Theft of stuff (expensive) from panniers

[Engineer]

That's the thing...if I pull up anywhere and change my clothes and nip out to a restaurant or go for a hike somewhere random and get back to broken panniers and top box with all my gear gone, it makes it a nightmare to find a new helmet and then the pain of the losses. Still stumped, as my house insurance, bike insurance or travel insurance just wont cover this. Any ideas?

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I have started you a fresh thread.

Richard

Worrying about it will cause you far more stress than going with the flow and enjoying the ride - if you are that concerned then it is healthier not to ride a motorcycle as there are far worse things that can happen. I'm sure that you could find insurance if you hunt around.

 

[theoneandonly]

why do you need something expensive with you ?
define expensive .
when i'm away the most expensive thing i take , i am prepared to leave in a ditch , if i have to .
bits of kit ...
rollbag with , tent ,bag and mat £700 .
the panniers cost more than the contents
my little magnetic tank bag probably is the most valuable item , as it has glasses, money, passport, paperwork, camera in it.
even if my satnag got stolen i have a backup map.
you could steal the whole bike , as long as i have my tank bag , i'll be ok.

 

[Dave T]

Think about Camping in a Tent. When was the last time you had something stolen from a Canvas bag secured by a zip, in the middle of a field surrounded by strangers?! And these days tents, mats & sleeping bags are bloody expensive bits of kit!

Agreed. The value of the contents of our awning when we're away in the campervan is not insubstantial. Protected by a standard zip. Granted, the 'public at large' (as opposed to fellow campers/campervanners) are not necessarily passing by as frequently as might happen to a bike outside a restaurant, but I'm sure 'campers/campervanners' encompasses a pretty broad church, as they are also comprised from the 'public at large'. Regardless, we proceed out for the day, and do not give it a second thought. Mind you, the butter is in the fridge, which in turn is locked inside the campervan, so no worries on that score.

 

[Berin]

Think about Camping in a Tent. When was the last time you had something stolen from a Canvas bag secured by a zip, in the middle of a field surrounded by strangers?! And these days tents, mats & sleeping bags are bloody expensive bits of kit!

About 1984, at Le Mans. Some scrote opened up the back of all our tents with a knife and stole sleeping bag and clothes - though why, I’ve no idea. Most of it smelt bad as washing facilities involved queuing

 

[Wapping]

I am amazed (though it doesn’t take much) that bods only have lunch or a coffee in or outside establishments from where they can see their bike. They really must worry about lot.

Perhaps the answer is to hover a drone above the vehicle, its camera linked to the phone. An all seeing eye, alerting a bikermate to scrotes and a dog, cocking its leg over the front wheel. Best of all, HD footage of the event.

 

[g.s.john]

Worry less.

If you want to disrobe and change into black tie for lunch, buy a decent cable lock and thread it through your (expensive) jacket, trousers and helmet, feeding the cable through something solid on the bike. Your boots you can put into a pannier, no doubt.

It’s that easy.

Or you could get a cab.

 

[Guru Gora]

I am amazed (though it doesn’t take much) that bods only have lunch or a coffee in or outside establishments from where they can see their bike. They really must worry about lot.

Perhaps the answer is to hover a drone above the vehicle, its camera linked to the phone. An all seeing eye, alerting a bikermate to scrotes and a dog, cocking its leg over the front wheel. Best of all, HD footage of the event.

Sorry I’ve not explained myself well.

My point is if I can find a lovely cafe overlooking a nice square and park my bike in sight , great.

I’m certainly not a member of the Bed Wetters Brigade

The biggest thing here is, don’t let the comments in here detract from your holiday.


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[RedRick Esq.]

why do you need something expensive with you ?
define expensive .
when i'm away the most expensive thing i take , i am prepared to leave in a ditch , if i have to .
bits of kit ...
rollbag with , tent ,bag and mat £700 .
the panniers cost more than the contents
my little magnetic tank bag probably is the most valuable item , as it has glasses, money, passport, paperwork, camera in it.
even if my satnag got stolen i have a backup map.
you could steal the whole bike , as long as i have my tank bag , i'll be ok.

This is now stretching into the " how long could you last/survive with what is in your pockets " question

 

[Globetrotter]

Layers of deterrents and decent insurance should always be standard. 1% chance it is ever needed, but when it's needed, its needed.

 

[Neil W]

how many instances of theft from motorcycle luggage have you read aboout on here?

my bike policy covers the luggage and contents if they disappear with the bike, a more likely event in my view. My bike is the V85TT Travel with integral luggage as part of the insured bike as stated above. I am not covered if my topbox is forced open and my overnight bag taken.

It would be an inconvenience if you helmet and other contents were stolen but there is not a great value in dirty, used bike gear. Contrary to popular belief, there are shops in foreign lands selling bike gear and generic clothing.

If you are worried about the cost, stick £100 a year into a savings account, effectively self insuring and draw down this account to cover any costs from theft. I bet after a decade you will have enough to cover the cost of a decent Goretex suit from Richa or one of the other sub-Rukka brands.

