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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: galahs on May 30, 2007, 01:49:05 AM

Title: What do you keep under your seat?
Post by: galahs on May 30, 2007, 01:49:05 AM
I have been meaning to maximise the minimal seat space for a while and today I had a good long hard think about what I can put under there (not much room is there)

So it made me wonder what you GS'ers put under there.




Well this is what I have in my 2005 GS:

- Standard tool kit (though I think I should add some more spanner sizes and a couple of alan keys for the fairing)

- A small plastic lunchbox which contains 2 spare fuses, a spare tail light, a spare headlight, a spare dash gauge light. Then all stuffed with bubble wrap.

- Xena disc lock

- a folded garbage bag (comes in very handy. Use to keep stuff in, make a temporary rain poncho out of, helmet carry bag etc etc)



Title: Re: What do you keep under your seat?
Post by: Jay_wolf on May 30, 2007, 03:16:42 AM
a Battery , lol ., i cant keep nothin under there ,
Title: Re: What do you keep under your seat?
Post by: Affschnozel on May 30, 2007, 03:22:17 AM
A clean rag and  cable lock for the bike's cover , everything else is in my bag on my back :icon_razz:
Title: Re: What do you keep under your seat?
Post by: vtlion on May 30, 2007, 04:06:08 AM
The trunk of the SV has just enough room for the MOM, a set of hexkeys and a ballcap.
Title: Re: What do you keep under your seat?
Post by: zephler on May 30, 2007, 04:20:23 AM
not much  :laugh:

at the moment I have the standard issue tool kit plus a tire gauge in it's little case.... good idea with the fuses and spare bulbs  :thumb:

funny thing with the tool kit, you get a few tools but no allen keys to get the faring off?  :dunno_white:
Title: Re: What do you keep under your seat?
Post by: galahs on May 30, 2007, 04:50:16 AM
Hmmm, I just realised I don't have any first aid gear.

A small bandage and some band-aids would be good IMO.

As wood a leatherman multi tool set.... geez! Why is our storage space so small!!!!!
Title: Re: What do you keep under your seat?
Post by: Wrecent_Wryder on May 30, 2007, 06:02:49 AM
4f
Title: Re: What do you keep under your seat?
Post by: galahs on May 30, 2007, 06:28:58 AM
A bungee net!!!  Ah more things I would love to carry.
Title: Re: What do you keep under your seat?
Post by: manofthefield on May 30, 2007, 06:34:53 AM
OEM toolkit and registration & insurance in a ziplock bag, taped down to the inner fender  ... oh and occasionally my helmet D ring when I want to leave the helmet on the bike
Title: Re: What do you keep under your seat?
Post by: blue05twin on May 30, 2007, 06:36:18 AM
tool kit, isurance , registration, exta pack of cigaretts and lighter.
Title: Re: What do you keep under your seat?
Post by: Wrecent_Wryder on May 30, 2007, 07:11:33 AM
[5
Title: Re: What do you keep under your seat?
Post by: Egaeus on May 30, 2007, 07:16:22 AM
I try and keep the wheels under it myself.  That's about it, except for the emergency toolkit. 
Title: Re: What do you keep under your seat?
Post by: galahs on May 30, 2007, 07:54:20 AM
Quote from: Wrecent_Wryder on May 30, 2007, 07:11:33 AM
As I said, I carry a lot more in the tank bag. I always have a Leatherman Charge Ti either in the bag (when I'm commuting) or on my belt (weekends). The bag has a LOT of other stuff permanently.. pocket survival kit, full bit sets for the Leatherman, bandanna, helmet accessories (chin fairing)...

What's keeping you from carrying a bungee net? I just shove it in the tail under the grab-rail area, no problems. Small things want to fall out the slots, but the net doesn't. I took the metal hooks off- don't need them on our bikes, they'll just scratch it up, and that was half the weight. Adds a LOT of freedom.. I can buy some groceries, beer, wine or books as convenient, without having always to guess ahead of time.


My disc lock takes up a lot of room.

Does your bit set on your leatherman include alan (hex) keys?
Title: Re: What do you keep under your seat?
Post by: Wrecent_Wryder on May 30, 2007, 08:07:53 AM
[5
Title: Re: What do you keep under your seat?
Post by: galahs on May 30, 2007, 09:19:53 AM
I'm really going get this down pat. When touring I'll carry extra supplies in my luggage but I want my under-seat compartment to have the stuff that will get me out of most foreseeable problems.


