Guess it really depends on how much work you are going to be doing on your own.

I'm not exactly mechanically inclined, so I pieced together some metric socket sets, allen wrenchs, torque wrench, etc. Allows me to do simple stuff to the bike.

Might consider budgeting some of your cash towards a rear stand to help w/ your maintenance ventures.

 

craftsman all the way!!!!, i would say snap-on but they are way too expensive. I know craftsman has tool kits that are like anywhere from 50-300 peices. Im sure you can find a set for about the $200 range. Go to sears they have alot of good sales on those kinds of thing.

 

Thanks, guys. I will definately have to pick up a rear stand. I am scouring Craigslist to see I can find a bargain there.

brancart, I think you are right about Sears, I see their ads about tool all the time. I'll check it out.

EO

 

There is always ebay and used tool places. There is a guy near me that does nothing but used tools. Snap-On, Mac, Matco, etc. Crafstsman is his 'bottom line" brand. He sells them at about 50% cost of new if they are in nice shape. If beatup they are a bit less. I've spent a fair amount of $$ w/ him.

 

The number one tool i use is the cruz tools sliding t-handle. I use it every time I work on the bike.

 

farm and fleet is always selling tools for like dirt cheap.

as for the stands i bought both front and rear TRex stands for $105 bucks on ebay. They are good quality and very sturdy.

 

as for the stands i bought both front and rear TRex stands for $105 bucks on ebay. They are good quality and very sturdy.

+1

The might not win any beauty contests or outright quality medals against Pitbulls, but at about 85% the quality/finish, I think 1/3rd the cost is worth it.

:wink:

 

I actually have a Metrinch tool set that I use all the time. The best part is that it will grip bolt heads which are a bit stripped. It also fits metric and standard.

http://www.cyberbrands.com/pub/metwrench.html

http://cgi.ebay.com/62-pc-Metrinch-...pc-Metrinch-Combo-Spanner-Socket-Wrench-Set_W0QQitemZ260084660394QQcmdZViewItem

I also have a collection of other tools that fit various other jobs...drills, dremel, torque wrenches, mityvac, wiring stuff.

 

Funny you should post this.

Just last week I went to Sears Hardware and they are/were having a 30% off sale on all their tools.

I bought a 3/8" torque wrench regular $89 dollars for $62, a whole set of metric "T" allen wrenches, a set of metric socket wrenches from size 10-22, a strap wrench and various other small tools for almost exactly $200.

I spent four hours yesterday wrenching on the bike and it was great having ll the tools I needed!

I would recommend to anyone, even if you are not mechanical (I'm all thumbs when it comes to this stuff) to get a decent set of tools. You will same yourself a lot of time and trips to the dealer.

Oh ya: T-Rex stands are awesome for the quality and the price. I had my bike up on the front and rear stand for nearly 3 months during this winter and the bike was rock solid. You can even work and torque the bolts with the bike on the stand. A+++
Silver6

 

Craftsman from Sears. I don't know abou the 200$ budget. It also depends on what you want to do. I have a 190 pc set bought at a sale with a friend's recommendation. Most of the stuff I never use, the most used are sockets, allen wrench, torque wrench. but if you pick the pieces you need yourself, the price will come up the same if not higher, so I got more to cover for all. And you need a torque ranch that usually does not come with any set, I boguht the big one enough to do the rear wheel nut, 110Nm. And I bought a separate long lever to undo the nut and 27mm socket. You need a rear stand and I also got a Campbell portable rechargeable air pump to fill the tire. If you want to change oil yourself and use OEM filter, you need a Triiumph oil filter socket. You also need a shop manual. I think I might have spent at least $500 for them all but it pays for itself in a year if you ride alot and do service yourself. But most important, it makes the expeerince of riding so much richer, it's like a new bound you have with your bike.

 

Craftsmen here, too. I started out with a very basic set during a great sale for ~$50. Slowly expanding with wrench sets, allen key sockets, etc. as the need arises.

I know there are much nicer (and MUCH more expensive) brands out there, but these do me just fine. They do supposedly have a lifetime guarantee, too, but I haven't needed it yet, and don't expect too.

 

Craftsmen here, too. I started out with a very basic set during a great sale for ~$50. Slowly expanding with wrench sets, allen key sockets, etc. as the need arises.

I know there are much nicer (and MUCH more expensive) brands out there, but these do me just fine. They do supposedly have a lifetime guarantee, too, but I haven't needed it yet, and don't expect too.

I was going to mention that lifetime guarantee also. I doesn't apply to all their tools but I'm pretty sure it applies to sockets, wrenches, hex, etc. I got the 159pc mechanics tool set for $89 and it has every socket I need to work on the bike and the car. The only problem I ever had was the extension included wasn't long enough to reach the engine bolts for my frame slider install.

 

For your budget another great overlooked option is pawn shops!

You can get craftsman snap-on etc etc for literally pennies on the dollar for all the basics. Spend the coin for a good NEW torque wrench and then spend a saturday out browsing all your local pawn shops for bits and pieces. I pick up stuff all the time for next to nothing this way. I have an entire garage full of tools. As a man, you can NEVER have enough tools!

Sure it may take a little more time then going out and buying new full set of tools but I swear you can get basicly brand new stuff for hardly anything. Tools are easy to pawn and everyone has some so they end up in the pawn shops frequently. Plus if you buy craftsman you STILL get the warranty so if it breaks you can still go and swap it out for shiney new at any sears. (as long as the lifetime warranty applies of course.) Dig through and find what you need/want and I promise when you check out you will be paying a fraction of the cost, or end up with 3 to 4 times the tools for the same $200..

Just my 2 pennies..