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View Full Version : Storing helment, jacket "on-bike"



absolutegator
23rd October 2021, 08:57
Kia ora,

I have started using a bike as my only vehicle at the moment. I love most parts of it over a car.

One of the major things I struggle with however is lugging around my jacket and helmet (and pants and boots if going on a longer trip). Makes everything pretty cumbersome. My bike has a "helmet lock" but the positioning and the d-rings on my helmet are such that it's near impossibly to get the helmet onto it without severe fighting.

Obviously lockable top-boxes are a thing, though I invested into the ventura pack-rack system (at what ended up being eye-wateringly expensive after I was incorrectly informed that they made brackets for my bike, only to find out they didn't and the welding job ended up being nearly twice as much as quoted), so I'm not tooooooo keen to go the top box route.

I've been thinking of maybe getting a sturdy bike-chain to attach through the face of the helmet and maybe arm of the jacket that goes through the grab handles. Obviously the committed thief could get through this, but I try to park in areas with decent foot traffic to deter issues.

Any other sparks of genius?

nerrrd
23rd October 2021, 12:43
The only advice I have is beware anything that uses a padlock, I had a helmet stolen off my bike in a supermarket carpark where they cut the padlock I had used to secure it through the d-rings.

Ever since I’ve used a BIG keyed d-lock through the handlebar mount and the chinbar without any issues. And a big, lockable top box for everything else, so not sure what to suggest for the rest.

Laava
23rd October 2021, 12:55
I have aplastic coated multistrand wire cable about 2m long that a guy who used to be on here(Buckethead, R.I.P) gave me. You can thread it through your jacket and pants sleeves etc and use either the bikes locking points or a proper padlock that would require effort to spring. Only good for good weather of course. Even a topbox would struggle with a helmet, jacket and pants

Gremlin
23rd October 2021, 21:29
I've got a helmet and jacket into a top box, but that was pushing it.

Other option is something like a pacsafe net: https://int.pacsafe.com/collections/portable-safes-bag-protectors

F5 Dave
24th October 2021, 07:13
I'd be worried that any exposed jacket would get sliced by the same sort of fw that keys cars. Take a pack and take it with you.

SaferRides
24th October 2021, 07:59
I have used a chain and padlock when at events and the bike is in a designated parking area, but I wouldn't do it routinely.

I thought Ventura now has a top box mount?

Sent from my SM-G980F using Tapatalk

R650R
25th October 2021, 11:48
Find a friendly looking cafe, spend some money there on brekky and ask if you can leave stuff out back. A mate of mine is very trusting, at race meets or trade shows he just goes up to first available place and asks.
No one says no, people mostly think perhaps you know someone else in the tent or group etc.
The first time we did this I'm asking so what's their name or something and he's like oh I don't know them at all!!! Our stuff was still there when we got back lol
As others said I'd never lock gear to bike except somewhere 99% safe like paeroa or wanganui races etc
Stayed at a shady hotel once so parked bike at a 24hr servo so at least it had eyes on it.

husaberg
25th October 2021, 15:09
Buy a Suzuki Across
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/05/21/6be17bf74d86c29970298b63192f25a5.jpg

Swoop
25th October 2021, 18:42
I've avoided the ventura route and stuck with hard luggage. A 50ltr top box will take a considerable amount of stuff in it, even more so if you are a 7th dan at Tetris.
At times I've been convinced that it is made from the same material as Dr Who's Tardis.

MarkH
26th October 2021, 01:39
I've avoided the ventura route and stuck with hard luggage. A 50ltr top box will take a considerable amount of stuff in it, even more so if you are a 7th dan at Tetris.
At times I've been convinced that it is made from the same material as Dr Who's Tardis.

I've gone with an aluminium top box and aluminium panniers - gives me a heap of lockable storage. On a 3 1/2 week trip around the SI where I stay in campgrounds it is really good to know my more expensive stuff is locked in cases that are locked onto the bike. I did a trip on a bike that had no hard luggage, no thefts but I was rather nervous. My top box is a Givi Trekker 58L - it fits a LOT!