South Island cruise - pack rack and screen for Virago

[Sphere]

Hi. I'm new to KB and on my L plate, I've enjoyed reading the forums about all sorts of stuff. I need some help please as we're thinking of taking a cruise around the South Island shortly.

My 1997 Yamaha Virago is doing a trusty job of getting me to and from work and I've ventured over the Rimutaka Range and Haywards Hill, however for our trip down South I'll need some way of carrying luggage and I'm thinking of adding a screen to make the long trips a bit more comfortable.

I won't need much in the way of luggage, I'm thinking 40+ Litres will do. What I need help with is finding the right Panniers or Pack Rack for my XV250 and I'd also like suggestions for the type of screen that would be best for my bike. There don't appear to be very many pack racks or screens on tardme second hard, which makes me need to ask; is there a different model pack rack and screen for every model of bike?

[Amazon]

and I added a screen just after I got it. What a huge difference it made and it suited the bike. I bought a Givi screen and from memory it was around $230 new. I purchased it from a local bike shop in Dunedin. My husband and I spent two weeks in February travelling around the South Is and it was just brilliant. Enjoy your trip ..:)

[Scorpygirl]

Hi there

I have a sidewinder screen that is brilliant. Easy to install with just brackets and clamps. Very much like the givi.

I have also bought soft luggage panniers called motoline. You can either put them under the seat (more permanent) or they have bungies that you can use. They are expandable and also have reflecter strips on them. They cost about $160 from Motomail.

Hope this helps

[Sphere]

Cheers, those are great tips. I can't find the panniers you mention however have had a look at MotoMail and there are plenty of others around. So, it doesn't matter what type of Panniers, they should all fit?

[Nasty]

I use oxford panniers .. got them from the Hutt ... I think ... also had a givi screen on my virago ...

most soft panniers are sweet .. just make sure you protect the paintwork with scuff guard.

[Bonez]

Another option is an ex-services roll bag(kit bag). See my sig pic. Sits on and drapes over the the back seat. Bunggied or tied on with ratchet ties. If thats too big you can buy smaller ones. They don't sick out as far as panniers of soft luggage either. Not water proof but plastic rubbish bags sort that wee issue out.

[sunhuntin]

ive got a 250 virago, and have toured the south island twice on her. mine doesnt have a screen. i have a givi top box, a strap on tank bag and a set of small saddlebags which go under the back seat. i also take at least one large backpack and an array of bungy cords of different lengths and also at least 2 cargo nets. with the saddle bags, they are zip ons, and i nearly lost one when i didnt do the zip properly [it was literally hanging by like 2 teeth when i arrived] so now i thread a bungy cord through the handles and then loop it together. i got the cords from super cheap.... the thick ones with the black plastic hooks. blue and red are the ones most suited for bikes and carrying different sized loads.

the top box can hold my jacket, helmet and pants, as well as gloves, sunglasses etc. saddle bags are willie and max and not very big. so a pair of sneakers goes in one side [along with socks as they get dirty] and tie downs for the ferry and chain lube and oil goes in the other.

givi frames for top boxes etc are bike specific. mine were for a different bike and had to be modified to fit properly. also, cos i wanted saddlebags, brakcets for that had to be added on, to keep the bags off the paint and away from the back wheel.
i bought nastys 500 virago, which had the givi screen. it worked really well, and i loved having it, simply cos i could use it for static cling stickers. i wanted to turn it into my ultimate tourer, but couldnt work out how to make top box brackets. lol.

it really depends on what your luggage is, and where you are planning on sleeping [camp or hotel?] i hotelled it, so didnt need the tent etc. next time i go down, i will be taking the camping gear and leaving it at a friends place.

[Sphere]

We'll be staying at friends and in motels so I don't expect I'll need much luggage, just some extra clothes and any bike bits plug wet weather gear.

In those suggestions there are heaps of options. I do like the Givi Top Box idea, not the cheapest option though! Especially for one of those big ones.

Is there a trick to securely bungie cording bags onto your bike?

[sunhuntin]

i just make sure the hooks are securely hooked onto the brackets for the top box. i use the ones with fat hooks after getting slapped in the face by a thin one and realising i could have lost an eye. lol. also, i use one thats only just long enough. id prefer to stretch the cord and have my load being strangled than too loose and falling off everywhere. quite often, ill have to double loop around the brackets, which is fine.
same with cargo nets... i use them to carry stuff on top of the top box... i hook them to the box plate. make sure any stuff carried there cant slip down the back... i nearly lost a load of magazines that way once, lmfao.
top boxes are expensive, but well worth it. ive had mine since 05, and its been through one accident with me. there was no damage except for a cracked reflector. it also means i can lock everything inside it without worry over theft.

only rule i use it give everything a good shake and shove around. if it moves, its likely to fall off. i prefer to have no movement whatsoever, and will take my time making sure its right. the only major problem i have is forgetting ive got luggage and getting my foot hooked up when getting off... that results in panic over pulling the bike over with me. youve gotta learn to stand up, stick the leg coming over the bike out straight and hop away from the bike with your other leg. looks rediculous, but not as silly as being stuck under a hot bike.

when touring, i either remove or empty my luggage when stopping for the night. so tank bag and box are empty except for any rubbish [receipts etc] while back pack and saddle bags come inside.
another thing i take with me everywhere is a small square of wood... stick it under the kick stand, and presto! you can park on gravel etc to take photos.

buy a selection of bungy cords and find what ones work. same with cargo nets [i have seen them at a $2 style shop] just make sure get a motorbike one and not a trailer one, lol.

[Sphere]

I had a real laugh with your reply! I can imagine getting my foot stuck in / through bags and nets and making a real fool of myself. :clap: Thanks for the warning! Can't guarantee it won't happen anyway though.

With all the choices it does look like I'll just have to see what works for me. I'll go see what deals I can get on a Givi here in Wellington as I do like the idea of keeping things dry and safe. Is it possible to fit a scooter sized Givi on a Motorbike?

This bike thing is going to become a nice excuse for some retail therapy on an ongoing basis. Cheers all for the advice, I'll keep you updated on what's worked for me and my bike.

[sunhuntin]

lol, cheers. ive worked out a way to unload the backseat before i get off... but its tricky if you have multiple bags and things tied together.

if you have a look at my profile, you can see a pic of both my 250 and the 500 which has a givi screen. the 250 also shows the saddle bags plus the replacement brackets needed for the top box. [being vain, i had the brackets chromed to match the bike. <_< they would have been black otherwise]

my top box is about big enough for one helmet, plus jacket etc if needed. theres no way youd get 2 helmets in it. i cant remember the litrage. see if you can get a topbox or packrack plus saddle bags deal. i really want to upgrade my bags as they arent big enough... expandable ones are what id like. plus they are more waterproof than leather.

just keep playing around with different things. yes, do keep us updated. youll love the trip. i cant wait to go south again when i get the money.