Packing a bike

[WasPhantom]

Ok, in light of my heading over to Nelson next month for a couple of weeks, I'm going to need to learn how to pack a bike well. Again, any tips/suggestions are greatfully received...

One thing I am wondering however, is how best to strap my backpack of clothes and laptop/camera etc to the bike. I'm not sure if it is just me, but having my backpack on my back means I get tired a lot quicker, probably because I'm having to physically shift the weight around, or carry the weight, rather than just balance it....

As you can see by my profile, I've got a mighty ginny, so I won't be going too fast ;-)

[WRT]

One thing I am wondering however, is how best to strap my backpack of clothes and laptop/camera etc to the bike.

CAREFULLY. You dont want to look in your mirrors and see that shit bouncing down the road after you.

It will need a bit of carefull planning to strap a bag to a bike. People pay a fair bit of money to do it right, in the form of tankbags, packracks, top boxes and panniers. Make sure that it cant swing down and tangle itself in your rear wheel or suspension, and if you are putting anything on the tank make sure it cant interferre with your steering as well.

[WasPhantom]

Oh yeah, I'm certainly willing to spend money where I need to to make sure it is done safely

[steved]

Get a tank-bag. They are like $60 new and everything will be nice and safe.

[WRT]

Tank bags are good. Just dont keep your wallet in it if it is the magnetic type, as your cards will get wiped. Same goes for anything else that stores information in magnetic format, such as floppy disks etc.

[steved]

I got told that tank-bags are bad for magnetic strips but I haven't had any problems with them so far. Maybe I've been lucky?

[TerminalAddict]

I'm a big fan of tail bags ...
I've got a small ventura tank bag for everyday use, which is about 5 litres.

Titanium has a really nice oxford tail bag, that expands out to about 30 litres I think. I think I saw these for sale for around $130-150

You can safely ignore them once they are attached firmly

[WRT]

Probably. In particular they are bad for the magnetic strips if your wallet is on the bottom of the bag and you fold the flaps in underneath it when you pull the bag off the bike. That'll be when the damage occurs. Either way, for the sake of putting your wallet in your jacket pocket, it would pay to keep your cards well away from the tank bag. You can just about guarantee that the time your cards wont work is when you are out in whops-ville trying to get gas with no cash on you. I only know of one person who has had their cards wiped, but its better to be safe than sorry.

[WasPhantom]

Another thing is how safe is it to leave things like magnetic tank bags on my bike while traveling on the ferry?

[Wasp]

my brother always said:

put a tarp on the ground, pile stuff onto it, fold it up and tie it with a stretchy cord tie down thing, stretchy tie down to rear seat of bike.

ive never tried it (or seen it) but yea...

[The Pastor]

How much bags to you need to pack a blanket a toothbrush and a bar of soap? (cops get more anal when they pull you over and you smell bad)

[jonbuoy]

I bugeed a backpack to the back of my bike where the pillion would sit - sideways on if you see what I mean. You can use the pillion footpegs to clips the bungees onto. I put four on and it held up round south island. Put all your shit into cheap binliners first to stop em getting wet - even if your backpack is water proof. + A Spare bin liner for rancid old socks. I found tank bag annoying, it scratched the tank if any grit got between the magnets and the tank, having to pull it off when re-fueling (all to often on the VTR). Only good thing about it was having a map pocket on the top. Those little zip sandwich bags are great for keeping you wallet and phone dry too. I did have photo of the setup but can't find it.

[Macktheknife]

Have you thought of a pack rack and back off trademe or similar? Failing that I think Oxford do a bike bag for around $200 that secures to rear seat, holds about 30-45 Ltr, that should be enough for 2 weeks anywhere.
I think they are called barrel bags, I will look for a piccie for you.
Or look here http://www.oxprod.com/index.php?pg=3&action=dept&id=58&pid=91&p=
the humpback looks ok.

[Bloody Mad Woman (BMW)]

Before I got saddlebags or panniers I put a bag on the back and used lots of bungy cords - it never moved!! Have also learnt to travel very light - even for a woman!! Always made sure I had at least one pair of high heels on me tho!! lol But you could probably get away with not taking those!!

