Random thoughts on luggage

[pritch]

A recent question on KB has caused me to reflect on the various forms of luggage I’ve used with bikes. If you’ve got any experience or thoughts on the topic feel free to add to this.

On my Brit bikes I just used a crude back pack. It did most of what I needed. Just as well I didn’t need much. One exception was when I bought a box of six of those big beer bottles that you don’t see so much these days. I hadn’t gone very far and both arms and both hands went numb because the weight had cut off the circulation. I still had ten or so miles to do, in traffic, with no feeling in my hands. Not recommended from a safety point of view.

I tried my big pack once thinking it would be OK because the weight would rest on the seat. It did but the top of the pack interfered with my helmet. I prefer to be able to turn my head. There are back packs designed for motorcyclists, hopefully they work better.

Next came the BMW K100RS with BMW luggage. That worked well for everything I asked of it. You just needed to remember to only buy one big item at the supermarket at a time. If I bought toilet paper and dog food there’d be no room for anything much else. Did trips all over both islands with that luggage. A hard plastic tube and duct tape fastening it to the pillion footrest even permitted carriage of a 9’ trout rod.

The Hornet followed with a Ventura rack with an RJays pack. That pack was big. It could carry a full 9Kg gas bottle or a load of laundry. With a tank bag, I went all over the North Island and toured the South. I’m pretty sure I recall that the instructions for the rack said, if not carrying a pillion, the bag should sit on the pillion seat to keep the weight inboard. Most bikes have a weight limit and if it’s a small bike the rider will take up most of the permitted weight. Any other weight needs to be carefully placed.

A gravel chip got under the tank bag and damaged the paint. It polished out, but I swore off tank bags at that point.

The only downside to the RJays pack was if staying somewhere nice, like the Chateau Tongariro, it attracted odd looks from other guests as I awkwardly humped the thing in. This as much as anything influenced my choice of V35 boxes with internal bags for the VFR. No weird looks at the Chateau - or anywhere else. The V35s looked good. You left the boxes on the bike and just carried the soft luggage in.

I don’t wish to create the wrong impression of the Chateau, when I asked the guy behind the desk at check in if there was somewhere I could park the VFR out of the weather, he pointed and said to park it there, under the verandah, right by the front door. Damn decent of him, I thought.

The disadvantage of the V35s on the VFR was the width. Huge. One rainy morning I was making my way from a motel in Porirua to the ferry terminal. I had allowed what I thought was plenty of time but I was unaware that on rainy mornings motorway traffic in Wellington does 25kph. There was no way I could filter on that fat arsed beast, I just had to stay in the flow. When I finally got to the ferry I was greeted by name. Not a good sign.

There was no solid luggage option for the S4R, so I went with Givi soft panniers. You still need to buy a frame to keep the bags out of the spokes. The bags are expandable, Unexpanded they look OK but expanded they look fucking ridiculous.

When I bought the Speed Triple I kept the bags and just bought a new frame. Now those bags too have toured the south Island but they would not be my first preference in the event I was to go again.

I don’t like top boxes, I can see they have advantages but they are seriously ugly and can unbalance the bike.

If I was to buy another bike what would I get? The V35s would be OK if I could truthfully answer no to that awful question, “Does my bum look big in this?”

Those aluminium boxes look good and suit some bikes but they do tend to cost and arm and a leg.

Otherwise, a Ventura rack. They’re ugly but they work.

A small Kriega tail pack to hold sunglasses, a hat, and maybe a sandwich would be nice. Perhaps I should talk to Father Christmas?.

[BMWST?]

i had a k 100 rs too.Mostly i just used quite a big tank bad,and a duffell bag strapped to the seat /carrier.Some times i would borrow the bmw luggage froma mate who had the bmw bags.

[ellipsis]

...when my wife rode with me sometime back, the GL1000 with all the Vetter gear on it had more room than we could fill...I used to be able to throw shit in that might come in handy, even...


...very shortly it's going to be MY ride again...anyone wanting kitchen sinks moved, give me a call...

[OddDuck]

Good topic.

I've used a few types over the years - tank bags have worked out very well for me in terms of carrying bike stuff so it's right there if needed. Tinted / clear visor, different gloves, water etc. I like them and wouldn't be without one now.

Hard bags came with the ST2 and I reckon they're great for touring and leaving riding gear like jackets etc locked up while parked. I've done the groceries a couple of times with them too. They do widen the bike up significantly, bye bye lane splitting... and also hello taking way more care parking up. Very easy to mark the bags with bike boots getting on and off, at least until I got used to them. Would have been a bit tragic on a brand new bike. The hard bags are also noticeable at motorway speeds when open roading, there is some power taken up with the wind resistance.