So the disc lock is a given as is the standard toolkit. (replaced standard pliers with multi tool pliers combo, added alan keys for fairing and a 8mm spanner)

Spare headlight (to get you out of a pinch. Don't want to get stranded at night)

Extra fuses (ditto headlight + they don't take up much room)

a small bandage (in case of an accident, can be used as an rag if required)

a roll of electrical tape

a bungee net

plastic garbage bag

a $20 note (for emergencies. Petrol / Food / Oil / Sparkplugs etc)


ahhh out of room again!


I always ride with my mobile phone so that covers me needing a torch.
(Tip: If your phone doesn't have a built in torch, save a white image on your phone that you can set this as your background when you need extra light. This will allow your screen to project the most amount of light. :thumb:)

I wonder if a "space food stick" is a worthy addition incase you end up stranded somewhere for a long time  :laugh:
Title: Re: What do you keep under your seat?
Post by: Wrecent_Wryder on May 30, 2007, 09:45:58 AM
[4
Title: Re: What do you keep under your seat?
Post by: can_rizla+. on May 30, 2007, 10:39:26 AM
A clean rag for washing the bike and the french version of the handbook...just in case...ahahahhaha  :dunno_white:
Title: Re: What do you keep under your seat?
Post by: RVertigo on May 30, 2007, 11:33:22 AM
OEM Tool Kit, Xena Disc lock, and... Somehow I managed to cram my jacket liner in there...
Title: Re: What do you keep under your seat?
Post by: scratch on May 30, 2007, 03:49:25 PM
Zip-ties can be routed along the frame rails along with the wiring, using the wiring zip-ties to hold them in place till ya need them.

A clean sock in a ziplock bag.

Either a pony bottle of water (8oz), or a bungee net.

And, of course the stock tool kit with allens added (4mm(front fender) and 5mm(camchain tensioner)).
Title: Re: What do you keep under your seat?
Post by: Jay_wolf on May 30, 2007, 04:45:17 PM
i think im gonna have a packet of smokes in there with a decent lighter , you neva no, the moneys a good idea  , but who doesnt carry a wallet with them anyways ? +1 on the Zipties , i got a packet for mine
Title: Re: What do you keep under your seat?
Post by: galahs on May 30, 2007, 07:32:32 PM
I might carry a wallet but what if it has no money in it, or the place you need to get fuel doesn't accept credit cards or have Eftpos facilities.
Title: Re: What do you keep under your seat?
Post by: WREX on May 30, 2007, 08:44:41 PM
good idea with the zip ties scratch.

i keep the tool kit, a set of spare levers, rag and sometimes rain pants. 
Title: Re: What do you keep under your seat?
Post by: csnowman00 on May 30, 2007, 10:20:01 PM
-registration and insurance papers in a ziplock baggie
-a leatherman multi-tool (fully replaces the p.o.s. stock tool kit)
-a bungie net (highly reccomended incase you want to carry something unexpected)
-a real thin waterproof windbreaker hoodie
-my cell phone charger hacked with alligator clips

I would like to add:
-a small can of fix-a-flat under the fender
-tire patches
-flashlight

..but there is not enough room right now
Title: Re: What do you keep under your seat?
Post by: Jay_wolf on May 31, 2007, 02:31:02 AM
Quote from: csnowman00 on May 30, 2007, 10:20:01 PM
-registration and insurance papers in a ziplock baggie
-a leatherman multi-tool (fully replaces the p.o.s. stock tool kit)
-a bungie net (highly reccomended incase you want to carry something unexpected)
-a real thin waterproof windbreaker hoodie
-my cell phone charger hacked with alligator clips

I would like to add:
-a small can of fix-a-flat under the fender
-tire patches
-flashlight

..but there is not enough room right now

so if someone steals there bike, they could pretty much  have enough proof to sell it ,

thats like carring the v5 *logbook* with you . u'd be screwed then , unless its diff in the US

Title: Re: What do you keep under your seat?
Post by: Onlypastrana199 on May 31, 2007, 04:04:33 AM
MOST states require a signed copy of the title...unless its a no title state like Vermont...Then you still need a signed over copy of the registration and a bill of sale as well as a VIN check to make sure its not a stolen vehicle, and often times they send a confirmation of the change of ownership to the PO. It's not a quick process, by the time someone who has stolen a bike gets through all that, there should be a police report stating the bike is stolen and it would come up on the VIN check..if they haven't notice their bike is gone by then.. they deserve to have it stolen. I know NY is a PITA if you don't have all your paperwork lined up..thats why I owned a GS for a whole year before I had it on the road.
Title: Re: What do you keep under your seat?
Post by: Egaeus on May 31, 2007, 06:31:43 AM
Quote from: Jay_wolf on May 31, 2007, 02:31:02 AM
Quote from: csnowman00 on May 30, 2007, 10:20:01 PM
-registration and insurance papers in a ziplock baggie
-a leatherman multi-tool (fully replaces the p.o.s. stock tool kit)
-a bungie net (highly reccomended incase you want to carry something unexpected)
-a real thin waterproof windbreaker hoodie
-my cell phone charger hacked with alligator clips

