Carrying stuff on a firestorm

[Pommie Boy]

I'm thinking about taking my Firestorm for a road trip soon but figured I donp't want to carry a back pack for the trip - anyone got any suggestions for the best way to carry gear? Someone told me you can't get panniers for them but don't know if that's true (or if they just said that because they look crappy!). Any suggestions or ideas would be great.

Oh, and can anyone tell me what the hell the cops who gave me a ticket a week ago think they're up to hanging out on suburban streets at 7:30 in the morning? Shouldn't they be eating donuts or something at that time??? :shutup:

[merv]

Get yourself a Ventura Aero pack rack and set of bags.

http://www.ventura-bike.com/english/products/pack_system/index.html

[MD]

When I had a VTR I had the Ventura packrack. I carried most of my golf clubs from Welly to Tauranga several times!(not the bag & truddler obviously) I bundled the clubs together and had the handles pointing out over the backend opf the bike. What I saying is that with one of these you have a much longer shelf to tie stuff too.
Here's a picture with the rack. Ventura packracks are as common as mud.

[Macktheknife]

Pack rack and 'sport' panniers should be available at your favourite bike shop. Try Kerry at TSS, used to have a good range, imagine they still do.

[Sanx]

Oxford do a number of big-arse magnetic tank bags. I've had a socket set (was going to the track, so thought I might need it), change of clothes, pair of shoes, bottle of water and a couple of other bits and bobs in mine.

Don't use it much these days. Magnets don't stick that well to plastic tanks.

[Freakshow]

The Oxford Magnetic bags are great Can fit a 6 pack and sausages perfect for summer BBQ. Careful with the pannier bags and check them often or BANG! (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=43907&highlight=explosive+wanganui)

[Blackbird]

I'm with the others on the Ventura option too. The attached pic is the Ventura zip-together double pack on my 'bird. You wouldn't know it was there at any speed. You could also add Oxford throw-overs if you needed even more capacity. A mate got a set off Trade Me for a very sharp price for our south island tour.

[McJim]

I notice a lot of riders using Ventura stuff.

For reasons of my own I won't use them. Are there any other suppliers of racks for packs available?

[Grahameeboy]

I have a Givi 40 litre bag with side pockets that attaches to the rear seat and I took on a 4 day trip.

You are welcome to borrow it and happy to courier to you.

[Maha]

I'm with the others on the Ventura option too. The attached pic is the Ventura zip-together double pack on my 'bird. You wouldn't know it was there at any speed. You could also add Oxford throw-overs if you needed even more capacity. A mate got a set off Trade Me for a very sharp price for our south island tour.

I have one half of that setup.... might have to expand when we do a tour of the lower North Island sometime soon. I have an Oxford tank bag tho..cos it looks styley in black and blue.....:yes:

[merv]

I have the Ventura storm cover too that goes over both bags - well worth the money - it seems every long trip I've ever done it pisses down hard for at least one of the days.

[jonbuoy]

I went around south island with a backpack bungeed to the pillion seat - see my avatar, mine had a semi rigid back plate. I hate tank bags -they get in the way and scratch the shit out of your tank when grit gets under the magnets. It was fine for space but I was happy traveling light, If I ever do my trip to OZ I'm going to travel ultra-light - a clean set and a dirty set of clothes, bikers are allowed to smell IMO. I find it a real pain to stop off and explore places on the way when you have a load of kit to carry around.

[NighthawkNZ]

Ventura rack and luggage system and throw over side saddles... brillient, simple to install and well works...

[MotoGirl]

+1 for the Ventura packrack. I had one on my VTR for three years and they're a real blessing.

[98tls]

Personally i dont like pack racks at all,i use the oxford panniers.Have a look at the humpback range here www.oxprod.com very well made gear.comes with carrystraps,bungee hooks,raincovers and paint protector.

[Usarka]

I use a ventura and even a monkey like me can install the bloody thing. isn't straight and i need to jump on it to go in but whats the worst that can happen bahahahaha eh.

some people dont like em because they ruin the lines of the cicle, but my bikes for riding not for licking.

[McJim]

I don't like 'em coz it carries the weight too far behind the rear axle and too high off the deck.

I prefer the Pannier Idea.

Best idea is socks in one pocket 2 spare undies in the other and a credit card in yer wallet. If ya need it - buy it when you stop.

[Usarka]

face the bag forward gets it more over the axel depending how long ya arse is. you're right about the height but then i never carry anything too heavy anyways.

wouldn't ya need something to balance out the weight on the front of the bike any way mcjim bahahaha :lol:

[sunhuntin]

THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO THE BIKE IN QUESTION, BUT MAY BE USEFUL

ive got a givi top box on a ventura rack. the box has been in one accident and came away with a cracked reflector. the rack from the gn cracked as well, before rusting through the crack and snapping entirely. during the accident, the box detached from the bike entirely and only just missed landing on my face.

i got another ventura rack with the virago, and had it chromed. ive also got zip off saddle bags, and the zip part stays on the bike full time. when travelling, i also carry a back pack bunjied to the pillion seat, and carry an extra 2 bungy cords, along with a cargo net, which goes on top of the box. ive also taken to wearing a soft leather shoulder bag that sits on my lap. i put essentials in there like camera etc.

so far, i have managed to fit the following in the top box at one time: open face helmet, rolled leather jacket, with part of it jammed inside the helmet cavity, gloves and sunnies. thats on top of bungy cord, cargo net and gn250 toolkit. [plus other assorted crap]

when fully loaded, i keep the heavy stuff in the saddles [tie downs, oil, shoes etc] the backpack and top box are mainly kept for extra storage for purchases along the way. a bottle of water or juice will usually go in a side pocket on the pack somewhere.

just a warning, if you put stuff on the top box, make sure you secure it somehow, as i have had several loads slip off the top and end up hanging a few inches from the road.