Driver bits bits and more bits - which ones are the best?

[MOS3522]

I'm looking for a set of Torx driver bits to keep on the bike (to save space/weight vs. my larger 1/4"-3/8" socket sized set). I'd like them to be of the absolute highest quality as I can't risk a failure. Amazon doesn't seem to have anything that doesn't feature reviews making me question whether the bit will break on a loctited motorcycle screw.

I know there is a lot of wisdom here on bulletproof German or Japanese brands, and most of my handtools are consumer or prosumer grade. Can someone steer me to what I am looking for?

As an aside, I was just stuck on the side of the road in the wastelands of western Colorado when my friend's battery failed. Luckily I had my bike tool kit on the Harley and my friend was able to remove his seat and access his extremely over-engineered battery compartment, while I rode off to the town 25 miles away and got a new battery. He used to make fun of me for carrying tools but it turned out he used every single tool I was carrying. When he got to the battery, the battery screw was metric and I only carry a 1/4" SAE set with 1 exception - a 10mm deep socket, which fit the battery perfectly. He hasn't made fun of me since.

 

[308guru]

"working on my friends bike"....sure you were.

Nobody is going to believe you were working on the Indian. The Harley also pictured; totally plausible.

 

[jayemm]

 

[MOS3522]

"working on my friends bike"....sure you were.

Nobody is going to believe you were working on the Indian. The Harley also pictured; totally plausible.

LOL. The Harley had its own issues. An oil leak from day 1 that took several trips to the dealer under warranty. The second dealer I had look at it diagnosed it correctly and fixed it. Harley had installed -- at the factory -- the wrong cam cover on the bike (they used the one from the CVO). Everything works now knock on wood.

And the Indian was fine until my friend decided he wanted to swap out the factory battery for a lithium. One of the cells died completely since he used a heated vest and the bike wouldn't run even after a push start and a jump. So Indian was not at fault.

 

[Dave455]

“Absolute highest quality”?

PB Swiss. No doubt about it. I’ve tried most, but have been using PB Swiss for 20 years plus and there’s nothing better.


Up there, almost comparable, are probably Zephyr. Pretty much industry standard in the aviation world. I’ve used these, but don’t have as much experience of them as I do of the PB.

Almost as good - Wera.

They score, for me, on price, availability, and selection available. I would favour these working by the roadside, but they’re not as good as the PB.


Some of these PB bits are among my oldest PB tools, but subjected to hand use only, they show little to no wear.

 

[timbyrnes]

Apex or PB Swiss

 

[ricleh]

Apex, Zephyr or PB Swiss

 

[richfinn]

For a mobile Torx set I use P B Swiss (I have them stored in a short 30mm blade P B Swiss Insider ratchet screwdriver handle which also has a 1/4" square drive adapter for a 8/10 mm socket)

PB 6510 R-30

www.pbswisstools.com

The cool thing about this set up is you can just add longer bits if you need more reach and it only takes up one pocket in the tool bag.

Another great motorcycle friendly kit I have is the little Facom flex-head ratchet bit driver set (Which looks the same as the ICON version) same deal carry a couple of 1/4" drive sockets and gives you a lot of tools in a tiny kit

FACOM R1PICO - 23pc 1/4" Hex Drive Hinged Head Ratchet R.180 + Bits Set

Buy FACOM R1PICO - 23pc 1/4" Hex Drive Hinged Head Ratchet R.180 + Bits Set. Worldwide Express Shipping. Official Website.

www.expert-toolstore.com

You could swap out some of the bits or the sockets to suit your particular bike (The Facom bits are decent quality in my experience)

This is the kit I have (just ratchet/multi length extension and bits) might be same as the one at HF (can't vouch for how good their bits might be though)

Facom R.180J31 31 Piece Ultra-Compact 1/4″ Bit Set With Flexi-Head Bit Ratchet

Supplied with R.180 flexible head bit ratchet. Extension 100mm. Socket drive bit.

www.primetools.co.uk

 

[KnurledNut]

@MOS3522
In your pic, it looks like you have a Chapman set?
Those are very good quality.
Assuming that set includes torx, why switch?

Also, interesting choice for an adjustable wrench. Dont see too many of those Harts in peoples kits.

 

[MOS3522]

The Chapman is awesome but lacks the bigger sizes I need on the Harley. Also worth mentioning the little chapman ratchet handle failed on this repair, I need to see about getting a replacement.

The Hart is just because I needed a wrench at some point and ran into Walmart. It gets the job done.

 

[Dave455]

The little “nano” sets linked by richfinn above are quite popular at the mo. Facom were the first to really do these properly, minimising the space the box takes up. Once you have used them, other designs seem like space wasters.

I was tempted by one of these Wera sets. I got it to leave in a vehicle, but use it an awful lot as it’s always with me. In many respects these are not optimum for vehicle repairs, but they seem to include just the right tools and bits. A lot of guys who ride bikes seem to prefer the soft cases too, which I can understand.

 

[KnurledNut]

The Chapman is awesome but lacks the bigger sizes I need on the Harley. Also worth mentioning the little chapman ratchet handle failed on this repair, I need to see about getting a replacement.

Not sure what sizes you need, but expanding your existing set is an option. Chapman manufactures up to T40 and they can be purchased individually at a reasonable price. Anything above that really needs to step up to 5/16 hex bits anyways.
https://chapmanmfg.com/products/torx-insert-bits

The VIM/Icon/etc bit ratchets work well with Chapman bits.


I understand wanting to expand your horizons, but the bits you already have are excellent. They even make JIS crosspoint bits if thats a consideration working on bikes.
https://chapmanmfg.com/products/cro...us-std-jis-screws?_pos=1&_sid=6c33e124d&_ss=r

Otherwise, I agree with the suggestions others have mentioned.

 

[lardy1]

I like Zephyr bits for non impact application. Vessel ball impact for impact.

 

[308guru]

I've used Apex bits in production for many years. I put them right at the top.

 

[JradM]

Insert bits wear out. I'd rather have fresh, moderate quality bits than worn premium ones.

I use them a lot, but I'm not so picky about them as some other tools. Basically, I think there are MANY good quality insert bit brands. I'm not going to spend 300% more to get 10% longer life out of them. I've experimented with Wera, Felo, Wurth & Vessel alongside the more pedestrian brands like Dewalt, Milwaukee, Mastercraft, Titan, Gearwrench, Apex, etc. Mostly, they're all pretty similar.

There are occasions were one brand's special features are useful. I like the concave surfaces on Wera's square drive bits for example, or Vessel's fit for JIS screws. Felo's bits seem a little extra wear-resistant to me. I haven't tried RBRT hex yet, or their various SBD-family knockoffs, but I've no doubt those are special too.

Just don't overblow it.