View Full Version : 3 most essential items to carry?
pegasus
28-01-05, 09:27 AM
just a quick thought have noticed lately that there are loads of newbies about so maybe this thread will help them prepare better for what to carry with them on journeys....by no means do i say that what i have chosen is the best combination but it works for me.
1. wet wipes ( to clean visor and lights and indicators)
2. multitool ( gerber, leatherman, etc)
3. wetsuit (the bumbag type)
all are easy to carry...and can be purchased cheaply
happy riding
Amanda M
28-01-05, 09:44 AM
I always carry some WD40 with me
Anonymous
28-01-05, 09:45 AM
I always carry some WD40 with me
:lol: :lol: :lol:
Amanda M
28-01-05, 09:46 AM
I always carry some WD40 with me
:lol: :lol: :lol:
:wink: never know when it will come in handy :lol:
454697819
28-01-05, 09:48 AM
Mobile Phone
Wallet
Fuses
mrbizzy
28-01-05, 10:04 AM
I always carry a rag for wiping the saddle, grips and tank down if it's been raining.
Another couple of newbie tips i was given were:
1) get in the habit early on of cutting the engine using the key and not the kill switch - that way youre less lightly to accidently leave your keys in the ignition.
2) hang your alarm fob, house keys, etc around your neck rather than attached to the bike key – that way you wont chip your top yoke or damage your alarm fob.
Carsick
28-01-05, 10:06 AM
1) get in the habit early on of cutting the engine using the key and not the kill switch
Do people still do this? I'm hardly aware that the bike even has a kill switch, most of the time.
wyrdness
28-01-05, 10:10 AM
2) hang your alarm fob, house keys, etc around your neck rather than attached to the bike key – that way you wont chip your top yoke or damage your alarm fob.
Agreed. It's a good idea to keep house keys and alarm fob separate from bike keys. If you alarm has an immobiliser that activates when the ignition is turned off, then even if you forget to remove the keys from the ignition, no-one can start the bike.
Cloggsy
28-01-05, 10:10 AM
Mobile phone
Wallet
RAC/AA etc card :roll:
mysteryjimbo
28-01-05, 10:12 AM
1) get in the habit early on of cutting the engine using the key and not the kill switch
Do people still do this? I'm hardly aware that the bike even has a kill switch, most of the time.
I used to on my 125 coz the key was on the side by the engine. I've also done it once or twice on bikes that are difficult to get into neutral.
Carsick
28-01-05, 10:18 AM
1) get in the habit early on of cutting the engine using the key and not the kill switch
Do people still do this? I'm hardly aware that the bike even has a kill switch, most of the time.
I used to on my 125 coz the key was on the side by the engine. I've also done it once or twice on bikes that are difficult to get into neutral.
Ahh, my 125 didn't even had a kill switch. I just got used to it not existing, I guess.
Anyway, 3 vital things, ummm.
Not really anything extra, mobiles are handy, wallets are obviously useful, RAC/AA cards can be occasionally a lifesaver.
Cloth behind the screen to wipe your visor.
A mini can of lube is good.
Spare socks and gloves in my bag when it looks like rain.
I now carry a spare set of contact lenses in my jacket. Since helmets just provide so many opportunies to knock them out, and riding without them isn't fun (or legal, in my case)
Money
Mobile phone
AA card
Spare contact lenses
Rag under the pillion seat
fold up back pack under the pillion seat
Multitool under pillion seat
Oh, and hubby takes along spare break and clutch levers just in case :oops: since he's started to do this, I haven't dropped it.
Can't stick to 3, have to say all of the above.
My top three would be WD40, Cellphone, and Bungee Cargo Net.
I also carry a first aid kit, but they are only useful if you know how to use it.
Mobile phone
Wallet
NCI card
Earplugs
Anonymous
28-01-05, 10:56 AM
Taking the wallet and phone as read :roll: , of course a duster, chamois and mini can of Mr Sheen.
But seriously the bungee net is useful, visor cleaner and a small pressure guage.
Balky001
28-01-05, 11:02 AM
wallet, name of a good hotel nearby and a fresh shirt. Well, you never know :wink:
But really, puncture kit, cloth, fuses.
