Helmet storage and underseat light

gremlin wrote:

hankster wrote:

Works great for me. I only keep riding gear in the box. I would never put anything heavy in any box up that high. Just makes the scooter too top heavy.

I disagree, what is a top box loaded up with 10kg compared to a pillion who weighs 50-80kg with most of the weight above centre of gravity? I don't always load it up but it is better I can even if I don't need than I need but I can't.

A lot. Since my helmet won't fit under the seat, I need a place to store it. The only place big enough for it and my other riding gear is a big top box. A pillion weight is distributed up high and down low. This equal outs the weight.Besides, I never ride with a pillion. If I put an 18 pack in the top box I can tell a big difference. I'm old, any extra top heavy weight makes it harder for me to hold things upright.

I'm surprised your helmet won't fit under the seat, I can fit in my open face complete with visor, peak, and intercom fitted, I can do the same with my flip up, again fitted with peak and intercom. If I'm riding with Mrs M in hot weather and we want to wander round in t shirts and shorts, it's easier to store our jackets and Knox back protectors under the seat. Helmets and gloves in the top box, and riding pants, boots and any other kit that we discard goes inside a large Ortlieb bag that's clipped onto the passenger seat, then covered with a large Packsafe steel mesh net which is cinched in and locked to the grab rails either side.

I was surprised too. It's open face with a peak and I just can't find a way to position it without the seat hitting it pretty hard. It's an HJC IS-33 II and can force the seat down but don't want to do that.

I'm about like you when out for a ride. My riding jacket with elbow, shoulder and back protectors just fits under the seat. Helmet, gloves and shoes got in the top box. I also carry shorts, sandals & towel in the top box along with rain gear. Like to have a change so I can adjust to whatever the weather throws at me.

I can fit 2 full face helmets under mine, or a full backpack (not an actual ruck, just a regular one) or several bags of groceries
Maybe Hankster's helmet has a serious peak

I know this is getting a bit off topic

Here are a few pics. First is helmet in the pet carrier in the lowest position I can get it.
Next is a side view of the seat seal with the seat forced closed.
Last is a pic of the helmet itself.

I can look into the seat gap with a flashlight and see that the seat is hitting the helmet right on the top of it. The peak is not in the way.

hankster wrote:

I know this is getting a bit off topic

Here are a few pics. First is helmet in the pet carrier in the lowest position I can get it.
Next is a side view of the seat seal with the seat forced closed.
Last is a pic of the helmet itself.

I can look into the seat gap with a flashlight and see that the seat is hitting the helmet right on the top of it. The peak is not in the way.

It looks like your helmet is just taller, bottom to top, than most helmets, how odd, I would have expected the opposite from an open face, as most of mine have been shaped the same as a full face, just without the chin bar
That would be REALLY annoying to me, as I have no add on luggage space
I now know of at least one style of helmet I will not even consider purchasing, thanks for clearing that up, Hankster

Art wrote:

It looks like your helmet is just taller, bottom to top, than most helmets, how odd, I would have expected the opposite from an open face, as most of mine have been shaped the same as a full face, just without the chin bar
That would be REALLY annoying to me, as I have no add on luggage space
I now know of at least one style of helmet I will not even consider purchasing, thanks for clearing that up, Hankster

What I do like about it that the lower chin area is as low as a full face giving a lot more protection to the chin area than most open face helmets. It's as low as the AGV full face helmet I have. The most common area of head injury during a non-fatal accident is the chin and lower face area as the head contacts the ground. The only complain I have is that the neck roll in the back is low enough that I can feel the helmet contact the back of my neck when stopped at a light and I'm looking up to see the light. Not hard contact, just that I can feel it.

Other things I like is that it fits the shape of my head perfect. It is also very comfortable when wear my glasses and cover-up sunglasses at the same time....  no pressure on the temples. Also the ear padding is fairly open so my ears don't stay folded over after I put on the helmet and it will be a lot of room to install my bluetooth headset. Also like that the full face shield and the inner sunshield is included along with the peak that can be put on. Plus the ventilation is great, much needed in SW Florida. All the advantages outweigh this one problem. The size is not a big deal for me, that's why I have a large top box, I can use the underseat storage for my riding jacket and other small stuff.

Meldrew,
I also have problems trying to fit my Bell Revolver modular helmet with my SENA communication system. It attaches to the bottom edge of the helmet. I am able to store it under my seat if I remove the snap-on control part. I use my top box to store my jacket, gloves, and helmet. Most times when I am riding, my top box is empty. I do notice a slight difference in slow speed handling when riding without my top box. My top box also has additional brake, turn, and tail light.

