What to do with our "riding gear" while we are in the museum?

So my wife and I are planning a 5 day trip across the Blue Ridge Parkway, ending at Deal's Gap, and then driving back home (to Yorktown VA) at the end of August. We plan on making a lot of stops at museums and music festivals, etc. The problem is, our saddle bags and trunk will be full, so I'm not sure what to do with our helmets and riding gear. We really don't want to wear and/or carry that stuff in everywhere we go. I was wondering if anyone else has run into this problem and how you handled it. Thanks, Brian.

Get a coated cable and lock the items to the frame. Not perfect, but it works. If you don't have one already, get a coated cable for locking up bicycles and a padlock or combination lock.

I leave my gear on the bike and have not had a problem. If you are unsure, leave an empty holster in plain sight.

I have had this exact circumstance in the past, and would recommend that you see if the places have coat check service provided. I have gone to several concerts and museums and used their coat check service to store my gear.

Have a great tour!

I have a cable and padlock

I just leave mine on top of the bike. All my gear is sun faded and well used...nobody's going to take it. Plus, I wear a small, so it doesn't fit most. Worst that could happen is a stupid kid thinks it's funny to take something, but it hasn't happened in 110,000 miles.

Leave wife at home.

I use a Helmet Guardian on my license plate frame. That takes care of expensive helmets, unless someone is desperate enough to cut off the D-ring; which makes the helmet useless anyways. Cable & lock for the jackets/pants as others suggested.

https://www.advdesigns.com/heguprheselo.html?gclid=Cj0KEQjwhZm7BRCUyfS6ho2VjOEBEiQAumpGMgeZkb88IfNtwChOWXvSVAKKQQccgyRnB62tRa6-G0oaAvY-8P8HAQ

Cable and lock here as well.

For helmets ...

One of these: https://www.motorcyclegear.com/parts/aaron's_fun_stuff/handy/extuff/Helmet_Hook.html

And: a helmet lock bracket from TownsendsFJR1300 on this forum.

Jackets as per the other other suggestions.

drape gear on the bike. Cover everything with bike cover... out of site out of mind.

In Greece,in all the Museums,archaeological areas,etc..they keep your motorcycle gears,helmets in locked closets in the entrance..I like that especially in a hot day.

Townsend's lock bracket (w/ lock sold separately) is perfect for locking helmet(s) to the bike, IMO. Here is where they can be found, starting with Gen III discussion https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php/topic/2399-helmet-lock-brackets/page-9

I usually just drape my jacket over the dash/tank, and have had no issues. A small cable lock will work though, to keep honest people away.

Hammer Down Brown said:

If you are unsure, leave an empty holster in plain sight.

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I love it, lol.

MadRussian said:

Leave wife at home.

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Not a chance, lol...."Happy Wife = Happy Life"

Thank you everyone for replying. I will purchase and install the helmet locks. I like the idea of buying a coated cable lock.

This might fit the bill:

I have and use a cable lock as well. However, instead of purchasing one for a bicycle - (they are thick and the coils do not stretch well and are pain in my opinion) I went to Home Depot and purchased a custom length 1/8" plastic coated cable. They used their crimpers right on the spot and put the two ends into loop sizes that I wanted. Now I have a small, thin, yet strong cable that runs through a sleeve, the helmet and the frame, and still have room for more gear (like my wifes) and it packs down smaller than the bike ones.

That bag looks nice, but it seems like it would not pack very small....

Helmet Guardians mounted under the topbox for my helmet. Honda uses this method on the Wings and I've always found it convenient, so I adopted it for the feej and the GSX1100G.



Riding suit and gloves either go in the topbox or I carry them with me.