ACE Motorcycle Tool Pouch - Nice looking, good quality...but be careful where you mount it!
Written: Sep 09 '06 (Updated Sep 23 '06)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Good quality craftsmanship. Holds plenty of tools
Cons: Be very, very careful of where you mount it because the buckles can scrape.
The Bottom Line: The ACE tool pouch is a good production that when mounted correctly will do a great job.
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| gym-378's Full Review: Ace Dura-Hide Tool Pouch with Studs |
Welcome back, gearheads! A little shift from the full motorcycle reviews to takes some time to look at the aftermarket goodies out there.
When I saw that Epinions had a listing for the ACE Tool Pouch, I knew it would be a great one for my first motorcycle accessory review. You see, it's a perfect example of how my experiences with a product can help you learn from my mistakes.
About The Tool Pouch
A while back, I took the saddlebags off my 96 Shadow and decided to ride without them for a while. That meant leaving the tools behind, though, which isn't a good idea if you're leaving the city limits. You never know when a punctured tire, fouled spark plug, or numerous other issues might occur and I never like to be without a good set of tools.
The answer was to buy a fork-mounted tool bag and the Ace Dura-Hide was just what I was looking for. It's a good sized bag (I purchased the "fat bag" for the most room) and held plenty of tools. The bag itself was of good construction with heavy stitching that wouldn't unravel after a few hundred miles of riding in the rain.
It mounted up to my front forks in about 15 minutes and I have to say I was pretty happy with the purchase. For $44 at my local motorcycle shop, it seemed to be a pretty good deal.
Seemed To Be?? What's The Catch?
The catch is that the $44 bag, cost me $300 in paint repairs. After I mounted the bag, I spent the next week riding back and forth to work and on some evening rides. When I went to wash of the weeks road-grime, I realized that when my front wheel was going over bumps, the forks were compression enough to allow the buckles on the bottom of the bag to rub against my fender. What I ended up with was a front fender that was scraped up pretty badly.
The worst part is that it wasn't necessarily the bag's fault, but more my fault for buying a tool pouch that was too big and mounting it in a spot that allowed it to rub.
Needless to say, though, the bag got handed off to a buddy of mine with a strict warning about mounting location. He's been using it ever since and is please as can be with it.
Overall Impressions
If you're looking for a tool pouch, the ACE lineup is pretty darn good. It hasn't faded in all the miles it's been used, the buckles remain shiny and the stitching is still in place. The bag is roomy and can hold most of the tools you'll need for regular motorcycle maintenance.
My word of caution, however, is to buy the one that is the right size for your needs and be extremely cautious of where you mount it. Hopefully, my experience can save you the heartache and cash of a damaged paint job.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
gym-378
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 - Top 500 |
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Location: Kansas City, MO
Reviews written: 198
Trusted by: 257 members
About Me:
Motorcycles, Computers, Gadgets, Cars, Books, Just about everything you could write on.
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