Luggage options for camping and commuting

[absolutegator]

Hi all, I just got my first motorbike and am enjoying the freedom a lot.

It's a Yamaha xt250.

I'm now on the hunt for a simple luggage set up. I started reading about different set ups last night and was a little overwhelmed by the endless options (and potential for spending outrageous money).

Can anyone advise me on a direction here?

What I need is something to carry a good amount of *stuff* as I don't have a car, live rurally and it's about a 40min drive to get groceries or anything from the hardware store.

I'd like it to be a relatively simple (cheapish) set up.

Top boxes look a bit naff to me, though the ability to lock my helmet on the bike is quite appealing when walking around town...

Any tips?

[pete376403]

Milk crate.

[pritch]

Options for an XT250 might be limited. Certainly the more expensive options are unlikely to be suitable. If there's a high level exhaust that could interfere with a throw over bag set up.

My first luggage option was a back pack, not too big. If you put a top box on and fill it up you could upset the balance of the bike. You really want to keep as much weight between the wheels as possible. Ventura list a rack for one model of XT250. If you fit a Ventura rack, put the pack on back to front so that it sits on the pillion seat. It's that centralised weight thing again. IIRC that's actually in the instructions that come with the rack.

A tank bag might be an option - if you can find one that will work with your tank. Later you might add a modest size Kriega tail pack which would have the advantage that you should be able to use it with your next bike. And the one after that.

[husaberg]

https://www.mxstore.com.au/brand/ballards-bags-luggage/

https://www.mxstore.com.au/category/luggage/pannier-tank-tail-bags/

[absolutegator]

Interesting that you say that the Top Box would mess with balance given how common they are (and relatively centered). Do most sit up and behind the back wheel?

Re: Ventura rack. I thought about getting one and using rok straps to strap my backpack or duffle bag to it, but I also thought since I don’t use the pillon seat, maybe I could just be strapping things in that position and skip the $350 rack? Does it do much other than give you more places to tie something down to?

[pritch]

Interesting that you say that the Top Box would mess with balance given how common they are (and relatively centered). Do most sit up and behind the back wheel?

Re: Ventura rack. I thought about getting one and using rok straps to strap my backpack or duffle bag to it, but I also thought since I don’t use the pillon seat, maybe I could just be strapping things in that position and skip the $350 rack? Does it do much other than give you more places to tie something down to?

The XT is a very light bike relatively speaking. A top box on a Goldwing is one thing, it could completely upset the 250. The Ventura rack and a specially designed pack would be better. The pack doesn’t need to be Ventura brand, there are options. I think mine was R Jays.

To start with though, a pillion seat mounted bag would be fine. Camping might be a push with sleeping bag, tent, mattress etc etc. If you used cabins such as those at Top Ten parks though, you’d just need a sleeping bag. You will necessarily be travelling light.

Damn! Is it wine o’ clock already?

[absolutegator]

The XT is a very light bike relatively speaking. A top box on a Goldwing is one thing, it could completely upset the 250. The Ventura rack and a specially designed pack would be better. The pack doesn’t need to be Ventura brand, there are options. I think mine was R Jays.

To start with though, a pillion seat mounted bag would be fine. Camping might be a push with sleeping bag, tent, mattress etc etc. If you used cabins such as those at Top Ten parks though, you’d just need a sleeping bag. You will necessarily be travelling light.

Damn! Is it wine o’ clock already?

Gotcha, so basically a rack and specifically designed bag will just attached (and therefore balance) better?

Yeah it's definitely a lightweight bike.

Any suggestions on good straps to tie stuff down with? Rok straps seem popular but pricey.

I did a 6 month bicycle ride last year and hitchhiked a lot over the last 5 or so before that so I'm quite used to travelling light, so camping will be all good. It's more when I head down to get groceries and stuff at the hardwear store I need a bit more bulky storage!

[F5 Dave]

If you can reverse it over the back seat it will be fine. If it hangs over the back wheel it will be worse than dreadful.

Jezzuz. 6 months? Rich parents?
Post pictures of the gurlz you met.

Oh right. Smelly traveller.

Post pictures of the epic puncture repairs.

[absolutegator]

Nah, young enough to be able to quit a low paying job and be relatively comfortable living on $5/day. Used a bike from the recycling centre I picked up for €100 or so (was living in Ireland then).

No pictures, but when I discovered my patches and glue had fused together and spare tube perished by sun and sand on quiet road heading into west sahara, a trucker stopped to help, and eventually returned with a wrecked soccer ball he'd found somewhere and a tube of super glue. Held for another 200km or so until I came to a shop.

[F5 Dave]

So no tits?

[F5 Dave]

So no tits?

Jesus. Wairoa?
Well hard. Nice area but fuk me.

Spent night in motel with bike locked to Post 400mm from my head. Wasnt particularly welcomed there.

[absolutegator]

Been here a few months. The town seems like it’s being gentrified, surprising population of rich retirees.

It has it’s rough edges but I’ve found it a friendlier town than areas in Wellington, Auckland and even Nelson I lived in. As with anywhere, the way you preconceive people affects your experience a lot.

[F5 Dave]

Ok so my experience has been fleeting and quite a bit out of date.

And go you. I moved to the hutt when it was shit. But things change. Be real. Tell everyone to fuk off with their preconceptions.

[F5 Dave]

Except me of course because I'm beautiful.

[Hugo Nougo]

https://www.thirdgear.com.au/

these guys were on trademe, cheap reasonable, ive used their stuff on dirt bikes.

