What's a good all round general toolkit?

[CVSensei]

Morning Ladies/Gents,

Trying to teach myself how to maintain my bike, slowly but surely, and I'm at the stage where i need to buy myself a proper toolkit that will cover all the basic maintenance and accessorizing. I'm on a budget but under no circumstances want anything less than the real deal. Happy to invest some solid cash in tools that will last.

This is what I'm most likely to choose so far, cheap but looks legit and got good reviews - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-Series-19776-107-Piece-Mechanics/dp/B0040Y939G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1423557430&sr=8-1&keywords=tool+kit+mechanic

Also tempted by something like this but seems like overkill and much more money - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Clarke-Piece-Mechanics-Toolkit-Toolbox-x/dp/B008GW0PO0/ref=sr_1_31?ie=UTF8&qid=1423557110&sr=8-31&keywords=tool+kit+mechanic

Any thoughts or suggestions welcome!
____________________
2014 Yamaha MT-07 ABS Deep Armour
'If all else fails, read the instructions.' - Grandpa
'Two possibilities exist: either we are alone in the Universe or we are not. Both are equally terrifying.' - Arthur C. Clarke

[Fisty]

[CVSensei]

Aha! That looks mighty fine. Thank you sir!

It's currently half price at 125 quid.. Does it get lower than that?
____________________
2014 Yamaha MT-07 ABS Deep Armour
'If all else fails, read the instructions.' - Grandpa
'Two possibilities exist: either we are alone in the Universe or we are not. Both are equally terrifying.' - Arthur C. Clarke

[Fisty]

[Joncrete Cungle]

I find the Halfords Pro ok for what I paid for it (£70 I think) Scan or photocopy your receipt as it fades to unreadable over time.

[CVSensei]

I'm leaning towards the 120 piece set.. Think that might be a bit more justifiable for a beginner, that is unless there's something about the 170 that I can't live without that I haven't picked up on?

I also can't wait much longer for a better deal as I'm going to need the tools in the next month or so.
____________________
2014 Yamaha MT-07 ABS Deep Armour
'If all else fails, read the instructions.' - Grandpa
'Two possibilities exist: either we are alone in the Universe or we are not. Both are equally terrifying.' - Arthur C. Clarke

[Taught2BCauti...]

Apart from spanners, sockets and screwdrivers, etc. invest in a decent Digital Multi-Meter that has at least the following functions:

DC Volts, 0-20
Ohms, 0-1Meg
Amps, 0-10
Continuity (or 'Diode Test') for testing bulbs, fuses, switches and wiring.
____________________
Honda Varadero XL125(V8)
www.TheFutureIsHere.eu

[Rogerborg]

[CVSensei]

[CVSensei]

[Rogerborg]

Then it is a sound plan and I commend it.

Given how often Halfrauds have their stuff on double-offer, it might even be worth dropping in and asking the manager if he (or she) has got any leeway on the price.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Taught2BCauti...]

[CVSensei]

That's a good shout Roger I'll drop by and see if i can haggle it down a bit more!

Taught2BCautious - Righto, that sounds like sound advice. Keeps suprising me how friendly and eager to help you lot are.. Compared to a couple of other forums anyway! Yeah I'll definitely be getting a TPG soon, have been using petrol station air pumps on my 125 but I'd like to give my new machine some premium home treatment You know roughly how much a multi meter might set me back?
____________________
2014 Yamaha MT-07 ABS Deep Armour
'If all else fails, read the instructions.' - Grandpa
'Two possibilities exist: either we are alone in the Universe or we are not. Both are equally terrifying.' - Arthur C. Clarke

[Taught2BCauti...]

[CVSensei]

:O Happy days! Ta
____________________
2014 Yamaha MT-07 ABS Deep Armour
'If all else fails, read the instructions.' - Grandpa
'Two possibilities exist: either we are alone in the Universe or we are not. Both are equally terrifying.' - Arthur C. Clarke

[stirlinggaz]

Hi,
a young friend of mine has just bought one of these https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281546419935?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
(although im not sure if it was from that particular seller, but it looks identical) & on 1st looks, it seems ok.
guys just moved into his 1st house so had no tools whats-so-ever & went & bought it before asking for any opinions.
i was prepared to tell him to send it back, it will be junk etc but it seems ok for the price & the ratchets are certainly better than in the op's post.

cheers,
GAZ

[G]

I wouldn't go for the Halfords either personally - quality is ok, but tools themselves/value are mediocre (when offer - value is bad when not).

For normal spanners, I'd get the 6-32mm Silverline set. You can get the same set with different names on (ie Halfords), but the Silverline set is the cheapest and price is decent.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverline-SP100-Combination-Spanner-25-Piece/dp/B000LFTQMC
If I had some cash, to splash, I'd go for the big draper wall drive set (or even, a few of the smaller sets, but that's even more.)
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/150899397393

If I didn't want to spend that much, I'd go for one of the 94 piece socket sets:
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221663634675
They offer amazing value at this price. Quality isn't amazing, but is way better than the price.
Recently I got a branded version of one of these which had slightly nice looking rathcets as a present - it cost a bit more, but not sure it was worth it over the cheap ones.

With the 94 piece and the spanner set you'll likely have more useful tools than with the halfords set for half the price.

[talkToTheHat]

Worn in leather belt, handcuffs, rubber hose, penetrative toys in a range of sizes in stainless steel and silicone. Triclosan cleaning spray. Latex gloves. Preferred brand and style of condoms. Hitachi magic wand. Clothes pegs. Candles. Gas lighter that works with sticky hands. Gaffer tape. Lube. Rope. Chains. Padlocks. Spare keys.

I wouldn't buy any of that from halfords.
____________________
Bandit. does. everything.

[Scootaloo]

https://www.halfords.com/motoring/garage-equipment/socket-sets/halfords-advanced-professional-170-piece-socket-ratchet-spanner-set?_$ja=kw:skimlinks_phg|tsid:40392&cm_mmc=Affiliates-_-PerformanceHorizon-_-skimlinks_phg-_-TopLink

https://www.halfords.com/motoring/garage-equipment/socket-sets/halfords-advanced-professional-170-piece-socket-ratchet-spanner-set?_$ja=kw:skimlinks_phg|tsid:40392&cm_mmc=Affiliates-_-PerformanceHorizon-_-skimlinks_phg-_-TopLink

https://www.halfords.com/motoring/garage-equipment/socket-sets/halfords-advanced-professional-170-piece-socket-ratchet-spanner-set?_$ja=kw:skimlinks_phg|tsid:40392&cm_mmc=Affiliates-_-PerformanceHorizon-_-skimlinks_phg-_-TopLink

Bought mine about 2 years ago, it has covered me for almost every single thing plus more... and it has not failed on me yet.

Get that and then buy more stuff when, and only when you need it.

The title of the thread makes it sound like your putting together a toolkit for when you break down on the road.
____________________
(CBF125 - 09) (CBF125 - 11) (CB-1 - 89) (CBF500 - 06) (Push Bike) (CB-1 - 90) (XL125 - 01) (VF500 - 83) (GPZ500 - 94) (GPZ500 - 95) (GPZ500 - 87) (XV535 - 94) (XV535 - 94) (GPZ500 - 87)

[CVSensei]

Thanks for all your suggestions guys this thread has been exactly what i was hoping for! Now to wait for my pay cheque!
____________________
2014 Yamaha MT-07 ABS Deep Armour
'If all else fails, read the instructions.' - Grandpa
'Two possibilities exist: either we are alone in the Universe or we are not. Both are equally terrifying.' - Arthur C. Clarke