Register Community Calendar Today's Posts Search

Go Back   GZ 250 Forums > GZ250-Specific > General GZ250 Talk

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 01-07-2014, 09:47 PM   #1
Marunui
Junior Member
 
Marunui's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Dunedin (New Zealand )
Posts: 26
Tools u should carry when your riding ?

Hi what kind of tools do I need to buy just in case something goes wrong while I'm riding ? What kind of screw drivers ?sockets? Etc r able to keep stored some where on the bike thanks :confused:



Login or Register to Remove Ads
Marunui is offline  
Reply With Quote
Old 01-07-2014, 09:56 PM   #2
X10bws
Junior Member
 
X10bws's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 21
For me, i always carry an adjustable crescent wrench, a philips screw driver and some zap straps.
X10bws is offline  
Reply With Quote
Old 01-07-2014, 11:03 PM   #3
JWR
Senior Member
 
JWR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Louisville, TN
Posts: 1,413
1. AAA coverage.
2. Cell phone.





I do have the factory tool kit, plus air compressor, tire plug kit and rok straps.


http://www.rokstraps.com
__________________
Jerry

Truth is there are lots of great bikes available
and not nearly as many good riders out there riding them...
"A man's got to know his limitations..."



Login or Register to Remove Ads
JWR is offline  
Reply With Quote
Old 01-08-2014, 02:13 AM   #4
Water Warrior 2
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Squamish B.C Canada
Posts: 11,409
Tools can be good to you or bad depending on your abilities. Always have the screwdriver that comes in the OEM tool kit. It is a JIS tool. Regular screwdrivers will not work as well. I usually will supplement the OEM tool kit with better pliers, better wrenches, small sidecutters, small crescent wrench and zip ties. Make sure you can actually do a chain adjustment with the kit tools. Carry a couple fresh cotter pins too. I also will include a spare headlight bulb, a flashlight(LED is best)and a small roll of electrical tape. Oh, spare fuses for sure.
I also had the room on the Vstrom to haul a lot of tools so your results may vary.
To establish the effectiveness of the OEM tool kit try to make as many adjustments and service procedures as possible. Upgrade any tools that won't work well for you.
A small can of chain lube for longer trips. A pair of nitril rubber gloves to keep your hands clean.
If you are selective with tools you can carry a lot within a small pouch or case somewhere on the bike.
Chances are if you are prepared nothing will go wrong. On our trip 1/2 way across Canada and back I replaced one headlight bulb in the GZ and did one chain adjust on each bike. Lubed the chains at the end of every day. Topped up the oil if needed. The GZ did surprise me with it's ability to log a good distance everyday with no complaint. Lynda was comfy 100% of the time on her bike.
The key to a successful trip is to go over the bike before the trip for loose fittings, lights in working order, tire pressures and that means having a tire gauge you can trust.
Tire gauges have various quality issues. I tried an el-cheapo with the flat strip that slid out. JUNK!! I tried one with the square indicator that slid out and compared it to my trusty dial gauge and it was within an acceptable standard at various pressures. Basically one dollar more buys peace of mind.
Almost done now. Anymore questions and I will gladly answer to the best of my experience.
If you have any fears about weather and needed clothing ask away and we will all chirp in on how to spend your money.
Water Warrior 2 is offline  
Reply With Quote
Old 01-08-2014, 04:29 AM   #5
alantf
Senior Member
 
alantf's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Tenerife (Spain)
Posts: 3,715
JWR...Are you still riding the GZ? If so, don't forget that a tyre plug kit won't work with tubed tyres.
__________________
By birth an Englishman, by the grace of God a Yorkshireman.



Login or Register to Remove Ads
alantf is offline  
Reply With Quote
Old 01-08-2014, 05:52 AM   #6
Marunui
Junior Member
 
Marunui's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Dunedin (New Zealand )
Posts: 26
Quote:
Originally Posted by X10bws View Post
For me, i always carry an adjustable crescent wrench, a philips screw driver and some zap straps.
Ok thank you for that
Marunui is offline  
Reply With Quote
Old 01-08-2014, 05:54 AM   #7
Marunui
Junior Member
 
Marunui's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Dunedin (New Zealand )
Posts: 26
Quote:
Originally Posted by Water Warrior 2 View Post
Tools can be good to you or bad depending on your abilities. Always have the screwdriver that comes in the OEM tool kit. It is a JIS tool. Regular screwdrivers will not work as well. I usually will supplement the OEM tool kit with better pliers, better wrenches, small sidecutters, small crescent wrench and zip ties. Make sure you can actually do a chain adjustment with the kit tools. Carry a couple fresh cotter pins too. I also will include a spare headlight bulb, a flashlight(LED is best)and a small roll of electrical tape. Oh, spare fuses for sure.
I also had the room on the Vstrom to haul a lot of tools so your results may vary.
To establish the effectiveness of the OEM tool kit try to make as many adjustments and service procedures as possible. Upgrade any tools that won't work well for you.
A small can of chain lube for longer trips. A pair of nitril rubber gloves to keep your hands clean.
If you are selective with tools you can carry a lot within a small pouch or case somewhere on the bike.
Chances are if you are prepared nothing will go wrong. On our trip 1/2 way across Canada and back I replaced one headlight bulb in the GZ and did one chain adjust on each bike. Lubed the chains at the end of every day. Topped up the oil if needed. The GZ did surprise me with it's ability to log a good distance everyday with no complaint. Lynda was comfy 100% of the time on her bike.
The key to a successful trip is to go over the bike before the trip for loose fittings, lights in working order, tire pressures and that means having a tire gauge you can trust.
Tire gauges have various quality issues. I tried an el-cheapo with the flat strip that slid out. JUNK!! I tried one with the square indicator that slid out and compared it to my trusty dial gauge and it was within an acceptable standard at various pressures. Basically one dollar more buys peace of mind.
Almost done now. Anymore questions and I will gladly answer to the best of my experience.
If you have any fears about weather and needed clothing ask away and we will all chirp in on how to spend your money.
Hey thanks for the advice yeah it's all in the prep as wel thankyou
Marunui is offline  
Reply With Quote
Old 01-08-2014, 05:55 AM   #8
Marunui
Junior Member
 
Marunui's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Dunedin (New Zealand )
Posts: 26
Quote:
Originally Posted by JWR View Post
1. AAA coverage.
2. Cell phone.





I do have the factory tool kit, plus air compressor, tire plug kit and rok straps.


http://www.rokstraps.com
Yep got those important things sorted thanks for advice
Marunui is offline  
Reply With Quote
Old 01-08-2014, 10:47 AM   #9
JWR
Senior Member
 
JWR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Louisville, TN
Posts: 1,413
Quote:
Originally Posted by alantf View Post
JWR...Are you still riding the GZ? If so, don't forget that a tyre plug kit won't work with tubed tyres.




The GZ was 3 bikes and 4 years ago.

Virago 250 one year.
Vulcan 500 one year.
SV 650 two years now.
__________________
Jerry

Truth is there are lots of great bikes available
and not nearly as many good riders out there riding them...
"A man's got to know his limitations..."
JWR is offline  
Reply With Quote
Reply




Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:16 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.