| Author | Message | ||
     Kalali |
I have only been riding for a couple of years and have been lucky so far... For those of you more experienced riders, what do you folks carry with you (other than a cell phone!)to help you in case of a break down while being limited to the under-seat space of an X1. I am talking about daily drive/commute type of rides as opposed to preparing for a long trip (which probably changes the carry-on space limitations). And as a follow up, how do you handle cases where a roadside repair is not possible...I am just trying to prepare for the unexpected. Thanks. | ||
| Kyrocket |
Keep very good friends with someone with a pickup/trailer. My parents just drove 295 miles to pick my butt up after the X1 went ker-put two weeks ago. I carry just enough to help me do what I can on the side of the road. A few different allen wrenches, spark plug wrench and a set of plugs. A small screwdriver(the one that holds different bits 'cause you need those torx),zip ties and a cheapo current tester (a small one with the internal lights just to see if I have power). I double wrap all of it in two zip locks so it stays nice and dry under the seat. Oh and by the way there is ABSOLUTELY NO cell phone service on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Well, on the first six miles of the southern part anyway. | ||
| Hughlysses |
#1 is a good tire plugging kit and small air compressor or CO2 cartridge kit. Otherwise, I'd say fuses, electrical tape, zip ties, and a basic tool kit. The X1 Files files has a good list of recommended tools for a tuber (http://www.saintjohn.nbcc.nb.ca/Marriott/x1/index2 .htm#Misc, scroll about 1/2 way down on the right). You can fix many problems with just these few items. | ||
| Spiderman |
 JK  | ||
| Jlnance |
I am talking about daily drive/commute type of rides as opposed to preparing for a long trip I'm not really worried too much about the daily rides. I carry a compresser and plug kit. If it's more than that, I've got a cell phone, AAA, and excellent friends:  Note the trailer in the background It's the longer trips where it becomes more important to me, mostly because even with AAA, if you end up at a dealership, your vacation is probably over unless they happen to have the parts in stock. For these trips I also carry a belt, and all the tools needed to change it, and change the tire. Plus electrical tap, zip ties, fuses and a few odds and ins. | ||
| Greenlantern |
Are we trying to deprive Werewolves of Cocaine? | ||
| Djkaplan |
Heh... I've met everyone in that picture. Always.... ALWAYS make sure you have a pocketknife. You can work on your whittling while you wait for help. | ||
| Limitedx1 |
leave my truck keys with my dad and carry my phone, lol. my truck has a killer set of tools in it at all times! i would nt trust AAA with my neighbors bike, no two wheeler folk just dont have a clue | ||
| 2008xb12scg |
AAA doesn't cover bikes. At least that's what they told me. If I'm missing something let me know. Also a swiss army knife and duck tape, McGuvier can fix it! Huh? Oh yeah, I'm not McGuvier. I'm screwed. | ||
| Alchemy |
There is a certain more expensive version of AAA that will tow or flatbed you up to a bunch of miles. I got a flat not long ago and I waited a long time but they trucked me to my door about 15 miles. | ||
| Danger_dave |
Puncture kit, basic tool kit, and a AA card. BTW - It's 'Duct' tape - as in air conditioning duct. :-) | ||
| Kalali |
Thanks guys. I added the bike to my Allstate Motor CLub membership last week for an extra $33. I was also told that some insurance companies like Foremost (which I have) provide the same service for less $. My agent did not mention anything about it when I got the insurance a couple of years back. Those of you who mentioned the truck route, how do you get a disabled bike up on the back of the truck and keep it secured during travel. Just wondering since I do have a couple of friends with pick up trucks. | ||
| Etennuly |
Hey DD, The common error of calling "Duct Tape", "Duck Tape" has been carried so far for so long that there is a brand "Duck Tape", and it is in all of the hardware stores now days. When I was racing dirt track cars we called it 200 mph tape(based on the speed at which NASCAR guys said that it would hold on the cars in the 60's and 70's). Either way, I would rather carry a roll of 3M masking tape instead of that nasty sticky roll of crap!  It doubles as electrical tape in a temporary situation. Just don't let it get damp and change it out every six months or so. | ||
