What to do with riding gear when off bike

[Samiam]

I'm somewhat in a qundry as to where to stow helmet and jacket when I want to go for a hike or whatever. Neither system bag will accomodate my Shoei nor my Commuter 3 jacket (due to the back armor on the jacket). I have a Chicane tank bag but neither lid nor coat will fit there either.

Add my wife's gear if we go on a trip and the pile is even larger. Back in the old days, I just left my helmet on the mirror (or lid lock) and stuffed my old Navy flight jacket into a saddle bag but people steal helmets now and the flight jacket is no longer what I consider "gear'"

What do you folks do?

[challey]

You could use a short cable with loops at the ends, thread it through the arms of the jacket and secure it to the helmet lock. I had a cable sold for securing snow skiis that I used to do this with, but that was prior to purchasing system cases. Alternatively, you could live dangerously and simply remove the back armor if that's the problem.
Surprised you can't get the jacket in the case though. I don't have a problem with my FG Voyager 3/4 length, even with the liner in, though it is a tight fit.

[taosports]

I'm also surprised that you cannot fit your jacket into the system case. I have the same jacket as you and it fits the right side case with room to spare.

I believe in out of sight - out of mind when it comes to theft security so I will either lock the jacket in the system case or bring it with me. The helmet always goes with me unless I'm parked where I can see my bike. In that case I still lock both with this 4 foot retractable cable :

[pinecone]

+1 on the looped-end cable. I run into this all the time - say on a hot day when you're going for a walk in shorts and sandals, whatever. My Darien pants and gloves go in the left system case, boots in the right, helmet locked on the side. No room for the jacket. Loop the cable through the arms as mentioned - I also carry a combination lock because if the helmet is on the side lock, there's not much room to get the cable ends in there.

[wncbmw]

I use the looped cable also thorough the jacket and helmet and the lemet lock.

An alternative might be found at a backpacking or luggage store. I have seen wire mesh sheets made to go over a backpack to lock it to a tree or pole for security.

Like these!

http://www.rei.com/online/store/Categor ... =11&sort=1

[Samiam]

Thanks for the advice; I didn't think about the cable. That's a neat idea. I'll try the jacket in the right case again. Maybe I was folding it incorrectly. That alone would be a break as bulky as the jacket is.

[Sit]

I have used the cable method too. I got one at a local store that had a lock built onto it that is slim in its style. This way I can loop it through any part of the fram and leave the helmet lock available for a helmet. When not in use, it coils in on itself so is fairly small to store. Check in the lock section of your local Ace or true value. I got mine at a Fred Meyer store that carries a little of everything. Might check the bike section too. My helmet also would not fit in a side case, this motivated me to get a trunk, a LARGE givi. On a recent trip to the beach for the day, I was able to get two mesh jacket, a pair of overpants, a pair of crash jeans, two pair of boots and my helmet in the side cases and trunk, wife's helmet went on the lock. With careful folding I was able to avoid folding the back pads in the jackets.

[mcollect]

I use a bicycle saddle cable, around $6.00 you can get these at any bicycle shop. I just loop it through whatever and attach it to the helmet lock on the right side of the bike.

[TonyT607]

2 x Kryptonie locks (the new kind) + one thick Kryptonite cable.

[pjbmw]

I saw this at the BMW MOA rally this summer. It locks to the bike. Aerostich carries it...
Pac-Safe

Or this , an exoskeleton to just put your stuff in and cinch it down, found on the A&S website
EXO-SKELETON

Here is the Pac-Safe link

[beemerphile]

I have a PacSafe bag for my helmet, but I usually just use an armored cable through one arm of the jacket. You can secure a full face helmet to the same armored cable through the chinbar.

[Samiam]

Thanks again, guys. I'm definately going to try the cable/arm/chinbar idea. Beemerphile, I kinda wish I'd seen your Jesse bag setup before I sprung for the System Cases.

[MattPie]

In that case I still lock both with this 4 foot retractable cable :

I don't want to burst a bubble, but:
I was out skiing with a friend who had a similar looking lock. It was crap and was really easy to change the combo without knowing. We hmm'd and haw'd about how to get it off. Turns out, the cable is flimsy enough to cut in one try with a leatherman. Plus, no one even looked twice at us doing it.

I use a cheap bike cable that I got at target (or Lowe's) for about $7 that's much more sturdy. It won't stop everything, but it does seem to stop pocket-sized tools.

[taosports]

I don't want to burst a bubble, but:
I was out skiing with a friend who had a similar looking lock. It was crap and was really easy to change the combo without knowing. We hmm'd and haw'd about how to get it off. Turns out, the cable is flimsy enough to cut in one try with a leatherman. Plus, no one even looked twice at us doing it.

I use a cheap bike cable that I got at target (or Lowe's) for about $7 that's much more sturdy. It won't stop everything, but it does seem to stop pocket-sized tools.

No bubble to burst. I realize a real thief can take whatever he/she wants. Doesn't matter what size cable or lock you use. I'm just trying to prevent all the others from temptation and/or slow them down. My post if you noticed said that I park where I can see the bike when locking the helmet and jacket to the bike.

[wncbmw]

Locks are just to keep honest folks from stealing anyway!