Not much me.
My phone, money, licence, disk lock & chain under seat, sv toolkit, some spray, helmet bag & cargo net under rear cover. Plus in my backpack, waterproofs, socks, tshirt, mens other bits and peices (e.g. rubish), spare mobile phone.
I i happen to carry anyting that might have sharp edges i will strap it to the back of the bike.
Thats me, if it was realy easy to remove the riders seat i would put more under that too.
howardr
28-01-05, 11:26 AM
Both my 'nads' and my brain.
All 3 are totally indispensable when riding round central London!
Mobile Phone
Wallet which has donor card :shock: , breakdown details in it
Wd40 and toolkit in the tail
Anonymous
28-01-05, 12:02 PM
I cant beleive how many of you take WD40. Whatever for??? On a days ride??? When we went to France Monkey took the WD40 and I took the polish :lol: :lol:
kern0079
28-01-05, 12:42 PM
Phone, Wallet, and a good looking gal.
Nick762
28-01-05, 12:48 PM
Apart from the usual junk under the pillion seat (tool kit, hi vis vest, multi tool, torch, pen, bungee net, first aid kit)
Small spray of visor cleaner and some tissues
Disposable camera - the type that has a flash unit
Small bag off first aid odds and sods e.g. triangular bandage, wipes, resus mask, space blanket...
One useful item I've never seen anyone else mention was suggested to me by a work colleague. One of those tiny (about 1 cm) coloured round magnets that you can use to stick notes to fridges etc. It fits perfectly over the ignition key hole as a reminder to take off the disc lock.
Mobile phone
Wallet
Condoms :roll:
...of course a duster, chamois and mini can of Mr Sheen.
Ah, a man after my own heart. :lol:
.
Balky001
28-01-05, 01:14 PM
...of course a duster, chamois and mini can of Mr Sheen.
Ah, a man after my own heart. :lol:
.
what clean living boys you are. :D
bike key, helmet, gloves.
blacksheep
28-01-05, 01:39 PM
Mars bar, Kit Kat and a Bounty :D
Ceri JC
28-01-05, 01:58 PM
I also carry a first aid kit, but they are only useful if you know how to use it.
I've never seen the point in carrying a first aid kit in a bike/car (although I do have one underseat in the car). Nothing in a bog standard first aid kit is of any real use at a road accident. If you're in a crash, you'll need more than TCP and plasters...
The only thing I can see being any use is a sling, but again, that's not really much use. If a crash has been serious enough for you to break your arm, you're not riding off anywhere (unless you're in the Dakar :lol: ). The only time I carry a sling/things to splint with is in situations where you may need to walk a distance before getting help.
Only other real first aid thing I can think of being useful before the ambulance gets there is a tourniquet or bandage to put pressure on a serious wound.
For tourniquet, substitute a belt and bandage, a t-shirt, both of which I'd have on anyway (I know it's not as sterile, but again, unless you're a matter of hours away from real first aid, or you're really ming with your laundry practices, it's not really an issue).
Most people aren't trained to use/don't carry painkillers, adrenaline, etc.
Same goes for leatherman/multitools- I can see the use hiking, but when on the bike would you use it? I have the screwdriver bits and plier offered already, in my toolkit. Unless you're going to be cutting shims etc. by the roadside, there's little use for it IMO.
That all said, I always take a first aid kit hiking/mountain biking, but that's because there's a chance I'll have to walk as much as 10 miles with a broken arm (mountain rescue would be reluctant to "rescue" someone in fair weather conditions, in the lowlands, with just a sprained wrist, etc.).
My 3 items in order of preference:
1. Wallet - Most likely to be needed (extra petrol), ID in the event of an accident.
2. Cell phone - For breakdown and to notify people you'll be late (this'll make you more inclined to stop if riding conditions become bad, rather than soldier on through snow and ice...)
3. Toolkit (stock one, maybe augmented with a few extra bits and bobs)
Nick762
28-01-05, 04:05 PM
I also carry a first aid kit, but they are only useful if you know how to use it.
