What goes in your tool kit is asked a great deal and it largely depends on what you might do should anything happen to your bike.

I'm of the opinion that irrespective of what you are capable of doing you are not going to be fixing your water pump or reboring your cylinders at the side of the road. You're going to be drawing a line somewhere beyond which you turn to the skills of the local mechanic. And let's remember that the local mechanic isn't some neanderthal, just remember that your car might be sleeker on the outside and more plush on the inside but internal combustion engines haven't changed for a century. Suspension systems for decades. Welding bits of metal is welding bits of metal. And no-one fixes Electronic Fuel Ignition systems if they fail.

In fact, your local mechanic is more attuned to finding ways to fix things than your regular mechanic. He'll be used to making his own tools -- I wanted my tyres changed and the local mechanic realised he didn't have a 14mm hex bolt, so he made one there and then. Do they do that at Halfords?

I know nothing about engines -- you put petrol in the hole in the top is about my limit -- so my line comes up somewhat quicker than most. However, I still suggest that there are going to be very few people who will attempt to fix their engine or other major component at the side of the road even if they can diagnose it where I can't.

On the other hand, there are plenty of bits and pieces on the bike that you will have already fiddled with (luggage systems, protection, wheels, etc.) and so you should probably be able to fiddle with again.

Clearly you need all the allen keys, sockets, spanners, wrenches etc. that you use to fiddle with them and no more! Why are you carrying a spanner for something that isn't on your bike?

Then you'll want some spares (inner tubes, bolts, clips).

And some general purpose bits and pieces (glue, epoxy metal, sandpaper, cuddly toy).