.
@@100CupsColombia The motorcycle industry is run by and for Luddites lol Harley is still air-cooled, Honda still sells a "motorcycle" that is carbureted. There is so much in the industry that not only refuses to move forward but actively hates it when it happens lol
I carry a cable repair kit, it comes in a small round tin with two lengths of steel cable and various attachments for you levers or throttle body. Today my clutch cable snapped, 20 min later I was back on the road. Cheap, universal and compact, around the size of an old fashioned snuff tin. Life saver.
Didn’t even know it existed!
I am in south Africa, so maybe it's only a local thing, but it's a life saver.
@@antonycook8135 - I also have that... I live "on the other side".... Norway
@@BrakeMagazinesimon has this kit in his tool box Llew, it’s brilliant.
I have a Hein Gericke one I bought 20 years ago, cheap, compact insurance.
Water, take water. It's essential when things go really bad. It might not fix your bike but will keep you going.
Can't stress this enough. Water. It's bad enough if your bike dies. Kind of horrible if you do, too.
Great tips!
Yep. I’m Australian, live on the coast, more than a thousand miles from a desert, but I ALWAYS carry water. We just had a very long hot summer and many times I drank from my emergency water when in town going to the shops. I have a spare bottle beside where I park my bike at home so the first thing I do is swap them if I have used any of the water.
I agree. I always carry a few spare liners when heading into nowhere. I'm the opposite of a camel.
I live in Canada where water is regularly available so I always bring one of those small hiking water filters just in case. Much smaller and lighter than a litre of water.
I always carry a spare ignition key hidden somewhere on the MC.
That’s a great shout!
I carry it on a lanyard around my neck.
I have a 'dummy' key with no immobilizer chip to T7. If the original brokes, You can use this dummy-key with the original key's immobilizer head.
I swap extra keys with my riding partner. What a the chances we both loose our keys?
I only Carry during trips
I just call my wife to pick me up with the minivan...😂
😂😂
Sorted.....she's a keeper if she brings beer.
yep, that happened too…
To be fair, Itchy wasn't having clutch issues until that one person took the bike from her and flogged it through 3 miles of knee-deep mud.
My thoughts exactly. He was slipping it non stop.
You covered most of the little things I brought to Central America. I also carried a small variety of nuts and bolts, a spare key stashed on the bike, a spare master link and dude, a bicycle pump is way lighter and more reliable 😎
Hard to pop a bead on with a bicycle pump
Use hose clamps to hold your tyre lever(s) onto the subframe. Hose clamps (or, as I like to call them, high-temp zip ties) are incredibly useful things to have.
Great idea
I also used to think the idea of pulling the cables parallel was brilliant. Today I think more differentiated: 1. If I fall and damage one cable, the chance for the second one is the same. 2. New cables (on new bikes) seem to last forever. On old bikes, simply replace the cable before the tour. 3. Many “long-term adventurers” leave the replacement cable there for years. When you need it, it's just as dead as the one next to it - even tape won't help. I think that a tour is not a race and the cable from the (dry and clean) bag is more efficient.
Great point Stefan!
Headlight bulb, and mobile phone. These are essential if you’re late anywhere really. Another brilliant feature Llew, love it. 👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻
Great suggestions Mark!
Fuses and 3m of insulated electrical wire and some crimp connectors and crocodile clips. Rolls up small and light. Can work around a failed starter relay, worn torn wiring harness etc. take bulb from from headlight to make a diagnostic lead lamp / continuity tester.
Bike's wiring diagram on phone.
Great idea!
@@BrakeMagazine to even add up - electric wire with dimention 1,5mm is sutable to work a s a jumpstart wire. is it the bes option - no, after cuple runs it will burn out. but as a single instance solution, I'vew tested it and it works ok.
Great advice! thanks
I actually found a tiny pocket multimeter on Amazon and just bring that now, and miraculously have used it (on other bikes) a few times.
