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What's your most/least useful piece of kit? What's your most/least useful piece of kit?
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Equipment Reviews Post YOUR REVIEWS of ANY Motorcycle, Camping or Travel Equipment and accessories. Tell us what worked and didn't work for you!
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #31  
Old 6 Nov 2005
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This frickin website-most. KTM North America-least.
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  #32  
Old 24 Dec 2005
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Most useful in the early stages of Africa (ie half of it): anti-crapping pills.

Most useful generally: Leatherman (yawn) - what else can trim unwanted body hair, flush carburettor and spread butter?
Also Petzl head torch for countries where electricity is an unusual bonus (ie all of West Africa).

Least useful: Folding chair (didn't make it to Portsmouth.)
Water filter (never used. maybe some relationship to need for anti-poo pills)
Cooker. I'm on holiday! Why would I want to cook?

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  #33  
Old 27 Dec 2005
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Three absolute essintials plus a few hundred more:
Cable ties.
Leatherman, goes without saying although I just did.
And duct tape AKA "The Force Tape"
Think Star Wars. It has a dark side, a light side and it holds the universe together!
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  #34  
Old 7 Jul 2006
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OK, I've only been riding since last October, but so far:-

Most Useful:
A mobile phone - so I can hear my dad say: "I don't know much about these modern Japanese bikes, but have you tried..."
Xena disc lock - alarmed disc lock that straps to the bike. it solves two problems at once and only cost £50 (needs work on waterproofing though)

Least Useful:
Thermal liner for Bering Jacket and Trousers - used on the way home from the shop and only once since
Rayven motorcycle boots - broke in three months. effing useless
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  #35  
Old 12 Jul 2006
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Most useful.... 1/2 helmet. Might get frowned upon by some and I might take it on the chin one day, but I personally love the endless peripheral visibility and the feel of open wind on my face.

Least useful.... the factory BMW "tool kit". Proof positive BMW doesn't want (or trust) you to do anything on your bike yourself.

.
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  #36  
Old 12 Jul 2006
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gwbuild
Most useful.... 1/2 helmet. Might get frowned upon by some and I might take it on the chin one day, but I personally love the endless peripheral visibility and the feel of open wind on my face.

Least useful.... the factory BMW "tool kit". Proof positive BMW doesn't want (or trust) you to do anything on your bike yourself.

.
Or is it a marketing tool suggesting that you'll never need to do anything to your "bullet proof" BMW?
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  #37  
Old 12 Jul 2006
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Is that why the tool kit in an Enfield is so comprehensive?

Matt

Is it true that the BMW tool kit just contains a compact mirror and a tiny tub of Turtle-Wax?
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  #38  
Old 12 Jul 2006
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Matt Cartney
Is that why the tool kit in an Enfield is so comprehensive?

Matt

Is it true that the BMW tool kit just contains a compact mirror and a tiny tub of Turtle-Wax?

That's correct but they also have a BMW beard trimmer fitted as standard equipment which is kept under the seat. Very handy.
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  #39  
Old 12 Jul 2006
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeS
That's correct but they also have a BMW beard trimmer fitted as standard equipment which is kept under the seat. Very handy.

Ah, but is it as good as the colour-coordinated Ducatti blow-wave and hair dryer?

John

p.s. The Kiwis tell me that the beard trimmer can also be used for shearing sheep, but being from Oz, I would not know anything about that......
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  #40  
Old 12 Jul 2006
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeS
That's correct but they also have a BMW beard trimmer fitted as standard equipment which is kept under the seat. Very handy.
Ah, but the KTM 950 has a bottle opener on the end of a 10mm spanner...
kept the thing when I sold the bike;-))
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  #41  
Old 12 Jul 2006
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The Kawasaki comes with a small oven so you can always melt it back into shape.

On the subject of which, my standard toolkit has a bizarre tool that seems to bamboozle every one who sees it. It's a 4-5" tube with a circular opening at one end and a osrt of pinched, figure of eight shape at the other. If anyone has any ideas what the hell it's for, please let me know.
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  #42  
Old 12 Jul 2006
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It's your spark plug socket. You poke your screwdriver through the holes in the side to turn it. Or are you kidding?!
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*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!
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  #43  
Old 12 Jul 2006
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in my kwaka toolkit I always assumed that was just an extension bar, so you could pretend the axle spanner would work..
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  #44  
Old 13 Jul 2006
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"p.s. The Kiwis tell me that the beard trimmer can also be used for shearing sheep, but being from Oz, I would not know anything about that......"

So what you are saying is that the beard trimmer is used to make Beemer riders and sheep more presentable to one another .Hurmmm , that explains a lot !
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  #45  
Old 13 Jul 2006
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dodger
"p.s. The Kiwis tell me that the beard trimmer can also be used for shearing sheep, but being from Oz, I would not know anything about that......"

So what you are saying is that the beard trimmer is used to make Beemer riders and sheep more presentable to one another .Hurmmm , that explains a lot !
Hey! Not fair! I resemble that remark! Oh bugger...where is the spell check?

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