[WasPhantom]

but high heels do wonders for my legs!

[adiddy]

im thinking of going to rhythm and vines on ma bike....
going to buy a tank bag but dont kno what to do about the tent?

[BNZ]

I used to use a pack rack with a big bag. I always pulled a few bungy cords over it to keep it all in tight as well.

Just make sure if you stop and get anything out of the bag on the way that you do all the cords back up!!!! I rode off down the m'way with a bungy dangling down that snapped pretty quick on my back wheel (lucky it snapped!!).

[WasPhantom]

From what I've seen and read in this list, as well as some quiet searching today *cough* I'm thinking that a magnetic tank bag, along with a pack rack and a decent sized backpack should do me nicely

[steved]

I'll be touring over Christmas with a pillion and two bags. A 10 litre tank-bag and a 45 litre pack-rack. No problems.

http://www.ventura-bike.com/english/products/products.htm

[XP@]

I got told that tank-bags are bad for magnetic strips but I haven't had any problems with them so far. Maybe I've been lucky?
They WILL wipe your cards, I wiped mine on christmas day once... made getting cash for the rest of the hols a royal pita!


Another thing is how safe is it to leave things like magnetic tank bags on my bike while traveling on the ferry?
Most tank bags come with a carry strap. And the tank bag is usually where you keep your "Useful" stuff, so you will want it with you. Check the bars can still move with the tank bag on, my old bag could happily start my bike given enough of a turn to the right!

For rear luggage, the idea is to keep the weight as low as possible. So a pack rack is not really ideal. Instead look at a set of throw over panniers (or hard luggage if you richer than I). You may need to work a method of keeping the bags clear of hot things (Exhaust) and moving things (chain / wheel)

When strapping things on, bungees are ok but can be hard to attach where you want. They can also damage paint & plastic. I prefer to use webbing, like the type used for surf boards (lighter than tie downs and without the ratchet style clip).

WARNING: What ever you do make sure you don't have anything loose that can catch in your wheel. I've seen the aftermouth, one long black line on the road, one long brown line in the riders pants and rope melted into the wheel bearings! So, if you are unsure ride for a few km's, stop check your load and ride on.

[mooks]

saw this on myth busters a while back - you need the uber magnet to wipe a magnetic strip. Tank bags aren't dangerous to cards, laptops, digital camera cards, or anything of that nature .....
Watch the tank bag though that you have to grab under your elbow cause the wind has got under it ... can be exciting at highway speeds

[sunhuntin]

check my profile for a pic of my bike....ive got a givi topbox, and a collection of 4 bungee cords, 2 different lengths from supercheap [blue and red i think with the big black hooks] and also 2 bungee cargo nets...one i bought off trademe for $7 and another i bought from a budget $2 or more shop for about $3. the $7 is bigger.

when travelling, i have my pack on the pillion, with a red bungee hooking to the topbox brackets. i also pack the box to overflowing, and then use the cargo for more gear to go on top of the box. cargo has 6 hooks all up, and they just hook under the baseplate.
when i went to paeroa, i needed to take a tent and bedroll/sleeping bag. [hence why i have 2 pairs of bungees!] the sleeping bag went on my front end, the cords criss-crossed and hooked to each other behind the forks....tent got similar treatment on the pillion seat.
there is a limit to how far each side items can extend...i use the bars to judge. my tent/sleeping bag are the same width as my bars...anything longer than that is too long [IMHO]

also, to reinforce XP@....do make sure your load is secure....i nearly lost a load of magazines once....they literally slipped off the back and were nearly on the road when i reached back and couldnt feel them.
and added bonus of a backpack, is if you put shopping bags on top of a topbox, you can knot their handles around the bag loop...stops them from moving.

got taught to pack by my ex. we went camping a bit, and i had to learn to pack his bike without causing damage...ie, keeping the tent off the exhaust, and keeping the zips of the sleeping bag from scratching the paint.

ive dug out a photo...doesnt show it very well, but close enough!

