Commuting on a Sportster
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 345
Likes: 17
From: SoCal
Leather throw-over saddlebags. Leather up has a great sissy bar bag for a good price that straps on. If its full it makes a good backrest or you can turn it around to sit on the luggage rack (if you have a detachable sissy bar with on it) to ride tandem.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 456
Likes: 76
From: Montreal
Yes i always lock it with a xena 15 disc lock on the rear wheel.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,256
Likes: 522
From: USA
+1 works very well as a commuter bike.
I use an over the shoulder under the arm messenger bag.
(Also have sissy bar, yet don't attach anything for commuting.)
U Shape lock... to attached full face helmet to fork tube.
Winter and summer gloves...always cold in the AM and hot in the PM.
Sunglasses.
Mircofiber towel.
(Then the personal stuff...garage door opener, matches, etc.)
Last comment leathers vs work clothes.
That could add some "weight" to any storage noting riding boots vs. office shoes.
Some like those one piece textile jump suits named "race craft" maybe?
Have fun.
I use an over the shoulder under the arm messenger bag.
(Also have sissy bar, yet don't attach anything for commuting.)
U Shape lock... to attached full face helmet to fork tube.
Winter and summer gloves...always cold in the AM and hot in the PM.
Sunglasses.
Mircofiber towel.
(Then the personal stuff...garage door opener, matches, etc.)
Last comment leathers vs work clothes.
That could add some "weight" to any storage noting riding boots vs. office shoes.
Some like those one piece textile jump suits named "race craft" maybe?
Have fun.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 218
Likes: 58
From: Maryland/ ohio
This is from a day trip last summer, but its pretty much my daily setup. I put everything in my backpack (lunch, clothes, shoes) then when I get to the clinic I just take by book bag with me. On rainy days ill put a black trash bag over the sissy bar and duck tape the bottom. Since this picture I have installed a rack to keep the bag off the fender.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,882
Likes: 83
Around town could mean a 5 minute hop to a 50 mile ride depending on where you live. I need everything when i ride. Storage for tools , rain gear etc as well as my lunch bag and my other weather gear among other things. I store my half helmet in my saddle bags when i get to work as well as multiple sets of gloves etc depending on weather. I'm fan of saddle bags not back packs because a back pack cant hold my daily riding essentials. On my Sporty i had throw over saddle bags and a bag for my luggage rack. If your in bar hopper range 5 miles or less a backpack might serve you fine.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 5,286
Likes: 3,429
From: Idaho Panhandle
I use a duffle bag. This is my bike at work. 35 miles each way, 15 miles at 70+. I bring a laptop, and a place to store jacket and chaps when it warms up. Front bags holds gloves, glasses, etc. Duffle allows me to bring a change of clothes or other stuff if needed. I just took an old camping pad, trimmed it to width and length inside to make it easy to load and to keep shape when empty. Handle loops over sissybar and two short bungies have held it secure for years.
Last edited by son of the hounds; Feb 6, 2017 at 07:20 PM.
Thread Starter
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5th Gear
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 9
Likes: 1
From: Tucson
Keep the advise coming please. My last job I had clear view
of my bike while at work. (Had parked in front our window). Now I find different locations without such luxuries. Maybe I'm just over worried.
I have decided on a locking gas cap,a disc lock and the rack for my sissy bar.
Ill get get some pics up asap.
of my bike while at work. (Had parked in front our window). Now I find different locations without such luxuries. Maybe I'm just over worried.
I have decided on a locking gas cap,a disc lock and the rack for my sissy bar.
Ill get get some pics up asap.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 12,986
Likes: 715
From: NE Philly
I use a duffle bag. This is my bike at work. 35 miles each way, 15 miles at 70+. I bring a laptop, and a place to store jacket and chaps when it warms up. Front bags holds gloves, glasses, etc. Duffle allows me to bring a change of clothes or other stuff if needed. I just took an old camping pad, trimmed it to width and length inside to make it easy to load and to keep shape when empty. Handle loops over sissybar and two short bungies have held it secure for years.
Is that you Bronson? lol
Nice reinterpretation.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 5,286
Likes: 3,429
From: Idaho Panhandle
It is nice when someone remembers "Then Came Bronson." Few do anymore, but at the time I built this I had an XLCH. I had torn the meniscus in my right knee and it became really difficult to kick start the Ironhead. Therefore I decided to try and built a tribute to Bronson using the XL883 as my commuter bike. It is my first EVO sporty and it is one great motorcycle. I have throw over saddlebags (from my XLCH) and a tank bag, but the duffle works great and keeps it in character. I use the duffle almost all the time. I do use a pelican style case in the rain.