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Basic tool kit you must not be without? Basic tool kit you must not be without?
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Photo by Sean Howman, The Pamir highway in an unseasonably cold late October, Tajikistan

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


Photo by Sean Howman,
The Pamir highway in an unseasonably
cold late October, Tajikistan



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Old 6 Nov 2010
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Basic tool kit you must not be without?
Hi hubbers,

Looking to buy a honda 125CGL or a euromot200 GXT in santiago. Will be riding for 5-6months around south america. I dont want to take a massive tool kit and my knowledge of bikes maintenace is basic.

What tools would you buy and take with you for general repairs. IF the tool is unusual could you explain what is its purpose or function.

Thanks,
Eddie
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Old 6 Nov 2010
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Best of luck, get used to servicing the bike before setting off. Basics like oil change and puncture repair.
Take a spare tube with, does not take much space. You might want to fit a lighter socket to the bike and take a 12 volt pump with if you have the space. With the plastics taken off the pump it uses less space.
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Old 7 Nov 2010
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Greetings Eddie

Did you see this post on the Euromot?

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...t-200gxt-47648
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www.travelswithkitty.com
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Old 18 Nov 2010
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Something to bear in mind when choosing which bike is travel insurance, it is a lot cheaper if riding a 125cc than anything bigger, if you tell the insurance company that you plan to ride that is.
as for tools, a basic set of combination spanners, only take the ones you will use, see if you can get the short series one, smaller, lighter
8mm
10mm
12mm
14mm
17mm
19mm
the one for rear wheel spindle if none of above
plug spanner
reversible blade screwdriver, flat head, pozidrive
pliers
small tyre levers
small pump
roll of gaffer tape
that's about it really
good luck
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Old 19 Nov 2010
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My advice is to start working on your bike and whatevere tools you need to do all the servicing and user repairs you put in a separate box and this will become your travel tool box.

It's a little known law of Murphy that the normal 13mm spanner won't work in the space that's available when the sh*t has hit the fan.
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Old 19 Nov 2010
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PS

Remember that the knowledge is more important that tools. Wherever you are, the locals will have whatever tools you need (unless you ride a BMW) so there is a argument for just bringing the Haynes manual.
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Old 19 Nov 2010
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I have a Victorinox Spirit multi-tool (it's like the Leatherman) and it comes with a mini-ratchet set. This saves a lot of room! That's my pliers, scissors, knife, 8-10-12mm sockets (I keep the heads separate), screwdrivers, hex keys all in one, hanging off my belt so it doesn't even take up any room in my bags.

All I have otherwise is two tire levers, shifting spanner and a patch kit.

Much like this one here:
Amazon.com: Swiss Army Spirit Plus Ratchet: Sports & Outdoors

It's top quality as well, I highly recommend it.
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