Adventure Touring Blog

We just finished unpacking from our nearly 3000 mile Adventure Touring Shootout and all things considered the trip went as well as could be expected. With five bikes covering that kind of mileage there’s bound to be some issues. Preparing for mechanical breakdowns, flat tires and medical emergencies is something that every motorcyclist needs to consider. As moto-journalists, we have a few advantages and disadvantages.

On the plus side, we start with new or barely used machines inspected and prepared by trained factory mechanics. This means that we have solid bikes that don’t typically break down. Also, it’s in the manufacturers’ best interests to make sure their bike is represented and supported as well as possible. That means we get as much help as possible. For instance, our Multistrada had a brake issue that required dealer service. Before we made it the final miles to Salt Lake City, Ducati had already called ahead to Salt Lake Motorsports and gave them a heads-up on our bike and its situation. The dealer eventually pulled brake components off of a showroom model to get us on our way in record time.

So Average Joe probably doesn’t have Ducati North America pulling strings at their local motorcycle dealership. But, we have challenges on other fronts. First, our riders are all different sizes, shapes and skills. Because we swap bikes constantly it’s far more challenging to get bikes set up comfortably for everyone. Secondly, getting bikes on loan is great, except that we have to give them back. It isn’t like we get to live with these bikes daily for a long time, which means it’s tough to really get to know them inside-out. Often times, when stuff goes wrong we have to spend a lot of time searching around the bike because we aren’t intimately familiar with it. However, my biggest personal gripe is that I can’t develop a kickass, specialized tool kit.

I’m a big fan of having tools out on the road or trail. Stock tool kits are more of a nice gesture than anything (though I have been saved by them on occasion). Most riders who carry tools have tried different combinations and over time have crafted their fanny pack into a blend of light weight and functionality that fits their machine perfectly. It does us no good to have specialty combo wrenches, torx bits and custom-bent screwdrivers. Basically we’d have to carry every tool in our shop just to cover all bases. Instead I pack a generalized kit and hope for the best.