[paturoa]

check my profile pic too

I got a pack rack frame and a Rjays expandable pack that I reverse so that when it is real heavy it sits on the pillion seat. Actualy I only put it the right way around when I have a pillon.

I got some cheap Oxford panniers that need plastic bags cos they arent waterproof.

The tent and others are bungie corded to the back of the rack.

I have no idea how much all of this weighed when I went to the brass this year, but I coped a whole lot of grief from the others for what I had in it - LOL

Anyway, when all of this was properly mounted I reckon it was just like riding wiht a realy well behavioured pillon.

[Lou Girardin]

I have three 41 litre Givi bags and an Oxford tank bag. My wife uses 90% of them.

[XP@]

saw this on myth busters a while back - you need the uber magnet to wipe a magnetic strip. Tank bags aren't dangerous to cards, laptops, digital camera cards, or anything of that nature .....
Hmmm was definatly a case of "before the wallet was put in the tank bag it worked, and after it didn't" The card was kerput, totally!


Watch the tank bag though that you have to grab under your elbow cause the wind has got under it ... can be exciting at highway speeds
I think I am seeing some pattern here, if you have problems with tank bags lifting at highway speeds and are able to keep your cards in the bag then you could maybe do with some uber magnets...

Unfortunatly I don't have the tank bag anymore, magnetic tankbags are kinda usless on a plastic tank...

[Drum]

............ive dug out a photo...doesnt show it very well, but close enough!

I dont mean to worry you, but one of those possessed evil little knife wielding dolls has snuck onto your ride!! ITS RIGHT BEHIND YOU!

[MyGSXF]

Hi. Check out my profile pic... panniers $70 second hand, they velcro across the pillion seat & also hold my sheepy/underlay in place!! I also wrap a bungy around them, to stop any movement. Tank bag.. scored free with the bike :2thumbsup unzips twice & expands to a height that I can rest my chin on.. LOL.. Have removed the pack rack since this pic was taken.. so now I just bungy my tent & sleeping mat across the pillion seat also.. no worries!! when I used to own my Yamaha XV750 (custom) it had the same pack rack on it then.. & I had a big bag that hooked over the pack rack.. so when travelling solo, I used to put the bag facing forwards over the pillion seat, put my wet weather gear in the front pocket to create a back rest.. then when out on the open road, I could put my feet up on the highway pegs.. lean back a little & rest on the bag.. & yeehaa.. cruise AAALLLL day long.. comfy as!!!! :rockon: experiment & you'll come up with the solution that suits you! ps: try & keep the weight down low.. ie: panniers.. rather than a bag sticking up on the back!

[scumdog]

Get a proper wallet - one with a chain so's you can attach it to your belt and it don't get left behind/fall out onto the road - and you don't have the problems re credit-cards and magnets on a tank bag.

You COULD wear a back-pack, loose the shoulder straps so the puillion seat takes most of the weight, easier on the shoulders.

But cheap throw-over saddle-bags are better.

[sunhuntin]

I dont mean to worry you, but one of those possessed evil little knife wielding dolls has snuck onto your ride!! ITS RIGHT BEHIND YOU!

LOL...i invited her. had her since i was 8 months old, lmfao.

scum, thats what ive got...wallet on chain. scored at the gypsy fair...been halfway round the world with me and back again.

[partbiker]

Make sure you balance your load as best you can with whatever you go with - it takes very little imbalance to throw everything out of kilter when you get into multiple corners - imbalance sux! Not that it had anything at all to do with my inexperience....:-/ but imbalance definetly didn't help!

I'm looking for decent packrack stuff too and so far, that Ventura stuff looks to be very good stuff if you can land something made for your bike.
I'd normally build something but I've been a bit lazier lately and want to just buy and attatch.

Good luck!

Tamati

[Virago]

...Good luck!

Tamati

I don't think they'll need luck now - this all happened five years ago...

