Dear Kreiga-fanatics, I have used US-10s for many years to lug a VERY heavy Almax III chain to work. The Almax IV is for home only now after the weight managed to shake loose the lock screws on my old CBR600F over sleeping policemen. So I'm saying I understand the Kriega stuff but this summer is the first where I will be packing everything into a US-20 and US-10, bar valuables which will go in a small tankbag. I used to tour with a US-10 holding the chain, waterproofs on top and all cargo 'netted' to the seat. The rest was in a massive tank bag. I used to leave the US-10 on bike as it was low risk and well tied down when filling up or eating in service stations. Anyway now the US-20 has to go on the seat first carrying a lot of clothes but also the chain. How do you lot manage at the service stations? There's no way I'm leaving all my stuff on the bike like that...? Cheers
I've never had anyone touch any of my luggage, but I do remove valuables which are all kept in tank bag to save worry Sure some Kreiger-nuts will be along to advise soon...
I've left stuff in Kreiga tail packs at service stations all over europe with no problems, it's just clothes n' stuff. All my valuable stuff, passport, docs, money, phone etc. is in a bum bag that goes with me. I work in London so I know where you're coming from, people will nick anything at anytime. Outside London and especially in Europe it's not like that.
yeah i need to take a chill pill maybe although may buy a slightly saller chain for touring you know one of those crap Oxford/Squire chains
Unless you're going to Romania or Albania, or particularly seedy bits of france (marseilles springs to mind) I've never taken more than a disc lock to Europe, it's just not like the uk where bloody thieves are lurking round every corner. I'm on my holidays, leave the paranoid mindset at home!
Yeah I know I travel a lot in France (Marseilles included) it's just that on the rare occasions where I've had brake-ins or stuff taken I get so angry it ruins the trip completely.
If you are only taking as little as you say in a US10 and US20 then unclip it (really easy with the Kriega gear) and take it with you. It will only add a couple of minutes, but will add the peace of mind you are looking for. They come with a carrying strap just for that situation.
Just re reading this mate and I'm thinking if your issue is with people stealing stuff out of your luggage rather than pinching the bike itself, then a big f&@k off lock isn't going to make much difference. Maybe you need something like this? Wireless Alarm Anti-Lost Anti-theft Security Key Chain Finder Locater Reminder | eBay Then if someone walks off with your bag you get a bleep, works up to 25 metres / 75 feet away.
I second the comments on your stuff generally being a lot safer in Europe than with the thieving little scrotes that we're infested with in this country, but it always pays to protect yourself where you can, within reason. I take an Oxford Tripwire XL which is essentially a disclock with a long cable and loop on the end. It's ideal for touring as you can lock your bike to something fixed even if you can't park next to it as the cable will reach for 1.5 metres or so. We also use it to lock the Ventura bag to the bike when parked up for lunch or sightseeing (although as abv says, take all your valuables with you). Oxford Trip Wire XL cable lock It's also VERY light and can curl up into a tight loop that I lock around the handle of my Ventura bag whilst not in use so it's out of the way and doesn't take up any valuable luggage space. One of the best buys I've had for bike gear, can't rate it highly enough for touring.
Again, never had anything go missing, or bike touched when away. wouldnt worry about services mate, you can see your bike anyway, and if your in groups, generally someone will be with the bikes all the time anyway? Lunch stops etc we normally park them where you can see them... but worth taking a lock for eve's or if your leaving the bike as Moily says, i like the others stick all my valuables in here GIVI XS307 TANKLOCK - Soft Luggages and leave the bags on the bikes, nothing but dirty pants and flip flops in them anyway. lol least with Kriega it stays on the bike and doesnt just randomely fall off the brackets
Thanks for the info. Will take my BFO disc lock and my mate has a top box so he will bring his Almax III and we'll chain the two rear wheels together Have decided to use US-20 on back for heavier stuff, bags connection daypack tank bag for valuables and toll tickets etc and finally anything else can go in my backpack. Don't like touring with a backpack as I get sick of it commuting everyday but I'll only need it on way down to our base in the Alps. Cheers all for the advice much appreciated. You'd think I'd never done any touring but changing to a fireblade has made packing a lot harder
Always leave mine on the bike until we stop for the night, just never really leave the bikes alone much tbh
This is a recent Kickstarter project that will be rolling out in the next few months - fantastic idea and so many uses, particularly as a cheap tracker for the bike: Tile - Personal Tracking Device That is going to be huge over the next year or so.
i'll forgive them for the sickening "Apple" style ad as that cloud based tracking of lost items is clever the NSA would love to piggy back on that project!
I've used this for touring for years, its long enough to be a really handy, if I ever had to leave the bike loaded up, you can snake the cable through your luggage handles and still go around a lamp post. New version is better as it doesn't have a round key.