Top box: had a bike with one once, good for volume and brilliant for leaving the helmet in once downtown but almost everything else about it was bad. Surprisingly low weight capacity for its size, even that low weight up high and rear affected the bike's feel when riding, also a massive wind sail for sudden gusts sideways.

I had a pair of soft Oxford throw-over panniers, these worked pretty well but really need some sort of subframe or side rack to keep them out of shocks, swingarms, melting onto mufflers etc. They went super wide once expanded, too. They were very good for carrying oddly shaped items in a way that hard bags just aren't. They can move a bit under bumps or wind gusts. These were better for groceries than the hard bags since they were much more forgiving of lumpy packing.

Banana bag - basically a throw-over rear seat tailbag / pannier combo. Perfect for giving your svelte bike a fat bum, also had a nasty tendency to scratch up the side panels on the tail section... but it did work pretty well while on tour in terms of carrying stuff. The middle section made for a nice backrest. A lot of carrying capacity for clothing and small items. Would go onto and off the bike in about ten minutes tops.

Backpacks can work pretty well for ride somewhere and then walk a distance but I wouldn't want to come off while wearing one... might not be too much fun to land on, depending on what's in it.

[ellipsis]

Good topic.
... might not be too much fun to land on, depending on what's in it.

...never transport an expensive bottle of whiskey in a backpack, unless it has been decanted into something like a titanium hip flask or five...bottles of beer are a no no, but sometimes you may be able to retrieve up to four still sealed cans out of a dozen but usually only after you have used your hands to take the full impact...the downside of that, is that you usually need more than a dozen cans and all the whiskey to make things right again...

[absolutegator]

Pritch, you comment that the rack + rjays bag works well aside from looking a little goofy, but you (and others) also comment that top boxes are poor for balance etc. I’d have thought both would be pretty similar in terms of weight distribution and balance, assuming both were sitting over a rear rack/pillion seat?

[BMWST?]

Pritch, you comment that the rack + rjays bag works well aside from looking a little goofy, but you (and others) also comment that top boxes are poor for balance etc. I’d have thought both would be pretty similar in terms of weight distribution and balance, assuming both were sitting over a rear rack/pillion seat?

i cant remember which bike i had that had a ventura rack but i always used the pack in the pillion seat postion rather than behind.I dont mind a top box but it would be a low one

[F5 Dave]

So my YZF750SP had a single seat with 90s racebike type hump at the back. But I worked out that if I threw a towel over it I could extend the strap on back of soft panniers and they fitted quite nicely making my homologation special quite a practical tourer.

So I arrived at the Derwent st rally and greeted at the gate, Oh hey Dave. Not staying the night then?
Yeah I've got my tent in the. . . ,and turned back to see. . . Shit!! Gotta go.

I knew exactly where I'd find them . A very long straight with a kinda bridge which gives a bit of a bump as you hit it at, exactly 100kph officer:rolleyes:.

I get to the straight, and squinting I could see something black on the road. I hurried, not that there was much chance anyone would actually be driving down this road in wairarapa and hit it.

I got there and it was sitting in a small forming pool. Uncharacteristically some rtds had caught my eye in the bottle store and they had shredded one of the panniers. Several cans were harshly hissing. I got there and quickly drank the opened ones. The severe gravel rash on the cans looked pretty tough I have to say.

Always tied panniers down after that.
And never bought rtds again. What was I thinking?

[pritch]

Pritch, you comment that the rack + rjays bag works well aside from looking a little goofy, but you (and others) also comment that top boxes are poor for balance etc. I’d have thought both would be pretty similar in terms of weight distribution and balance, assuming both were sitting over a rear rack/pillion seat?

The bag is (or should be) inboard. A top box is outboard. If you see what I mean.

Can't find a pic of a bike with a pack on the pillion seat quickly, but in this pic you can see where the top box is. It's clearly way behind the back axle. You can also see the pillion seat where the pack should be, directly above the back axle in this instance. Much betterer. Capisce?

[Gremlin]

I started with tank bag and Oxford soft panniers. Didn't use any sort of frame, so they always looked untidy tucking into the bike. I was led to the Givi way of life in 08 probably, and I'm still there.