A must have for me is a first aid kit. Sometimes the bike fairs better than the rider and the rider needs some patching up in order to carry on.
Agreed
Towel, just a small one that is easy clean. So many uses: makeshift work mat to help prevent losing nuts and bolts when making repairs, possible firestarter material (when shredded with a knife), cleaning visors or oil sight glasses, makeshift medical tourniquet, and whatever else your mind can come up with.
Great shout!
Hey, you sass that hoopy Nomikeal? There's a frood who really knows where his towel is.
Here's an amazing 'bush repair' I learned in Wales.
The clutch cable failed on a mate's DR-Z 400. The nipple snapped off in the handlebar lever (he'd fitted a horrible Mankyglide cable just a few weeks before). We were near a house. He knew the people in the house. He borrowed an old detachable 3-pin mains plug. Within it were a couple of clamps to attach the wires to the terminals. And, guess what, we attached one to the broken cable and it was enough to restore the clutch action when threaded through the lever.
Amazing shout!
Ok. If I can explain this well enough. I found when knocking out a wheel bearing without a special tool. I found but taking the bar end clamp out of my Acerbis hand guards I could use the clamp to knock the wheel bearings out.
Great tip!
Securing foot brake lever and shifter end with some steel cable in order not to have it catch and brake off is a pretty good tip I personally like, also spare clutch lever, easy to have stored on the bike
Love the call out on the remoteness of the Simpson Desert, I’ll be tackling it later this year 😅
Great informative video!
Good luck with that nice small ride 😂
Might see you there, I'll cross it after watching the Finke.
Long trips i like to carry a spare clutch and front brake lever, even if its a bent one, but it fits under any seat and also can save a day.
Agreed!
Agreed
Steel cable ties to wrap around a punctured tyre to keep it on the rim if cannot be repaired
After losing one, I now carry a spare Brembo brake pad pin complete with the two R clips - I take a rear 61mm with an extra hole I have drilled so it will fit the front 56mm calliper too. Made from titanium it is stashed under the seat. Weighs nothing but gives peace of mind.... After your issues with that hydraulic clutch system I now also carry a teeny tiny bottle of brake fluid and a short length of tubing that will enable me to bleed brakes using no-loss recirculated fluid.
Another great tip!
Thanks for this tip!
This is perfect timing. I have a mandatory week off work and want to just ride for a few days. Having a bit of understanding of the essentials is really going to help me properly prepare.
Great work 👌
You got this! Glad it helps!
I carry a mini-air compressor and a few ounces of tire lube. I keep the lube in a 2-3 ounce plastic bottle with a flip-up nozzle. These are commonly used for contact lens solution. A couple ounces of talc can also be carried like this. This can be used to prevent pinch flats by keeping the tube from sticking to the tire/rim. Not all bottles are the same. Find a flexible one to prevent breakage. The clear ones tend to be brittle.
Great tip!
I like to pre-talc my tubes then wrap them in plastic wrap so they are ready to go. I also carry a small squeeze bottle of tire lubricant stored in a plastic bag upright so it doesn’t spill.
MTB Downhilltube 26' - Will get me out of the woods, smaller than a regular tube
I like a nylon tie down strap. Useful if you need a tow or to haul the bike out of a ditch or even to pin the bike down if it's howling a gale and it rolls up small.
Gerber is a great multi-tool brand and I think one that is often overlooked. I've had the same 600 for 27 years and it is still brand new, in fit and function.
I don't know much about the EDC community but I really like mine and would 100% buy again.
3 in 1 tool.
My 24mm ring spanner (for rear axil nut) has the open end ground off to a spoon shape as a tyre lever end. I then cut a 17mm ring end off a spanner (for front axil nut) and ground the outside to a hex shaped so it just fits inside the 24mm ring spanner.
