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Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? Anything to do with the bikes equipment, saddlebags, etc. Questions on repairs and maintenance of the bike itself belong in the Brand Specific Tech Forums.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 27 May 2011
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Keys

Where do you keep your spare keys?

Do you keep them at home to be posted in a emergency?

Do you keep them hidden on the bike?

Do you keep them with your passport?



Clever ideas most welcome....
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Old 27 May 2011
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Depends where you are IMHO. In Europe they'll steal any bike they want regardless and having the spare keys stuffed in the headlight shell etc. only invalidates the insurance. In other places your jacket might go because it looks warm but the new owner will dump the contents and not care less about keys in the pockets. You take the spare keys out of the hiding place and ride away.

I think the only fixed rules are:

1. Know where the keys are.
2. Don't keep both sets in the same place/garment.
3. Remove any means of matching lost/stolen keys to a bike (eg. the key fob from the dealer that identifies the make and has the same logo as the number plate. This is a pet hate, I once found a BMW key in a bike parking area. From the logo, when I spotted a guy wearing a BMW riding suit I asked him if he had his keys. He'd lost them. He rode away on a brand new GS, still don't know 100% if it was his to be honest! You can get unmarked blanks cut at decent locksmiths and leave the logo'd ones at home).

Andy
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  #3  
Old 27 May 2011
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I have three bundles of keys:

1) My engine key this is on its own fob - I can't stand the rattling when riding...
2) 1x key for all four Zega Pro panniers, bashplate toolbox, home gate padlock, Squire padlock (for Almax chain) & Xena disc lock.
3) House keys front & back and parents house and parents gate padlock.

Once I'm on the road bundle 3 goes under the seat out the way.

I keep a spare set of all my bundle 2 keys under seat and I have a spare engine key around my neck on a piece of paracord - this key unlocks the seat allowing me to get to my spares if I need them.

I have the Wolfman Rainier tank bag, which has a little key fob inside the main compartment I ALWAYS put my keys on this after I've used them so I know where they are - I can't stand things in my pockets when riding.
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Old 27 May 2011
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I have two sets but would ideally have three..

I keep them all on lanyards to keep them obvious and easy to carry..

My main set gets stuffed in my pocket,tent etc..

Spare set stashed away really deep in my luggage.Wrapped up in an old dirty bag etc.

I'd probably get a third set which id leave at home which could be posted in an emergency..
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