Tools for tires

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I always bring this tire kit with me. I’ve tried going with the small travel spoons alone but depending on the tire, there just isn’t enough leverage and you end up wrecking your hands. I install all my tires because I like to suffer and also want to know it’s done right. After many installs, this is the kit I have ended up with. The BeadPro do an excellent job of breaking the bead when you use them correctly and the full size spoons give me the leverage I need for the Motoz tires. The mavericks trail jack is a new addition. I saw it in action when my brother in law had two flats in a row. If you don’t have a center stand, something like this is a must. It provides another balance/support point for your motorcycle to lift the rear tire off the ground. 

I keep this like handy like a six-shooter in a spaghetti western, usually in my jacket pocket. I found out about this tool from the Chris Byrch video series; highly recommend that series. I reach for this tool anytime I need to adjust my levers, handlebars, tighten up a loose bolt or hand it to my buddy so he can do the same and keep the party going. It’s designed extremely well and you can change out the 1/4 bits for your needs. It’s fairly tough but I do a quick dry and spray the bits with some lubricant so they don’t rust. It’s one of my favorite tools and it also happens to be a gift from my wife, she made to sure laser etch some words of wisdom. 

Having a proper GPS device for navigation provides a sense of confidence that is probably not earned but well received. I still carry the BDR Butler maps, but my main tool for navigating is the Zumo XT2. The unit is easy enough to use on it‘s own, but I do recommend downloading the apps and linking your in-reach device if possible. I find the Garmin Tread app is the best way to download and organize routes. You can also create custom turn by turn routes on the fly via the Zumo device alone. I think Gaia and OnX are great but are limited, mainly to cell service. Not all routes or trails appear on the Garmin or the phone apps, it’s a good idea to compare routes across the platforms, specially when you have to find a way around a closed trail or gate. There is always a path, knowing where that path leads is usually good.

This has been a great add on for communication on the last few trips. The first couple of trips we had our headsets on 24/7 and that can be taxing, it also leaves you with nothing to talk about at the end of the day. The last few trips we switched over to using these radios for communication while on trail and it has been great. That leaves your headset open for music, to call your family, make business deals or if you’re like me, you just listen to the sound of the engine while random earwigs enter your mind. The battery life is great on this model. 

Normally I would recommend a garmin mini, but I recently ran into a situation that made carrying this bigger model worth while. I originally bought this when I got into hunting a few years back. I read that in cold situations you want big buttons vs a touchscreen. Oddly enough the button feature came in handy when I lost my phone on a BDR, this garmin allowed me to inform my wife that I wouldn’t have a phone for a while. I did not plan for this, so relating this information would required a custom message. I know you can also do this on the mini but you need a smartphone to create the message in real time otherwise you’re limited to prebuilt messages. So long story short, don’t lose your phone and you’re good with a mini or if you’re prone to leave things in random places, or party to hard at times, think about a garmin with more features. 

Hydrate, don’t stroke out.
This lives on my bag 24/7. It is very versatile and easy to use. It gets more use as a water bottle than a purifier, but I don’t travel too far without it. Better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. My normal routine for hydration is to drink plenty of water when I’m in town, then fill up my 2L hydration pack right before I hit the trails. By the time my pack runs out I’m usually back in town or I’m close to camp. The only time I had to purify water on trail, was on the Oregon BDR. The area close to Nevada is hot and long, you definitely need to bring extra water or filter some along the way.

There are many things that can slow down or stop a ride, don’t let hydration be one of those things. From cramping to heatstrokes, staying hydrated can help mitigate those issues. I’ve never had a heat stroke, but I have been around them and it’s not a fun thing to experience. It usually halts the ride and shifts the focus from riding, to safety, as it should. I have had cramps from lack of water and or a few too many drinks the night before and that makes for bad riding. It’s hard enough to keep good form on technical sections, adding cramps and headaches to the mix makes it extremely hard and dangerous. Thankfully for most of us in the states, there is potable water easily available and also these cool small packets that really help keep you going. I usually carry a hand full in my bag and add them to my water as needed. Liquid IV in the morning with breakfast and the super green packet around lunch. I have had them dry straight out of the packet, I would not recommend that.