It should be noted that some of the spe-
cialty manufacturers like Motion Pro and Knipex make certain tools that are unique and currently have no real peers available at any price. I own several tools from each and always look forward to new tools that come out from all the manufacturers to help make my wrenching life easier. Another great thing to consider about
high quality tools is that because they last so long, you can get a great deal on used ones that still have decades of use left in them. For instance, I was at a local flea market and came across a lightly used, 20" long, 3/4" drive Proto ratchet for those few times when I need a serious amount of torque. After haggling with the seller, I got it for $35. A quick search on Google saw that it normally retails for $100–$150. Given that I might use this tool a couple times a year at most, it will most likely be passed on to my heirs for several generations before its use- ful lifespan has expired. Philosophically on a personal level I try
to buy, sell and manufacture American- made products—including tools—when- ever I can to help keep jobs here and get the best value for my dollar in the big picture. I’m not willing to sacrifice features or qual- ity (hence my not owning any American made motorcycles), but I will spend extra with all else being equal. That is a personal choice I make, but generally speaking with tools, like most things in life, you get what you pay for.
Lee Parks #162125 has been riding and racing motorcycles for well over 33 years. He has been the editor of both consumer and trade motorcycle magazines, manufacturers his own line of motorcycle gloves and is a WERA national endurance champion. His riding skills book Total Control has sold over 100,000 copies in five languages around the world. Lee’s Total Control Training company manages—and is the curriculum vendor for—the California Motorcyclist Safety Pro- gram as well as several large military con- tracts. If you have a question you’d like to him to answer in this column, send him an email at
lee@totalcontroltraining.net.
February 2016 BMW OWNERS NEWS 89
www.crampbuster.com www.cyclenutz.com
www.ventureheat.com
www.ayresadventures.com
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