We are new riders getting ready to head out on a long trip to Southern Utah. Any suggestions on how to keep our gear secure from theft when we go sight seeing or is it a big worry?

http://www.scorpioalarms.com/
The above company makes motorcycle alarms with proximity sensors.
Anyone attempting to get close enough to steal your gear will set it off.
In addition you can use steel cable type bike locks thru the handles of your saddle bags, luggage locks on their zippers, and a locking top box.

If someone wants your gear they will bring the tools necessary to get it.
A simple blade will allow them to get around all the security measures above except the locking top case and the bike alarm. But you don't have to make it easy for them.

I like this, I bet Dennis could make a suitable mount too.




It's heavily-armed, has no conscience and if it doesn't like what you're doing it can kill you.

Korean researchers have unveiled a robot security guard capable of killing human beings who get too close to sensitive areas or can't produce a correct password when questioned.

Produced by a specialist research wing of electronics giant Samsung, the robots may be picked up by the South Korean military for protecting that country's borders with North Korea.

But ethicists will shake their heads at the arrival of machines which appear capable of killing without discretion or conscience
( plagarised off item in Sydney Morning Herald)

I have to agree with Dan, securing your gear while sightseeing has its risks. But you have choices. You can lug it all with you when you leave the bike (not practical but you know where your gear is at all times). You have an enormous lockable underseat trunk, lockable forward left storage cubby and you can add a lockable/removeable top box. When I travel and have to leave sight of the bike, I remove my "gadgets" like gps and camera to any one of the locked spaces. The only thing that is not secured are my clothes, they are in a dry bag bungie-netted to the seat. Most people are honest, and leave your gear alone. If they really want it they are going to find a way to get it.

I have a Pacsafe net for the holdall I have on my pillion seat and have just bought a Lidsafe bag for my helmet.
Both will deter the opportunist thief.

http://www.pacsafe.com/www/index.php?_room=3

MIke,
That pac safe stuff is very cool.
I've never seen it before.
Thanks for sharing.

Dan

Thanks, Dan.

One word of warning - trying to get the net back in its pouch after use is like wrestling with an octopus (not that I've ever wrestled with an octopus ).

I have travel a lot solo. I have never had anything stolen off of the bike.

That said I never leave anything of value on the bike. I use a small pouch whick holds all of my valuables, (like a fanny pack) to take it with me. Again the only thing unlocked on the bike is clothes, sleeping bag and tent.

MaxB

I'm another fan of the PacSafe luggage net, and have the 55 litre size. I use it with an Ortlieb waterproof bag. It's a good piece of touring kit, I also use a helmet cable pushed through the mesh, and secured with a brass padlock as an extra securing point to the grab rail.

During the summer or long rides I bring my CamelBak Mule for water. When I stop I leave the CamelBack wrapped around the rear Givi backrest.

We stopped at the Fort Davies National Historic Site in west Texas to tour the facility for an hour or two. When I came back to the SWing, I found that someone opened the top (almost hidden) zipper where some people could store an IPod or similar. I was surprised that someone would do this is a tiny west Texas town ... it is a good thing I do not leave anything valuable in the pockets.

Love the information about Pacsafe net.

Thanks everyone for sharing your insights.

I have ridden most of Europe/US/ Canada/Korea since 1955. Camped a lot.

Never lost anything---except banged up jacket in Italy 1959, taken off me when I was napping. Used it as blanket.

Don't worry about it. Nitetime in motels I take junk off bike and into room.


Wouldn't even think of electronic junk to ring bell, etc. Enjoy the ride.


John Grinsel

I carry a big bike cover that has loops on it to run a cable lock. There is never a guarantee,but out of sight---out of mine. Good for sight-seeing wiyh your gear aboard.

I have never had anything taken off my bike. I sit my helmet on the seat with my gloves tucked inside and nothing has been disturbed. I do lock electronics away. My GPS in the lockable pocket and my iPad under the seat. I don't use a top box or any thing fancy I just use my bag strapped to the passenger seat. I make it a back rest for cruising.

Last September Coming back From the Maxi scooter rally in St. Louis Mo.

Poncho, have you crossed the boarder with your Silver Wing? I guy tried to get me off the road just after I crossed in Brownsville to Matamoras in a car.

Back in the 70's and 80's I would ride in Mexico. Now I would not even cross over to the border towns like Matamoras. The problems in Mexico are worse than you see on TV , the news does not show half of the goings on.
Used to be a great country,still good people there ,but no thanks.