I could add a few personal things I like to carry but my fave new one is one of those USB powerbank jump start kits (FLYLINKTECH 1000A Peak 13200mAh Portable Car Battery Jump Starter Booster). I bought one after a drama on my own drive when my wife had taken the car. Didn’t use it until the other day and I flattened the battery on my van and I couldn’t believe it started it. So now if on my own or even as a group where there’s a bit more danger of being stuck, it goes in my bag, but it is very small, and you also have an emergency USB powerbank and a torch. Thanks Llel, some great tips as ever
All of your essentials plus for my 701 a spare footbrake lever. I swear KTM made from Haribos.
I run cable through the key and use a carabiner to attach it to the clutch cable so it's slightly more difficult to steal, and stash the spare. Also decent bungee straps secured to pannier mounts. Various bits of velcro around frame / bars. Leatherman. For longer trips: decent EFAK with tourniquet, chest seal and bleedstop - as much for other people as myself. A roll of good quality paracord in with the basic tools. Lots of RO filtered water and a SpotX because I ride in hot, dry places where there's no phone signal.
Yep lol me too!
Small electrical kit: some wire, a few butt connectors, fuses that fit and I also carry a printout of the wiring diagram and a cheap test light. In addition two or three bolts and nuts for the common size fasteners on the bike. I also have a length of webbing that can be used to lash something down or be used as a tow strap. OH and needle nose vise grip. Its multi use, can be a clutch or brake lever, shift lever.
Absolutely. Great suggestions.
I hadn’t thought of taking the jb weld putty before. Brilliant!
Cheers
Great video. Stainless steel cable ties are also a good idea in case they are needed in high-temp places, plus safety wire of course.
Great point!
Another cracking minitip. Nice one, thanks. Im terrible, i always carry all the equipment, not sure if it's laziness or anxiety. My tip, for what it's worth, is a trail stand. Ive one made from an old set of crutches, velcro strapped to the frame. Its probably on of the most versatile things on the bike.
Good shout!
I keep a half roll of electrical tape in my toolkit. Huge save last year when my kickstand sensor got knocked off. Taped the magnet to the sensor and it's been there ever since.
Great shout
Self-fusing tape to Patch radiator hoses, self-soldering shrink-wrap cable connectors for fixing any torn cables, a lighter for those connectors and fire in general, spare electrical wire to bypass whatever needs bypassing, small multimeter, hose clamps ( i just put them on the handlebar or rack)
Never even heard of it! Great suggestion!
@@BrakeMagazine self-amalgamating tape is what it is called and along with repairing rubber hoses it also works to stop vibration on things. You can fold it onto itself and put it between two parts then bolt it back together. Or as replacement the packers you get for different size handlebar mounted accessories.
Voile Straps are one thing I keep under the seat of all my bikes. They are basically big rubber bands and are great for afixing things to the bike (spare/broken parts, firewood) since they are slightly stretchy and very durable. On a recent ride I broke off the crappy skid plate on my bike and used the Voiles to strap it back to my crashbars and footpegs.
You can get half-width duct-tape if you prefer to keep a whole roll and then just double up on how you wrap it. Another thing I 100% agree with is the ties... more so for clothing and or bits catching on trees and what not but my boots have a fold-over strap that got nicked by a rock and fatigued until it snapped.. I have had the same twist-tie on it for some months now. You can also buy hand-pumps or air-canister pumps for your tires but expect a single canister to only half inflate a tire and you may need to do the rest manually... either way, does not require electricity and is infinitely re-useable so long as you have the patience (and canisters) plus they strap to the bike really well compared to a bulky electric pump.
Great suggestions/
All comments (nearly) were helpful AF. Phone/lighter/small hose /muesli bar are the ones i thought of first,but have been mentioned individually. Top vid!
first aid kit, tyre repair kit, portable pump, cable ties and steel cable ties, build your own tool kit and take only what your bike needs, GS911, emergency reflective blanket they literally fit in your pocket, power pack for charging devices, water bladder in my jacket, primaloft tnf jacket this packs very small and could be stored in the back of your motorcycle jacket in the map pouch if needed, they are equivalent of a 400 down jacket so very warm and make a fantastic layer when cold, spare fuses, tow rope/paracord, small can of chain lube.
