Modern Vespa

Here's a question that I don't feel has been addressed - what tools and spares would the more experienced riders recommend to carry with you? I'm not that impressed with the supplied kit and was thinking of making a kit that would address issues that might come up on the road. That cheesy screwdriver has got to go for one, spare fuses would be another... suggestions?
Regards,
Jon

I have to agree... that screwdriver is a piece of crap. I added a set of allen wrenches, a new screwdriver and a small set of sockets. Fuses are also a good idea.

Matt C.

Besides basic mechanic tools, this site has some good ideas. http://abacus-es.net/motorscooter/needs.html

ALWAYS:
Fuses - 2 of each kind since they're small
Allen wrench that fits everything I've taken apart so far.
Zipties
Tubeless tire repair kit
Mini 12v air compressor
Camera
At least one bungie
Roadside Service Card

Sometimes:
baby wipes
extra water
nighttime riding glasses
Cell phone charger

LOL!

Those are the ones you really have to look out for.

I agree with Schlagle on most of the stuff.

Cruztools (search for them on the web) makes a very good metric portable tool kit.

Always have a cell phone in good working order, along with an emergency kit for injury. And, a portable tire plugger and air compressor is important for long trips.

Browse the web for articles on what to carry and you will find lots of info.

88

And I'll agree with 88 but also add that your cell phone should have a contact named "in case of emergency" that is programmed with the phone number of who you want called in case you're not conscious.

Which brings me to a funny story. I have a very close friend who just finished medical school. The funny thing is his name is "Son" (vietnamese) and for a long time I had no contacts such as the one above or something like "wife", "parents", what have you. So if I was knocked out, the first person to get a call would be my friend because of his name. Lucky for me he's a doctor

one thing that I keep under the seat now are hose clamps.. have one of those stock craptastic ones fail on you, and you cant use it again.. i have a couple in there!

Wonder if there's a list of the different sizes of nuts, bolts, allen screws and fuse sizes for the MP3's. It would be helpful to only have what's needed instead of trying to pack the kitchen sink in there. 88 mentioned a portable plugger. I used to have one of those but it's disappeared and I couldn't find one last I looked. Good idea tho - I used to carry one of those cans of Fix-a-Flat - works pretty good...
For my 2 cents addition I usually carry a small vise-grips, needlenose pliers, a small wire cutter/stripper and duct tape. Has anyone already compiled a list of the fuses required?
Regards,
Jon

Duct tape, bubble gum, baling wire, and a good rope. What more does a girl need?

For the fuses, just open up your battery compartment and see what fuses are installed right there. Then add a 30amp for the famous "hidden" fuse.

I only have duct tape and a couple of cable ties as extras under my seat - then again I wouldn't know what to do with anything complicated - I also have my breakdown service number in my pocket

A small maglite solitare or similar is handy if you travel in the dark.
BTW, Where is the "hidden fuse" mentioned in a previous post?
Pickin up the Fuoco Saturday, Yahoo!

Yes, flashlight is also a must. My phone has one built in so I forgot about that.

For the fuse:

Predelivery check list for the MP3 500

And I am LOVIN your avatar. Is she single? Can I get her number?

I will add a few items:

Motorcycle jumper cables
Imodium
A bottle of water
Toilet tissue
Sun screen
Insect repellent
Zip-Loc bags
Cargo bungee net
Micro-Fiber cloths
Spray cleaner/polish

All good - one could make a huge list of 'like to have' items.

But when embarking on say a two-week touring holiday (and leaving camping gear out of this) most space taken up depends on the climate to be encountered - that's riding gear. Then there's tools and stuff - easy for those with a get-out-of-jail-free card and even I've got one of those - but Ilike to think I can do most fettling at the roadside, so that's most of the rest of the space taken up with toolz'n'stuFF.

Clothes. Minimal - three of everything next to the skin - throw away or rinse'n'repeat. Some would claim this gives them twelve days before any rinse...


My Number One item would be zip-ties. Useful for everything from mending bikes to First Aid.

Bumping this thread as I was searching to ask the similar question about parts/spares and couldn't find any others in searching.

I searched spares + parts + touring, considering before the order things I'm about to buy after a broken drive belt to allow roadside change are:
- new belt
- new spare belt
- variator holding tool
- clutch nut/holding tool
- brake switch -- possible consumable, but is only few bucks, worth having
- light globes -- consumable, not common headlights, handy to have on hand
- spark plugs -- current iridium pair should last a while
- high tension leads -- may never need, but heard of failures
- multimeter (have) or onboard volt meter

Dead battery = go nowhere.
One thing that I've recently touched on with a commuter electric bicycle is LifePo4 batteries, people selling auto/motorcycle applications. I have a tiny Motobatt AGM battery for my kickstart 2 stroke, that would be a great spare replacement battery stowed under seat. However the LifePo4 can be even smaller than the tiny AGM for the same benefit. Deserves its own thread when I get around to it, or search Advrider, where I found most practical info.