So, I think I'm probably going to pick one of the 1000cc+ monstrosities for my future RTW bike (well, RTW a bit at a time), as I can't afford to take too much time off work so will need to travel significant distances quickly at times...

... Having, therefore, ignored all the bloody good advice on these forums that this is madness, and I should be on a 1980s air cooled single cylinder bike, I thought I would make a small concession to sanity and follow all the luggage advice I read on here. So ok, Touratech Zega Pros are out, soft panniers are in!

But I just can't get my head around all the security arguments for soft luggage. Put all the really valuable stuff in a tank bag and take it with you? Absolutely, I do that already when touring. Take everything into the hotel/tent with you at night? Ok, that makes sense... a bit of hassle mind, but, yeah... fair enough.

That's all well and good... but what do I do when on my travels I find an interesting looking tourist attraction or similar, and want to park my bike and explore on foot? Ok, so I have my tank bag with all the super valuable stuff in it with me... but you know what's really expensive? Camping stuff. And that's all just sat on my bike, waiting for someone to undo a strap and run off with it.

I say this as someone who has had an expensive sleeping bag stolen from a soft bag on his bike on a trip while parked up in California.

I know you can use Pacsafe mesh... indeed, I already have some Pacsafe mesh stuff. I'd probably trust it to secure some things that I could stand to lose if I had to on the bike. Would I trust it to secure 100s and 100s of $s of camping stuff? I don't think I would.

So that brings me onto thinking about getting a top box. Maybe the Pelican case based ones. But it'd have to be pretty large to fit all my camping stuff, and as well as looking weird to me, those huge boxes all up in the air way back behind the rear wheel look like a bit of an aerodynamic/weight distribution nightmare.

So this is my dilemma... do I get a top box which is better for security, but worse for everything else? Or do I use a soft bag and accept that I'll be unwillingly donating tents/sleeping bags/etc. to local thieves as I go?

And again... before anyone tells me that theft never happens. It has already happened to me once!!!

You omitted to mention the discourse concerning the use of bike covers.

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Dave

What use is a one man tent to New York crack head or part time Dagestanian bandit cum sheep herder? They can buy one on e-bay for a tenner like everyone else. Only you know you were insane enough to pay a thousand quid because it's 2g lighter and Charlie Boreman ****ed in one just like it and made you feel funny.

Your phone, cash and passport are another matter.

A box, locked with padlock (that is usually a £1.50 addition to a £500 box), mounted on some behemoth that is worth more than their hovel will however get minds wondering about what might be inside.

What you can't do without take with you. What you would rather not do without disguise, but plan to do without. What you can leave at home, leave at home.

Andy

Haha... good replies

Ok, so the prevailing wisdom is that it's best to just not make your bike a target in the first place. So that means not being stupid enough to ride a flashy 1000cc bike that's worth more than the GDP of some countries around the world... d'oh!

But, if you are that stupid, at least put a cover over it while it's out of sight so no-one knows whats under there without taking the cover off.

So then by the time they've taken the cover off, noted the Pacsafe mesh covered soft bags, and had my alarmed disc lock go off they're less likely to try stealing my sleeping bag than if they had time to gaze longingly and curiously from a distance at my mysterious top box.

My other plan is to purposely leave some bags not protected by Pacsafe (though, probably still with a security cable stopping the bag itself from being easily taken), so that if kids who just want the thrill of stealing anything to look big and clever in front of their friends have a go, the easy opportunities for them are just my food supplies and smelly socks and suchlike.

Ok, I'm convinced... soft luggage all round!

I have struggled with same issues...and went with my primary kit storage in soft bags (Wolfman tank bag, GL Great Basin "U" bag, and small utility bags on the engine guards) on my KLR.

But...also have a medium sized Pelican case on rear rack. This provides at least some bombproof, weatherproof, lockable storage on bike (and covers the OEM tool roll).

I like a modular mix of "solutions"...some or all of this kit and cases are on the bike at different times. For the main part of the journey...it's all there. Local touring...much can be taken off and ideally left at a secured location or with responsible friends.

I agonized over hard or soft...but honestly, look at the locks/latches on a set of hard bags. Easily defeated.

I also agonized when the bike has be lying on my leg...and been really thankful for soft bags and good boots!

I think that when it comes to security of objects stored on the motorcycle - whether in panniers, top-boxes, soft bags with a PacSafe mesh over them, or otherwise, one has to take a multi-faceted approach to security.

By that I mean where you park the bike is every bit as important as how you secure what you have left on the bike.

If the bike is parked in a secluded location, even the contents of aluminum Touratech panniers or steel ammunition boxes that are locked up with $100 padlocks will be fair game to an interested thief - this because the thief has the opportunity to take all the time they need to pry the containers open with little risk of being spotted by anyone else.