| Damnut |
The BEST tool kit for a motorcycle!!! I have one of these kits and it is the most used tool kit in my toolbox. It is a bit expensive but VERY well made. Here a link for a description of what's in the kits but they are charging WAY too much for it: http://www.newmantools.com/wfmc.htm Here is a couple of links for a more reasonable price for the kit but still expensive. http://www.etool.ca/RENDER/1/26/230/3063.html http://www.stanleysupplyservices.com/brand.aspx?id =65 http://www.specialized.net/ecommerce/shop/layout.a sp?product%5Fid=300x144&50-Piece-Ratchet-Kit-996 A little more info: http://home.comcast.net/~mmullen38/ratchet.html | ||
| Brettx1 |
You'll need a set of ramps to drive or push the bike into the truck, or 4 pretty strong guys to lift it in there. I use two ratchet straps to secure the front or the bike. Push the bike to the front until the front tire touches the front of the bed (be sure to keep it centered),then I drop the kickstand so i can dismount and start putting on the straps. like i said before, I use ratchet straps, the straps that you pull to tighten are junk and become loose too easily. when I attach the strap, I use the short nonadjustable end and wrap it around the lower part of my handlebars wheres there's no cables or wires in danger of being pinched. then I attach the adjustable end to the anchor points in the front of the bed ( Every truck I've seen have 4 of these anchor points, 2 front and 2 rear). When you tighten the straps try to keep the bike straight up and down and slightly compress the forks. this should secure the bike for any long haul, I've done it many times with no probs. One thing, when removing the straps, leave the kickstand down, and release the tension of the strap that is opposite the kickstand. And most important, have a buddy help you until you get the hang of it. I got plenty of practice with my X1 for the first 2 years of ownership! | ||
| Jlnance |
AAA doesn't cover bikes. At least that's what they told me. You have to get the RV package. | ||
| Darthane |
You're probably both right. The History Channel favors 'duck', as it was developed for use by the military in WWII - before it became used during the post-war housing boom to seal ductwork (one of the reasons listed below in an excerpt from Wikipedia): Etymology The origin of the term "duct tape" is the subject of some disagreement. One view[13][14] is that it was called "duck tape" by WWII soldiers because it was made from cotton duck, from which their tents, tarpaulins, ponchos and other equipment were made. The word "duck" was commonly used for camping equipment fabrics until synthetics replaced cotton. Some suggest that the waterproof quality of the tape contributed to the name, by analogy to the water-shedding quality of a duck's plumage. Under this view, soldiers returning home from the war found uses for duck tape around the house, where tents were forgotten and ductwork needed sealing, not ammunition cases. Other proponents of this view point to older references to non-adhesive cotton duck tape used in Venetian blinds, suggesting that the name was carried over to the adhesive version. The Oxford English Dictionary says that perhaps "duct tape" was originally "duck tape." This view is summarized most notably in a New York Times article by etymologist William Safire in March of 2003. Safire cites use of the term "cotton duck tape" in a 1945 ad for surplus government property.[15] The other view is that "duct tape" is the original term, since there are many documented uses of that term which pre-date all documented uses of the term "duck tape" for the adhesive-backed product, and that there is no written evidence supporting the WWII story.[16] Some proponents of this view accept the idea that there was an earlier non-adhesive "duck tape", but claim that people have just confused the similar pronunciation of two similar but unrelated products through the process of elision, and that the rest of the "duck" etymology is folklore or fabrication. This view was summarized most notably in a Boston Globe article by etymologist Jan Freeman, also in March of 2003. In any case, whether it is an error or a preservation of the original usage, the term "duck tape" is sometimes used for the product today.[17] (Message edited by darthane on September 19, 2008) |
