Who rides motorcycles?

[redfin00]

2003 100th anniversary edition HD Duece.

How to post a video?

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

How to post a video?

I post the video to youtube, then post a link here.

 

[scootr]

I just want to say that if your father doesn't ride motorcycles... you basically got 2 Moms

 

[scootr]

Hey ya'll, I'm going to put together a couple of tool kits for the bikes. Wonder if you have done that. What's in em? What do you wish was in em?
I have saddle bags to carry it so it can be a little larger than the OEM offerings.

 

[mrmikey]

Small first aid kit not enough to do open heart surgery tho, zip ties, bailing wire, elect wire, spare fuses, elect. tape, vice grips, small adjustable wrench, small set of sockets, knife or leatherman, tire plugs and either CO2 cartridges or small air pump, disp. gloves, couple extra $$ hidden, rags, parachute cord. If you're so inclinded, a booster pack/cell phone charger, preinstalled SAE outlet on the bike that can be used to charge your cell phone along with appropriate adaptor to suit phone.
If you're not going many many miles from home a CAA or AAA membership with motorcycle towing option that many give you a tow home.

 

[Bocephous]

I was riding through my dad's yard on Sunday, had just hit third gear and suddenly came to a halt, everything rotating around the front wheel.

I landed a few feet away from the CRF and quickly assessed whether I was functional. I dinged a rib, I think and strained my left bicep (not bad).

Full gear saved my 56 year old meat puppet. Worst wreck I've had, I think. A sapling cage blew off the sapling and was lying in a shallow recess.

I walked to the house and got a bolt cutter. No damage to spokes or brake line; the headlight mounts were bent but repairable.

 

[Milo]

I've looked at those big ADV bikes but unless you are riding to Alaska or Argentina, they are just too big and heavy.

It really depends on your intended use. As an off-road dirt bike they would fail, but as a comfortable bike to commute, travel, or just general riding on all sorts of roads from dirt, to twisty paved, to I-80, they excel. Many people that used to ride sport tourers have switched to adventure bikes simply because they do everything the sport tourer did only are more comfortable and versatile. In fact the sport tourer segment has all but been replaced by Adv bikes.

 

[scootr]

It really depends on your intended use. As an off-road dirt bike they would fail, but as a comfortable bike to commute, travel, or just general riding on all sorts of roads from dirt, to twisty paved, to I-80, they excel. Many people that used to ride sport tourers have switched to adventure bikes simply because they do everything the sport tourer did only are more comfortable and versatile. In fact the sport tourer segment has all but been replaced by Adv bikes.

True. I ride too much enduro for an adv bike. But if I wanted to ride CA to Alaska one of big-uns would be my choice. The trend right now is for midsize DS bikes. Put on a windshield and some bags and you have a more offroad capable machine that can still do a little road work, but not recommended for all day street riding. But much better off road.
Glad your bike is okay. Hope you heal up soon. What size is that CRF?

 

[Milo]

Glad your bike is okay. Hope you heal up soon. What size is that CRF?

That's Bocephous (not me) scootr.

 

[Cycledude]

Hey ya'll, I'm going to put together a couple of tool kits for the bikes. Wonder if you have done that. What's in em? What do you wish was in em?
I have saddle bags to carry it so it can be a little larger than the OEM offerings.

Maps
Needle nose vice grip
Plastic hammer
Flashlight
Tire gauge
Air pump
Extendable ratchet
Sockets
Tire plugs
Jump pack
Spare valve stems and valve stem tools
Spare alternator
Bunch of combination wrenches
Wire ties
Black tape, also believe it or not blue painters tape because it’s easily removable without making a big mess.
Screwdrivers
Fuses
Extra insulated wire
Allen wrenches
Spare light bulbs
I have 2 motorcycles so the kits are slightly different for each bike and I probably forgot to mention a few things.
Seems like while traveling I often use the kit to help someone else and rarely for myself.
I do have well over one million miles of riding experience.

 

[scootr]

Wow Clyde, That's a bunch of stuff.
I struggle between having the tools I need and keeping the bike light.
I threw a few tools in the bags.
Metric wrench set 7-17mm HF
6" channel locks
6" crescent
Common screwdriver
Phillips screwdriver
Metric Allen set HF
black tape
dykes
Water and registration
Not 10 miles out I needed a 5mm Allen to tighten a bolt coming out of the grip, holding the hand guard on...fun little trip though

 

[Bocephous]

CRF250F.

 

[Bocephous]

That's Bocephous (not me) scootr.

CRF250F.

 

[deserteagle71]

Two things I don't see you guys carrying in your tool kits. One is a set of tire irons specifically designed for motorcycles; I keep them fastened to the underside of the small luggage rack on the back of the bike. They have allowed me to access the tube inside the tire and put a patch on it. The other thing is a small amount of duct tape. That has allowed me to patch the engine case a couple times after I cracked it in the rocks - just enough to get me home. Once I got home I was able to do a permanent patch using metalset epoxy.

 

[scootr]

Two things I don't see you guys carrying in your tool kits. One is a set of tire irons specifically designed for motorcycles; I keep them fastened to the underside of the small luggage rack on the back of the bike. They have allowed me to access the tube inside the tire and put a patch on it. The other thing is a small amount of duct tape. That has allowed me to patch the engine case a couple times after I cracked it in the rocks - just enough to get me home. Once I got home I was able to do a permanent patch using metalset epoxy.

HD wrap around skid plate installed. Amazon $50-60 spent is well worth the peace of mind. You can see it in one the pictures above.
Tire repair in the wild is something I've thought about. I will start by getting an air pump.

Can anybody recommend a good lightweight 12v pump?

 

[Milo]

I've had this one for 15-20 years and it still works just fine.

 

[deserteagle71]

Can anybody recommend a good lightweight 12v pump?

I have an ancient version of one of these fastened up under the luggage rack along with the tire irons. Works great; since I have no more than about 15 psi in the tires it takes no more than about 5 minutes to inflate the tire with one of these hand pumps that is rock solid dependable. Mine is at least 20 years old and still works great.

In my quad and my side by side I carry a 12v Slime inflator. Mine are older and don't have the built-in gauge but those aren't really necessary either. But they are harder to pack around than the slim bicycle type pumps - and you'd better have a good battery on the bike!

 

[scootr]

I'm leaning towards the more compact 12v pump. I already have a charger plug on both bikes. But there is something to be said for the reliability of a manual pump.

 

[3930dave]

Wow Clyde, That's a bunch of stuff.
I struggle between having the tools I need and keeping the bike light.
I threw a few tools in the bags.
Metric wrench set 7-17mm HF
6" channel locks
6" crescent
Common screwdriver
Phillips screwdriver
Metric Allen set HF
black tape
dykes
Water and registration
Not 10 miles out I needed a 5mm Allen to tighten a bolt coming out of the grip, holding the hand guard on...fun little trip though

Lots of good kit-suggestions recently

If you are trying for light-weight, a Skeletool from Leatherman and this bit set might help.

https://www.leatherman.com/collections/bits/products/bit-kit-set

I've been given books on Ductape (seriously), so I am a fan of 200mph tape, but I also really like silicone-wrap tape

Permatex® Wrapit Silicone Tape, 10 FT | Permatex®

^ Small roll to stow, and w/o adhesive, you don't have the issue of adhesive ageing, if it is in the kit a long time.

Rgds, D.

 

[scootr]

Talked to my buddy in the KY today. I suppose many of you you have put your bikes up for the winter. Sorry to hear about that. It's 80º here today. Just got back from a ride
Actually summer gets too hot to ride now is when we get our best riding weather.