[absolutegator]

Nice they have a very affordable 70L duffle roll top. Simple. And cheap enough to be the wrong decision and not be a regret.

Will need to figure out a way to carry it empty. So it doesn’t flap too Much in the wind

Maybe I’ll get a smallish hard box that could be bolted to the back semi-permanently and a smaller roll top duffle that can strap on top when I know I’ll need more capacity.. hmm.

[OddDuck]

I'm seeing some ADV bikes with smallish panniers attaching to their engine crash bars (Royal Enfield Himalayan etc), would this be an option?

[nerrrd]

I see a lot of people using these kinds of cases overseas (bolting them on).

https://media.bunnings.co.nz/Product-800x800/3dee9698-1bc0-49d4-b367-30d3f9e22d76.png

https://www.bunnings.co.nz/craftright-tool-safe-case-465x360x175mm_p5810252

I bought some Rok straps about 10 years ago, I'm still using them on a weekly basis so they were a great investment for me.

i've strapped a tent and a camp chair (wrapped in an elastic luggage net and tarp which makes them mostly waterproof) vertically either side of the passenger seat using the pillion pegs as a base, but then I have panniers as well so the racks added some extra support. Probably a bit dodgy without.

Which reminds me the small motorcycle cargo nets are great too (30cm ones, they do a 38cm also that I found was too loose for my needs).

[absolutegator]

Thanks. I got a cheap enough roll top duffle bag (from trademe) on the way.

I think I’ll go the bolting a case to the back route as a “trunk” and then use straps to tie down the bag when I plan on getting a few things from town. Didn’t realize the bunnings ones were so affordable.

Might get a Ventura rack as well to make things more secure. There’s a good price for one that fits my bike on trademe (amazing how many sellers have no idea what model theirs is!) second hand. Will probably have to buy the actual L brackets new which will be expensive.

But I broke my leg the other day (workplace injury, not on the motorbike), so plenty of tome to scour trademe for deals before I’ll even be riding again!

[pete376403]

I've got a KLR so has a fairly decent rack as standard. Rather than bolting the case on I use a shortened ratchet strap hooking under the rack each side. The case has four short locating pegs, that fit into holes in the rack, to stop it sliding and the strap holds it down. Easy to remove the case but quite secure on the road.
The case I have is a Pelican (because it was free) previously tried the Craftech ones. There really is bugger-all difference between the Bunnings (and Jaycar) cases and the expensive Pelicans.

[absolutegator]

I've got a KLR so has a fairly decent rack as standard. Rather than bolting the case on I use a shortened ratchet strap hooking under the rack each side. The case has four short locating pegs, that fit into holes in the rack, to stop it sliding and the strap holds it down. Easy to remove the case but quite secure on the road.
The case I have is a Pelican (because it was free) previously tried the Craftech ones. There really is bugger-all difference between the Bunnings (and Jaycar) cases and the expensive Pelicans.

Sounds like a good set up. Not sure I’d need the box to be removable. The duffle would fulfil that part. And there are already bolts there (previous owner put a little leather tool bag on the back with plate), so not doing anything new to the bike. But could be worth looking for a box that has something on the underside to run ratchet straps through anyway.

[OddDuck]

Quick question for everyone: if I'm tying luggage on and straps etc cross fairing panels, has anyone had any luck keeping the bodywork looking good by using masking tape or similar? TIA.

[pritch]

That sounds a bit Mickey Mouse. Sign shops have clear plastic in several thicknesses show them where you think the straps may touch the fairing and they will cut the plastic and fit it. Yeah it costs, but they should do a good job. My last couple of bikes have had that stuff on the back of the tank where a zip could cause problems and on the side panels where the luggage straps could touch.

I'm not sure if that would work if the contact with the straps was permanent, I have the thickest plastic on the side panels and it's there to protect against accidental contact, which has happened because the plastic is marked but the paint is good.

[OddDuck]

That sounds a bit Mickey Mouse. Sign shops have clear plastic in several thicknesses show them where you think the straps may touch the fairing and they will cut the plastic and fit it. Yeah it costs, but they should do a good job. My last couple of bikes have had that stuff on the back of the tank where a zip could cause problems and on the side panels where the luggage straps could touch.

I'm not sure if that would work if the contact with the straps was permanent, I have the thickest plastic on the side panels and it's there to protect against accidental contact, which has happened because the plastic is marked but the paint is good.

Thanks, that's good info. Contact with the straps will be permanent, there'll be pressure full time and I'm expecting to be riding for most of the day / several days in a row. My other option was to attempt to fabricate a couple of short brackets as attachment points to lift the straps off the fairing panels but I'd prefer to avoid it if possible.

[caspernz]

Quick question for everyone: if I'm tying luggage on and straps etc cross fairing panels, has anyone had any luck keeping the bodywork looking good by using masking tape or similar? TIA.

On previous bikes where I've had this problem my solution was two-fold.
1. Apply a clear 3M type film to protect the surface from scuffing or rubbing.
2. In the case of soft throwover panniers I've put a non-slip type liner between seat and panniers, also helps to stop the buggers moving as much.

[Bonez]

On previous bikes where I've had this problem my solution was two-fold.
1. Apply a clear 3M type film to protect the surface from scuffing or rubbing.
2. In the case of soft throwover panniers I've put a non-slip type liner between seat and panniers, also helps to stop the buggers moving as much.Yeah most bike shops carry clear film to protect from scuffing and slip resistant rubber sheet from the likes of Para Rubber outlets.