I've never seen the point in carrying a....
Same goes for leatherman/multitools- I can see the use hiking, but when on the bike would you use it? I have the screwdriver bits and plier offered already, in my toolkit. Unless you're going to be cutting shims etc. by the roadside, there's little use for it IMO.
Cos when you and some of your chums are on a rideout in the desert, should you come across a hot babe with mechanical problems, you will be able to whip out your tool and fix her up sharpish like :) http://forums.sv650.org/viewtopic.php?t=17656
northwind
28-01-05, 04:42 PM
Can I cheat and say toolkit, hi-viz vest, torch? because I've got everything else in my toolkit :) Except a puncture repair kit, which is gaffer taped to the inside of my front fairing and therefore doesn't count.
The most important thing during the summer is some money or a credit card, because I can be counted on to change into my leathers, go and buy petrol, and then realise I've left my wallet in my other trousers...
Ceri JC
28-01-05, 04:50 PM
Can I cheat and say toolkit, hi-viz vest, torch? because I've got everything else in my toolkit :) Except a puncture repair kit, which is gaffer taped to the inside of my front fairing and therefore doesn't count.
Doesn't the manual say something about not using the inside of the fairing to carry things in? :wink: I'm thinking of the same actually- I'm going to get (and learn how to use) a puncture repair kit, as it'd be quicker than relying on the AA (as I currently do). Only thing is where to carry it- underseat is already full and I've yet to do the "under seatcowl toolkit" mod, so the toolkit space is full. I may well put it in the fairing- easier access than under the main seat. Last thing I want in the pouring rain is to have to get the seat off to fix a puncture :)
northwind
28-01-05, 04:55 PM
Doesn't the manual say something about not using the inside of the fairing to carry things in? :wink:
There was a warning sticker which could more accurately be called a "That gives Northwind an idea!" sticker on the fairing... It's very safe and secure there, I figure I may never need to use it and it doesn't need to be kept dry so there's no point taking up half the "boot" with it. I might stash a set of spare levers on the other side as well.
A mobile phone and AA membership card....
Carsick
28-01-05, 06:52 PM
Doesn't the manual say something about not using the inside of the fairing to carry things in? :wink:
There was a warning sticker which could more accurately be called a "That gives Northwind an idea!" sticker on the fairing... It's very safe and secure there, I figure I may never need to use it and it doesn't need to be kept dry so there's no point taking up half the "boot" with it. I might stash a set of spare levers on the other side as well.
I was planning the same thing with the levers.
As for the puncture repair kits, are they the kind where you ream out a bit of the tyre then glue in the plug? How permanant are they?
On me: Mobile Phone, Wallet and 'Emergency Contact' letter.
Under the seat cowl: Chain & Lock, standard toolkit, couple of spare sparkplugs, cargo net and small rucksack, and a few bits of paper and a pencil taped into a small plastic bag (good for contact details in case of an accident).
northwind
28-01-05, 08:46 PM
[As for the puncture repair kits, are they the kind where you ream out a bit of the tyre then glue in the plug? How permanant are they?
Aye, that's the sort... The companies that make them claim they're totally permanent, just depends on how much carcass damage you take though I suppose... Probably I'd want someone I trust to take a look at it after. It's the same principle as the mushroom plugs a garage would fit. you wedge the plug through with the tool and it twangs back so it shouldn't force out...
What a useless answer, eh? :)
Carsick
28-01-05, 09:12 PM
[As for the puncture repair kits, are they the kind where you ream out a bit of the tyre then glue in the plug? How permanant are they?
What a useless answer, eh? :)
It'll do.
Makes me want to buy a set or two, considering the fact that I can't seem to get through a rear tyre.
Muttley
28-01-05, 09:35 PM
This'll be more than 3 items.
Main 3 items that I always make sure I have:
Mobile phone
Wallet (with breakdown/recovery details card inside)
spare earplugs (I'm always dropping one ooer)
Also under the seat cowl
Fold away rucksack
POS OEM toolkit.
