On The Road Security . . . .

[Big Sky]

We also carry a light cable about 10 ft. fashioned from Ace Hardware bits and padlock to secure jackets, helmets, tank bag, tailpack when off the bike wandering around, getting lunch or dinner, beer, etc. A decent side-cutter would go though it but it prevents the more casual "walk-off."

 

[KrustyKola]

I bought a Talon alarm for my FJR, for traveling/stopping with bags I added wiring from the alarm to the main zippers on my tank bag, seat bag and tail bag. I used coiled cord so I could extend the wiring quickly to the tank bag ( and thru my helmet ) I also used a light cable and lock for the seat and tail bag that was also attached to the bike. This cable was also long enough to reach the tank bag. I got in the habit of pulling on the rain covers for the seat and tank bags each morning as there are plenty of small pockets on both.

I also go with the advice to remove the expensive stuff (GPS, etc ) and put it in your pocket.

At night I remove everything, put on a disc lock with a bright reminder cord and run a cable lock thru the rear wheels. Top it off with a cover. Won't stop a determined thief but hopefully send the average one to easier pickings.

 

[Mike-H]

We also carry a light cable about 10 ft. fashioned from Ace Hardware bits and padlock to secure jackets, helmets, tank bag, tailpack when off the bike wandering around, getting lunch or dinner, beer, etc. A decent side-cutter would go though it but it prevents the more casual "walk-off."

Are you talking about in your pocket type side cutters or the foot plus type? (which most people don't seem to have handy)

 

[odot]

I just pee on it and take a big dump next to it.....works all the time.

 

[Big Sky]

We also carry a light cable about 10 ft. fashioned from Ace Hardware bits and padlock to secure jackets, helmets, tank bag, tailpack when off the bike wandering around, getting lunch or dinner, beer, etc. A decent side-cutter would go though it but it prevents the more casual "walk-off."

Are you talking about in your pocket type side cutters or the foot plus type? (which most people don't seem to have handy)

It is a "light cable" (trying to avoid a lot of bulk) that could be cut with a hand side cutter. Not expected to deter a pro or pre-meditated theft, I guess, just the type who would walk by, snatch a helmet or jacket and keep walking.

 

[2WheelTiger]

The trick is to create an environment that make the thief uncomfortable. If thieves wanted to work, they'd have jobs. If they had brains, they'd have jobs too.

So, in order of paranoia:

1) Park in a well-lit area. (Dark places give them lots of time to work.)

2) Cable lock the bike to an immovable object.

3) Add a blinking light to the dash. (Who knows if it's part of an alarm or not? Is the thief gonna bother to find out?)

4) Add an alarm. (Preferably one that transmits to a beeper you carry.)

5) Carry a weapon and don't ever go to sleep.

Now here's a real life tip: DON'T EVER LOCK YOUR HANDLEBARS WITH THE IGNITION. You won't believe how many theft recoveries I've fixed where the owner locked the bars and the thief used the handlebars to break the lock. (A swift, forceful jerk breaks the lock easily.) This puts the ignition set in the thief's hands so he can easily hotwire it. Gone in 30 seconds.

 

[frayne]

FWIW, here is what I have done.

1. Stay in a decent hotel/motel, some have parking lot secutrity.

2. Lock the forks and cover the bike.

3. Park it outside your or as close as is possible door. As for a ground floor room facing the parking lot.

4. Put a cow bell on the seat or someplace where if the bike is disturbed it will make some racket.

5. If you hear the cow bell, go out with guns blazing. Just kidding, not.

 

[TruWrecks]

A bike cover.

Park in a high traffic area.

Cable lock to something solid, if possible.

Have a paging alarm, with fuel/ignition cut-off, installed and use it.

Gun optional, but highly suggested.

Good insurance just in case the above items fail.

I camped most of my trip to Phoenix earlier this year. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. I have another camping trip down the Pacific Coast highway coming up. I'm counting the days until I leave.

 

[weekend rider]

The most important thing you can do after you lock your trusty stead up for the night and get up the next morning and plan on loading her up for the ride is:::

"DO NOT FORGET TO REMOVE THE FRONT DISC LOCK OR YOU WILL BE AN UNHAPPY CAMPER" WHEN YOUR BIKE FALLS WHEN YOU TAKE IT OFF THE STAND OR TRY TO RIDE WITH THE LOCK STILL ON.

Something that you may need if your bike is stolen : license number, vin number,of your bike and what everyone else said.

 

[2WheelTiger]

Regarding weapons, I'm a gun advocate and I carry 95% of the time, but I'm not gonna blow somebody up for stealing my bike.