For remote trips i would most likely add these to what you already mentioned that you have secured to the bike:
Electronic component with a known fail rate on modern bike, like a T7 rectifier for instance.
A couple of extra spokes
Small pump spray bottle w. alcohol desinfectant & some cleaning wipes
Paper map of the region.
Small First Aid kit (and knowledge to go with it)
Super glue.
Vulcanizing tape.
Mylar emergency blanket, a lighter, and tinder.
Extra fuses.
Wire and a few butt connectors with solder and insulation (cable repairs made easy with the lighter).
Oil filter, -small, light, and nice to have if something pokes a hole in the old one.
A couple of "power bars" or some sort or trail emergency food stashed on the bike - a nice to have after spending four hours on repairs along the trail.
"Adv Ready" Definitely, the best of the best. I would add for my 300 rally...tube stashed tight by vole strap, lower left fairing.
Great tip!
I'd recommend to everyone to try the mentioned repairs before leaving for a trip. Many just buy a general kit (for example a Touratech Toolbag) and leave it at that, but then you are just carrying unnecessary weight and even then the tools might not be enough or right for the job. My father and I both ride old BMW R100 GS bikes. To remove the gearbox you need a short angled allen key for a single screw that screws the gearbox to the engine. We specifically a cut down Allen key just for this one bolt in our garage.
KTM 890 owner here - my biggest fear is - immobiliser failure !🤣 Thanks to electronics
Thank you for such a great video! I didn’t realise about the F800GS having a weak clutch… will be learning more about this ASAP! 😬
I laughed when someone suggested carrying a spare chain and sprocket set then my buddy asked if I still had the old speocket I took off my bike. I wrapped it in cardboard and gave it to him. We had to change it on the last day of our ride. His big sprocket had no teeth the chain was spinning on the sprocket.
Some cracking idea's 👌 definitely need to re think my spares/tools now and where to fix them thanks for the tips 👍
I like to always carry my own re-useable cable-ties. Often the cable ties you find a hardware stores on the road are terrible quality. Top tip to avoid scratched up hands, twist the tail end of the ties off rather than cutting. Learned that the hard way.
Great tip!
Since we're on UA-cam, i have to bring this one up - research. Watching stuff like the mini-tip videos can salvage an otherwise ruined trip. Just going down the rabbit hole of what common mishaps are, or stories of people overcoming their hardware failures is just a good exercise in general . You never know what piece of knowledge can come in handy.
Great tip!
I manage to put all the tools and spare parts I need under the seat of my t7, tools to take off both wheels, patch kit, multitool, 2 mini tie down straps, hand pump, 18 and 21 tubes stored inside the front fairing, zipties in the same spot you have. Having that permanently in my bike is one less thing I have to worry about.
I think that's a hidden gem of the T7. Quite a lot space underneath the seat!
put a 21 inch tube in the swing arm on mine
Wait what?
Great list, love the idea to attach different places on the bike. If I’m not far from civilization I’ll swap the lithium jump pack for a neat little set of jumper cables. Just elongates the pack life. Also a 3 in 1 charge cable so I can recharge anything (GPS, Cell, comm., InReach). Also a tiny Sawyer water filter is an absolute non negotiable must for me. Tow rope and headlamp and 2 Visine bottles with DOT and oil too. 8” of velcro to hold the front brake on the mirror stalk. Obviously the first aid goes without mention. And, well, only used it once in many years but, a bit of TP. You never know.
Tire valve caps that have a valve core remover. A little cheapo multimeter. Fuses. A tiny tube of grease. A tiny tube of super glue. Some double sided velcro strap around the handlebar for holding levers closed. Assorted spare screws. A fork seal cleaner.
Regarding the cables. Had a few snap on my small pig. Both clutch and throttle.
