[Kellisanth]

Other than the toolkit that comes with the bike (not sure what tools), what’s a good addition to the toolbox?

Do you even use a toolbox?

As far as mapping goes, haven’t decided on a tank bag yet (with a map flap).

But what about GPS units? What’s biker friendly?

[Clay Dowling]

On my bike you’re expected to provide your own tools. Experience has shown that the following are most useful:

10mm wrench
12mm wrench
17mm wrench

A pair of needle-nose pliers is never out of place in any tool kit, so might make a nice addition.

[nau_lax21]

the gps units made specifically for motorcycles are WAYYYYYYY more expensive than your standard car gps systems. theres the tomtom rider and garmin makes one too.

ive seen some of the portable handheld gps systems on the internet that were fitted to bikes, for the price that might be the way to go

[Kellisanth]

@nau_lax21

While at Pep-Boys (picking up a FIAAM horn, gonna try and switch out the OEM horn this weekend), seen a few Garmin on sale.

205 – 150
205W – 175 (sale price until the 21st)

There was also a Mio Moov 200 for $99USD. Seemed to have more features (barely) than the 205.

Saw a Sony GPS, but it was like, 250 I think…

Figured GPS units might be easier to stick in the map folder, compared to trying to read off a paper that might be smudged (wet ink) or torn, or crinkled.

***

@Clay_Dowling

Seen what kind of “tool kit” Kawasaki includes with their 500. I think a better, more sturdier set is in order. OMG. In a tight pinch, I think that would be a last ditch resort to use. At least to me, it looks like to be.

Just need to work on what all to buy, and start saving up for those things. I don’t think my lil’ Swiss Army knives will help.

[Medic]

I have a Garmin 7…something. Its a nice unit, I got it for around $300 I think. Bought a couple as gifts too.

Anyway, I was thinking about trying to rig up a mount so I can slap it on the bike if I want to. I can’t imagine that its so difficult to make it work that I’d need to spend a bunch of money on a specialized unit. When i get it done I’ll post up what I came up with.

As for tools, I carry a cell phone and have plenty of friends nearby. For now, that’s what I got.

[Clay Dowling]

Talked with a friend who convinced me to buy the Magna, he says there is a toolkit if I take off the right side cover. I’ll have to investigate. I suspect that I’ll still want to provide my own decent wrenches. Cheap wrenches are evil.

[Kellisanth]

Thus had to look around. The parts guy at The Zone (where I got my bike, still haven’t named it) look it up on the Kawasaki site to let me see what the “n00b” kit looks like.

He recommended for me to buy a kit that has both SAE/Metric and some spare fuses. Not sure what brand of fuses to get, so picked up a box that costed about $2USD from Pep Boys (36 pieces, 5/10/15/20/25/30 amps)

Some small kits looked nice, such as

Just need to work up a “tool box” list now. If the bike acts up really bad and doesn’t straighten out, does the “threaten with a sledgehammer” still work?

This is what the “n00b” kit looks like for the Kawasaki. And the replacement cost was VERY expensive! Good grief. *faint*

[Clay Dowling]

You can probably forgo the SAE wrenches. They’re called metric bikes for a reason.

[Kellisanth]

True, I very likely could. Save some weight, leave more room!

But my friends have Harleys. 😮 That is, if/when I escape this city to ride out there.

[Clay Dowling]

carry full tool sets. For the price of their bikes, they should be providing nice tools too, nothing that resembles stamped sheet metal. And on older HDs, those tools were a practical necessity. Spare parts weren’t a bad idea either.

[briderdt]

… they should be providing roadside assistance.

[SantaCruzRider]

My bike didn’t have tool kit (PO probably lost it ), so I built my own.
Basically, I kept track of all the tools it took to strip off the fairings (those go in), sized most of the bolts visible (those go in), made sure I had: 2 screwdriivers and one adjustable wrench for the odd case — and there you go. For fun, I added a small roll of electrical tape, about 10″ of duct tape and a few nylon ties. Another key item — small flashlight. (It will save you some night when something simple goes wrong and you’re trying to diagnose in the flash of headlights passing by — ARRRGGGGHHHH!).
I think I should also add a small tire plug kit, but haven’t yet.
BTW: This all fits in a 2″x4″x5″ case and weighs abotu 3lbs. For bigger repairs, I carry the big guns — a cell phone.

[Kellisanth]

Never really thought of the 100mph tape. And definitely will be thinking of a plug kit. I guess those cans (e.g., fix-it flat) aren’t worthwhile?

Flashlight (love Mag-Light!) is definitely something I’ll carry about.

Any thoughts of road flares? Or just get one of those plastic thingies instead?

[Author]

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