NT1100 Speculation Over

[VLJ_imp]

Why on earth would they give a touring bike locking panniers that aren't large enough to fit a full-face helmet? They have to know that this is Job One of any locking pannier.

"Just get the top box."

No. Don't force me to get the top box. Top boxes make it difficult to swing a leg over the bike. I don't want to have to use the top box every time I want to lock up my helmet. In fact, I would prefer never having to use a top box. When I've had them, I rarely used them. On the other hand, I used the side cases almost all the time.

IIRC, the Yamaha Tracer's hard bags had the same problem, but at least the shells to those bags could be swapped out for the FJR1300's deeper shells. A bit costly, but problem solved.

Just a horrible decision by Honda. They need to remedy this, immediately.

[the Ferret]

Personally I don't see it as an issue.

I have been riding touring bike or bikes with panniers since 1977. I have never once locked a helmet in a saddlebag. I carry clothes in my saddlebags. I've also never locked a helmet in a top case. I either carry it with me, or lock it to the bike on a helmet guardian which I have used for at least the last 15 years, or with a cable lock to a grab rail or handlebar. I have never had anybody steal or mess with one of my helmets and I have ridden all over the US, Canada and Europe. Even in southern California lol. heck if I'm not actually touring the saddlebags are in a closet upstairs. I don't ride around with them on the bike empty.

What do you do with your helmet when you are riding a naked bike like a Z900 or CB 1100?

[GoldOxide_imp]

RE swinging da leg: Would be possible to put the left foot on the left foot rider's foot peg and jettison the right leg, knee slightly bent over the saddle and onto the right rider's good peg? Then, Bob's yer uncle.

[VLJ_imp]

When there's a top bag, I end up standing on the left peg with my left foot, which then allows me to swing my right foot straight (or nearly so) across the seat. It works, but it sucks having to do it. It looks ridiculous. I'm too short and/or not limber enough to do that same trick without standing on the peg.

As for naked bikes, I typically don't tour with them so it's not a problem. As long as there is no rain, and the bike includes a helmet lock (not all bikes do), I use the helmet lock. I'm not about to use a helmet lock in the rain or mist. I'm also mighty dubious about locking an $800 Arai out on the side of my bike in plain sight anywhere in San Francisco. Too tempting to thieves. I want to lock my helmet away, out of sight.

The thing is, the bags on the ST1100, ST1300, and VFR all accommodated full-face helmets. Obviously, so do the Goldwing's side bags. Why would Honda create a dedicated sport-tourer, with the emphasis decidedly more on tour than sport, design bags specifically for this one model, and make them so shallow that they won't hold a helmet?

Makes zero sense. All it will do is sow discontent among owners, many of whom will not realize until it's too late that their sport-touring bags are too small to do the job, while other potential buyers will simply move on to some other brand's bike that includes properly-sized lockable luggage.

[GoldOxide_imp]

Maybe Honda is pushing the envelope a bit hoping would-be owners would cruise with a half-helmet, more likely to squeeze into the panniers.

[the Ferret]

Do we know for sure they wont fit a helmet? According to google ST1100, ST 1300 and FJR all had 30L bags. The NTs are 32 and 33L

[GoldOxide_imp]

Do we know for sure they wont fit a helmet? According to google ST1100, ST 1300 and FJR all had 30L bags. The NTs are 32 and 33L

I definitely don't know because I do not own an NT1100.

However, my 22L panniers will hold a half-helmet.

[the Ferret]

There is a list over on the NC forum of helmets that will and wont fit in the frunk thats supposed to hold a full face helmet. Thats another place I have not tried to store my helmet. I have a helmet guardian on it too.

[GoldOxide_imp]

There is a list over on the NC forum of helmets that will and wont fit in the frunk thats supposed to hold a full face helmet. Thats another place I have not tried to store my helmet. I have a helmet guardian on it too.

The 2018 NC nicely holds a large 3/4 Arai (with some wiggle room to spare). I suspect the latest model holds an even larger [full-face] helmet.

[the Ferret]

On today's weekly Popeyes run I snapped this pic of 2 of the 3 of us with our helmets hanging on our helmet guardians. Had I waited 10 mins I would of had a picture of the third, but it was 34 degrees and we waited for my brother to show up from inside the restaurant lol.



As you can see Jimmy's bike has Honda panniers, so I asked him if his helmet fit in either of the bags and he said "I don't know, I've never tried".

If I bought an NT 1100 a helmet guardian would be the first thing I installed.