Tools of the Trade – Travel Toolkit

Originally posted on Touratech-USA’s blog on November 7, 2014

My toolkit is modular, with a bit of redundancy, lots of flexibility, and a few odd components. Rather than totally tailoring the toolkit exclusively to my KTM 950 Adventure I have intentionally left it rather universal, because the bulk of the kit will move between motorcycles depending on what I am riding. I also like to have the ability to help other riders if I can. The core components are the wrench assortment, screw drivers, Gerber tool, and mini-Mag Lite. They have been part of my motorcycle tool kit since I started riding, much of the rest has been fine tuned over the past decade and a half.

The area under the seat contains stuff that is always on the motorcycle: The factory tool kit from KTM (which is actually pretty good), the Touratech LC8 front axle removal tool and spark-plug socket, a CO2 inflation kit, spare CO2 cartridges, back-up mountain bike pump, 21” spare tube, pack of fuses, compact beanie and a bandana round out the under seat tools.  

Most of this is straight forward, the beanie and bandana are something I started carrying years ago in my tool kit for those times when the weather changed or I forgot to prepare for the cold. A bandana is super versatile to have, in a pinch, it can be used as a neck gaiter, a handkerchief, a rag, or anything else you can think of.

The main toolkit is stored in the tool pouch from a Klim Nac Pak, which fits nicely into the Touratech Pannier Lid bag that I use as a tailbag, as well as in the bottom of a Zega Pro pannier if I am on another motorcycle. This is the more extensive kit that will move with me to different motorcycles or get thrown into my travel toolbox for track-type events.  

The tools are all high quality garage grade tools, often duplicates of what I have in my roll-away toolbox at home. I like having the consistency of using the same tools, and the last place I want to have a fastener round out due to shoddy tools is in the middle of the woods or side of the road.  

The full wrench set adds some weight and is redundant in some cases, but worth that risk to me. The valve stem tool makes tube changes much easier, and is all but required with the wide (4.5”) rear rim on the KTM 950 Adv when running a 140 series rear tire. A can opener is a definitely a weird thing to pack with tools, but I always seem to forget on when packing to camp, so now I always carry one. The lighter is great for stripping insulation off of wires in a pinch, as well as it’s intended purpose of making fires.

Under Seat Compartment

Stop & Go CO2 kit 

Spare CO2 cartridges (not shown)

Small mountain bike tire pump

21” Spare tube

Spare fuses

Low Bulk beanie and bandana

KTM tool pouch:

Combo Screw Driver

13mm/14mm Combo Wrench

14mm/15mm Combo Wrench

KTM Bottle opener / 12mm wrench

Axle nun tools w/ handle

6mm, 8mm, 10mm, 17mm sockets 

6mm Allen T- handle / socket driver 

6mm Allen extension

Touratech KTM Front Axle Pushing Tool – Discontinued

Thinwall sparkplug socket

Klim Toolkit Pouch

7mm-17mm Craftsman Combo Wrenches

8” Crescent Adjustable wrench

Gerber Multi-Plier tool

Snap-on fold up Allen tool

#2 Phillips Screw Driver

¼” Flat Blade Screw Driver

Mini Mag-light

(3) Motion Pro Forged Tire Lever 

Stick type tire pressure gauge

Zip-Ties

Electrical Tape

Bic Lighter

Valve stem fish tool

Can Opener

Shop Rag

Good luck out there, have fun, and Godspeed!

-Eric Archambault