What you always bring with you? | GTAMotorcycle.com

What you always bring with you?

ScooterBoy

Well-known member
So I'm new to trail/gravel riding and have one or two question...first, Do you ever go riding in trails alone or would you consider this a bit irresponsible/dangerous? Second, what is it you never leave without even for short 2-3 hours ride?

Firts aid kit?
Tool kit? If so what tools should always come along no matter what...
Something to drink?
Gps?
Matches?
Your favourite pornographic magazine?

Just trying to get ready for what is to come. In the past when doing my weekend ride I'd just hop on and go not thinking twice about it. Maybe I'm being a bit paranoid and old about it. If that is the case, please let me know ?
 
I ride alone almost all the time, but it is probably a better idea to have some friends around if you are trying unfamiliar trails on a new bike. With a big bike, questions like "will I be able to get this this thing turned around if the trail narrows and becomes impassible?", or "will I be able to pick this thing up myself if I get it buried in mud?" figure prominently. It is much less of an issue with a smaller bike or if you've got some guys to help.

As for equipment, I bring:
- small vice grips (can be used as a makeshift clutch/brake lever or footpeg if one breaks off)
- lots of heavy baling wire (strap heavy or hot things like your exhaust back on the bike)
- lots of big zip ties (can hold a blown tire on the rim long enough to limp out of the woods)
- the street bike also has enough room to carry a tire repair kit and an inflator
- a 1" cam strap (handy for pulling the bike upright or out of mud holes, as well as strapping random stuff on the back)

I also carry a whistle on the dirt bike, since it doesn't have a horn to signal for help. The first aid kit contains only what I am capable of actually using in the woods: a little leatherman with scissors, some moleskin, medical tape and a bandage or two. Plus a permanent marker to tell people which way I went in case I need to abandon the bike and walk out.

edit: and a definite yes on the GPS. It is so central for me that I consider it part of the bike rather than separate equipment.
 
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When I'm trail riding, I rarely ride alone due to the safety factor but it also depends on my proximity to civilization and the trail conditions - generally speaking though, I'm almost always riding with someone else.

As as for what I bring:
1- water, yes water. I wear a hydration backpack that holds three litres so I'm never without water especially since I drink from it as I ride all day long. You need to stay hydrated and if I start getting muscle cramps, it's an indicator that I haven't drunk enough.
2- tools: KTMs come with incredibly complete and efficient tool kits that are easily stowed into anything but I supple,met mine with a few other tools and thread lock all inside a Kriega tool roll which is the best tool carrier I have found to date. Depending on where I'm riding and for how long, I may carry other things such as a portable battery pack, tire irons, a tiny air pump and spare front tube. When riding in groups; small or big, try to coordinate with others so not everyone is carrying everything known to man - most things are fine if there's one per group, etc.
3- basic first aid - yes, all the time. It's tiny and can make the difference between life and death. Im sure I won't always have everything I need for any emergency but something is better than nothing.
4- Rok straps to tie things down or back on in case anything breaks
5- plastic tie-wraps
6- spare spark plug
7- whistle
8- simple one inch strap for pulling myself or others out of anything
 
And by the way, I never bring a tube patch kit or plugs - plugs don't work on tubed tires and tube repair kits can be iffy and I just can't be bothered. A front 21" tube can work in a rear 18" in a pinch, it won't work the other way around and the spare that I bring is a regular tube, not a heavy or ultra heavy duty so it's compact and light.
 
questions like "will I be able to get this this thing turned around if the trail narrows and becomes impassible?"

Never even though of that...Now it's going to make me more paranoid than I already am.

Thanks for all input on tools...I will start putting that aside.

I'm thinking I will ride alone most of the time. Probably be doing more gravel riding than anything else when that is the case.
 
2- tools: KTMs come with incredibly complete and efficient tool kits that are easily stowed into anything but I supple,met mine with a few other tools and thread lock all inside a Kriega tool roll which is the best tool carrier I have found to date. Depending on where I'm riding and for how long, I may carry other things such as a portable battery pack, tire irons, a tiny air pump and spare front tube. When riding in groups; small or big, try to coordinate with others so not everyone is carrying everything known to man - most things are fine if there's one per group, etc.

I was just a GP Bikes yesterday and forgot to look for the Kriega tool roll you had previously mentioned. Guess will need to go back. :D

I have tubeless tires. My guess is the spare front tube is worthless to me or is it best way still? Planning on bringing a tire repair kit along with some kind of pump. Any recommendation for a good pump?
 
