Blissing wrote on 06/26/08 at 17:23:30:Long story short: Six month ago, biker bf helped me buy an '04 Savage ....
I have questions about really basic things, like what do I do if I ....
I have AAA for my car--is there something similar for bikes?
Is the best thing for carrying things saddlebags? I have a sissy bar--should I start with some bungee cords?
... what types of errands do you run on your bikes, when is it too much hassle or not?....
Steered you to a rather nice bike -- if you ever run into him, back up and run over him again and thank him.
When I went on my little 2300 mile putt the Wife added me to her AAA. In Texas I pulled up to a MacDonalds, opened my laptop, got a WiFi signal, went in for lunch and to update the internet. About a hour later a gentleman mentioned I had left my lights on (key in ignition, on position, SIGH!) Called AAA, got a jump, all the guy wanted to see was my AAA card. They also fix things, if they can't fix they'll tow upto 100 miles. Free of charge.
I have Leatherlyke saddlebags -- panniers actually since they are hard cases that only look like leather. 18 quart / 20 pound capacity each side. Can be removed and replaced in just a few seconds. And they LOCK, which is a pretty big deal in the city with Light-Finger-Louie walking past. $430, but I've had them 3.5 years, have laid the bike on it's side and they held the bike up, and they still look good. A bag will hold a five-liter box of wine. ALSO have a couple of bungie cords hooked to rear fender lip up across around sissybar, across to fender lip. (makes an XX.) For things too bulky for the bags -- such as a case of Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. For touring I have a 21" carry-on suitcase that slips onto the sissybar:
http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?board=tech;action=display;num=1177262289The MC makes a
FANTASTIC shopping cart. At Ralph's I pull up onto the sidewalk beside the door, assuming the employee with the 'Wing isn't there. Other places use the painted triangle at the end of the parking lane, next to the cart corral, etc.. None of this hunt for a space nonsense. Only one complaint in over three years, and I'll not go back to Wallmart due to one of their underpaid employees with delusions of authority.
p.s. Also have a Laptop Backpack -- my laptop doesn't fit the saddlebag.