1985 , soft panniers and some tw*t nicked a brand new pair of Adidas Samba trainers and a new pair of jeans whilst the bike was on the car deck of a Townsend Thoresen cross channel ferry.

 

[wessie]

1985 , soft panniers and some tw*t nicked a brand new pair of Adidas Samba trainers and a new pair of jeans whilst the bike was on the car deck of a Townsend Thoresen cross channel ferry.

Boo hoo

My evening attire for Troyes today Is mostly from Tesco, Matalan and Mountain Warehouse. A zip on the trousers has broken. Might cost me 15 quid to replace the five year old item

 

[SBD]

I am amazed (though it doesn’t take much) that bods only have lunch or a coffee in or outside establishments from where they can see their bike. They really must worry about lot.

Perhaps the answer is to hover a drone above the vehicle, its camera linked to the phone. An all seeing eye, alerting a bikermate to scrotes and a dog, cocking its leg over the front wheel. Best of all, HD footage of the event.

The dog is an interesting case. I have NEVER locked my lid to the wheel of my bike as I can imagine every dog in Christendom pissing on and in it, but lots of folks do. Maybe I’m overthinking it, but it seems to me to be a risk not worth taking.

I have a little wire thing with a lock, and lock the lids on the saddle. If they get pissed on, or indeed, shat on, by a horse, so be it.

 

[simondippenhall]

I apologise for not having read all the posts but in my experience (travelled 117 countries, 60 of those on motorcycles and 54 years motorcycling) I have never had a theft from my bike. And the only bike theft was in my home town as an 18 year old student.

Make of that what you will....

 

[er-minio]

shat on, by a horse, so be it.

Horse might be ok.

I used to keep my GS and HP parked in the office garage, years ago, in Leman Street.
The HP was kept under a dust cover, and a fox got accustomed to shitting on it semi-regularly.

That's when I learnt that Fox shit smells much more (and worse) than horse shite.


I'm currently on a ferry floating across Bay of Biscay.
No horses or foxes (I suppose) but I left the helmet on the bike rear rack, secured with those metal wire thingies, and high enough to avoid being crapped on by said fox or horses (if present). But not sure about any potentially disgruntled crew, as they can defecate higher and/or with more precision. I guess I'll discover tomorrow evening.

 

[Berin]

I apologise for not having read all the posts but in my experience (travelled 117 countries, 60 of those on motorcycles and 54 years motorcycling) I have never had a theft from my bike. And the only bike theft was in my home town as an 18 year old student.

Make of that what you will....

I’ve done nowhere near as much as you, Simon, but I’ve covered some ground. Never had stuff robbed off my bike. Been mugged twice, once in Barcelona where the mugger got nothing as lamped him round the ear hole (but then had to leg it as his mates turned up) and once in New Orleans but I was outside a few Hurricanes and didn’t really notice.

I’ve had cars broken into a few times and one car stolen, always in Britain, but never a bike (that’s because I never stop at a cafe where I can’t see the bike parked )

 

[Guru Gora]

I apologise for not having read all the posts but in my experience (travelled 117 countries, 60 of those on motorcycles and 54 years motorcycling) I have never had a theft from my bike. And the only bike theft was in my home town as an 18 year old student.

Make of that what you will....

You are most certainly not in the UKGS Bedwetter Posse


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[richardbd]

I apologise for not having read all the posts but in my experience (travelled 117 countries, 60 of those on motorcycles and 54 years motorcycling) I have never had a theft from my bike. And the only bike theft was in my home town as an 18 year old student.

Make of that what you will....

Bet you’ve always had a pound of butter in the fridge though…

 

[richardbd]

Horse might be ok.

I used to keep my GS and HP parked in the office garage, years ago, in Leman Street.
The HP was kept under a dust cover, and a fox got accustomed to shitting on it semi-regularly.

That's when I learnt that Fox shit smells much more (and worse) than horse shite.


I'm currently on a ferry floating across Bay of Biscay.
No horses or foxes (I suppose) but I left the helmet on the bike rear rack, secured with those metal wire thingies, and high enough to avoid being crapped on by said fox or horses (if present). But not sure about any potentially disgruntled crew, as they can defecate higher and/or with more precision. I guess I'll discover tomorrow evening.

If your helmet is the right way up, it should be ok

 

[Globetrotter]

Worry less.

If you want to disrobe and change into black tie for lunch, buy a decent cable lock and thread it through your (expensive) jacket, trousers and helmet, feeding the cable through something solid on the bike. Your boots you can put into a pannier, no doubt.

It’s that easy.

Good call... although the potential pleasure of a furry little feline pissing on my jacket is a bit of a trade off

Seriously though, the car reversing into me the other day now that was a bit of a worry, panniers locked in a random city overnight....not so much.

 

[malcopopolo]

The most inconvenienced item to be stolen is your helmet. Secure it well if worried. At least you can still ride your bike in your jeans and trainers if all your other kit is stolen which let's be honest is very unlikely.