If you want a tour pack, why don't you get a real touring bike??? Many options out there, nice Street Glides, etc etc

 

Not interested in a "real" touring bike. I love my sportster. I just thought it might be a good thing to lock my helmet in, after having my helmet stolen one day while I went into a store.

I now carry my helmet in with me but it would be nice if I could just keep it with the mc and not worry about being stolen again.

 

My learner bike (Honda Rebel) had a helmet lock similar to this: http://www.jpcycles.com/product/1320206

I don't know if it was factory or aftermarket, but it was even keyed with the ignition/fork lock key, which was rather convenient. I'd like one on my new bike, just haven't taken time to figure out where to mount it.

 

Cheapest helmet security you can get is a trigger lock from walmart, costs about 5 bucks.

 

A friend gave me good advice on locking the helmet. Use a small lock and get the least expensive DOT helmet you can find. I found a full-face Bilt(house brand) on sale at cyclegear for $49. If someone needs it enough to cut the strap they can have it. I use other helmets for daily riding or x-country, but the Bilt works fine for airport parking and such.

I agree about moving the wait forward and lower. Get some saddle bag guards (keep the bags out of the back wheel) and mount bigger bags lower. I use a HD bag on the back, but I also have an expandable leather bag from Carroll Luggage (Milwaukee, Interstate) that can ride on a luggage rack.

http://www.farmandfleet.com/products...road-pack.html



On sale for $80 through 11/3

Th HD is structured and is always the same shape, the Carroll pack is unstructured leather and can be strapped down tight. I have both, I could use the Road pack and not miss the HD.

bad news, I was wrong- it is called a Carroll Biker Road Pack. Good news, looks like i'm a Carroll Luggage endorsed Biker.

Here is a pic of last years trip home from CA, fully loaded bike at gas stop in Alexandria Louisiana. Weight low and forward.


And here is a pic of too much sh*t on a sportster starting west on 66. Biker Pack riding on the passenger seat.

 

Damn Kokemill, were you moving? I go on week long camping trips on the sporty and have never needed that much storage!

 

I been looking for saddle bag supports but can not find any that will work with a detachable back rest

 

2options, first is the way I solved it on my Dyna - attach the bags supports (and in my case bags) to the detachable rack. Pics here:
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/dyna-...addlebags.html

Second, I think you could attach the supports to the detachable mounting points using longer grade 8 bolts. I have the detachable system on the Dyna, I'm not sure if the Sporty works the same. The Dyna one has a slot on the forward end and a cam lock at the rear. Neither would interfere with anything outboard centered on the bolt hole. I met Kirk at http://www.sportyparts.com/ , when I was in LA. You can download their catalog that has at least a dozen different support configurations. Make sure to look for something that angles back far enough at the front to clear the bottom of the shock. The disadvantage of this option is that it leaves the supports on the bike if you take off the bags.

I think the only way I made it to LA with all that weight up high is that between I55, I44 and I40 the first real curve headed west is in the Cajun Pass.

 

I ran the Mutza Tour-Pak with a wrap around backrest and a luggage rack on it for over 50k miles on my Road King. Never had a single problem, we loaded the TP full, used the rack on top of the TP regularly, and my wife was comfortable and secure with it.

I did put a galvanized plate on the inside and outside bottom to give it a solid mounting surface and some rigidity.





I found it to be as durable as the HD TP's.

This was 7 years ago...can't tell you if they make them better or cheaper these days.

When I ride the Sporty and know I am going to want to leave helmet and/or jacket...I have a cable lock...just slip it thru the sleeve of the jacket and thru the helmet and somewhere on the bike. Done.

 

Holds three 12 packs, quick detachable, and a backrest for the interstate, thanks for the hookup HarleyScuba.