[jaffaonajappa]

Five years ago - seems most of the discussion was about magnetic tank bags wiping the magnetic strips on your credit cards? ROFL.

Only one or two people mentioned weight distribution or loadings. Plus Tamati, yesterday.

Think the most important thing is to keep the weight as low as possible, as close to the front or centre of the bike as possible, and secure it tightly - avoid having any straps that can interfere with your drivetrain (or bars!), or flaping around, and double secure anything not bolted on.

Soft panniers are my favourite - secure them well so they dont move, and the weight is low down, virtually no impact on bike handling/stability. Tie any tent/sleeping bag to the back seat. Should only need them packrack things if you intend tramping? or taking a pillion.

Keep seeing these guys with Humungous hard cases up high, behind their pillion seats. Virtually a meter up and almost behind their rear wheel. Thats surely going to screw up the bikes handling dynamics - not to mention how farken ugly it looks :)

And get the biggest tankbag you can without it interefring with comfort and movement around the cockpit/controls - bars.

[BMWST?]

Five years ago - seems most of the discussion was about magnetic tank bags wiping the magnetic strips on your credit cards? ROFL.

Only one or two people mentioned weight distribution or loadings. Plus Tamati, yesterday.

Think the most important thing is to keep the weight as low as possible, as close to the front or centre of the bike as possible, and secure it tightly - avoid having any straps that can interfere with your drivetrain (or bars!), or flaping around, and double secure anything not bolted on.

Soft panniers are my favourite - secure them well so they dont move, and the weight is low down, virtually no impact on bike handling/stability. Tie any tent/sleeping bag to the back seat. Should only need them packrack things if you intend tramping? or taking a pillion.

Keep seeing these guys with Humungous hard cases up high, behind their pillion seats. Virtually a meter up and almost behind their rear wheel. Thats surely going to screw up the bikes handling dynamics - not to mention how farken ugly it looks :)

And get the biggest tankbag you can without it interefring with comfort and movement around the cockpit/controls - bars.

on the money here,only comparable way is haveing hard bags that are a good fit onthe bike.Top boxes are convenient if you have to carry a bit of stuff all the time,but i would go for a tank bag.

[dogsnbikes]

Soft panniers are my favourite - secure them well so they dont move, and the weight is low down, virtually no impact on bike handling/stability. Tie any tent/sleeping bag to the back seat. Should only need them packrack things if you intend tramping? or taking a pillion.



And get the biggest tankbag you can without it interefring with comfort and movement around the cockpit/controls - bars.

Like this one I can easly fit a 18pack of woodies and a $30 BBQ pack:innocent: and it doesn't interfer with the riding postion

239758

[jaffaonajappa]

Like this one I can easly fit a 18pack of woodies and a $30 BBQ pack:innocent: and it doesn't interfer with the riding postion

239758

argh, now theres a Lot of gear. Plus space for a pillion.....I assume you have a pillion onboard?
I might go chuck my touring stuffs on my 150 and take a funny photo, hehehe.

[dogsnbikes]

argh, now theres a Lot of gear. Plus space for a pillion.....I assume you have a pillion onboard?
I might go chuck my touring stuffs on my 150 and take a funny photo, hehehe.

Yip had a pillon ....there is only one word to explain that much gear "women"

[caseye]

Got BM Wubblew panniers that have been custom fitted to me old Coal Burning XV!000 Yammy. They take care of most of the gear I need to carry when going away. Also have a custom pack rack frame made by my Fitter turner broinlaw that takes a very big back pack.
Awesome lad distribution and nothing can escape.
Do make sure your loads are well secured and as low as possible, can't go to far wrong then.

[FJRider]

I fitted Givi hard luggage onto my FJ ... Custom made frame to put them where I wanted them. A re-position of the rear indicators ... a little more towards the rear of the bike.

The 42 litre (I think) top-box, is big enough to hold 2 helmets ... :woohoo:

And the two 36 litre side bags, big enough to hold all I need for rallys ... and with the tank bag ... :rockon:

Plenty of space for a passenger ... and their gear too ... :yes: