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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 Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

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


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



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  #76  
Old 18 Oct 2006
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Most useful - "point it" - people are fascinated by it and it breaks the ice... http://www.amazon.co.uk/Point-Travel...563821?ie=UTF8

Most useless - world band radio - mine is now for sale on ebay

mark
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  #77  
Old 26 Oct 2006
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Most useful thing?

Well comparing touring around now with touring around over a decade ago, by far the most useful thing is a credit card / debit card. In the old days (when I was a boy) you had to carry thousands of dollars in small bills stashed away in obscure parts of the bike whenever you wanted to cross a continent. Now $100 assorted change and the plastic is all you need.

Also much underestimated is a camera tripod.


Most overrated? Agree with Mr Stowe ... shortwave radio.
Last edited by colebatch; 26 Oct 2006 at 15:43.
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  #78  
Old 27 Oct 2006
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Thumbs up !
Yes -World service Shortwave radio - it's a book that never ends.

Also 1-2 metres of 5-10mm diameter plastic tubing to give and get petrol.
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  #79  
Old 27 Oct 2006
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Flying Gringo
spray bottle full of bleach- very discouraging to dogs who are chasing you. Make sure it doesn't leak or you will end up with orange spots on your dark riding gear.
Use a sudsy ammonia and water mix instead. I used it to keep dogs out of the curbside trashbags for years. Now we have leash laws.
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  #80  
Old 1 Nov 2006
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Well so far most usefull is MSR tire irons and spare tubes, least usefull tall windscreen.
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  #81  
Old 22 Nov 2006
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Wink most/least used
For me, my liquid filled compass, duct tape and my leather kept real sharp!!!!
Least used.......laptop....due to laziness.
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  #82  
Old 22 Nov 2006
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An item that hasn't been mentioned so far is the Hose Grip (Jubilee Clip) - you can get them 2 or even 3 feet long, it is essential that you get the ones threaded full length so that they can be shortened all the way down if required. Carry the stainless ones not galvanised.
They take up zero space as you can clip them round (say) the static bit of a pannier / topbox until needed. If needed for serious use (say holding a detached top box lid) put the gaffer tape or old inner tube that you all carry under the hose grip to act as shock absorber .
Exellent for securing 'bean can' repair onto a cracked exhaust. You split the bean can with your leatherman - mind your fingers on the leatherman and the can .
Steve
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  #83  
Old 28 Nov 2006
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Boot wear
Quote:
Originally Posted by Grant Johnson
Hegehog,

You have piqued my curiosity - how do you wear out the left sole with the weight... huh?

FWIW I used thin soled SIDI boots on my RTW and they were wonderful, light and cool, I'd do it again. In fact the same pair would probably do it again.

------------------
Grant Johnson
My sole of my left boot always wears out quicker than the right, I think it's when all my weight is on the left boot when I pivot to get on the bike. Either that or I walk like a monkey!

Glen
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  #84  
Old 16 Mar 2008
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wouldn't leave home without...
manners.

even more useful than those other essential assets, perspective, humour and patience.

cheers,
andy.
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  #85  
Old 2 Apr 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mollydog View Post
I've thought through the "Where to hide the spare key" dilema quite
a bit.

If you carry your spare key in your luggage, on your person, or
in your boot, there is a small chance it could be lost or stolen.

I found hiding the key ON the bike makes the most sense. If you lose
your keys, its there. If you have all your luggage stolen you still
have an extra key on your bike (and in my case, money too).

If you have your riding jacket stolen and your wallet and passport,
basically, everything your wearing....your spare key is still on the bike.

If the bike is impounded and the cops take the keys from you, you
can steal it back using the spare hidden key. Yes, this was actually
done by some very shady friends of mine whilst in Mexico many
years ago. Please don't ask.

I also carry a spare luggage key, a spare key for disc and cable locks.
These I keep under the seat of the bike. So I must have a bike key to
get to them. So far, this has worked out pretty well.

I try very hard to keep track of keys while traveling, having seen
disastrous examples when they are lost. I have a system that I
try to follow. Everyone should develop their own and try to stick
to it. Not always possible. Things like women, , police
and guns often knock one off balance and then all Hell breaks loose.
All part of the adventure.

Stay safe, may you never need your tools.

Patrick

I actually have 3 sets of keys on me while traveling. My everyday riding set, which is on a neck lanyard that is ALWAYS around my neck unless I"m riding. My spare set that is tucked away well in my bag. And a third 'emergency' set that I have locked onto the bike. I use a real estate agents lock box, the kind that is hooked around a doorknob when your house is for sale. It has a combination lock on it and it locks itself nicely onto the frame. Never needed it and assume I never will. But love that it's there.

Everything else is just shite if you have a bike with no way of starting it.
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  #86  
Old 18 Jul 2008
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Most USELESS: difficult to say as we use all our stuff at least once, but then we had a tight packing list. We never used out goggles but we never hit a sand storm...

Most useful: 5lt pink plastic bowl: drain oil, washing cloths & dishes, carry food, prepare food, look for hole in tube
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  #87  
Old 24 Jul 2008
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respect to those of you who rough it on your travels, im up for a bit of camping but personally cant usually be bothered for more than a few days so i stay in cheap hotels if i can.

if you frequent these fleapits then one item that is very important to keep in your dobie bag- a 6" disc of soft silicon rubber sheet, 1 or 2 mm thick. for a sink/bath plug
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  #88  
Old 24 Jul 2008
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Useless ... until you need it!
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Patrick passed Dec 2018. RIP Patrick!
Last edited by mollydog; 23 Mar 2009 at 08:27.
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  #89  
Old 24 Jul 2008
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Most useful:

Leatherman Tool
Kikoi
Waterproof Mascara
Space Blanket

Useless:

Pro Digital SLR with 3 lenses - unless you tailor your route to include time to kit up, explore, take worthy shots.
Kitten heels
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Some great quote about hard core travel that nobody has said yet.[/URL]
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  #90  
Old 24 Jul 2008
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Location: Izmir, Turkiye
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Quote:
Originally Posted by XT GIRL View Post
Most useful:
Waterproof Mascara

Useless:
Pro Digital SLR with 3 lenses - unless you tailor your route to include time to kit up, explore, take worthy shots.
Kitten heels
where are you going? oscar ceramony?? lol
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