I love hard lockable panniers. Had Givi ones over the years, and currently have about 3 Givi top boxes, with all 3 current bikes taking top boxes. The CB919 actually feels really odd when it doesn't have a top box, it's setup very nicely. The BMW almost always has the top box, and suspension in 1up factors in the top box. The KTM has a top box, but I haven't ridden with it much, favouring a tail pack to keep the bike as light as reasonably possible for adv riding. All have panniers (Givi E21s for the Hornet, Givi Trekker for KTM, BMW for BMW). On that note, I definitely find top loading panniers most practical.

CB919 used to do a lot of commuting, top box was very handy. Panniers on the bikes mean not far off 1m wide, so no splitting! As mentioned, backpacks can be pretty unsafe with loss of circulation etc.

I tried out Ventura kit on the Tuono from last year to this, but I didn't like it much at all. Constantly wondering if the million zips and pockets were done up, what I'd put where, it wasn't secure or waterproof etc. Awkward to pack efficiently. Sold all that luggage recently with a TM $1 reserve no fees deal. Recently saw an adv bike with the Ventura sheared off just above the L bracket, so they are vulnerable.

If you think hard luggage is expensive, wait until you look at the prices of Mosko Moto, Giant Loop etc, for adv'ing.

I still hate tank bags, but have Givi tank lock on BMW and KTM. Only use when I have to, it has it's purposes. Generally directing and concentrating the sunlight into my eyes with the shiny top see through section...

[Blackbird]

Similar route to you Ron. K100 RS with BMW panniers, then different bikes with Ventura luggage which was fine. My GSX-S1000 had Oxford throwovers which were adequate for what I needed at the time. With the Duke 790, I hadn't planned on touring much so I have a Chinese-made 10 litre expandable rear seat pack which cost about $60 delivered and the quality is excellent. It hasn't stuffed up the shape of the bike either. In February, I did a 6 day tour with some mates and just added a 10 litre yachting dry bag, held on with Rok straps and it worked just fine.

[absolutegator]

Reading this thread it seems for most people the best option is the cheaper or even hacked together options. Racks and that put weight central and closer to the center of the bike and don’t make it wider, ie ventura racks or bags strapped down with rok straps etc.


The bag is (or should be) inboard. A top box is outboard. If you see what I mean.

Can't find a pic of a bike with a pack on the pillion seat quickly, but in this pic you can see where the top box is. It's clearly way behind the back axle. You can also see the pillion seat where the pack should be, directly above the back axle in this instance. Much betterer. Capisce?

Gotcha. Yeah I meant in the case of top boxes that inboard, replacing or on top the pillion seat. Or maybe they’re just called hard seat boxes??

[F5 Dave]

My Tiger came with a Givi toolbox. I made sure I only put light things in it.

Everytime I rode on tour I hated the way it made the front feel vague. It ruined the ride despite thousands of dollars of suspension work. Commuting it would be fine. I sold it just so I wasn't tempted to use it. It was so damn useful but so fucking useless.

[pritch]

...never transport an expensive bottle of whiskey in a backpack,

In a long ago, almost forgotten magazine article, the advice was that if you are going to carry a bottle in your luggage it should be something that tastes so good you don't mind sucking it out of your clothes.

[MD]

Good topic. Carrying luggage is difficult on bikes. Mostly I have used the medium sized rear seat bags for day use (RJay), they can expand quite well but not enough for several days touring. The Z1000SX had the full monty hard side bags which were great to clip on and off. 100% water tight. But as said, the hard shell internally does restrict what can fit in sometimes and the weight was noticeable when jam packed.

Never got in to top boxes, ugly and clearly a weight distribution problem. My go to for touring the last 15 years or so have been semi-soft throw over saddlebags. Currently using Givi. Easy to secure, forgiving with odd shaped stuff jammed into them. But yeah they swing about, hit ya muffler and melt and do wear out and tear from rubbing on shocks or usually the rear pegs that rip into them on bumps. Not that waterproof either.

Tried long weekends with just a back pack but man that gets tiring quick and having to put it on, take it off, put it on...

I'm struggling with what I'm going to do with the Husqvarna 701 with that race number side cover there's nowhere to wrap a bungy or anything like that and it can't take a rear set bag. I'm thinking about those hard leather Harley Cruiser type saddlebags might stay in place.

[Gremlin]

Probably the one thing I didn't add was roll top bags over the rear set. Handy, especially when I can't use panniers, but not for getting into during the day, as the top has to be rolled down, then strapped down to the bike etc.

Really, probably about being flexible/modular, and using what you need when you need it. Also about seeing what works for you.

[R650R]

Great discussion people....

