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Securing expensive luggage when unattended Securing expensive luggage when unattended
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Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

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


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



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  #1  
Old 9 Feb 2015
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Securing expensive luggage when unattended
Hi All

My first post. I am planning a motorbike trip all the way around Australia. I have 2 smallish hard panniers and a top box. I have bought a pretty expensive Hilleberg tent, sleeping bag and sleeping mat, none of which will go in the hard luggage. I was considering getting an Ortlieb Rack Pack to put these items in. The plan was to get a small daypack (35 litres) to use when off the bike.

However, it probably isn't a good idea to leave a couple of thousand dollars worth of kit in a soft bag, unattended on the bike. Do any experienced overlanders have suggestions of how to deal with this issue? ?strap down Rack Pack with steelcore straps (but ?could bag still be slid out, and I guess cut into). Or perhaps leave the bag with hopefully trustworthy! shopkeepers etc for a few hours each time I go exploring off the bike?

An alternative might be to buy an Ortlieb X-Tremer XL, which can be carried like a rucksack, and not get a day pack at all. I'd then just take the tent and sleeping stuff with me whenever I leave the bike. Does anyone have any experience with this type of dry bag.

Thanks for any advice.
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  #2  
Old 9 Feb 2015
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Do a search in here (use the box at the top of the page, right hand side) for the terms "pac safe" or "pac-safe".

There will be your salvation.

is appropriate now that you have posted!
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  #3  
Old 9 Feb 2015
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I've used a PacSafe mesh bag in this exact situation (including the Hilleberg!). It's awkward, but entirely workable. Of course the best answer is to drastically cut the amount of stuff you're hauling, but still....

Beware: the PacSafe will fit lots more than your camping kit. That might make it handy for the times when you use it to store riding jacket, pants and boots while strolling around town, but it'll also tempt you to stuff it more and more into it while touring. That makes for awkward packing and unpacking, with a high center of gravity and none of the advantages of your small panniers. Sometimes it's best to provide secure, hard-sided storage for that $1k Swedish tent.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark
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  #4  
Old 9 Feb 2015
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You don't want to be lugging your gear about the place. Pacsafe wire mesh advertises there is something worth taking. Hard luggage is easy to break into. Just throw your gear in a rack pack, leave it covered in mud and you'll hopefully be fine. If you are really worried give one of the local kids who invariably show up a few dollars and tell them to guard the bike.

Be more worried about someone robbing your actual bike.

I used ortlieb panniers and pack with no problems. Until I got to the UK and my bike was robbed. With my gear on it.
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  #5  
Old 9 Feb 2015
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In my opinion, humble as ever, no thief needs to see a PacSafe bag to gather that you've got something worth stealing; the bike and baggage themselves advertise that much rather loudly.

I've had minor stuff stolen off my bike when not locked in hard panniers or within the pacsafe. But I've never had anyone test my flimsy little locks or cables--not even once, including all the places you hear about where thieves run rampant. Pointing out that the bike itself is easily stolen somewhat misses the point.

I'll add only that discussions on this topic are frequent, often extensive, and sometimes contentious. A site search will turn up more opinions--informed and otherwise--than you'll know what to do with.

Safe journeys!

Mark
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  #6  
Old 10 Feb 2015
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And I thought we had outgrown the 'criminal' tag 200 years ago silly me
Unless you are in the city, very few people would even give your gear a 2nd look in Aus
Seriously, backpackers are the enemy when it comes to camp gear going missing in camp sites in the remote areas
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  #7  
Old 10 Feb 2015
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Thanks for all the advice. I like the look of the Pacsafe options. I may opt for the Stuffsafe, or a mesh over an Ortlieb Rack back.
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  #8  
Old 10 Feb 2015
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Don't forget the "hide it" options. Bin liner or ex-army canoe sack over the huge dayglo fabric, massively logo'd, price tagged manufacturers bag may convince people to just keep walking by.

When you get to Australia and customs ask if you have a criminal record, be sure to inform them that you didn't think one was still required to be allowed in. They've never heard that one before and will think it massively funny

Andy
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Old 10 Feb 2015
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Take the hide it option one step further- just get a bike cover (just a cheap one off eBay as the rule of thumb seems to be the cheaper they are, the thinner they are, and hence the easier they're to pack)

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  #10  
Old 11 Feb 2015
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Once you have done a few outback miles on our dusty roads .. anyone who touches it will be marked by the red dust. Most people won't bother due to the dirty motorcycle image. I wash my bike before I do a service or change a tyre. On a trip - leave it dirty.

Your theft worries are when you go shopping in a larger place.. say 3 or more pubs. Smaller places will know who stole it .. if they are a local.

The camping gear is not too much of a worry .. mark it with your name and phone number (cell phone). The things you really want to keep safe are your photos and notes. You cannot replace them no matter how much money/insurance you have.
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  #11  
Old 11 Feb 2015
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Small valuables in pacsafe bag, large gear encased in Pacsafe mesh and hide the lot under a cover
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  #12  
Old 17 Feb 2015
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In Australia. Noone will even look at your kit. Don't go experience site or Heavy!
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  #13  
Old 17 Feb 2015
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Oops. Don't go expensive or heavy.
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  #14  
Old 17 Feb 2015
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Quote:
Originally Posted by phacobiker View Post
it probably isn't a good idea to leave a couple of thousand dollars worth of kit in a soft bag, unattended on the bike. Do any experienced overlanders have suggestions of how to deal with this issue?
This is exactly the reason why I love my 10 Dollars tent and 2 Dollars sleeping bag from the flee marked
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  #15  
Old 23 Feb 2015
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If someone really wants something they are going to get it no matter how hard you try, infact the harder you make it the more mess they will probably make.

ditto the above for small locks etc that will put a casual theif off, any more and they are probably just taking the whole bike.

I've left snowboards and bags with shops and campsites etc, my board I left for a month in Wanaka and it was still there when I returned.

If I go for a long hike and want to ditch some gear ask the friendly shop keeper where you stock up for food before the hike.

If asked most people will help.

I don't think you'll have any bother, enjoy your trip.

a cheap cable lock through a wheel stops people pushing the bike away, I drilled a hole through the stand mount so that when the stand is down i just secure it in place with a cheap padlock. (just remember to undo the lock!!!! before you turn left) as well as security from theft etc it also gave me piece of mind when on ships etc
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