Hankster, have you tried putting your helmet in a different place under the seat?
I always slide mine to the back of the storage compartment where the light is with the helmet facing forward. There seems to be a bit more height there. Also it leaves a large storage space easily accessible in front of it for other stuff.

Good grief! A Silver Wing with the underseat light bulb still in!

Cookie wrote:

Hankster, have you tried putting your helmet in a different place under the seat?
I always slide mine to the back of the storage compartment where the light is with the helmet facing forward. There seems to be a bit more height there. Also it leaves a large storage space easily accessible in front of it for other stuff.

Yes I tried that. The seat hits the peak. It most likely would work back there if I had the full face shield on instead of the peak. It may work on it's side (with the peak on), I just can't tell if the seat will hit when it's fully latched. Anyways, putting it in the top box is not a big deal. Both my jacket and a helmet will not fit in either the pet carrier or the top box at same time (even when using my other helmet) so putting the jacket under the seat and helmet in the top box works for me.

My guess it is a bit taller for the extra ventilation at the top and the control for the inside sun shade. I'll gladly take the extra ventilation and sun protection.

My helmet goes in the same spot as Cookie's, it's a Fulmer modular with internal sun sheild, which works well for me, and is fairly well ventilated
In the event I need more airflow at a light I just flip the visor up
The spare, if I am 2 up (haven't ridden that way yet) goes in the 'nose' of the storage, and both fit with the seat closed, though i have to remove some of the other stuff I keep there to do it
I'm pretty sure that's how it's designed to work
Meldrew, my underseat light still has the bulb in it, too
Make sure the seat closes properly, it's not an issue, and since I get off work at 11pm, it's useful for getting my gear / groceries sorted

Art wrote:

Meldrew, my underseat light still has the bulb in it, too
Make sure the seat closes properly, it's not an issue, and since I get off work at 11pm, it's useful for getting my gear / groceries sorted

If you choose to keep the light under yout seat then you should replace the light fixture with the one for a Honda car. It has a manual on/off switch. It is a perfect match. Leave it switched off until you need the light. I have it installed and like. Many forum members feel that the light is useless, but there have been times when it was convenient to use. I do also keep an LED flashlight for other uses. It is strapped under my seat with my tool bag. That is my 2¢. Ride safe.

I agree with Art & Easyrider. I've had no problem with my battery or light..... Dave

It's easy to replace the light with an LED. Then if the switch fails or the seat isn't fully closed the LED's low current draw would take weeks to draw down the battery.

exavid wrote:

It's easy to replace the light with an LED. Then if the switch fails or the seat isn't fully closed the LED's low current draw would take weeks to draw down the battery.

Is there a plug n play option on that?

Easyrider wrote:

Art wrote:

Meldrew, my underseat light still has the bulb in it, too
Make sure the seat closes properly, it's not an issue, and since I get off work at 11pm, it's useful for getting my gear / groceries sorted

If you choose to keep the light under yout seat then you should replace the light fixture with the one for a Honda car. It has a manual on/off switch. It is a perfect match. Leave it switched off until you need the light. I have it installed and like. Many forum members feel that the light is useless, but there have been times when it was convenient to use. I do also keep an LED flashlight for other uses. It is strapped under my seat with my tool bag. That is my 2¢. Ride safe.

just any Honda car, or a specific model?
and how much of a PITA is it to do?

Dimond posted this link ages ago:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/sis.html?_nkw=2x+31mm+Power+12+Smd+Led+Festoon+Bulb+3021+3022+DE3175&_itemId=300764750329&_trksid=p2047675.m4099

I don't know but it shouldn't be hard to adapt a 12V LED.

Here are some that might do the job:


https://www.superbrightleds.com/cat/festoon/filter/CAN_Bus,Yes,116,4017:

]

just any Honda car, or a specific model?
and how much of a PITA is it to do?[/quote]
[/quote]

Got it from a Honda car dealer.

Honda part numbers are:
34260-SH3-004      Light   $37.60
76625-SNA-A02      Cover   $1.78

This uses the same plug connector as on your Swing. Snaps right in. Less than 2 minutes. Easy swap.

Let's try again.

Pics of my under seat light.

How often does anyone use or the underseat light to justify that Honda car interior light? I can't say I ever needed illumination when I had the OE bulb installed, I usually had stuff stored at the back of the seat blocking the light. I took my bulb out for the usual reason, in case it flattened the battery if I didn't close the seat properly. I bought a cheapo LED lamp at least 4 years ago which I store under the seat. I've never needed it in that time to light up the underseat storage area to find anything stored there but it's there as a useful emergency light on and off the scooter. The bulb is still there in situ with a bit of tape over the contacts.

