Lightweight (packable) safety gear?

[Andy Rider]

Is there such a thing?

I'm looking to ride my bike to various places and then go running. So I need some jacket and trousers that will offer some nice protection should the worst ever happen, but is small enough to be able to pack in a bag and leave on the bike.
Ideally I don't want to pannier my bike up, places I'm thinking of going to security isn't a major issue. I have a Kriega US20 tail bag which I was hoping to use but with all the armour pretty sure my boots, jacket and trousers aren't going to fit in it!

What do you lot do if you're biking somewhere and don't want to wear/ carry your biking gear around with you?

[Beehive Bedlam]

Get a top box.

What is to stop an opptunist walking past and having a rummage through the bag?

Alternatively just ride in shorts and trainers but you will likely be flamed for this by BCF's fair weather riders.

[Ayrton]

Not sure how good they are in a crash, but one of those keylar hoodies might be a good idea.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bikers-Gear-UK-Motorcycle-CE-Armoured-Full-Kevlar-Hoodie-Black-Red-Grey-Jacket-/281301151225?var=&hash=item417edaedf9:m:mndZb5G06O3CUSuDoNSha1g

[BTTD]

Armoured jeans don't take up a lot of room, but any leather jacket or textile with a back protector and decent boots will be bulky + crash helmet.
I've seen leathers cable locked onto bikes through the sleeves at motor events. Maybe lay your boots on the seat, jacket & helmet on top secured with a cable lock through the jacket sleeves and helmet chin bar, and then a cover bungeed over the bundle?

Bear in mind that once you're all sweaty / muddy / rained on, you'll be changing back into your bike gear.

[MCN]

Buy a car and throw the bike armour in the boot.

You cannot hope to store anything securely on a bike without putting it in a lockable box.

Scrotes be all over the places.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[Ste]

[Andy Rider]

Oh well...

I could drive but where's the fun in that?

I could wear my shorts, but will be a bit cold in the winter!

I really think people need to stop having such a negative view of others. I don't think security is that big a deal. I'm not planning on parking up in high crime areas.

I suppose I could remove the armour and just go with abrasion resistant clothing? will make it less bulky. Anyone got any stats on how affective the armour actually is?

Best option, I like, so far is jnw010, thanks, just cable lock it all to the bike. Or I could just dump it all behind a wall, out of sight...

[Undinist]

The BMW Airflow two piece suit is easily the least bulky protective gear I have ever worn. The jacket and trousers feel weightless compared to normal kit. https://www.bmw-motorrad-store.co.uk/bmw/motorcycle-clothing/airflow.html

Another option is Aerostich - I used to wear a Darien Light jacket and trousers - they pack up pretty small https://www.aerostich.com/jackets-pants

Most of my touring involves leaving the bike gear with the bike and going for a walk in normal clothes, but I always have giant BMW panniers and top box, which make this approach very easy. I have also used a cable lock for jacket, trousers and helmet though.

Another approach is a wire mesh net. I used one of these many years ago. Better than nothing. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pacsafe-Anti-Theft-Backpack-And-Protector/dp/B005BNDFC6 If you don't have hard luggage I can't think of any other way to lock up your boots.

Topboxes are not thief proof, but in my experience a giant Givi top box will be stolen every year or two if it's on a bike parked on the street in London, whereas BMW top boxes are never interfered with!

[MCN]

[Andy Rider]

Thanks Undinist I like the wire mesh idea.

[doggone]

If you only have a few places you might go there may be a house/shop/farm would not mind being asked if you could leave a bag there in relative safety.

Agree people worry far too much about things being nicked.
Obviously you wouldn't leave a wallet and keys on the bike but a rolled up bundle in a tail pack would almost certainly be fine.
There are't gangs of smelly jacket thieves roaming the countryside.
Besides you aren't my size

If it was me *running* I'd compromise on footwear and trousers and wear an old jacket not that bothered about - even if it meant buying something cheap from ebay.

[J.M.]

I left all of my safety gear cargo-netted over/around my tail bag whilst going around Spain in my t-shirt and jeans. I also left it like that whilst parked up a few times, or brought my luggage inside if stopping at a hotel for the night.

I put tiny padlocks around the zips of my panniers. Nothing that would stop anyone who really wanted to get inside, but can't just be rummaged through effortlessly. If someone really wants my dirty clothes that badly they can have them

I would doubt someone's going to want to steal your bike gear. The people that steal bikes never wear any, and those without bikes don't want any
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2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900

[Undinist]

[Val]

Don't wash your textiles for a year or two. Problem solved
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Adrian Monk: Unless I'm wrong, which, you know, I'm not...
Yamaha Fazer FZS 600, MT09, XSR 900

[talkToTheHat]

Regular textiles without speed humps or hard external plastic. Replace knee, hip, shlulder and elbow armour with D3O as it is bendier than others and easy to pack. Ditch the linings and wear whatever jacket/tshirts etc underneath. If you want a back protector, the furygan d3o based one is easily packed around other kit. I use my furygan back protector with my retro look leather jacket and throw the back protector in my hard luggage so i have a jacket I can wear off the bike and not have back protector bulges.

Of course it's hilarious having a freestanding jacket and when asked about the giant lump of foam in the back claiming this is how one survives violent mosh pits...
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Bandit. does. everything.