1. Torch and spare batteries
2. Plastic gloves and paper towels from the petrol station so I don't have to get my hands dirty :lol:
3. Roll of gaffa tape
total cost - less than a £5
i carry my lock and chain under the pillion seat. Nothing else fits :shock:
nuntius
29-01-05, 01:10 AM
Oh, and hubby takes along spare break and clutch levers just in case :oops: since he's started to do this, I haven't dropped it.
I should really do this, as I've broken off both now
A mobile with the AA number and your member number stored in a text message will stop you having to remember the card.
Waterproofs are invaluable
Anyone know of an easy way to carry change that will be accesible to me even with gloves on. Theres a multi story car park that takes me forever to get out off because I have to get off to pay.
Muttley
29-01-05, 01:53 AM
break
Its a BRAKE lever.
Jelster
29-01-05, 08:35 AM
I think the wallet, mobile phone and std tool kit are a given, but I don't go anywhere without my puncture repair kit, visor cleaner (with cloth), and one of those pack away ruck sack thingy's. There is generally a map under the rear seat too.
Only problem is, if we're doing a ride out the space under the rear seat is generally taken up by the video camera recording from the remote camera on the front of the bike :roll: must get a smaller one.....
Anyone know of an easy way to carry change that will be accesible to me even with gloves on. Theres a multi story car park that takes me forever to get out off because I have to get off to pay.
Bluetac on the clock surround!
If you know roughly how much it'll be, Bluetac some change to your clock surround. You can pick it of OK even with winter gloves on and even stick any change back there until you next get off.
Just don't leave it there when you leave your bike! :twisted:
Not sure how effective it would be on a Naked... top yoke or even your fuel cap would work just as well I guess.
Phone, key and wallet obviously! Always remember to store you're AA / RAC phone number and membership number in the phone's memory.
Also carry a few bungees, visor cleaner, disc lock, ear plugs, baffle, rag and a map undeneath the pillion seat.
Cloggsy
29-01-05, 10:24 AM
Also carry a few bungees, visor cleaner, disc lock, ear plugs, baffle, rag and a map undeneath the pillion seat.
I'd never fit all that under my pillion seat - even with a seat-hump fitted :roll:
I'd never fit all that under my pillion seat - even with a seat-hump fitted :roll:
Did I mention that's also with a Scottoiler fitted beneath pillion seat? It can be done, you've just got to utilise all of the free space. :wink:
northwind
29-01-05, 03:57 PM
If the K3's anything like the old bikes, there's usable space down the side of the luggage area that's not very accessible, between the subframe and bodywork... I've got use-once-in-a-blue-moon stuff like lock de-icer, a wee mole-grip (used it once to replace a crashed BMW's clutch lever, good enough to get him to the Kelso show) and a sidestand puck wedged in there on mine. But be careful, it can fall out the bottom on original bikes :)
Does anyone carry the stock toolkit? I pulled mine apart and got rid of things I knew I wouldn't use, or replaced them with more compact euivalents, and in about the same space I've also got a 1/4 inch ratchet and selection of sockets, a small ratchet screwdriver and range of bits (including allen key bits) a folding allen key set, tyre pressure thing, multitool plus money, credit card and some other useful things. It's a wee bit bigger than the standard one and a lot heavier, but far, far more useful. More useful for other bikes as well, which gives me a warm inner glow :)
Well 4 pages of useful info, and counting.
Certainly useful' I'd say for newbies like myself.
A number of items I need to consider when I start biking.
Must admit though, theres probably a few items that have already been highlighted that probably wouldn't be that much use.
Also I wonder, with the amount that some people carry, how the hell it all fits :?
The Polarbear
29-01-05, 06:34 PM
Hmm- I don't tend to carry my toolkit as I am so crap at mechanical stuff it would be no use so would end up calling the AA anyway :oops:
Always carry my mobile- the one time I didn't was when I got knocked off and really needed the bloody thing!
Wallet for petrol and refreshments and of course my AA details! I also carry kitchen towel to clean visor and hands etc and it also stops my mobile rattling around the "boot"
Is there more room after fitting a seat cowl to put things in the "boot"?
Does the seat cowl still secure with the lock on the side??
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