Securing your stuff.

[Puddlejumper]

I'm about to trade the bandit 1200 on the new 1255. I fitted a wing rack and top box on the bike from new and now can't do without it. I ride everyday and the convenience of having a place to shove my helmet when shopping and a place to keep my rain gear and having space for groceries is awesome.It means I don't need a car.
BUT, I don't like the look and its a major job to remove the rack. Sooo, I need a way to secure stuff on my new bike. I'm thinking a soft luggage seat bag. But I'm worried it or the contents (eg my laptop) will get nicked if I leave it on in town. Is it poss to lock it down and up? Anyone have a good way of securing their helmet? Love to hear what others with just a bike do.

[sAsLEX]

Fo helmets you can get waterproof helmet bags lined with a steel mesh/grid so little fucks don't take your helmet....

Prob with soft luggage is a knife will defeat it.

[SuperDave]

I commute on my bike to uni during the week. I keep a self coiling cable lock under my seat and once parked up run the cable through one sleeve of my jacket(s), helmet and then through the middle of both pillion peg perches - this allows my jacket(s) to rest nicely across the seat and my helmet to hang on a pillion peg.

Works for me, they could cut my jacket but it'll be pretty useless then. The cable's not super thick either but you won't cut it with a knife or side cutters. Anyway, the idea is that your security only needs to be good enough to make it hard enough for the buggers to not bother, not be impenetrable.

Laptop - get a backpack and carry it, they aint that heavy!

[Puddlejumper]

Didn't know about those helmet holders. I'll go looking , sounds like a good idea. I'll get a cable too and experiment a bit. Thanks for the feedback.

[Phils Motorcycles]

We sell a retractable cable lock that has an electronic alarm. The alarm is activated if someone tampers with the lock or cuts the cable.

[Swoop]

Sawn-off shotgun mounted under the fairing with a cord from the trigger to the helmet. Remove helmet and BANG!

Your helmet is always there but occasionally you get a bit of blood spatter on the rear wheel. This is ok since it easily washes off.

[breakaway]

Bicycle Lock to secure helmet to bike.

[Hanne]

Bicycle Lock to secure helmet to bike.

This seems to work quite well... jsut make sure the chain is tight enough so there isn't enough give for the helmet to fall if knocked...
But for gear? personally I generally take mine with me (can be very cumbersome), or at uni use a locker. Is a very good investment for the year, especially if you can find someone to share one with.

[Disco Dan]

I'm about to trade the bandit 1200 on the new 1255. I fitted a wing rack and top box on the bike from new and now can't do without it. I ride everyday and the convenience of having a place to shove my helmet when shopping and a place to keep my rain gear and having space for groceries is awesome.It means I don't need a car.
BUT, I don't like the look and its a major job to remove the rack.

Yes its a mission to remove... all four bolts. I thought about soft luggage, but the water proof, very secure topbox does the job very nicely.

Yes it looks a bit silly a giant plastic box attached to the back but who cares? I would rather be able to carry everything I need around with me and have the freedom of my motorcycle, than have a couple of little bags on that I have to take off whenever I go into a gas station or shop!

Bit of advice for those with top-boxes though... dont go "rock hunting" with your motorbike... and try and ride home with a box full of rocks... (was for an aquarium). It is not pleasent... hehe

[Puddlejumper]

Yes its a mission to remove... all four bolts.

LOL I wish. Indicators are integral to rack and replace the originals. Not hard but time consuming to remove and refix indicators just so it looks better when I park outside the pub. If it was easy I'd have it on and off like a bridegroom on his wedding night. Box itself is a doddle to remove. It's the rack itself I don't like. Spoils the look of the tail. Still and all, it is extremely convenient.

Got some ideas from ya all anyways and will try to do without the hard luggage for a bit while I try em out. Many thanks again for the feedback.