I might use the gun to help him understand the stupidity of his act, but I'm not gonna do the paperwork and go thru the courts because I sprayed his brains all over my bike.

 

[Mike-H]

Regarding weapons, I'm a gun advocate and I carry 95% of the time, but I'm not gonna blow somebody up for stealing my bike.
I might use the gun to help him understand the stupidity of his act, but I'm not gonna do the paperwork and go thru the courts because I sprayed his brains all over my bike.

That's why those of us from the Great White North use hockey sticks......you can burn them when your done the evil deed :grin: .....

 

[odot]

...........we got hockey sticks in dallas, too, buddy.

 

[2WheelTiger]

Curious, where do you carry your hockey sticks when you're travelling? :nhl:

 

[AGirl]

Perhaps consider taking this Harley owner's approach that I recently personally witnessed??

FWIW, I've never had ANY issues of theft while on the road (in about a bazillion miles). I don't carry a lock or glock (who knows, I might want to cross over into Canada), but I do choose my parking places carefully & cover the bike most of the time.

Best wishes for a safe upcoming experience. I'll be in the same area shortly.

AGirl

 

[odot]

That chair probably has an antitheft device on it.

 

[VanHarlan]

I wonder how packing a chair on your pillion effects the handling of your bike at around 75mph? :headbonk:

All great suggestions - I think I'll purchase disc lock, I swa one that come with reminder stremer that says "Remove Before Flight" - I'll also pack my cover - I've got an e-mail into the Bed & Breakfast I want to stay to see if they have a garage slot I can use for the night. Thanks again for all the help.

 

[twistedcricket]

All great suggestions - I think I'll purchase disc lock, I swa one that come with reminder stremer that says "Remove Before Flight" - I'll also pack my cover - I've got an e-mail into the Bed & Breakfast I want to stay to see if they have a garage slot I can use for the night. Thanks again for all the help.

I just used my label maker to print a "WHEEL LOCK" and stuck that on the nut directly south of the ignition slot.

I was just as nervous, if not more, taking my brand new bike on a trip to Rocky Mtn Natl Park. I also posted this question and received much of the same advice.

I just have a front wheel lock (no siren, but I might get one of those) and a cover. I would suggest removing the saddle bags and take them in because if someone accidentally knocks the bike over your sliders will take the brunt of the impact.

 

[krashdragon]

I wonder how packing a chair on your pillion effects the handling of your bike at around 75mph? :headbonk:
All great suggestions - I think I'll purchase disc lock, I swa one that come with reminder stremer that says "Remove Before Flight" - I'll also pack my cover - I've got an e-mail into the Bed & Breakfast I want to stay to see if they have a garage slot I can use for the night. Thanks again for all the help.

If you really want to carry one, there are great chains with very heavy duty locks, although I swear they weight about 15 lbs...

but I used a Xena alarm disk lock and a reasonably heavy cable on my trips. I've also used the chain when I was traveling on my Harley.

Pbly the best thing is the LoJack for motorcycles, it's expensive, tho. there are also digital paging alarm systems.

As far as camping, KOA Kampgrounds have what they call Kamping Kabins.

wooden cabins, beds, you just throw your sleeping bag on the bed. No water or bath in the kabins, but showers, etc in the camp bathrooms. I've stayed at about a half dozen and they're about half the cost of a decent hotel room. You're about 10 feet from you bike, although most of the KOA's and other camping places have gravel or dirt roads, but no biggie so far.

The best thing to do for moteling is to find some of the local chains close to where you live, go in and ask for their catalogues. I have Super 8, Holiday Inn, Best Western and a couple of others I carry with me. It's easy to call ahead and make sure you have a room for the night... Same thing with the KOA's. It make a difference in how long you want to ride when you know there's a bed waiting for you even if you show up at midnight.... just tell them you'll be late. No biggie. If I'm on the bike, I usually just take 2 catalogues, usually a Super 8 and a Holiday Inn.... Some Super 8's are nicer than some Holiday Inns I've stayed at. Oh... the discount motels like Holiday Inn Express do NOT have restuarants, the standard ones do(usually $10 more a night). But some of them do have nice breakfasts.

Have fun and ride safe.

Mary

 

[SecuLaw]

I just pee on it and take a big dump next to it.....works all the time.

Yes but I've heard that you do that even when you're not traveling.

 

[Charlie Hoss]

Security? You don't need no steenkin security around here! h34r:

I hope you enjoy your ride to NE. My Dad is also resting at the Maine Veterans Cemetery in Augusta.