Usually I carry a cable repair kit (usually around 10€ in Sweden.
However, last time the clutch cable broke I repaired it with an old BMX bike brake line a farmer had laying around.
Next time I'll bring an appropriate size for the clutch aswell. Just push it through the old cable path and you'll be back on the road in no time.
However, the best tools I used is luck and creativity!
Combination air compressor (with tire pressure preset) & battery jumper. Also serves as a 5v USB charger and has a decent flashlight.
for me, when thinking about tubed (edit: earlier was tubeless) puncture repair, a thing that could be a trail jack is also must-have. you not always have centerstand or someting to put bike up when removing a wheel. for me a piece of aluminium pipe does a job. i keep my tire levers and zipties inside, so it doesn't add too much weigth and space, i keep it ziptied to engine skid plate. if needed i put it either under skig plate to lift fron, or under swingarm to lifr tear, and together with a velcro at front break leaver (to prevent any roll) and side stand, it allows to lift any of wheels of grount and take it out without too much hassle.
why do you need this for tubeless repair?
@@BrakeMagazine sorry, i ment tubed tires. Language mistake as i was thinking in one language, and typing in different one…
I agree, but you can do it with the bike laying down too. :)
You know whats lighter and smaller than a 12v air compressor? A travel bicycle pump. I don't get flats often. So why not save the space?
Your tire repair tool is very compact and I may have to upgrade my hacked up T style.
Overall, you carry more stuff than I do. Which was very funny given the title of the video.
I also carry a small vial of blue thread locker, a spare shift lever and bolt, and a countersprocket bolt and washer. It’s a KTM thing….
Take a 🙏 with you, very light weight 😊.
Other tips: There is no need for a weighty booster pack if you don't ride alone. Just a good length of 2-wire even as thin as 16ga will boost from a buddies bike.
And a good length of thin, strong rope for towing another bike. It's an old trick I learned and have done with enduro bikes a few times when repair was not possible. I have not tried with real heavy bikes, but we wrap rope once around the right foot peg to right foot peg and both use your weight to your boot to hold it on, then either rider has a safety release if need be. Right peg assuming the tow vehicle drive chain is on the left side. 👍
Another great video. Thanks. Second time I’ve seen the clutch pre threaded and ready to hook up. Added for job to do for rally season.
I carry almost everything you have mentioned including some first aid stuff and fortunately haven’t had to use any of it, except some duct tape for when I was rear ended last year
I love that the duct tape solved that.
A pdf of the repair manual on my phone.
Ditto.
Tenere owners can store tube inside swingarm. There is an opening on the right side and covered with rubber 😏
Very cool!
Amusing that in your list of bikes you listed the two I have (800gs and crf250) 😂 And to add to the irony, I managed to burn-out the clutch on my 800 in the middle of MCC Classic Exeter Trial this year….It was my own stupid fault, as I knew it was on the way out but didn’t have time to replace before the event 🫣
Point proven 😂
Can't go wrong with a handful of chocolate blocks (electrical), they can join a clutch cable in emergency. Pack of condoms are handy, always carry a bottle of baby oil, can be used as emergency clutch and brake fluid among other things.
What do you need the condoms for, beyond the obvious 😂
@@BrakeMagazineWaterproof stuff, like phones etc, fill with water, tie things up and shag a sheep 🤣
@@BrakeMagazine Transport water/fluids in an emergency.. Deploy it inside a sock if necessary to protect it.
I take it you're not or weren't familiar with the can opener on your multitool lol no shame, I have the same one and didnt even know what it was at first. One of my essentials is my 9mm bad guy repelent. Great video, and lots of other good tips in the comments! Nice work!
