 |
|
6 Nov 2009
|
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: London
Posts: 18
|
|
|
Tools, she just doesn't understand!
Motorcycle trip planning is about gear as much as anything else...it's an excuse to get new things and fine tune the old things. One thing that keeps causing arguments in the run up to the trip though is the 'gear'.
I have a set of tyre irons, but couldn't help myself and bought a T-6 ultra lightweight aluminium tyre iron / wrench from Adventure Spec. I knew it was a luxury, so I only bought one...
It's beautiful to touch  and the row started when the other half found it on the coffee table, where apparently it 'didn't belong' and 'we didn't need it anyway'. 
...the end result is that I have had to conceed more space for her clothes and less for mine!
Does anyone have any tips for 'luxury' gadgets/tips to make her happier or more compfy on the trip?
Or, share your tool love stories here...LOL
...now back to my tyre iron-come-wrench...
|
6 Nov 2009
|
 |
Large Golden Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 1,085
|
|
|
You paid 25 quid for a frickin' tyre lever !!!!!!!!!!!
It's a wonder she didn't shove it in a place in your anatomy where "where the sun don't shine " .
I suggest you buy another one quickly ,one tyre lever is no use at all - and the first one might get lonely .
__________________
Blessed are the cracked, for they let in the light. - Spike Milligan
"When you come to a fork in the road ,take it ! When you come to a spoon in the road ,take that also ."
|
6 Nov 2009
|
 |
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,187
|
|
Couple of suggestions:
The only 'luxuries' I brought with me were-
-A small metal espresso pot (bad coffee is just not acceptable)
-A Thermarest chair which you slip your mat into (really comfy for sitting around on campsites and takes up hardly any room. Got it for £5 from the bargain bin in Tiso's)
Outdoor Pursuits Co-operative (95) Ltd Therm-A-rest Chair Kits
As for expensive tools, forget it. Try and buy as much as you can 2nd hand. Once travelling, you'll quickly discover its just not worth spending a fortune on kit that's going to get abused or in some cases, never even used. But do get another tyre lever, just not a £25 one.
|
6 Nov 2009
|
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: London
Posts: 18
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dodger
You paid 25 quid for a frickin' tyre lever !!!!!!!!!!!
It's a wonder she didn't shove it in a place in your anatomy where "where the sun don't shine " .
I suggest you buy another one quickly ,one tyre lever is no use at all - and the first one might get lonely .
|
LOL...not showing her your message!
Yeah, I know, I know..I have an old set of tyre irons already, it was just one of those things...it does feel nice though! 
I am just getting excited about the trip. I promise I won't do it again.
...the coffee tip is also one worth remembering...maybe if I make her a cup every morning it might help...maybe they are the luxuries I should deliver; lots of coffee, the nice chair in the sunshine and regular foot rubs.
Then again, riding for a few days in heat and I am not sure I should commit to the foot rubs...
|
7 Nov 2009
|
|
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 381
|
|
|
|
7 Nov 2009
|
 |
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,673
|
|
Working in mechanics, I've spent a small fortune over the years on tools and I stand by the saying "you get what you pay for".
I've snapped loads of cheap spanners, bent cheap tyre levers and destroyed cheap screw drivers.
Buy cheap tools at your own peril ! Nothing worse than tools that give up on you when you need them most.
BUT....Just because it's expenisve, doesnt mean its any good. I use a big old Dunlop tyre lever from the 1950's.
It cost £2 off ebay and is the strongest best lever I have ever seen. It would pull the tyre off a tractor  ..
Any tools that came with your bike (bar the plug spanner), should be binned !!
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
|
7 Nov 2009
|
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: London
Posts: 18
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by grizzly7
|
Love it!
Might buy one and keep it as a surprise when she least expects it and most needs it! That's a points winning product if ever I saw one.
She might even be more pleased if I changed the bike to look like this!
Ted, agreed with the tools on both counts; have a few old things from my Dad and they are solid and the fact that they are family makes them even more special. 
Once spent an afternoon in B&Q trying to find a pair of pliers that actually closed properly without too much of a gap with no joy!
...the tools I have kept over the years really are ones that I love. To quote another HUBB member 'you only complain about the price once'.
|
8 Nov 2009
|
|
Large Golden Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 1,085
|
|
|
I've got a grand tool .
I've always been especially proud of my 8 inch King Dick , a joy to behold and a constant friend .
I'd often whip it out and ask the missus if she'd like to burnish it , she was a game old girl and would give a good going over with a Brillo pad until it shone ,as a non mechanical type she was always amazed that a twiddle of the thumb would make it extend .
