most useful thing you found while riding?

[scmopar]

While out running errands today I spotted a pair of blue handled channellock pliers.The most usefull of all tools.That got me to thinking with all these" adv'riders loggin thousands of kilometers/miles a year what is the most usefull thing you have found?

[REALGRAVEROBBER]

For riders:
1.) Earplugs.
2.) GPS that has self-correcting ability, easy to use (Garmin 660 is quite good).
3.) Rider-to-passenger communication system that works well (read: must have squelch mic sensitivity that is adjustable while riding).
4.) A Camelbak that works well.
5.) Thermal / Insulating underwear top and bottom.
6.) Modular helmet (reduces a bit of fatuigue at each stop (fuel, bathroom, eating, speaking to others for directions, campground attendants, etc.).
7.) Fuel gauge on my bike.
8.) Accessible camera.
9.) Boots you can walk in.
10.) LED headlamp that can be worn on your helmet (for on-the-go map reading at night, don't ask...).
11.) $2000 extra dollars above your budget...

The best tool in addition to your bike's toolkit:
Alien bicycle multi-tool LINK.

[Land]

Originally Posted by scmopar

While out running errands today I spotted a pair of blue handled channellock pliers.The most usefull of all tools.That got me to thinking with all these" adv'riders loggin thousands of kilometers/miles a year what is the most usefull thing you have found?

Originally Posted by REALGRAVEROBBER

For riders:
1.) Earplugs.
2.) GPS that has self-correcting ability, easy to use (Garmin 660 is quite good).
3.) Rider-to-passenger communication system that works well (read: must have squelch mic sensitivity that is adjustable while riding).
4.) A Camelbak that works well.
5.) Thermal / Insulating underwear top and bottom.
6.) Modular helmet (reduces a bit of fatuigue at each stop (fuel, bathroom, eating, speaking to others for directions, campground attendants, etc.).
7.) Fuel gauge on my bike.
8.) Accessible camera.
9.) Boots you can walk in.
10.) LED headlamp that can be worn on your helmet (for on-the-go map reading at night, don't ask...).
11.) $2000 extra dollars above your budget...

The best tool in addition to your bike's toolkit:
Alien bicycle multi-tool LINK.

I nominate this thread for the 2012 Quickest To Get Off Track award.

I found a pair of fishing pliers once, but they aren't very useful to me since I don't fish. I also stopped once to pick up a pocket knife, but it was in rough shape after being run-ded over a few times.

A few months ago I saw a riding buddy's wallet fall out her tail bag on an interstate entrance ramp after a fuel stop. Her cash, credit cards, ID, etc., I'm sure, proved very useful to her after we found her stuff that scattered for yards and yards and yards down the ramp.

Chris

[Kav]

The best thing I found was a thin flat piece of rubber that I used to make a gasket with. My fuel take started leaking baddly after a crash in the desert. Got me back to camp and it's still on the bike.

The next best thing as a black marker. I had snapped off my clutch lever and had just a little nub. But not enough of the lever to use it. After looking around for a while I found the marker. So pulled all of the guts out of it, mash it on the nub and tape the snot out of it. It worked well enough to get me off the trails and back into town about 60 miles away. I bought 2 levers the next day.

[rivercreep]

Empty roads, just for me!

[rwf]

A 30 foot logging chain.

[UnclebudinTX]

There is a 9/16 wrench and a 10" break over in beaded in the asphalt at a stop sign i have to stop at every day when i go to work. I stopped one day with a long screw driver to pry them out but couldn't.. I wonder if the snow plow got them the other day..???.. Ill have to go check later today...

We are talking about ROAD SIDE Finds arent we???

[pfloydgad]

In the old days, I had to make the nightly deposit from the days sales at an Electronic Store
I used to work at.
I rode my Wing daily and never had a problem making the night drop at the local banks drive through.
One night I put my key in to open the drop, but it was already un-locked. I pulled a little farther and another depoisit bag was stuck by its zipper. I had to pull it out to get mine in.
It was from a local Flower shop, and loaded with cash.
I did the right thing and droppoed it in behind mine, but I did stop by the flower shop the next day. I asked the very cute girl at the register who made the drop last night. She said she did. So I told her where I work at what had happened the night before.
She was very surprised that that happened, and said it was her first time doing the drop.
I told her to always check by opening it back-up to confirm it did drop.
When I closed my store that evening at 9pm, she was waiting in her car next to my Wing.
Her appreciation for my honesty lasted almost 6 months, I will now leave the rest to your imagination. .
Ride safe all, and please, ATGATT.
Greg

[kraven]

a brand new Gerber multi-tool.
I still carry it on my belt 10 years later. Pliers, knife, abrasive blade... it offers multiple ways to mongle fasteners.

[high dangler]

id say the cell phone.

[rob1313]

My peace of mind. Took about 3 tanks of fuel to find it....

[RodT]

I found Bear pepper spray up at Crater lake, Oregon this summer.

[Ride-a-lot]

I find a few things now and again while on the motorcycle. But if you really want to find a bunch of crap ride a bicycle on bumpy curvey road. Found all these within about a month last summer. Not in the picture is a box of DeWalt drill bits. I saw the drill bit box laying off the side of the road and also saw a couple drill bits scattered around. Stopped and spent about 5 minutes searching and managed to find all but 3 of the drill bits.

The mag light still worked fine, so I gave it away. Since going to LED flashlights I had forgotten just how lame the mag lights are. With as much battery power as that mag light a LED light would be horrendously bright.

[EddMc]

Found a 1/4" Snap on ratchet about 15 years ago still using it.

[Jordansdad]

Found a complete husky socket set in two sizes with two wrenches in a zip up carrying case in the middle of a dirt road, now resides in the back of my truck.