How to Build a Motorcycle Toolkit That Works
4/3/20261 hr 1 min
Putting together the right toolkit can make all the difference when you’re out riding—especially on an adventure bike, where help isn’t always close by. We talk about how to build an efficient setup, from choosing what actually belongs in your kit to organizing it so it’s easy to use when it matters most. The conversation covers how to prepare for unpredictable issues like flat tires, leaks, and bent or broken parts, along with the often-overlooked supplies that can save the day during a roadside or trailside repair. Along the way, Jim talks with Clinton Smout from SMART Performance Centre about building a toolkit around the jobs you’re most likely to face, and we’re joined by Matthew Kunz from Obsidian Adventure Gear to look at compact, bike-specific tool systems designed to keep you prepared without carrying half the garage.
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Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsJim Martin· Host0:00
A lot of riders think they've got a motorcycle toolkit sorted, but in many cases it's just guesswork. You know, a few tools thrown together, maybe based on somebody else's list or something someone has told them, and a hope that what they've got is gonna cover anything that goes wrong. Well, on this episode, we're gonna give you a much better way to think about it. We're gonna walk through how to figure out exactly what tools your motorcycle actually needs, how to build a kit that suits your bike and your riding style, and how to avoid carrying a bunch of stuff that you don't need, while at the same time missing something that's important. It's actually a pretty straightforward process, and it's something that you can sort out in an afternoon once you know how to approach it. We'll also get into some extra gear items and working supplies that can make all the difference on the side of the road or on the side of a trail, and we're gonna look at one commercial toolkit designed around the same idea of keeping things compact, organized, and practical. I'm Jim Martin. This is Adventure Rider Radio. Stay with us. We got a good one for you.
Clinton Smout· Guest0:57
[upbeat music] I'm Ted Simon. Jocelyn Snow. Austin Vince. Helge Pedersgoren.
Grant Johnson· Soundbite1:05
Grant Johnson.
Clinton Smout· Guest1:05
Sam Manicom.
Charley Boorman· Soundbite1:06
Charlie Boorman.
Clinton Smout· Guest1:07
Simon Pavey. Herbert Schwarz. Veronique Schoemaker. Jimmy Lewis. Lyndon Poskitt. Tiff Nico.
Chris Birch· Soundbite1:11
Chris Birch.
Clinton Smout· Guest1:12
Simon Thomas. Lisa Charvet. Graham Jarvis. Clinton Smout. And you're listening to Adventure Rider Radio.
Jim Martin· Host1:17
Experienced riders choose the Cycle Pump Tire Inflator made by Best Rest Products for one reason: because they can count on it when they pull