I have to say the same about all the underseat lights on previous maxi scooters I've owned whether they had an on/off switch or not. Their primary function is to flatten the battery if you don't close the seat properly or leave them switched on.

Meldrew wrote:

How often does anyone use or the underseat light to justify that Honda car interior light? I can't say I ever needed illumination when I had the OE bulb installed, I usually had stuff stored at the back of the seat blocking the light. I took my bulb out for the usual reason, in case it flattened the battery if I didn't close the seat properly. I bought a cheapo LED lamp at least 4 years ago which I store under the seat. I've never needed it in that time to light up the underseat storage area to find anything stored there but it's there as a useful emergency light on and off the scooter. The bulb is still there in situ with a bit of tape over the contacts.

I have to say the same about all the underseat lights on previous maxi scooters I've owned whether they had an on/off switch or not. Their primary function is to flatten the battery if you don't close the seat properly or leave them switched on.

Many forum members feel that the light is useless, but there have been times when it was convenient to use. I do also keep an LED flashlight for other uses. It is strapped under my seat with my tool bag. I slso keep a strobe light under my seat that I substitute for a four way flasher. I place on top of my top box to be seen 360 degrees. If you choose to keep you light, then good for you. Nothing wrong with either choices. That is my 2¢. Ride safe.

You haven't convinced me, the underseat light is stuck away right at the back of the storage area. Unless you need to light up an empty area it serves no purpose. I have a first aid kit, tubeless repair outfit, tool pouch, rain gear, and an ABUS chain stored there at the back so I can store something more useful like a 30 litre pack with clothing in the rest of the underseat storage.

Even when it's dark I can find any of that stuff under there without a light, just as I can find the LED lamp if I need it. So why buy a Honda car interior light as an expensive alternative to giving the seat a good press when you close it, or just removing the bulb. You open the seat take stuff out or put stuff in, then close the seat. Even packing stuff in you rarely if ever have it open for more than a few minutes, and that's usually in daylight or somewhere illuminated.

It's your money of course.  

My take....take the bulb out and forget. As for helmet storage/lock up....61 years of leaving on seat,never one stolen----includes Asia/Europe/US/Canada.

I installed the switched fixture and yes I have used it... No one is advocating all of us switch to the Honda fixture. If you are cheap or really don't feel you need it, so be it! Each to his or her own.

As to helmet storage, my modular unit does not fit well under the seat so I use the seat hook most times! I have no problem with leaving helmet out (never had one stolen either), but last summer on a long trip I placed my NEW helmet on the seat while I checked in at a hotel and came out and a gust of wind blew it off onto the concrete. Not a good thing. No more leaving on seat for me!!!

Honda switched light is a good, simple swap if you feel the need but it is expensive for what it is unless you can get one from a breaker's.

Light assembly is about 20% cheaper on eBay, even factoring in shipping. Also, no sales tax.

Thanks to the sage advice here, first thing I did riding home from the dealer was remove the bulb. Haven't needed it yet. The bike cover stuffed in that area would block the light, anyway.

Folks in the US (maybe everywhere maybe not) can take a trip to their local Walmart and get an LED replacement bulb for the standard underseat bulb - around $5 and easy....

thanks for links guys
Meldrew, I use my underseat light all the time
I live in an unincorporated township in a travel trailer, there is no street lighting out here, and I have no outside light
the only thing that blocks my underseat light is my helmet, and as soon as I take that out, the light is unblocked
Imagine coming home on a moonless, starless night as dark as the Devil's arsehole, and trying to find anything (including a flashlight) under the seat
of course, I do have the flashlight in my cell phone, but that takes up a hand I may need to lift and carry
Mine is usefull
and I always double check the seat is secure

Meldrew,
It is inexpensive compared to all the other accessories I have added. I can afford this little light. Keep the switch in the off position when not needed and not worry about running the battery down if the seat doesn't close completely.

I seen this gadget the other day...  It will allow you to lock your helmet to your bike, outside the seat.  Pretty cool idea!  I might get one for when I'm traveling and have my under-seat storage full....



Click here for details

Looks a good idea but only works with D ring helmets.  Not great for wet climates like UK !?

bikerboy wrote:

Looks a good idea but only works with D ring helmets.  Not great for wet climates like UK !?

Or when there's dogs about!

Yeah neither my full face or 3/4 face helmet fits under seat I use the helmet hook under the seat

Ditto for me. I use the hook under the seat. Way easier than fighting with all the stuff that's already in the trunk.
Jay.