Sorry Pritch but I’m a big fan of tank bags, BUT..... it’s getting damn hard to find the right one these days. If you have the right bike and big $$$ for the givi lock mount ones... but I don’t.

Years ago I borrowed a set of soft panniers the kind that you throw over the seat, worked well.
Plus one on base of backpack weight testing slightly on something works well at times.
The adv market has some pretty cool but EXPENSIVE systems that prob work on normal bikes too, I’d love a mosko moto reckless 80L setup if I win lotto...

Prob going to buy 30-40 L drybag, some have access at either end which would be handy.

[absolutegator]

Look at “bikepacking” roll bags if you want double ended dry bags. Off-road adventure cyclists strap them to their handlebars, double roll makes them supposedly easier to pack and get into (in reality I didn’t find them any easier - I suspect the asymmetrical nature of single rolls upsets people’s aesthetics preferenced!)

[FJRider]

My FJ and the pannier system I use. Givi luggage and fittings. The framework is courtesy of an engineer mate who did the welding. The Top-box and magnetic Tank bag is the usual day/overnight travel. I've never had rain or wind issues with this combination. And even side winds are not more of a hassle than at any other time without luggage.

With the full side and top cases ... wind issues are there ... just need to be more aware of wind direction to cope with gusts.

A minimal increase in fuel consumption with full gear ... but I average about 14 km/litre with all the gear.

I have had Pack racks on this and other bikes ... with the pack bag resting on the pillion seat if no passengers were aboard.

An overnight sports bag bungy cord tied to the pillion seat was usual. With a passenger ... things got complicated.

[caspernz]

Luggage should first and foremost suit the intended purpose.

I've long given up the backpack routine, mostly because I can't stand wearing one on a bike.

The Ventura pack rack is good enough on one of my bikes, add a seat pack and there's enough room for a few days riding. Been down the tank bag route, meh it just doesn't appeal even if it's practical. Have done the throwover panniers thing, not a huge fan of them.

My other bike has twin hard panniers, the soft bags from in there can deal to a weeks' worth of luggage for me no sweat. Best of all everything stays dry, the weight is low and doesn't affect the handling of the beast.

Will admit to having done a lap of the North Island on a GN250 with a Ventura packrack and bag, tent and sleeping bag strapped to backseat...so I'm familiar with what's possible, even if it's not exactly practical.

When my next bike purchase comes up, luggage as in options or included with bike, it's on the list for consideration prior to committing.

[FJRider]

Luggage should first and foremost suit the intended purpose.

Will admit to having done a lap of the North Island on a GN250 with a Ventura packrack and bag, tent and sleeping bag strapped to backseat...so I'm familiar with what's possible, even if it's not exactly practical.

When my next bike purchase comes up, luggage as in options or included with bike, it's on the list for consideration prior to committing.


Luggage should also suit the motorcycle it will be used on. Otherwise it could/would be unsuitable for it's intended use.


I "Toured" on a Kawasaki 100 once (and only once). A good idea ??... maybe not. Possible, and practical ... words seldom used in the same sentence.


I've seen a few bikes over the years ... two-up touring (and loving it) on bikes I thought were Sunday scratchers for one. Go figure ...


Some riders have limited budgets ... and I have been one of those in the past. And many riders still are.


It always depends on the end option that suits the rider best.

[F5 Dave]

I went Wellington to Cold Kiwi 6 times despite having things like GS11 in garage. Fit pannier and tank bag easy.

[Navy Boy]

Interesting topic this one. I do like hard luggage, especially good OEM stuff such as the BMW kit as well as the panniers I had on my Sprint GT. The MV's hard cases are good too (How un-MV of them!).

I recently did a quick North Island trip and carried all I needed in the two panniers. If I'd been going for longer I'd have taken a small tank bag too for the convenience items such as phone etc.

On some bikes the panniers are no wider than the bars (My MV Turismo is an example of this) so for filtering if the bars get through then you're OK. I've also used my trusty Ventura pack a number of time on the DR. I do like the fact that it clips on with 2 clips and you're done - All nice and secure. Plus it doesn't add to the width either and you're supporting a NZ company by using them which gives me the warm and fuzzies :niceone:

[OddDuck]

Tramping pack liners are good for el cheapo waterproofing of existing backpacks etc, basically a very large, heavy duty plastic bag. Available off the shelf at most of the outdoors tramping camping shops, spendy for what they are but if you've got to roll soon and the weather's turned it could be an option.

