Travel Security

[brazos parker]

Despite the topic description, this is a work safe post!

I have seen pictures of FJR's sporting a Nelson Rigg bag mounted on the rear seat in front of a Givi and various duffles and sleeping bags strapped or bungee netted on the back seat in front of a Givi as well as many strap-ons to the rear rack w/out a top box...all set-ups for long distance travel.

I've seen bikes w/ jackets laying over the seat, helmets hanging on the rear view mirrors or sitting on the ground beside the bike, various bags, duffles, etc strapped on the bike w/ no rider(s) in sight & makes me wonder abt security.

I know that jackets & helmets are pretty easy to carry w/ you as you go inside.

So, my question for the LD riders is this...when you park to go in to a restaurant, WalMart, etc., do you worry abt the security of the bags, duffles, etc. strapped on the bike (i.e., not in a top box or sadle bag) while it is out of your sight? What abt security of tank bags?

I'm planning a lengthy trip for next June and am perhaps worrying too much abt this but in these times, I guess anything not bolted down is a potential target for theft.

What say you, LD Riders?

 

[Randy]

I kept a Kryptonite cable lock attached to my Givi bracket. When I went somewhere, I would slip the cable through my helmet and jacket.

For my tank bag, I don't keep anything in there that wouldn't pain me too much if it was stolen. Then again, I use the magnetic type.

The ones that fasten to the bike are a bit more secure, but, the contents are still there for the taking.

As a general rule, out of site is out of mind. If you have a rain cover for you bags/duffel/tank bag, put it on.

 

[escapefjrtist]

+1 for everything Randy said.

I also added a Scorpio alarm with the perimeter sensor. I try to park "close" but not too close, to the establishment you're visiting, set the perimeter sensor and hope only the honest thieves are out that day.

Did three different trips this year totaling over 9000 miles and didn't have problem one. Of course, I've probably now jinxed myself.....

One other point, always be aware of your surroundings. If it doesn't feel right it probably isn't.

--G

 

[GunMD]

1. Valuables get locked or carried.

2. Park where you can see it

3. Go with your gut feeling

I realize that you can't always park within sight...but I sure try. And when I can't, I follow rules # one and # three with even more diligence than usual.

 

[FJRME]

Do any of you guys pack a weapon? Riding alone, on some obscure two lane can be scary if you break down. I don't carry, but have thought about it. I've just always figured, unless it's ready to fire and REAL handy, by the time I realize danger, struggle to get the gun out from under the seat or wherever, someones gonna take it from me and shoot me with it. But on me, with one in the chamber, if I fall or something, I'm gonna shoot me with it. What about you guys?

 

[Rogue]

Do any of you guys pack a weapon? Riding alone, on some obscure two lane can be scary if you break down. I don't carry, but have thought about it. I've just always figured, unless it's ready to fire and REAL handy, by the time I realize danger, struggle to get the gun out from under the seat or wherever, someones gonna take it from me and shoot me with it. But on me, with one in the chamber, if I fall or something, I'm gonna shoot me with it. What about you guys?

Even with a CC permit it is a total PITA. Crossing county and state lines, different laws. It isn't worth the bother.

 

[dcarver]

and if I DID carry, I wouldn't post it here!

 

[brazos parker]

OK...what I'm getting from this thread is be aware of my surroundings, don't worry too much abt the strap-ons and don't bother w/ a CC weapon...especially one that is cocked, locked and ready to rock.

Thanx.

 

[slapnpop]

I carry a small tankbag, whick has removable backpack straps and a helmet strap for the backpack, so it all comes with me. If I've got larger things tied to the bike, they are usually cumbersome and cheep (relativly), like sleeping bag. This is not the type of thing thieves usually go for, especially if you can arrange all the bungie connections to the bottom of the rear seat and then lock the seat in place. (that idea just came to me during this post, now I've gotta go try that)

 

[Grumpy]

What problems would you encounter if you packed a Tazer?

 

[tel]

I worry, but I've not heard of anyone saying that their stuff has been taken. For quick stops I leave everything on the bike. For longer ones I load up my tank bag and take it with me.

tel

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

The times I've had stuff stolen from the bike it's been in major name motels w/so-called secure parking. In one, the thieves even knew how to avoid the cameras. They just cut the bungie cords and straps. What I learned is that I was probably correct in assuming they don't want my stuff -- they want to fence it for any little amount of money it may bring to support their habit. Alot of the advice given above is pertinent -- I always try to park the bike in sight (and try to be where I can see it), especially in hi-travel areas like along interstates. I lock stuff w/cable locks, take stuff with me, put a small cover over everything at night; and, try to stay at those old Americana style motels where I can park outside my room. A couple theft *violations* will certainly smarten-up a person. Of course, you could do like I'm told the high-rollers do it -- just insure everything.....

 

[Geezer]

I don't normally carry anything that even looks like it has resale value without locking it in the hard bag or taking it with me. The only exception would be my helmet, which I either carry with me or lock to the bike with a cable gun lock. Sure would spoil your trip if someone took your gear.

 

[galxy5]

I use a two piece tank bag ,, bottom has the emergency stuff ,, top has the phone and mix it for my XM , radar , cd , the normal stuff everyone has ,, long stops it comes with ,, short ,, it stays ,, I use a Rugger cable lock for my helmet and bag ,,

never had a problem with anyone messing with my bike or bags ,,

and as GunMD said #1#2#3

#4 be aware of your surroundings !!!!!

overnight in a motel ,, on the ground floor and bike in the room

 

[onecooltngeek]

I USED to leave my helmet on the mirror and the jacket on the tank w/ the velcro on the arms attaching it to the handgrips. Never had a problem at all. If I wasn't feeling safe I would put it all in the saddlebags.

On a cold night a few months ago, I left the bachelor party I was at, and someone had stolen my jacket :angry: I woulda saddlebagged it, but I had a helmet in each of them.

:assasin:

Now I never leave anything on the bike.

In the future I may bring a backpack in the saddlebags, to cram anything in that I want to carry into the store/restraunt with me...

 

[KeithB]

For a short while, such as a restaurant or gas station, I just leave the helmet on the ground tucked in under the fairing as far as possible (on the kickstand side). The jacket gets laid over the tankbag with arms fastened to the bars (more to keep it from blowing away). I've never had a problem in 30 years.

For longer than that, or if it's a very high risk (such as at a racetrack or bike rally), I lock it all or take it in with me.

 

[zzkenoman]

double entry

 

[zzkenoman]

You might want to look at these backs and locks for your trip, I'll be ordering quite a few things for my trips from pacsafe. Heres the link

https://www.pac-safe.com/

 

[weekend rider]

Safety of your belongings is of great concern when on a trip or anywhere just riding . So here is what I carry, a pencil to write down info if I see it happen and spare change to phone the police to report it stolen. Other than that why try to be heroe and endanger ones self. After all your day has already been ruined , why get hurt.

weekend rider :clap: :clap: :clap: