Parking the C14

[VirginiaJim]

you could zip tie a baby monitor  to your centerstand .If  stand goes up you'll hear it .
 Its low tech ,low cost.

Or chain a guard chihuahua to it.  It's about the same size.

[PH14]

Or chain a guard chihuahua to it.  It's about the same size.

 

[Jeremy Mitchell]

I'm sure somone has a naggy wife they could loan out for a week or so.  I guarantee that your bike will not be stolen if they have to take a naggy woman as part of a package deal.

[gnuse]

Having come from riding an RT, I became comfortable with the fact that my bike is not one that is likely to be stolen. I think my new C14 fits into that category. It's not a sport bike or HD, so not desirable to the criminal types.

[lt1]

Hmm, that is an interesting thought.  I never use the centerstand, since they are just as unstable as a side stand, yet much more work (plus a real pain when you are short or have a lowered bike).  But using it with a lock.... hmmm....

As far as that goes, you could tie the chain/cable between the front wheel and the sidestand.

[MidlifeCrisis]

I'm sure somone has a naggy wife they could loan out for a week or so.  I guarantee that your bike will not be stolen if they have to take a naggy woman as part of a package deal.

I thought that falls into the same category with the Chihuahua.  They are all b***hes that won't stop yapping.

Seriously, for close range protection like hotel parking ot, I vote for a pager alarm system and a 9mm.  One to let you know your bike is getting jacked.  The other for your own protection when you go investigate.

I have seen videos of two guys hauling a sport bike into a minivan in less than 30 seconds in broad daylight on a busy street - right in front of a surveilance camera (hence the video).  Don't think a 700 lbs bike is too heavy to steal either.  They only have to lift one end of it at a time.  Kipass don't do jack for theft deterrent, either.  Most stolen bikes are stripped for parts, so the perps could care less whether they can start the bike or not.

I haven't had to worry about leaving my bike outside overnight, until I got the C14.  Now that touring is a definitely possbility, I am seriously considering a pager alarm.  Yes, I have full coverage, but one claim and my premium will go through the roof.  Besides, I'd rather not have to deal with being bikeless 500 miles from home.

[roadie1951]

I always look for motels that I can park right in front of the room.  If that's not possible, I find a well lit parking space, remove everything I can remove and make sure my insurance premium is paid up.  I've stayed in some "questionable" places and thankfully never had a problem.   

I've even gone so far as to ask the front desk person if I can park near the lobby entrance.  It's 50-50 as to whether they let me, but it doesn't hurt to ask. 

[roadie1951]

Always get a 1st floor room in a motel and drive the bike right into the room and park next to your bed where you can keep an eye on it all night. 

Did this once, many years ago in a small town in northcentral Pennsylvania.  Maid walked in and freaked out.  Shortly afterwards the phone rang and the motel owner asked me to pack up and leave!  I told him "I put newspaper under it before I pulled it in".  He wasn't amused. 

[Rhino]

you could zip tie a baby monitor  to your centerstand .If  stand goes up you'll hear it .
 Its low tech ,low cost.

That's an interesting idea! I may have to play with that. I'm a light sleeper and wouldn't want to get woken up by other sounds coming from outside. But now I'm thinking a basic moto frs with a call button. I could add a switch to the center stand (or side stand) that activates the call button. Low cost remote alarm system. In fact, if it could be rigged such that the call button only activates temporarily, from your room you could transmit back to the bike (while your putting your pants on): "step away from the bike, the police have been alerted.." or what ever.

[Conrad]

That's an interesting idea! I may have to play with that. I'm a light sleeper and wouldn't want to get woken up by other sounds coming from outside. But now I'm thinking a basic moto frs with a call button. I could add a switch to the center stand (or side stand) that activates the call button. Low cost remote alarm system. In fact, if it could be rigged such that the call button only activates temporarily, from your room you could transmit back to the bike (while your putting your pants on): "step away from the bike, the police have been alerted.." or what ever.

or, 'now where did I put that extra magazine with the hollow points'.

[Rhino]

or, 'now where did I put that extra magazine with the hollow points'.

  I was thinking something exactly like that.

[Mister Tee]

I don't do long multi day trips on a bike, but I do occasionally take my bike to conferences, at places that have valet parking.  I have never had a problem being able to park in the inside valet area (yes I have to pay the parking charge, but if it's a work conference, it's free to me anyway.)  But I do so more to keep the bike protected from the elements, vs. having it stolen.

[bhodge10]

thanks all for the advice. I'll talk to the hotel to see what they can do in terms of parking but looks like I shouldn't have to much to worry about.

[jimmymac]

The Dury inn at Olive and 270 offers covered parking, and nice rooms for a fair price. That's where I park it when I stay in STL.


Bang for the buck, it's the best deal in town.

[FireIdiot]

The Dury inn at Olive and 270 offers covered parking, and nice rooms for a fair price. That's where I park it when I stay in STL.


Bang for the buck, it's the best deal in town.

That's a nice part of town, so I wouldn't worry about it. It's not too far from the amphitheater. Now if you might be staying downtown, that's another story. I live in 10 minutes from downtown St Louis, so if you find a hotel and want to know what area it's in, I would be willing to give my opinion.

[bhodge10]

That's a nice part of town, so I wouldn't worry about it. It's not too far from the amphitheater. Now if you might be staying downtown, that's another story. I live in 10 minutes from downtown St Louis, so if you find a hotel and want to know what area it's in, I would be willing to give my opinion.

I'll be staying in Mehlville, is that a decent town?

[FireIdiot]

I'll be staying in Mehlville, is that a decent town?

Mehlville (or South County as we call it here) is great. Assuming that the concert is at the Scotttrade Center on 3/9, you are about 20 minutes away. How are you getting to Scotttrade? If you are riding, I would suggest looking into a parking garage. Usually parking around there is surface lots. There is a garage right next to Scotttrade, but I don't remember the name. Either way, you should be fine. When I go to a Blues game down there I park either in the lot by the Greyhound station, as their security is pretty decent, or I park at Union Station.

[bhodge10]

Mehlville (or South County as we call it here) is great. Assuming that the concert is at the Scotttrade Center on 3/9, you are about 20 minutes away. How are you getting to Scotttrade? If you are riding, I would suggest looking into a parking garage. Usually parking around there is surface lots. There is a garage right next to Scotttrade, but I don't remember the name. Either way, you should be fine. When I go to a Blues game down there I park either in the lot by the Greyhound station, as their security is pretty decent, or I park at Union Station.

Yeah I'll be going to Scottstrade Center.  I was wondering where a decent place to park the bike would be. Thanks for the tip. Oh and Let's Go Red Wings!!!

[FireIdiot]

Yeah I'll be going to Scottstrade Center.  I was wondering where a decent place to park the bike would be. Thanks for the tip. Oh and Let's Go Red Wings!!!

BAHAHAHAHAHA!! If I can be of other help just let me know. I would say I would meet you for dinner, but I'll be in Mt. Prospect, IL all that week. I would recommend not wearing a Red Wings jersey down there as well.  lol

[bhodge10]

BAHAHAHAHAHA!! If I can be of other help just let me know. I would say I would meet you for dinner, but I'll be in Mt. Prospect, IL all that week. I would recommend not wearing a Red Wings jersey down there as well.  lol

What, are my boys not well loved over there?