On the other hand, if you park the bike in an attended lot, or park it in the middle of a whole bunch of other bikes (in an area where other riders are coming and going frequently), soft luggage wrapped with a PacSafe is probably quite secure, simply because a potential thief has a very high risk of being "caught in the act" by the lot attendant or other riders.

In other words, "adequate security" is the result of a blend of several considerations, of which how well secured the object is is only one component. Where you park it, the time of day or night, and what effort you make to ensure the bike is monitored (e.g. tipping a lot attendant ahead of time) are other considerations.

Michael

A simple bike cover is easy to stow, and you'd be surprised that covered up a bike ceases to become interesting, and anyone poking around under a bike cover is rather noticeable.

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-''It is better to walk alone than with a crowd going in the wrong direction''. ( Herman Siu)
-'' Live life then give life '' (www.lltgl.org.uk)

No real arguments there other than to say the worst bike "break in" I've ever had was in a locked hotel compound with an all night guard there to keep an eye on things. Pannier and top box locks were forced and a whole load of stuff taken. Since then I've either taken everything off or in the case of fixed panniers emptied them out. It takes time each evening / morning but at least I sleep a little easier.

if Im using hard panniers for 2up riding and I don't have what I call a 'secure' parking area, I also remove any valuables from the bike each evening, its a bit of a faff, but its about minimising the potential risk/loss.


As soon as you start travelling off the beaten track there are normally places to park your bike in a compound, secure parking area or in the lobby of a hotel/backpackers, a cover does help a little too, but as backofbeyond's experience shows, this is no guarantee. At the end of the day, if you cant afford to lose it, don't take it with you on your trip.


if Im travelling solo I use soft panniers and a Peli box for anything of any value, its a good compromise.

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Cheers
Grif

'11 KTM 450 EXC
'09 Suzuki DR650
'00 Discovery Series 2 V8
'95 Defender 90 300 Tdi Overlander
http://gipperstravels.blogspot.ca

Yep, I also go for a compromise.. using a topbox to store electronics and carnet, then clip the key to my swimsuit and off I go into a river/sea for a dunk...

Excellent comments Michael!
Choosing a good parking spot is key. I've hired local kids to "watch" my bike, paying a bit up front, balance when I return. But sometimes there is no one around, no private lots, no apparent safe haven. This is tougher to deal with. Think outside the box, try to come up with a solution.

A cover is always a good idea but a PITA to pack. But on a big bike, not so bad.

A good Pelican top box is good for cameras and other valuable but you won't ever get camping gear in it. My camping gear (seldom used) is fairly old, not valuable. Once at an actual campground, little to fear most times.

Probably more chance of thievery in California than many places in Latin America. (certain cities excluded!)

It's those random stops for a nice walk around a local market or to see a few sites that are tough to protect against. But with a bit extra effort/time you can usually find a way to leave the bike safely using advice/tips above.

Good move!
I use inner bag liners with my soft panniers. Simply grab & go into Hotel. Leave soft panniers on bike, just carry inner bags into Hotel room. Takes just minutes to unload/load. One trip only.

I use a soft Wolfman Duffel bag on the back, no tank bag. The Duffel comes in as well. Only thing left on bike are tool kit (sort of hidden), and two empty soft panniers. This scenario is with NO camping gear. Usually make it with just ONE trip from bike to room. (leave helmet ON)

My Camera (small) and phone stay in riding jacket and Camel Back with paperwork and other valuables.

I've never really travelled on a long hall with soft luggage, I've always used hard luggage so it's all new to me, I do plan to take a bike cover, inner bags will be a must but I think when I have had the hard luggage I do tend to put items in that I may need and most of the time I don't, with the soft I will be packing very carefully.
I to have the wolf luggage as it's the dogs, not keen on tank bags or top boxes,
I've got a klim back pack with water filter make sure I Carrie all my important stuff at all time,

You here of bikes that go missing when guys are traveling around the world, that's must be the worst......

I use a pelican type top case...For the cameras and other stuff...
Is also good to put my discsize popup tent on.
And for cooking on it also!

In the waterproof bag my camping gear.
Right soft pannier food-kitchen stuff.
Left soft pannier clothes and some bike parts.

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3mountainsadventure

No hard luggage is secure.....just slightly more so than soft. The only real advantage with hard is that it usually unclips faster than soft and the only hard worth using is Peli type stuff. Sounds like you will be on roads if traveling at speed. In that case how about a Peli 1550 top box fitted to a TT QR mount. If you must use soft panniers..the wolfman jobs come off reasonably quick with the D-rings. I'd have lift out bag liners and leave the soft panniers on the
bike. Just park smart and don't worry.....if you do it will spoil your trip.