As it was the only tool I had ,it was used many times a week ,but afterwards I'd always give it a rub down with an oily rag before I put it away .
In those days we didn't have any of the fancy stuff you have now and motorcycles weren't as reliable neither , so it was always a reassuring feeling to know that you had your 8 inch tool stashed in a trouser pocket ,ready for action should the need arise .
I don't use it as much as I used to and it's got the odd dent from rough handling ,once it got into the wrong hands and a young and clueless lass used it as a hammer and whacked it on the kitchen table - eeeh by gum that made me eyes water !
But even in semi retirement I find it very useful and just handling it brings back fond memories .
They don't make them like they used to !
__________________
Blessed are the cracked, for they let in the light. - Spike Milligan
"When you come to a fork in the road ,take it ! When you come to a spoon in the road ,take that also ."
Last edited by Dodger; 8 Nov 2009 at 07:54.
|
8 Nov 2009
|
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,673
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dodger
I've always been especially proud of my 8 inch King Dick , a joy to behold and a constant friend .
I'd often whip it out and ask the missus if she'd like to burnish it , she was a game old girl and would give a good going over with a Brillo pad until it shone ,as a non mechanical type she was always amazed that a twiddle of the thumb would make it extend .
As it was the only tool I had ,it was used many times a week ,but afterwards I'd always give it a rub down with an oily rag before I put it away .
In those days we didn't have any of the fancy stuff you have now and motorcycles weren't as reliable neither , so it was always a reassuring feeling to know that you had your 8 inch tool stashed in a trouser pocket ,ready for action should the need arise .
I don't use it as much as I used to and it's got the odd dent from rough handling ,once it got into the wrong hands and a young and clueless lass used it as a hammer and whacked it on the kitchen table - eeeh by gum that made me eyes water !
But even in semi retirement I find it very useful and just handling it brings back fond memories .
They don't make them like they used to !
|
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
|
9 Nov 2009
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Dorset UK
Posts: 395
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by tedmagnum
"you get what you pay for". I've snapped loads of cheap spanners, bent cheap tyre levers and destroyed cheap screw drivers.
|
Kin 'ell - you ought to learn how to use them properly 
Only jesting 
I bought a nice set of combi "swivel" ratchet spanners for half price at HALFORDS a couple of months back. They are from the Professional range and are g'teed for life. OK, they may not have the "Snap-on" label, but for me (a home mechanic) they are ideal 
|
9 Nov 2009
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: On the road ...
Posts: 262
|
|
|
I also have the T6 combo tyre lever - and can really recommend it. Together with the 3/8 drive adapter and the right sockets it's a great tool, and it actually saves weight too.
Some of the other luxury tools I have are two Gedore 7R combination ratchet spanners. Very light and slim, but very strong, and really great in tight spots and on those nuts that take forever to undo with a normal spanner. Especially useful for example on valve cover bolts. And the nice thing is that the 10mm one has a 1/4" bit drive adapter turning the thing into a regular ratchet :-)
Oh and definitely chuck out the allen keys that came with the bike toolkit and get stronger ones with ball ends.
In terms of luxury items in the true sense of the word, the only thing I have are a pair of good quality, noise cancelling in-ear phones. Great for listening to music on the bike on boring roads, blocking out wind noise or just getting away from it all in a shitty hotel room with eyes closed and the therm-a-rest on top of the otherwise unconfortable excuse for a bed ;-)
|
9 Nov 2009
|
 |
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Back in Melb
Posts: 287
|
|
With you on the Coffee maker. This kept me sane on a recent
trip.
Sorry it's not really a tool...well ?
|
10 Nov 2009
|
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,673
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pigford
Kin 'ell - you ought to learn how to use them properly
Only jesting
I bought a nice set of combi "swivel" ratchet spanners for half price at HALFORDS a couple of months back. They are from the Professional range and are g'teed for life. OK, they may not have the "Snap-on" label, but for me (a home mechanic) they are ideal |
When you use tools as much as I do (Private moto mechanic), trust me, cheap ones will break... I'm talking about the crap stuff you get with the bike or in a set for £5 etc.
You need to be paying about £5 for a small spanner if you want them to last a lifetime...
I'm also a firm fan of Halfords professional range. They are actually made by a well know quality tool maker and rebranded. Sykes pickavant I think !!
Snap-on are great but heavily overpriced. I really like TENG tools as well and even the Draper Professional stuff is good for home use.
Britool make some nice stuff too..