I was not at the time 😂 I think the 9mm bag guy repellant isn't quite so possible outside of the freedom land.
if your adv bike dont have a center stand its a great mod to make repairs or tire change/repairs easier.
some xtra fuel for the longer trips in the middle of nowhere if you have a small tank.
umbraco keys, small ratchet set and a strap or two.
i personally switch out every bolt i can to a umbraco one in stainless steel so i can easy repair it on the side of the road, but thats more of ease of mind kind of mod.
spare fuse, hose clamp and something to stop a brake leak if worst comes to worst, like a bolt you can tread inside to keep pressure.
I run a length of wire that will reach the bars thats already connected to the battery positive , coil it up next to the battery for emergency use I know it is live can use it for whatever to test, or power when stuck. a short length of fencing wire can be good, spare clutch lever, spak plug and tool some spare nuts and bolts with penny washers, this one a Welsh special, some spare rope to tie that gate with the original stupidly short tight bit of bailing cord the farmer used and you cut with your Gerber, be much quicker for the next guy along and you next time, might even make the farmer smile. been a long time fan of this channel, the mix of super tech precise tutorial to simple bits of tape and ties, tiz the channel to watch ta very much.
Small first aid kit. A couple gauzes, bandages, some plasters, anti-septic wipes, superglue and a few safety pins. Not so much for the riding/bike itself. But you will probably be camping. The sheer annoyance of having a wound that you can't close can ruin a trip. Ignoring the actual medical reasons of avoiding infections and such.
Great video again buddy. I look forward to all your posts and you never fail to impress. Top marks👍👍👍👍
Great stuff here. I’m gonna rethink my systems
Oooh! The comments are full of gold too. Loads of stuff I've never even heard of!
A tube of Tec-7 and two 10x10cm alu-plates... glued to the inside of the bash plate
What is that?
Great tips dude! The thumbnail is even better 👌🏼😂
Glad you think so!
-Silky saw.
-Long thin tube to transfer gas from one bike to another.
-First aid kit that includes a tourniquet.
Great shouts.
I carry a length of paracord in case I need a tow, or need to tow someone else….
For punctures, breakdown etc. There are many options, some of them more costly than others... considering I am new to motorcycles, but a very old hand at cars, in which I can carry a spare tyre or two, tools, and anything that may save the day! but with the bike, It's not an option to carry all of that, I can't carry a tow rope, jumper cables or any of the other things that fit inside the spare wheel. so the way I went, considering any excursions off road will only be short and fairly easy ( I only have a V-strom DL250SX ) so I will never be far from a road. I also can't be one of those people who don't insure their vehicle, Hopefully it is never crashed into, and I am fairly certain I will be doing everything I can to avoid crashing into someone else. but theft is always of concern, and why should I loose my mode of transport because someone else needs a bullet in their head?!
Two birds with one stone here
AA... the Automobile Association! has Insurance... and it includes AA membership, and that means free towing, free roadside assist, and for just a couple of extra dollars a month on the premium. I could have gone for another insurer, but some things just make more logical sense, and spend another $20 a year to save hundreds if you need help at the worst possible time, is one of those things that make more sense than carrying way more stuff than you need to!
Chains... I first thought you were talking about tyre chains... I was confused, tyre chains on a motorcycle? But yes, I can see the value in a spare chain, but I would rather know that the one on the bike is up to scratch before going on a long trip. I intend to get soft bags for the sides, and they will permanently carry a first aid kit, tie downs, wet weather gear, a torch and some tools, a small bottle of oil, things like that, but not too much of it, I suppose a new chain could go in too, but there's nothing like checking over the vehicle before a trip!
You don't need a whole chain, just a few links and a chain tool. A whole chain is very heavy.
All great ideas! Thanks!
Thats literally the stupidest place to mount zip ties. When you take few out, the rest of them can fall out, and since you trimmed the access, you cant tighten it up.
I think the stupidest place would probably be the header pipe.
