Do you ever think about what you put in your pockets?

[OhCrap]

The other day I was at one of our local bike shops checking out some winter gear, when I overheard two older bikers sharing crash stories. One of them was telling how he cracked four ribs on his cellphone (and also causing a punctured lung because of this) when he went down, and the other one showed a huge scar on his belly caused by a bunch of keys he had inside the left front pocket of his riding jacket; which happens to be the same place where I always keep my keys. I joined in on the conversation and it turned out they were both wearing full gear during their accidents, which obviously doesn't protect us from what's inside our pockets. I'd never really thought about this myself, but since then I keep all my stuff in my top case instead of on me when riding. Thought it was a good idea to share what I learned with you guys, and hopefully help create some awareness about some of the things that can go wrong when the worst case scenario presents itself. I'm also curious if anyone knows or can think of any good alternatives where to keep little things like keys, pocket knifes and cellphones on the bike since I don't always have my top case with me. A little glove compartment of some sort somewhere easy to reach would be nice. Perhaps there's room for a little (lockable) case above the tail light, right underneath the luggage rack?

Ride safe people, ride safe.

[SirSeanSean]

I have always thought about the keys that are in my pocket while riding. Although I know that if I don't keep them in my pocket, I'll forget them altogether.

[leftfield6]

I throw my pocket stuff in my tankbag.  Can't say I was doing if for safety, more for comfort.  I hate stuff in my pockets.

[hppants]

Never thought about this.  Great advice and thanks for sharing.  Now, everything goes in my tank bag.

[drdubb]

I also use a tankbag.

[isleofmanfan]

Good to hear from you ohcrap, I wondered if you were still riding.

I always keep my house keys in my jacket pocket.  (not the breast pocket, thats to close to the heart)  I keep my cell phone in my pillion bag.  I fully understand the damage that keys can do to the owner.  I was in a car wreck about 15 years (head on) ago and besides all the glass that needed to be removed from my forehead, the ignition keys put a nice gash in my right knee.  Keys and such can mess you up!

[OhCrap]

I'll always be riding IOMF, I'm just getting ready for a weekend tour through Germany as a matter of fact. My last longer ride before winter starts. Just been busy times for me so I don't get to spend a lot of time atm, but I'm around 

As for tankbags, I don't really like them. I got a tiny one I use when I'm out touring but not for every day use. It just holds my GPS and some charging components for my cellphone, and some emergency bandages & extra ear plugs. Mine comes off way to easy and can't really be locked, so I don't like leaving it on the bike when it's out of sight.

[isleofmanfan]

I had a tank bag on my CBR and learned to hate it.  The only thing I like about them is they can display my map so I dont have to stop to look at it.  Otherwise they are a pain.

Ohcrap:  You can ride all winter?!

[coffee_brake]

I used to smoke, kept my cigarette lighter in my pocket. Welder buddy told me a horror story about a spark touching the lighter in a welder's pocket...boom...sings soprano now.

You ever seen a common lighter explode? I have. They say it has the power of a stick of dynamite and I believe it. No, I didn't set it off. It was defective and was sitting in the Southern sun all day, and it blew up when I was nearby.

I don't keep lighters in my pocket while riding anymore. Heck I don't smoke anyway, that's even more dangerous and a more sure way to have to stop riding years too early!

[hppants]

O/C - I bought my tank bag specifically for my RWB - It's a magnetic - Cortech mini-mag:

http://www.motosport.com/motorcycle/product/CORTECH-SUPERMINI-TANK-BAG-65-LITER-MAGNETIC-MOUNT/?catalogId=118223


(Will somebody please tell me how to embed the URL into the hyperlink?    )


That bag will not seperate from the tank.  I still use it for my NH750, but wish I had a bigger bag since my 750's tank is much wider than the 700.

[SliverXZennon]

I guess I better find a better place for my garage door opener!!

[Laminar]

O/C - I bought my tank bag specifically for my RWB - It's a magnetic - Cortech mini-mag:

http://www.motosport.com/motorcycle/product/CORTECH-SUPERMINI-TANK-BAG-65-LITER-MAGNETIC-MOUNT/?catalogId=118223


(Will somebody please tell me how to embed the URL into the hyperlink?    )

Go back and modify your post, the forum will format the URL for you.

Basically, it's (without any spaces) [ url = http://www.whatever.com ]Visible Text Here[ /url ]

My garage door opener stays in my breast pocket, cell phone in left pants pocket, wallet in back pocket. No keys. I can't keep my opener on the bike, since I switch bikes often and only one of them has a tank bag.

