I hate it when I leave the keys on my bike

[awonderfulworld]

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To the FJR rider that picked them from my panniers - thank you!

Anybody have good ideas for how to remember to take your keys with you? I've forgotten them in my pannier locks a few times.

 

[MaxTO]

Try the old tie the string around the finger trick

 

[fusion]

When someone steals your bike with your own keys you'll remember everytime after that I forgot mine in my ignition the other day, embarasing had someone stolen my bike, or wose my keys :S

 

[AF4iK]

In order of cheapness...

Idea 1: Write "DON'T FORGET YOUR ******* KEYS!!!" on a sticky note and slap on inside of your visor

Idea 2: Find stretchy cord (elastic, jetski safety cord, old rotary phone cord, etc), tie each end to small clips, clip one end to your body (sleeve probably best) and the other to your key. Ghetto-rig = elastics + paperclips

Idea 3: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Mini-Electro...ltDomain_0&hash=item1c264d5d3c#ht_3568wt_1396
OR http://www.ebay.ca/itm/NEW-Electron...006?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a736fa9ee

 

[throttle]

Always shut off the bike using the key and then taking the key out. Forget the kill switch.

 

[Johnny5]

I've never forgotten the keys, i never shut off with the kill switch so i make sure i am always touching the keys to shut off then taking them out. The thing that i wish i would do is remember to cancel turn signals quicker. Wish i had a bike with auto turn signal cancelling.

 

[REDBALLS]

Get a UFO LED light that can be attached to your keys. Turn it on when you go riding. Turn it off when your getting off. The bright flashing light will serve as a reminder not to forget your keys.

 

[MadPoet]

Never use the kill switch, get used to turn the bike off with the key then you will always remember to just pull it while you are at it.

 

[19891989]

Attach your keys to a hot pink lanyard...works for me mine is Barbie

 

[vkhamphi]

I use this. Hard to forget or miss.

 

[braveheart]

find a bar end that matches your bike, cut your spare key, and set in inside so it fits nice and snug

leave it on your bike, no-one will ever know.

 

[AF4iK]

find a bar end that matches your bike, cut your spare key, and set in inside so it fits nice and snug
leave it on your bike, no-one will ever know.

That's a neat idea but what if you want to take the key with you? Better not be wearing tight jeans lol

 

[kiwi]

Always shut off the bike using the key and then taking the key out. Forget the kill switch.

yep, and get in a routine. Ie. if your jacket has a key clip, use it, and you'll remember to put your keys away.

 

[peterhuule]

i done this twice, battery died both times

 

[Malks]

I have also been known to leave my keys in / on my bike. Each pannier on my ST has two locking latches, plus I have a locking top-box, so there are quite a few places to forget the keys. The panniers can be closed and latched without being locked, so part of my routine before leaving the bike is to double check each latch on the panniers to ensure they are locked. Following this I check the steering lock and then walk around the bike to make sure the top-box is locked as well. While this routine might look strange to others it has eliminated my problem of leaving the keys with the bike.

 

[daisoman]

I use this. Hard to forget or miss.

I have the exact same thing. Hard to miss

 

[Rob MacLennan]

Like with Joe Clark's mittens, use a string. You'll either remember, or do a Three Stooges pratfall.

 

[TorontoBoy]

When we get tired, distracted or try to multitask beyond our capacity, we go into autopilot to cope. This might result in riding to work but realizing you did not remember anything about the ride or how you actually got to work. Or might result in forgetting small details such as forgetting your keys, forgetting to turn the stove off in the morning, forgetting your wallet at home...

Possible solutions:
-change your habit: Your old habits will kick in when you switch on autopilot. Do the same habit each and every time. As stated above, when I carry my hard bags I circle my bike to ensure I do not forget something. Yes, it looks strange but it works.
-link one routine to your next routine: Let's assume you need a key/ID badge to get into your building at work. Connect your bike keys to your building key. When you forget your bike key and try to enter the building you will quickly realize you do not have your building key and will go back to your bike, thereby forcing you to remove your keys from your bike.

We will never be able to defeat our autopilot and it is much too useful to not use. The next best thing to do is acknowledge it and make systemic changes to accommodate it.

 

[bender]

I don't feel that bad anymore

I managed to lock mine under my seat a couple weeks ago, I got lucky and was parked at Crappy Tire and have been needing a telescopic magnet anyway LOL.

 

[GayManLoveIsOK]

Testicles, Spectacles, Wallet and Keys...works every time...

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