I was out on my motorcycle the other day and tipped it over...the mirror came loose and I had no idea what to do.

That sounds like it was rough.
Weren’t you able to get it fixed with the tool kit included on your bike?

Huh? What do you mean, "tool kit?" Does my bike have tools in it?

I guess you didn't know about that...
Well then, let me tell you a few things about tool kits!

Index

  1. The History of Tool Kits
  2. Where to Find Your Tool Kit
  3. Types of Tools in the Tool Kit and How to Use Them

1.The History of Tool Kits

Even though tool kits have been included with motorcycles for a long time, there are actually no regulations about these tools for two-wheeled vehicles such as your motorcycle.

Huh? Really?
So how did tool kits come to be included?

Back in the day, motorcycles weren’t so easy to maintain as the ones we have today. Plus, there were less places to get your bike serviced, so you would have to do things like adjust the carburetor and change the plugs yourself. That’s why motorcycles would come with the bare minimum tool kit for these purposes.

Huh, alright. But how does that work these days?

Considering that there are less and less opportunities to conduct maintenance on your own, the maintenance environment in each country and the characteristics of each model are taken into account when deciding whether or not to provide a tool kit and what kinds of tools to provide.

So, the practice has changed with the times.

2.Where to Find Your Tool Kit

How do I know if I have a tool kit in my bike?

Take a look at your owner’s manual.
If you have a tool kit, that’s where you should be able to find out.
For example, the CB1000 Hornet’s owner manual says there is a bag with tools placed under the rear seat, which contains tools for adjusting suspension damping and other procedures.

Oh. Well, I guess I should just look in the owner's manual.

Yes, that’s right.
When you get a new bike, remember that the first thing you need to do is to read the owner's manual.

How to read an owner’s manual:
Let’s make use of the owner’s manual! | Plus ONE | Motorcycle Aftersales | Honda Global

3.Types of Tools in the Tool Kit and How to Use Them

What types of tools are provided in a tool kit?

Let me tell you about a few common tools found in such a kit.

Huh. I've never seen anything like it before. What is it used for?

This is used to change spark plugs.
The position and size of the spark plugs differ depending on the model, so the tool provided is determined accordingly.

Click here to learn more about spark plugs.
Spark plug | Maintenance | Motorcycle Aftersales | Honda Global

Okay then, what do you think these do?

That's a screwdriver and a wrench. Even I know that...
But actually, what are these holes in the wrench? I've never seen these before.

You found the interesting part! This hole is made to fit around a screwdriver when there is no grip on the screwdriver or when strong force is needed to turn it.

Amazing! That's a great idea. It lets you do more with your tools in tighter spaces.

By the way, do you know how to use a screwdriver and wrench properly?

Now that you ask...I guess you just try and turn them, right?

■ Proper screwdriver usage

■ Proper and improper wrench usage

If tools are not used correctly, they not only damage the screws and bolts they are used on, but the tool itself can be damaged, so be careful.

In fact, there are many different kinds of tool out there.
Certified technicians at authorized Honda dealers are trained in the proper use of tools. That means you can be sure to trust them to maintain your bike.

I see. Thanks for sharing such good tips with me.

In an emergency, you'll have to deal with it yourself, but you can go to the shop later and have it checked out for peace of mind.

You can learn more about Honda's technicians around the world at the following site. We hope you will have a look.
Boost Up | Technician | Motorcycle Aftersales | Honda Global