[neels]

Started with an old tramping pack on the ventura rack, but way too top heavy and caught the wind like crazy.

I've still got some oxford soft bags in the garage, worked great on the old xj600 with low pipes and good points to strap to on the rear pegs, with a pack rack was enough for 2 people for a couple of days.

The ST2 has factory panniers, between that and a ventura rack for tent/bedrolll to strap onto is more than enough. Easy to unclip and carry if staying indoors, or otherwise leave them safely locked up on the bike.

Magnetic tank bag is handy for things you want close to hand, and just lifts off to refuel or take with you. As per the previous tank bag comments it pays to check the underside, as the magnets are good at picking up stray metal bits to scratch the paint.

[Blackbird]

Tramping pack liners are good for el cheapo waterproofing of existing backpacks etc, basically a very large, heavy duty plastic bag. Available off the shelf at most of the outdoors tramping camping shops, spendy for what they are but if you've got to roll soon and the weather's turned it could be an option.

Ditto for large plastic gardening bags with a drawstring. Normally available from supermarkets and definitely garden centres. About the size of Kleensacks but more durable. As an aside, if your "waterproof" jacket suddenly leaks and you need a rapid solution, cutting holes for your head and arms and wearing one under your jacket will keep you warm and dry as a stop gap measure. Our eldest son used this trick when he played rugby at Otago Uni in the winter when it was cold and wet and there was bugger-all work for a winger :rolleyes:.

[Batcerb]

Bit late, but anyway

Luggage is very much down to personal preference as opposed to what is ‘the best setup’.

In my early days of riding, a seriously overloaded K2 backpack was used for trips up and down the country. I would be stopping every hour just from the discomfort but that’s just how it was.

I look at someone riding with a pack now and I feel their pain straight away.

Since then I’ve always just fitted a Ventura rack to every bike I’ve owned, paired with a tardis like RJs bag and tank bag, it is pretty unbeatable.

My bikes have never exactly been that suited for distance but even with the luggage and a pillion, managed week long trips.

I’ve never ridden a full dress tourer so who knows what the next acceptable level will be :)

348647

[MD]

So I'm off for a 3 or 4 or 5 day tour (weather dependent!) at crack of dawn tomorrow and had to figure out how to secure some luggage on the Fartpillick 701. It doesn't have the usual tie-down points and you can't run a strap from one side to the other under the pillion seat. Did a quick 30 minute run to see if it flapped about or moved. Nope, all seems good. In fact I reckon the Givi bags look good on the black bike. Roll on some tasty back roads from here to Coromandel loop and probably East Cape return and maybe Gentle Annie. This ride was meant to be to Northland, thanks Covid but we won, our plan B is looking sweet.

[FJRider]

Great discussion people....

Sorry Pritch but I’m a big fan of tank bags, BUT..... it’s getting damn hard to find the right one these days. If you have the right bike and big $$$ for the givi lock mount ones... but I don’t.

I have a magnetic tank bag I use on my FJ. Very handy for quick access to stuff that ends up on the bottom of whatever bag you usually stuff it into.
I have a friend who worked as an engineer in Alexandra. I acquired an old Givi pannier mounting frame for an old Honda. I took off the square Bag mounting frame off the Honda one. Then made a mounting base that fitted the existing bolts on the FJ. Then the Givi bag mounting frames were welded to the base. A bit of stuffing around with tack welds to get the right positioning for the bags. But it (in my opinion) looks ok. It does the job.

[caseye]

Givi V56 top box and Nonda hard/plastic panniers. Can still split if I need to, about the same wide as the front bars on the Africa Twin.
Loaded both panniers and gone away for 10 days, no worries, usually keep the top box for both helmets if wifey is riding too, though she has the hand me down soft Givi's on her M50, they look bloody silly when expanded out, but they do the job and she's not yet run out of clothes etc while away.
Can't says as I've noticed any particular lack of grip or balance when all boxes are full, she gets me an overall (Loaded, or not, round town, short hauls, long trips, cruising or moving along a bit) average of 100 K's for 5 Litres of Go juice, no complaints about the configuration or the mileage, old school it's roughly 60 miles odd on a gallon of juice, out of a 1000cc bike I'm stoked.
If you've only ever had back packs or throw overs any sort of hard box is bloody amazing, I can't think why it took me so long to go this way. Dumb as I guess.:woohoo:

[rastuscat]

Interesting topic this one. I do like hard luggage, especially good OEM stuff such as the BMW kit as well as the panniers I had on my Sprint GT. :

Best BMW cases I've had were the expandable side cases on my F800ST. Same as the ones on the K1200S. Sort of soft cases with an exoskeleton.