I would like to add:
-a small can of fix-a-flat under the fender
-tire patches
-flashlight

..but there is not enough room right now

so if someone steals there bike, they could pretty much  have enough proof to sell it ,

thats like carring the v5 *logbook* with you . u'd be screwed then , unless its diff in the US


In the US, you're required to provide proof of registration (and insurance) when you're stopped by a police officer.  The registration is NOT the title.
Title: Re: What do you keep under your seat?
Post by: galahs on May 31, 2007, 06:48:57 AM
In Australia we have a rego (registration) sticker attached to our bikes in a little holder. We need to renew it yearly.

It is compulsory for people in NSW (the best state in Australia  :thumb: ) to have as an absolute minimum 3rd Party Insurance (Greenslip) and the rego sticker has a code on it to indicate which company provides our Greenslip.


If pulled over we need our license, license plate and current rego sticker.
Title: Re: What do you keep under your seat?
Post by: Egaeus on May 31, 2007, 06:51:33 AM
The registration sticker is not proof of registration.  You have to have the paper as well.  It's a money-making scam.
Title: Re: What do you keep under your seat?
Post by: baco99 on May 31, 2007, 06:53:06 AM
i just have a ziplock bag with my registration and some quarters in case i need toll or meter money. 

when i'm riding, sometimes i'll keep a granola bar and book in there for when i get to my destination.

Title: Re: What do you keep under your seat?
Post by: galahs on May 31, 2007, 07:06:37 AM
I notice no one else has mentioned carrying a spare headlight. Considering the GS only has one headlight, arn't you at all worried about becoming stranded somewhere at night if it blows? Or do you all live in areas where everything is lit with street lights?
Title: Re: What do you keep under your seat?
Post by: Wrecent_Wryder on May 31, 2007, 08:32:18 AM
[7
Title: Re: What do you keep under your seat?
Post by: scratch on May 31, 2007, 08:54:41 AM
Ah, yes, I forgot the spare clutch lever wedged between the battery box, the rear fender and the rear brake master cyl.
Title: Re: What do you keep under your seat?
Post by: baco99 on May 31, 2007, 09:06:57 AM
agree with above on the headlight.  even on cars, you rarely see both elements fail at the same time.
Title: Re: What do you keep under your seat?
Post by: csnowman00 on May 31, 2007, 07:59:39 PM
Quote
In the US, you're required to provide proof of registration (and insurance) when you're stopped by a police officer.  The registration is NOT the title.

Exactly...In Pennsylvania you must (or should have) show your registration if you are pulled over.  How does this help people steal your vehicle.  And if they do, thats what full coverage is for.
Title: Re: What do you keep under your seat?
Post by: makenzie71 on May 31, 2007, 08:29:06 PM
when I got my TLS there was a honey bun from michigan (1998) and two pairs of tighty whities.  I don't personally keep stuff under my seat.
Title: Re: What do you keep under your seat?
Post by: csnowman00 on May 31, 2007, 09:02:34 PM
Oh, that is just nasty.
Title: Re: What do you keep under your seat?
Post by: Jay_wolf on June 01, 2007, 02:21:31 AM
Quote from: csnowman00 on May 31, 2007, 07:59:39 PM
Quote
In the US, you're required to provide proof of registration (and insurance) when you're stopped by a police officer.  The registration is NOT the title.

Exactly...In Pennsylvania you must (or should have) show your registration if you are pulled over.  How does this help people steal your vehicle.  And if they do, thats what full coverage is for.

