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Cruiser
Posts: 53
Raleigh, NC | Hi Everyone,
I have been picking your brains for a couple weeks now, and I need some more help. With my first long trip coming up (I know 5 hours is not that long but it is my first 2 up ride), I am trying to be as prepared as I can be, so here are my questions:
When you travel, do you take a cover for your Vision? We will be staying in a hotel.
Secondly, what, if anything, do you do for security? I'm not even sure what options are out there, but I wanted to hear from you guys.
Also, feel free throw in any other things that you have found to be worth the space on trips.
Thanks as always for your replies. They are greatly appreciated.
Now I have to go install my UClear BT units.
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Cruiser
Posts: 281
| I have a cover but never use it. I have a cable lock I use on very, very rare occasions to lock the Vision.
The only "tools" I carry are a couple of screw drivers, allen head drivers, a Robo-grip wrench, flashlight, some spare fuses, zip ties, and electrical or duct tape. The tape came in handy to tape the cracked fairing when we had the deer strike a couple of years ago. Knock on wood, I haven't used anything else.
If you're riding 2-up, some kind of bluetooth headset can be a good thing. We have a Scala system and love it
Have a great trip! |
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Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | i personally usually take a cover for all my bikes i have owned. i do it not just to keep wondering eyes off it, but i do it incase it rains over night. as far as security i just make sure i LOCK the bars using the factory lock you use with the key... other than that i gave up years ago on motorcycle alarm systems that sound like video games (toys) and dont scare anyone away... |
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Cruiser
Posts: 74
Republic of Texas | A rag to wipe off the dew or rain.
Lock the bags, lock the bars.
Small flashlight.
Spare key.
Park near your room, if possible. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 75
McHenry, IL | I just got a cover from www.skn-it.com (the shade one) and it is great. It rolls up fairly small (easily fits in the saddle bag with enough room left over for a jacket). On the road, I will remove the GPS and put it in the trunk, lock the saddlebags and trunk and use the fork lock, mainly to lock the glove box and park as close to my room (motel) or near the front door in a well lit area (hotel). |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 7
| Other than the factory steering column and trunk locks
Bright yellow front disk lock as a visible deterrent and it will slow down any semi serious thief
Scorpion security system @ 110 db it will make me aware of anyone messing with my baby from any motel room and then we get serious
As far as a cover if I've ridden 6 hours through rain a little drizzle overnight wont hurt her. I just take a microfibre towel to dry down. If your riding 2 up you wont have room for the cover and your gear let people see your baby
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 46
Western Wyoming | I use a cover.Keeps due,rain,tree sap out of electronics,GPS,satalite radio,TPMS,etc.I think a cover does help to ward off some thieves,not so much actually stealing the bike but the bolt on acccesories.Keeping the hot sun off the vinyl,plastic parts doesn't hurt either.Lock the forks up and full coverage insurance.If the thieves are pros,a logging chain through the frame won't deter them.LOL,our Harley bretheren put another spin on it,no one would steal a Vic.,they're after their high dollar garage queens.
Edited by DTWOR 2012-05-21 9:37 AM
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Iron Butt
Posts: 785
Mt. Vernon, WASH. | Take a 'bikini' cover for the seats (or a big trash bag) if the forecast looks like rain, or you know historically that it rains every year in where ever you are going. A heavy duty padlock on the front brake rotor along with the ignition lock works. (just remember to take it off before you embarrass yourself)
With a bit of researching into airport four letter identifier codes (like KPAE is my local airport identifier) you can use www.usairnet.com to see the aviation weather for three days ahead in 4 hour chunks, gives you chance of precip, winds and direction, cloud cover, all sorts of stuff and you can use any public library computer.
Edited by SYNSTR 2012-05-21 11:28 AM
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Tourer
Posts: 430
| I use the factory cover. I wait a couple of hours for the pipes to cool down before I put the cover on. The factory cover does say 'Victory Vision' in bold letters on the front of it. I have thought about covering up those words - for security. I lock the forks [08 model] the bags and put my gps in the trunk. Re: tools - I have the factory tools, a leatherman multi-tool, some zip ties, duct tape, flashlight [led] extra fuses. The tools, zip ties, duct tape and extra fuses are for my HD friends  |
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Cruiser
Posts: 62
Des Moines | I don't generally bring a cover. I just take everything in with me (GPS, helmets, luggage, etc.) and lock the fork and use a disk lock on the front wheel. |
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Tourer
Posts: 482
Beer Collins, Colorado (there is no fort) | I've made up a few of these http://www.gadgetjq.com/mc_alarm.htm , great little alarms, if you can solder and read a schematic they're very simple & cheap ($10-$12). I have one on 'Ol Blue and had one on my TC. Turning the key off arms it and it only draws power if it goes off (unless you add a LED)I would just try to park close to the motel room door or window-never had any problems other than setting it off myself but it was nice to know I was gonna hear something if somebody messed with 'em. If you wanted to get real fancy you could add micro switches to the trunk & saddle bag lids that would also activate the alarm if opened.
Edited by ByteN2it 2012-05-21 5:06 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | ByteN2it - 2012-05-21 4:59 PM
I've made up a few of these http://www.gadgetjq.com/mc_alarm.htm , great little alarms, if you can solder and read a schematic they're very simple & cheap ($10-$12). I have one on 'Ol Blue and had one on my TC. Turning the key off arms it and it only draws power if it goes off (unless you add a LED)I would just try to park close to the motel room door or window-never had any problems other than setting it off myself but it was nice to know I was gonna hear something if somebody messed with 'em. If you wanted to get real fancy you could add micro switches to the trunk & saddle bag lids that would also activate the alarm if opened.
wow i havent seen that site for years! back in the ol Kawasaki days.. lol |
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| Read the manual and you will find out how to lock the bars. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 166
Bullhead City, AZ | If you take the GPS off make sure the end does ground out and blow a fuse. No eletrical left except the lights. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 53
Raleigh, NC | I looked through the manual last ni ght and I could not find anything about locking the boars. Would anyone care to enlighten me? |
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Cruiser
Posts: 62
Des Moines | Push key down and continue turning left past "OFF". Handle bars have to be all the way left, I believe. You might have to wiggle them a bit to find the spot. Same thing you do to open the gas door, but push down on the key while turning.
Edited by emanIA 2012-05-22 10:11 AM
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Iron Butt
Posts: 763
Anderson, IN (48mi NE of downtown Indianapolis) | I have a cover, but found that it takes up a whole saddle bag. So, I don't carry it with me.
The most frequently accessed item I carry is a white towel. I use it to cover the seat while parked. That seat can get painfully hot when left in the sun. I simply tuck the 4 corners under the seat and it stays put. I use the same towel to wipe off the seat and grips after a rain or dew. It also comes in handy as a napkin and I used it as a bath towel once when I was in a pinch.
For a 5 hour ride, you probably won't need much. Tunes (mp3 player), towel, and wallet would be my only requests. |
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| Firejedi - 2012-05-22 7:49 AM I looked through the manual last ni ght and I could not find anything about locking the boars. Would anyone care to enlighten me? Page 48 see you can do it good luck on your ride |
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Cruiser
Posts: 53
Raleigh, NC | Ok. I've done that before. I guess I didn't realize that it locked the handle bars. Thanks. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 53
Raleigh, NC | I just put UClear boomless communicators in our helmets today. Wife is out of town so I can't test them yet. I did make a call or too using my helmet in the kitchen and so far, so good.
I'll let you all know how they are after this weekend. |
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Covers and locks