City riding essentials?

[Dynasty]

I was wondering, if I am going to be commuting in NYC, what sort of essentials should I be looking at?

I understand I need boots, helmet, body gear and gloves.

That said, what about things like locks? Covers?

Anything else that might preserve my ride?

Thanks in advance.

 

[iman501]

a safe parking spot! haha

 

[2004xb12s]

ya search on youtube and watch the guys that throw streetbikes in the side doors of minivans and drive off within 15 seconds in NYC....you might drive the car instead

 

[TooFst]

I would just get a nice cable lock. Another option is parking in a garage, that's what we did when I took a vacation out there a couple years ago. Then u have an attendant there watching it all day.

 

[upthemaiden]

Definitely want some kid of lock. New York City, I'd say....

Seriously though, something like this would be cool if you can park your bike close enough to a fence or a pole to lock it up, I'm sure it would be heavy in your bag though...

I used to use a small lock through my front rotor. It made me feel better about leaving the bike somewhere, but I never parked it anywhere all that dangerous.

 

[anrkizm95]

lojack

 

[nativeXb12Rbuell]

take the car or a cab or better use someone elses vehicle..

or most important is get uninsured/Underinsured coverage & FULL coverage with Collision and Comprehensive & accessory/extra added equipment coverages
PLUS
low jack,plus cable lock, plus alarm plus rotor lock alarm, plus chain it to tree or light pole or something..

and maybe this (this product is not legal in the US )




cnn.com article the flame thrower car alarm

 

[Buelligan2010]

That Flamethrower idea is sick .but I wouldnt live in africa even if I can use that on my car or bike. Subway . but if you must leave a heavy duty chain where you park everyday, rotor lock ,alarm, boomerang,and insurance like native said.

 

[Jobe Zeebuh]

I think it would be cool if you could electronically charge your bike so if anybody touched it they would get zapped.

 

[jasonxb9]

You can!! Not legally though. All you do is run a wire from both your positive and negative terminal, separate of course, to either grip the take the sheathing off and spread the individual strands out so they are not noticeable. I would put it on a switch that you can hide and when they touch the grips they get a decent shock. I am in no way advocating this, but that is how you can do it.

 

[Baltimore Buell]

I live and ride in Bmore, and I would say my number one tip for city riding is to be seen. It's far too easy to blend in to traffic and buildings if you are wearing all black. I have a bright red helmet and jacket, so I can be seen coming around corners and such. Also a good pair of non slip boots with protection above the ankles is a must. During those days when it rains just enough for all the oil in the streets to liquify, a good pair of boots will help you stay upright stoping and starting. For parking, I pay for a monthly spot in a garage across from my building. I think its definetly worth it since it dropped my insurance and brings peace of mind. I leave it under an all black full cover most of the time (no need to advertise what im riding). The guy who parks his bike next to me though goes even further and takes a long insualted chain and wraps it around a standpipe in the garage.

 

[ct1200]

I always had an issue finding parking when I worked in Hartford.
None of the garages wanted a bike in there.
I was always told Ins reasons, and their gate didn't work with bikes, which I knew was wrong.
But I found an out of the way surface lot and got to know the dudes working the booth so they watched out for me as much as they could.
But a disc or cable lock will stop the pass by thief.
If they want it, they will find a way to take it.
I always feel its best to park where its highly visable,
1. So everyone sees it and doesn't stuff it into a parking barrier when they are late getting to work
2. So the thief has a audience when they are loading it up
Something thats hidden in the corner is easy to forget cause no one ever paid attention to it in the 1st place.

 

[Dynasty]

Thanks for the advice boys.

I am not worried about getting my bike stolen at work, more at home. Will have to see if I can find a garage somewhere.

 

[konarider94]

You can!! Not legally though. All you do is run a wire from both your positive and negative terminal, separate of course, to either grip the take the sheathing off and spread the individual strands out so they are not noticeable. I would put it on a switch that you can hide and when they touch the grips they get a decent shock. I am in no way advocating this, but that is how you can do it.

screw using the battery. wire up a big car audio capacitor[up]

and this is how i picture NYC riding

 

[sk8ace]

I lock my bike up everywhere. I run one of these through my rear wheel, pulley and passenger pegs and up over the seat. Its the perfect length so you can't pull it off the seat. Its not gonna hold up to some big cutters... but its deff not going to roll anywhere if someone tries to push it.

 

[beefy99]

You could always get some concrete anchors http://www.concretefasteners.com/index.aspx?gclid=CICsnMDYhKgCFQkMbAodXEKxpQ and bolt down an eyelet (once you have the nut on the bolt take a chisel to the top of the bolt to "lock" the nut on the bolt) to pad a heavy duty cable to if your going to leave it outside, if you have nothing else to lock the bike to. This along with a bike alarm might save your bike. However, where there is a will there is always a way. Good luck.

 

[J_Undisputed]

I'm in NYC. I have a disc lock, I use in conjunction with a scorpio alarm with the pager at work. If you want to think about one of those giant kryptonite chains and padlocks instead, it might not be a bad idea to chain it to something solid. Parking on the sidewalk and chaining your bike to scaffolding does draw negative attention to you in the city. In the surrounding boroughs, they don't you a lot of crap about that. Parking is easy and pretty much free. Pick a large spot between 2 cars with cleaner bumpers. The meter maids are too lazy to look for tags and if theres no registration to scan, they walk by and look for another quota filler. They're supposedly cracking down on bike parking in Brooklyn though and pushing the maids there to do it manually.

If "they" want your bike bad enough, They'll get it. Its true what was said above about vans. 4 guys can pull up in a van with 2 aluminum bats, flank your bike from both sides, slide the bats through your rims and Lift it into the van. Covering it with a cover does help it remain more inconspicuous and less enticing. The best place for your bike overnight is off the street though. Bikes with club decals are also less likely to be messed with.

When all else fails...its illegal, but one of these in your front fairing can help you out of a pinch. Of course, you'll have to ride more conservatively with it on you... So can cracking someone in mouth with a titanium or carbon knuckled riding glove, can work just as well. I haven't had to use either yet.

It's really not as bad many people think it is. Most of the stuff that happens to your bike can be controlled by you if you plan ahead and use common sense. Like any other new yorker, get a serious mug going. Intimidation goes a long way.

 

[stwings]

Head on a swivel and a "they're all trying to kill me mentality".