God, I love tools.. It's like porn ! I'v spent about £3000 on tools in the last 8 years
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
|
10 Nov 2009
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Back in Melb
Posts: 287
|
|
|
I am of two minds
I am always torn when it comes to tools. I try to always buy the best I can afford (this for the home workshop) BUT sometimes the tight side of me takes over and I start thinking "how much am I going to use this" ? Every day ? Once a week ? Month ? Year ?
The theory that seems to please "she who must be obeyed" is if it is a occasional use tool then (depending on the exact application) then I may buy cheaper.
What do you guys think ? Is there a cost line that you never cross ? Or is it a usage vs cost decision
|
11 Nov 2009
|
 |
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Oztralia
Posts: 646
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by gixxer.rob
I am always torn when it comes to tools. I try to always buy the best I can afford (this for the home workshop) BUT sometimes the tight side of me takes over and I start thinking "how much am I going to use this" ? Every day ? Once a week ? Month ? Year ?
The theory that seems to please "she who must be obeyed" is if it is a occasional use tool then (depending on the exact application) then I may buy cheaper.
What do you guys think ? Is there a cost line that you never cross ? Or is it a usage vs cost decision
|
I wholeheartedy agree Rob. I also have a bad habit of losing things and even though, as Ted says, a cheap product may strip after a couple of uses, so what if you are only ever likely to use it a few times.
I personally find less is more - I have been touring internationally for over 35 years and have NEVER carried tyre levers or the like with me - even crossing the Sahara. I also lost most of my tools in a river crossing in Kenya back in ''78 and ingested sufficient fluids to seize the bike. Believe it or not - and I suspect most of you won't - I managed to remove and tear down the complete motor in my RD350 using only a spark plug spanner, phillips screwdriver, 4mm allen key and a shifting spanner. The only item I couldn't remove was the clutch boss retainer but Yamaha Nairobi obliged on that one. A new set of pistons, rings and a rebore and it was as good as new - and the bike is still running on that same set 31 years later.
On my most recent journeys I have allowed myself the luxury of carrying a small compressor and tyre plugs to fix punctures, but again I'm not sure how necessary they are - you would be amazed how far you can ride on a flat tyre (albeit at slow speed) to get to a repair shop if you need. 
__________________
Garry from Oz - powered by Burgman
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Next HU Events
ALL Dates subject to change.
2025 Confirmed Events:
- Virginia: April 24-27 2025
- Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
- Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
- CanWest: July 10-13 2025
- Switzerland: Date TBC
- Ecuador: Date TBC
- Romania: Date TBC
- Austria: Sept. 11-15
- California: September 18-21
- France: September 19-21 2025
- Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025
Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!
Questions about an event? Ask here
See all event details
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)
Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.
Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.
Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!
What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK
"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia
"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada
"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa
"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia
"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany
Lots more comments here!
Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook
"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.
Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
New to Horizons Unlimited?
New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!
Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.
You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.
|
|
|
helps answer the question - Why Go? Inspirational stories by veteran travellers Greg Frazier (5 times RTW), Peter and Kay Forwood (193 countries), Tiffany Coates (Mongolia Mayhem) and Rene Cormier (University of Gravel Roads).
Get Ready! covers planning, paperwork, medical and many other topics! "Inspirational and Awesome!" See the trailer here!
What stuff do I need - riding gear, clothing, camping gear, first aid kit, tires, maps and GPS? What don't I need? How do I pack it all in? Lots of opinions from over 150 travellers!
break down language barriers, overcome culture shock, ship the bike and deal with breakdowns and emergencies."Just makes me want to pack up and go!" See the trailer here!
Grant demystifies the black art of Tire Changing and Repair to help you STAY on the road! "Very informative and practical." See the trailer here!
Ladies on the Loose! For the first time ever, a motorcycle travel DVD made for women, by women! These intrepid women share their tips to help you plan your own motorcycle adventure. They also answer the women-only questions, and entertain you with amazing tales from the road! Presented by Lois Pryce, veteran solo traveller through South America and Africa and author of 'Lois on the Loose', and 'Red Tape and White Knuckles.'
Cotton or synth sweat-wicking t-shirts with the cool Horizons Unlimited graphic on the front and a snappy slogan (changing every year) on the back.
Show your route on your panniers. Great conversation starter when you meet people on the road!
Motorcycle and travel books to inspire and inform you!
The definitive guide to planning your motorcycle adventure! This insanely ambitious 2-year project has produced an informative and entertaining 5-part, 18 hour video series. "The ultimate round the world rider's how-to!" MCN UK.
Linear Mode