In My Country , if u had the V5 with you , and your bike would be stolen , they could sell your bike that day . we have something called a 7 day wonder , and means u have a week to bring it in , and they fone the insuarance company to check , surprised they dont do it there
Title: Re: What do you keep under your seat?
Post by: Paulmuphesto on June 01, 2007, 03:41:16 AM
over here its all computerised now.  the cops just punch in your registration # and it comes up with the details of insurance, tax, mot, owener etc
Title: Re: What do you keep under your seat?
Post by: csnowman00 on June 01, 2007, 06:05:05 AM
In the US, the registration is just another way for the state to make more money.  They make you pay $30 a year to them to be a registered vehicle.  They give you a paper as proof that it is registered, and a sticker that you must display on your liscense plate.  That way, when the po-po is behind you they can easily find out if you didn't pay, and pull you over and give you a fine.  I just cant see how it cost $30 a year for them to update their records.  Its a money making racket.  Thats really the oniy purpose.  It has no bearing at all when the vehicle is being sold.  For that you need the actual title that has all  ownership information on it.  I keep mine locked away in an undisclosed location, but never on the bike itself.
Title: Re: What do you keep under your seat?
Post by: baco99 on June 01, 2007, 06:26:24 AM
the other thing the registration does is act as a proxy to the title as proof of ownership of the vehicle.  so you don't have to carry the title around with you everywhere.  if someone steals your bike here and has the title, they can sign it to themselves and keep it with little recourse, especially in MA where the State includes a dollar value on the back of the title upon transfer, indicating it as a bill of sale as well as a transfer of ownership.  not all states in the US do this.  some still require a title and separate bill of sale agreement as proof that the transaction took place lawfully. 

registration is a proxy to all of those things: proof of ownership, proof of address, and proof of insurance.
Title: Re: What do you keep under your seat?
Post by: patwcon on June 01, 2007, 06:35:06 AM
Same stuff... tool kit and bulbs. Still plenty of space for my 9mm.   :o
Title: Re: What do you keep under your seat?
Post by: scottpA_GS on June 01, 2007, 06:53:06 AM
I keep a baseball hat for wen I take off my helmet  :thumb: and registration and insurance in a zip lock  :cheers:
Title: Re: What do you keep under your seat?
Post by: csnowman00 on June 01, 2007, 09:08:24 AM
Yeah, PA is not like that at all.  Everyone keeps their registration in their rides.
Title: Re: What do you keep under your seat?
Post by: simon79 on June 01, 2007, 10:27:30 AM
I keep:
-documents(insurance, registration card and dealer's warranty)
-a rag
-tyre repair kit
-OEM tools
-a packet of paper tissues (ya never know...)
-there's also enough room left to store my sunglasses pouch :cheers:
Keeping a spare headlight bulb would be a nice idea,though. :thumb:
Besides, I also usually keep my bungee net, but I'm currently keeping it installed on the pillion... I like its looks :icon_mrgreen:
I also used to keep my small disc lock under there, but one day I got tired of taking the seat off everytime I left the bike parked, so I ended zip-tying its pouch on the handlebars,right under my eyes...it's more practical and it also reminds me to take it off the disk when leaving :thumb:
Title: Re: What do you keep under your seat?
Post by: foobar on June 01, 2007, 01:30:30 PM
so far, just the stock toolkit and this handy tire repair kit:
(http://www.adventurersworkshop.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/safety%20seal%20small.jpg)

fits right next to the toolkit under the rubber band holding it down. fortunately, i haven't had to try it yet.
http://www.adventurersworkshop.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=SAfety_Seal_Tire_Repair_Kits
Title: Re: What do you keep under your seat?
Post by: Jay_wolf on June 01, 2007, 04:45:59 PM
Strange , About The Reg Stuff , over her , they read your plate, tells you if u have insuance , tax, if its wanted , all throught a little computer, There Just trying to crack down on all the people who dont , suppose its not all bad , our taxes pay for it
Title: Re: What do you keep under your seat?
Post by: RVertigo on June 01, 2007, 04:46:57 PM
My registration is in my Winter Jacket.....   :icon_confused: 

Along with a printout of the state law that says motorcycles don't needs insurance.  :icon_mrgreen:
Title: Re: What do you keep under your seat?
Post by: thingsbuilt on June 01, 2007, 05:56:14 PM
Lipstick,  and a revolver.
Title: Re: What do you keep under your seat?
Post by: spc on June 01, 2007, 06:18:11 PM
from now on: Kel-tec .380 with custom packed 'black talons'
Title: Re: What do you keep under your seat?
Post by: Jay_wolf on June 04, 2007, 07:27:46 AM
Quote from: RVertigo on June 01, 2007, 04:46:57 PM
My registration is in my Winter Jacket.....   :icon_confused: 

Along with a printout of the state law that says motorcycles don't needs insurance.  :icon_mrgreen:

If that was true ,in england  id have my gs  and a gsxr 600 , cant dream to get insured on one at 19