If you had $600 to start a home workshop...

[Alain2]

One of my favourite tools in the garage, the small 12v driver.

https://www.dewalt.ca/products/power-tools/screwdrivers-and-screwguns/12v-max-14-screwdriver-kit/dcf610s2

[RattlecanResto]

Assuming you have sockets and wrenches, stuff for resto work:

JIS screwdrivers including impact driver
Sonic
Polishing wheel
Dremel
Flywheel puller
Case splitter
Crank puller
Bearing puller
Clutch holder
Heat gun
Good tire irons
Assortment of picks hooks and punches

You should be able to get most that for 600. Of course the list goes on from there

[Djg8493]

The reality of it is $600 is a rough point to start if you are buying new.  With that you cannot afford to buy specialty tools until you need them, wait till you are in a project and what that specific bike needs. 

You can get a decent a decent starter set from HF for cheap, this one is actually ok for $130, i bring it to the track and it has the basic stuff for cheap.  upgrade specific sizes as you go and when you need bigger size wrenches and sockets you can buy them individually. 
https://www.harborfreight.com/mechanics-tool-kit-225-pc-62664.html

Spend on JIS Screwdrivers

Finally save money for the spring and hit all local garage sales, this is your best place to fill out your tool stash cheap.  you can score deals on boxes, benches and I have gotten some great odds and ends like electrical kits and hardware. 

[Inov8]

It's also worth checking pawn shops for some of the more expensive tools. Pawn brokers love to haggle so don't be afraid to make a reasonable offer. Those guys are all about moving the merchandise.

[pdxjim]

 
https://www.harborfreight.com/mechanics-tool-kit-225-pc-62664.html

I wouldn't waste my money on that many SAE tools, unless I regularly worked on (old) American cars or bikes.

[pidjones]

Oh! 10mm sockets!

[m in sc]

the guy i work for bought this exact set for himself to work on his car and other stuff, its actually pretty decent. the box is a nice bonus, been holding up well. (along the same lines cost wise)

https://www.amazon.com/CRAFTSMAN-232-Piece-Standard-Combination-Mechanics/dp/B08MDBXLKC/ref=sr_1_36?dchild=1&keywords=craftsman+metric+socket+set&qid=1612357351&sr=8-36

[Djg8493]

 
https://www.harborfreight.com/mechanics-tool-kit-225-pc-62664.html

I wouldn't waste my money on that many SAE tools, unless I regularly worked on (old) American cars or bikes.

Yea, it is not the perfect kit and the SAE are not much help but quality wise it is much better than I would expect and especially better than all the other HF kits I have seen.  The ratchets are much tighter than others and usable.  The Craftsman kit is nice as well for the money, I have a similar set at work, they make one that is a bit bigger as well.

[IR8D8R]

I agree with Sav0r. Work bench. Though I would build one out of framing lumber. One you can attach a big vise to and really get medieval with a hammer. Sheet steel top is a ++ especially if you intend to weld in the future. I would do at least a 1/4" thick plate steel or aluminum top rather than sheet metal to get fewer dents.

I have all the other stuff but end up using my lift for a workbench. It is not ideal. I plan to build a bench this year. For me next after a sturdy bench would be air compressor. I have 2 of them and use them all the time. Flea markets rule for used shop tools. I would really like an anvil but that is slightly off-topic. Oxy-acetylene torch is also a good idea.

I worked at Sears auto center when I was a lad. It was a much different repair business then and not just a glorified oil changer. We got their deluxe Craftsman tool sets and tools we used for work for less than 50% of retail. I spent most of my paychecks at the tool dept. In the intervening 30+ years many have been lost and replaced with other brands. The older mechanics would buy Snap-On or MAC and sell me their Craftsman stuff cheap. It's been sad for me to see Sears failing but their path down the drain was set back in the 80's.

IR8D8R

[economan]

Yes, all good advice from seasoned pros. BUT, don't buy anything from china.  Lot's of better options out there.

[rodneya]

Impact screwdriver, the kind you smack with a hammer. This will get those ridiculously tight Phillips head screws out without stripping and save many hours of frustration and swearing.

[m in sc]

Impact screwdriver, the kind you smack with a hammer. This will get those ridiculously tight Phillips head screws out without stripping and save many hours of frustration and swearing.

the #3 vessel jis is an impact.  just fyi.

[sav0r (CL MotoTech)]

I grew up with the hammer type impacts, my father to this day refused to own an electric or pneumatic impact gun.

Anyways, I was in a bind with one of my engines and managed to cobble together adapters and sockets to use a large philips type (not JIS) bit onto the end of my electric impact gun. To my surprise it works just as well, if not better, than the hammer type. I ended up buying the hammer type impact because the impact bits and 1/2" adapter fit the end of my 1/2" drive impact gun much tidier than sockets and and adapters and what not.

[Inov8]

Anyways, I was in a bind with one of my engines and managed to cobble together adapters and sockets to use a large philips type (not JIS) bit onto the end of my electric impact gun. To my surprise it works just as well, if not better, than the hammer type.

I use the 1/4" shank JIS cross head bits in a 1/4" cordless impact driver. Haven't touched the manual hammer type impact driver in years now. Haven't stripped any screw heads in quite a few years either. After starting the first few threads by hand, I install all fasteners with the same cordless impact driver; from screws to axle nuts. As counter-intuitive as it may seem to be, it's much harder to strip anything with the little cordless impact guns.

[RustyRD]

All the the above suggested items are great for compiling a list of what will be used for most all routine work. Include a digital multimeter for electrical troubleshooting, this is a must for older wiring systems. I think this is a must have.  I have some Kobalt brand hand tools and they have held up well.