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Tools to Carry

When you're out riding, some unpleasant things will occur. You have a scooter, it's inevitable, eventually you're going to snap a cable or blow a fuse or flatten a tire. What are you gonna do, call Triple-A? Pfah! No, we don't do that, after all - one of the joys of a scooter is that the mechanics are relatively simple, and you can do your own simple fixes more readile than on almost any other motor vehicle. That's the way they were designed, after all (at least the older ones)! You should always have a tool pack onboard your scoot for those occasions when you need to fix an immediate need.

And you will. One day, you will need those tools and need 'em fast! Your tool kit should have the following:

Spare Cables & Cable Hardware
--Carry one of each, as well as some extra pinchbolts and some lubricant

Spark Plug Wrench
--Any auto parts shop will have one

Spark Plug Gapper
--Replacement plugs should be gapped correctly before installation

Spare Spark Plugs
--Carry more than one, you never know if it's a dud til' it's your last one

MultiDriver and Bits
--Both flat and phillips head, in multiple sizes

Two pairs of Vice Grips
--Useful in changing cables, and bolts

Assorted Wrenches
--Open-end and box wrenches in a variety of sizes to fit all your bolts

Tire Pressure Gauge
--You always want one of these, check your tires before the ride

Needle Nosed Pliers
--Handy to have a pair of these

Wire Cutters
--Also handy to have

Utility Knife
--because something will always need to be cut

Spare Bulbs and Fuses
--When these blow, you will need a replacement

Depending upon how much of a Boy Scout you are, you might want to consider some other emergency neccessities that would come in handy out in the middle of nowhere. Items like a cell phone (so you can call your friend with the pick-up truck), some cash (for those gas stations that don't take American Express), basic first aid needs (you might fall down and get an ouchie), some rain gear (there's a fine line between being macho and riding wet, and looking like a drowned and shivering rat), and any other items that come to mind. Don't go overboard, it isn't like you're climbing Mount Everest, but you don't want to be caught somewhere yelling "If only I had three quarters and a cigarette lighter, all this would be fixed and I'd be riding home!"

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Article by Kevin Montanaro