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TRAVEL Hints and Tips Post your TIPS to travellers - all the interesting little tidbits you learned on the road about packing, where to get stuff, and how to cope with problems. Please make sure the subject describes the tip clearly!
Photo by Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

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


Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals



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  #1  
Old 6 Nov 2005
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What do you do with your helmet?

Try a carabiner. Hang a carabiner somewhere on the bike and, for instance, when it’s time to fuel up at a gas station, fasten the helmet strap latch up in the carabiner.

No more helmet falling off mirror or seat or luggage and gouging the visor. When you’re done fueling and want to move the bike 20 yards to the store, your helmet is secure.

No awkward slipping a hand into a full-face and riding the bike 20 yards. No risking your helmet tumbling off a mirror. No leaving it next to a gas pump, where it can be forgotten (temporarily) or stolen. Carabiners are good!
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  #2  
Old 19 Nov 2005
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I second that.
That's exactly what I use also.
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  #3  
Old 19 Nov 2005
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Locking ones helmet to the bike when unattended... can also be used for other luggage items...



Or a luggage/helmet net...

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  #4  
Old 24 Feb 2006
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Check out www.aerostitch.com they have bar end helmet locks. I have never used them, however I have two friends that have only good things to say about them. The other thing is you can bunch up the sleeve of your riding jacket, put it over the handle bar, then lock your helmet on the bar end.
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  #5  
Old 5 Mar 2006
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When I want to lock my helmet to my bike I use handcuffs. I've been using them for decades.

Bill
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  #6  
Old 6 Mar 2006
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There's a company called Pacsafe who make a helmet security bag that can be locked to the bike,a lamp post,anything.They have also just brought out a rather tasty looking soft luggage system for bikes,along the same lines.Basically there is a inner stainless steel mesh part to the bag that is impossible to cut with snippers,scissors,knife,etc...and a special lock arrangement that is adjustable to the length needed.I've got more info at home,but am away for a couple of months on a work contract.When i return i'll dig it out and post the website addy here.

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  #7  
Old 13 Mar 2006
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My helmet never leaves my presence. Even when locking it to the bike, there's still risk of having the helmet pissed in, or at the very least having the visor get scratches on it. I'm a bitch about having clear, clean optics.
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  #8  
Old 17 Mar 2006
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My technique is to have a crappy old helmet that when it drops off the bars I just say 'oops' and try to catch it on the first bounce!
Matt

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*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!
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  #9  
Old 21 Mar 2006
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Quote:
Originally posted by JonStobbs:
There's a company called Pacsafe who make a helmet security bag that can be locked to the bike,a lamp post,anything.They have also just brought out a rather tasty looking soft luggage system for bikes,along the same lines.Basically there is a inner stainless steel mesh part to the bag that is impossible to cut with snippers,scissors,knife,etc...and a special lock arrangement that is adjustable to the length needed.I've got more info at home,but am away for a couple of months on a work contract.When i return i'll dig it out and post the website addy here.

Great tip! i foud this link http://www.pac-safe.com/ I've actually been looking for something like this for my camera gear.
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  #10  
Old 29 Mar 2006
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Doesn't anyone use helmets with peaks anymore?I don't mean the old pisspot with a schoolboy cap-type peak,the new ones are amazing.Apart from the obvious fact that you're never sunblinded - there's also the fact that the visor doesn't get touched.Mine's 7 years old and still mint(yes I offroad as well so it does smell like a pisspot!)No problems with speed - 140 mph is fine anyway.Go on,get peaked!

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  #11  
Old 7 Jul 2006
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locking stuff on your bike

I commute on a BMW R1100RT and go to a gym at lunch. The area is generally safe but I don't like loosing stuff so I made a locking cable. I bought some cable at the hardware store (the stuff that was most difficult to cut off the spool) and a couple of crimp ferrels. One end of the cable is secured to the frame at the rear of the bike and the other end has a loop. While traveling I coil up the cable and stick it under an elastic net I keep over the rear of the saddle.

when I stop I feed the free end through my stuff (jacket, pants, helmet) and fit the loop over the right handlebar. Turn the handlebars and lock them and everything is secure. Not as secure as a locked box but it is quick and painless, perfect for safe places or short visits.
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  #12  
Old 7 Jul 2006
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Wink

I've got a new Kawasaki KLE500 and it's equipped with a helmet hook which locks the d hoop to the back of the bike and is operated by the main key. It's helpful when I'm just stopping for 30 minutes (petrol, fags, pasties), but as I live in London, I wouldn't leave it for too long. I'm sure the same feature will be available on other models soon and really solves a lot of problems. You do have to be careful when wheeling the bike around though as I did recently get a visor covered in tread marks.
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  #13  
Old 18 Jul 2006
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Every single of my bikes has had a helmet lock. Granted, the XL185S's doesn't work anymore after I fixbroke it, but both the XJ600 and the XT600 have great helmet locks that I use when leaving the bike for a short while.

Also, a top case can solve many, many problems
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  #14  
Old 28 Jul 2006
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What to do with your helmet

I use a bicycle locking cable, with padlock, about 3 ft long to tie the helmet, jacket, pants to the bike frame somewhere.
Fishnbiker
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  #15  
Old 30 Jul 2006
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Matt Cartney
My technique is to have a crappy old helmet that when it drops off the bars I just say 'oops' and try to catch it on the first bounce!
Hi Matt:

I like your attitude on life.

I hate it when I have a new helmet - there's all the stress that comes with trying to avoid that 'first scratch'.

A few months ago, I bought a new BMW System V helmet with a WCS-1 Bluetooth communications system in it - damn thing cost nearly $1,000 - and I managed to keep it pristine for about 8 weeks. Then, by accident, I picked it up by the strap when the strap was not fastened (clicked together), and it went for a good bounce or two on rough concrete. Scuffed up the paint and the visor.

Now, I don't have to worry about scratching it anymore, and life is so much simpler and stress-free. All the enjoyment has now returned to my motorcycle riding... and I just clip the helmet onto the back of the moto whenever I want to store it, instead of worrying about putting it into its special fabric bag, etc...

A PS to Tengai650 - most visors are replaceable, and cost about $50 or so - I usually budget for one new visor each year or two.
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