Go go to the Kriega Canada site (links you to Angle Wings the Canadian distributor) and see who else carries Kriega closer to you. If you're in the market for a tool roll AND a hydration pack, consider the Klim nac-pack - it's got outstanding storage and a tool fold instead of a roll. Personally, I don't like to carry too much weight up on my back when riding off road but that Klim unit is amazing and it's about $139 for a backpack, tool fold and hydration bladder - amazing value.

If if you run tubeless tires then get a tubeless plug kit with the rubbery worms and look for a small compressor like the Slime micro compressor that I found at Canadian tire on sale for $9.00 - it has never ever failed me and it's small and light enough to stow away anywhere. I replaced the cigarette lighter plug-in end with an SAE plug that connects to my SAE plug on my bike (for a battery tender, heated vest, usb charging, etc.).



I was just a GP Bikes yesterday and forgot to look for the Kriega tool roll you had previously mentioned. Guess will need to go back. :D

I have tubeless tires. My guess is the spare front tube is worthless to me or is it best way still? Planning on bringing a tire repair kit along with some kind of pump. Any recommendation for a good pump?
 
Never even though of that...Now it's going to make me more paranoid than I already am.

Thanks for all input on tools...I will start putting that aside.

I'm thinking I will ride alone most of the time. Probably be doing more gravel riding than anything else when that is the case.

You'll have no problem on anything that can be considered a road, or even a lot of dry ATV trails.

On hard, level ground you can lever the bike up onto the side stand and pivot it 180 degrees. One of those bolt-on wide side stand feet could help in squishy stuff.

Worst case, you can chuck the bike on its side and run a long strap through the forks and just drag the front end around 180 degrees. That's not at all pleasant to consider doing to a shiny new bike, but it is a better option than getting stranded or injured on rough terrain that you're not comfortable tackling.
 
Never even though of that...Now it's going to make me more paranoid than I already am.

Thanks for all input on tools...I will start putting that aside.

I'm thinking I will ride alone most of the time. Probably be doing more gravel riding than anything else when that is the case.
Since you're new to this like I am I would recommend riding with others whenever possible or just don't take any chances where you might get stuck.

There will be many obstacles though that you will not dare attempt if there is not others with you. Having others around is also great because they can show you how to tackle each obstacle you approach.

I don't bring anything with me but my water and wallet, because Alon has everything needed.
 
I don't bring anything with me but my water and wallet, because Alon has everything needed.

Good thing you bring your wallet at least. How much does Alon charges to get you out? Lol

Yea I'm not planning to be too adventurous on my own but I'm sure there will be unplanned riding where I'll just decide to go unprepared. I have that space at the front of my bike where I can leave some gear. My helmet don't fit in there cause of its bigger size & Sena. I'll just fill it up now and it will be there if needed.


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You'll have no problem on anything that can be considered a road, or even a lot of dry ATV trails.

On hard, level ground you can lever the bike up onto the side stand and pivot it 180 degrees. One of those bolt-on wide side stand feet could help in squishy stuff.

Worst case, you can chuck the bike on its side and run a long strap through the forks and just drag the front end around 180 degrees. That's not at all pleasant to consider doing to a shiny new bike, but it is a better option than getting stranded or injured on rough terrain that you're not comfortable tackling.

I'm going to get a reverse option installed on that thing...hehe! Guess I have to start working out. Sounds like I'm going to need muscles to make it through summer.


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I'm going to get a reverse option installed on that thing...hehe! Guess I have to start working out. Sounds like I'm going to need muscles to make it through summer.


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Don't worry, by the end of summer you'll have muscles. In places you didn't realize.
Seriously though, off road riding is very good exercise. If anything, I'd check your cardio. Even smaller bikes can get you pretty winded when they're stuck in the mud.

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I don't bring anything with me but my water and wallet, because Alon has everything needed.

What does that make me, the mule?
 
Tailbag has water bottle , mostly for washing mud out of a scrap, small first aid kit , tire kit, vise grips, electrical tape, two spare sparkplugs (used to be a concern) and I have all my important contact info (moms phone # ect.) on a card in the tail bag, and my jacket pocket.
 
Water, trail mix and/or pepperettes, cell phone, CAA card, fine dental floss picks, paper towels, moist towelettes, coffee funds.
 
Rain gear. Water container. Lighter. Pen and paper. First aid kit. Tool kit. Granola bars. Flashlight. Big orange garbage bag. Wallet. Cell phone. Spare key. Emergency blanket.
 

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