BMW always seems to have functional attacments too. And when you take the luggage off, the fixings don't look goofy.

Just really expensive. You need to buy a bike with luggage included. Buying it separately is false economy.

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/tourers/listing/2772678637?bof=dpBucpCc

Like this one, which I keep lusting after.

[F5 Dave]

Yeah that kinda limits you to a certain style of bike and some people want something that won't bore them to sleep.

[pritch]

Like this one, which I keep lusting after.

Yeah I can see why you like that.

[puddy]

Bit late, but anyway

Luggage is very much down to personal preference as opposed to what is ‘the best setup’.

In my early days of riding, a seriously overloaded K2 backpack was used for trips up and down the country. I would be stopping every hour just from the discomfort but that’s just how it was.

I look at someone riding with a pack now and I feel their pain straight away.

Since then I’ve always just fitted a Ventura rack to every bike I’ve owned, paired with a tardis like RJs bag and tank bag, it is pretty unbeatable.

My bikes have never exactly been that suited for distance but even with the luggage and a pillion, managed week long trips.

I’ve never ridden a full dress tourer so who knows what the next acceptable level will be :)

348647

My last half dozen or so bikes have been GSXR1000s/GSXR1100s and have stuck a rack and tank bag on each bike when going on trips/touring. On day trips just a tank bag. Not far away from a touring or adventure bike as am getting too old and broken to keep folding myself onto a sports bike.

[deeknow]

Have just gotten back from a 9-dayer round much of the South Island, we were travelling pretty light and staying in motels so didn't need much gear (spare undies, t-shirt, jandals, ferry strops and toothbrush right? :-). One of me cobbers strapped a tank bag on the tail of his Trumpy, I splashed out on a 20L Kriega bag, and the BMW driver had Givi side paniers which was handy for carrying tools, and beer.

348776

The Kriega bag is great, you can stack the things, they come with a solid strap system and you can cinch the bag down nice and firm so it doesn't wobble around. Excellent product.

Useful thread, gonna keep an eye on this one.

[rastuscat]

Have just gotten back from a 9-dayer round much of the South Island, we were travelling pretty light and staying in motels so didn't need much gear (spare undies, t-shirt, jandals, ferry strops and toothbrush right? :-). One of me cobbers strapped a tank bag on the tail of his Trumpy, I splashed out on a 20L Kriega bag, and the BMW driver had Givi side paniers which was handy for carrying tools, and beer.

348776

The Kriega bag is great, you can stack the things, they come with a solid strap system and you can cinch the bag down nice and firm so it doesn't wobble around. Excellent product.

Useful thread, gonna keep an eye on this one.

Yeah, ya gotta carry beer in the South Island, as beer shops just aren't that common.

[FJRider]

Yeah, ya gotta carry beer in the South Island, as beer shops just aren't that common.

Have you not seen how far apart the pub's are ... ;)

[eldog]

Have you not seen how far apart the pub's are ... ;)

Got to carry extra hydration as you should always have liquid gold at hand.

they are quite far apart :bleh:

[tairl]

So I'm off for a 3 or 4 or 5 day tour (weather dependent!) at crack of dawn tomorrow and had to figure out how to secure some luggage on the Fartpillick 701. It doesn't have the usual tie-down points and you can't run a strap from one side to the other under the pillion seat. Did a quick 30 minute run to see if it flapped about or moved. Nope, all seems good. In fact I reckon the Givi bags look good on the black bike. Roll on some tasty back roads from here to Coromandel loop and probably East Cape return and maybe Gentle Annie. This ride was meant to be to Northland, thanks Covid but we won, our plan B is looking sweet.

They look good and seem to have enough clearance of the pipe, how did they go on the trip?
I've been struggling to find something for my Svart

[MD]

They look good and seem to have enough clearance of the pipe, how did they go on the trip?
I've been struggling to find something for my Svart

Hah the irony of your comment. How did they go? You missed my thread about the useless bloody new Bridgestone tyres dumping me into a bend and bouncing me off the armco. Funny part is the Givi bags and the radiator side shroud acted as perfect slides protecting the bodywork well. The bags got some road rash but are still looking ok and in working order. That's a big well done Givi bags.

They fitted well. Place one of the straps under the rear tail light which stops the bags sliding forwards. Ran a bungy cord from the front of the bags under the pillion peg area and that's all. Remained totally secure even in a slide down thee road.