They don’t fall out and you can synch them up if you need to by squeezing the whole tie together. If you have a better solution maybe provide it rather than throwing comments out like that 😂
🤦🏻 definitely not the stupidest ! I mean I like them on my seat to tickle my bum
I always take a friend with me so that i will have my spare motorcycle at all times
😂
@@BrakeMagazine jokes aside i do take a bicycle hand pump for the tires. Yes it will take you almost half an hour to pump it up, but it will sure never fail. Dont want my pump failing on me in the middle of the desert or in the himalayas. Also always take a rope with at least 2-3m in length. You cant tow or be towed if no one has a rope in hands (another one of those things you only need one per group). You can also use the rope for some crazy fix aswell. For example i once managed somehow to loose or brake all screws that hold the rear chainring onto the wheel. So i pretty much laced it back to the wheel by passing the rope through the chanring and the rear spokes. Rode another 200km like that no issues. I also hide a spare ignition key sowhere on the bike. Airfilter box is a great place for this if you dont need the key to access it..
I actually forgot to put the rope in. I typically use a cam buckle tie down as the stretch and bounce less but I agree, never leave home without it. The hand pump is an interesting theory!
@@BrakeMagazine would be cool maybe a second part to this video, cuz reading through the comments many ppl mentioned many great ideas/solutions, like my chainring lacing thingy (a problem i never thought i could ever run into)
I totally agreed. That's one of the reasons I wanted the comments section to respond!
Pre-lube your tubes and vacuum seal them with a food saver, Spare fuses, and learn how to revive a battery with some aspirin.
Learn how to revive a battery with ASPRIN? I'm off to google that!
Carrying the front AND rear tube size was a no brainer for me. The 2nd tube is really not that much more and in my experience the rear tire gets a flat a lot more often than the front. I considered it false economy to leave it at home.
The front will fit in the rear. One covers both then.
I carry a phone and a credit card
spare fuses small, easy to carry and are a must for me
Good shout. I normally keep two in the fuse box :)
OEM toolkit over those wired heavy aftermarket ones in big hard cases with tools your bike dosent even have a use for. i think people just get carried away spending money on the hobby.
Great advice as always
Glad you think so!
I always carry a motorcycle tow strap from Green Chili Adventure Gear
I never leave home without an Epirb.
That's a good point.
Same, I carry a small EPIRB or PLB. I think Itchy boots carries a Sat Phone. Cheers
Great video 👌🏻
Warm regards
Pete
From Scotland
Thanks 👍
Steel cable ties to wrap the tyre onto rim of cannot repair a puncture
Insightful article this... also the comments are full of nuggets.
Here in Kenya, riders are swapping tubeless tyres from tubed. The plus side is that you can apply a gel cure inside the tubeless that practically bulletproof tires...
Also remember to pack extra spark plugs
But I love my kitchen sink!
I carry oxygen. My friend crashed on MTB once and couldn't catch his breath. Oxygen restored him in a minute.
Great video…unfortunately I have a KTM
Tinfoil, wrap around the blown fuse to see where the smoke is coming from. 😜
Stainless steel zip ties won’t melt or tear.
Itchy boots slips the clutch way too much
superb!
Some co2 cannisters and a small bike pump.
Big question is how do you make decent coffee???
get a round metal tin with water in it, use a metal strap or cable-tie it to your exhaust and after about 20 mins of riding you take out a decanter, filter-less screen and your pre-ground coffee and do a quick pour-over on the nearest flat surface... I always carry a good steel water bottle.. allows you to gather water and boil it anywhere.
😂
@@adam346 Far too much effort-Aeropress and a flask-- bleedin Luddite
@@100CupsColombia The motorcycle industry is run by and for Luddites lol Harley is still air-cooled, Honda still sells a "motorcycle" that is carbureted. There is so much in the industry that not only refuses to move forward but actively hates it when it happens lol
@@adam346 my preparation method method almost guarentees I own a KTM
Suzuki 800 with tubeless tires? In Spain it comes with a camera. Or... did you change them? Gracias.
It does not have tubeless wheels.
dynema tow rope.
Agreed,
You mean 'carrying' ?
I call the RAC 🤪