[skramer360]

I guess I better find a better place for my garage door opener!!

I keep mine on the bike. Rain or shine never had any problems with it.



Wow my bike is dirty 

[Soupskin]

I keep mine on the bike. Rain or shine never had any problems with it.

Wow my bike is dirty well loved

Fixed that for you!

[happycommuter]

Ah crap, that hotlink post never made it public.  Fixed.

My keys lay pretty flat, and are in a front pants pocket.  I'm unlikely to 'land' on this area.  I'll likely suffer some nasty bruising, but at least my keys will come to the hospital with me.

Chest pocket carries some obtrusive medallion that would impale me, but according to that show Tru Calling it protects me from all bodily harm (stupid Wikipedia says no such thing, buzzkills).

[Brittles]

I don't think I would ever use a tank bag as I'm not convinced they don't scratch up your tank.......that's just me.

[Soupskin]

I don't think I would ever use a tank bag as I'm not convinced they don't scratch up your tank.......that's just me.

I had one on my Bandit for my return trip and had to bust out the rubbing compound when I got home to buff some scuffs out.  I don't think I will be using one again.  Not to mention, it's a pain in the rear to pull it off each time I fill up.

When I used it on my NH it was no big deal since my tank was already smashed.

[OhCrap]

IOMF: It depends on the kind of winter we get. Last year was really bad by our standards, I was practically snowed in for over 2 months. But the 2 or 3 years before that were just a bit cold and rainy with a few weeks of light snow en sub zero temperatures. It's mostly just a guess, but I'm think I can ride most of the winter this year except for a week or 4 in total.


And thanks for the link Pants. My worries aren't that the bag will come of by itself though, but that it's to easy to steal it or it's contents. And after using one for a few weeks this summer I'm also a little concerned about the scratching that others mention.

Happy: Have you ever put the powers of that medallion to the test? You may want to keep it somewhere else though, just in case 

[Burgi]

I hadn't thought about this until I saw a post from Loki sometime back that said something about carrying things in your pockets. After that I started considering it more and leaving the saddle bags on my bike. I really prefer how it looks without them but I don't like the idea of tank bags scratching so I just toss junk in the saddle bags.
In the end function always beats out form with me.

[bajakirch]

This topic has me thinking. I regularly carry:

Left pants pocket - cell phone
Right pants pocket - keys, pocketknife
Back pocket - wallet
Inside left breast pocket - multitool
Inside right breast pocket - iPod
Lower left jacket pocket - glasses case

If I go down at speed, I'm going to look like I've been tumbled in an industrial-strength clothes dryer.

I may have to re-evaluate.

[coffee_brake]

Dang if I carried that much stuff in my pockets I would look like a dude. Oh wait...ya'll are dudes!

Long live the purse! I make my own and modify the strap length to exactly fit me and my bikes. My purse goes over my shoulder and sits on the seat behind me. It carries my wallet and some groceries to include a bottle of wine; my cell is in my jacket in case I come off the bike and purse is lost. Here's the bag I have made about a dozen times so far for me and friends, mine has very strong and glove-friendly front closure and heavy duty zipper, and skips the fancy welted pockets. Any strong cotton fabric will do:

http://www.savvyseams.com/bags/adventure.php

[bajakirch]

Just make it in a camo pattern and you could market it as a European Carryall. 

[coffee_brake]

It's in a nice understated black/bronze baroque pattern this winter. For the summer it was in flourescent pink/yellow/orange roses. Hubby threatened to not ride with me if I didn't make a different color for winter.

Next Spring I'm making it in black/lime green "targets"...very chic!

[Bumblebee]

I'd think a cellphone caused injury would be an isolated incident, not a major injury threat. I would prefer a cellphone to be attached to me so I could possibly use it without having to go hunt for it..assuming the unlikely event that I'm somewhere the silly thing would work in the first place.

Be aware of anything you carry in your backpack since it's attached to your body. It's not the place for a camp knife or ice axe.
Anything significantly dangerous goes on the luggage rack and is secured so it won't come loose until a great deal of banging around is involved. Just put the dangerous stuff in a small bag or zip up lunch bag or whatever and bungee it down to the luggage rack or seat.

[Burgi]

Long live the purse! I make my own and modify the strap length to exactly fit me and my bikes.

Coffee do you wear the strap over just one shoulder or like a messenger bag? Can the strap "break away" if need be? I used to carry a messenger bag but started wondering what might happen in case of accident. The thought of that getting caught on something and being strung around my neck made me stop. Just wondering of you have made some sort allowance for that sort of thing?