View Full Version : How do you bikers get about?
Got a motorbike recently and want to go to meets on it, I'm wondering how to get my stuff on it and what to wear etc. Hoping to find out what others do....
1 - How do you take your stuff with you? Assume you're going close but have to walk in so you can't just strap it to your bike. Do you use panniers/rucksack/tankbag etc?
2 - Do you take separate clothes to change into? If so where do you put your bike kit? (helmet, jacket, trousers, boots, gloves
I'm wondering how I'm going to cart stuff about, I pack pretty light but I don't have any panniers yet. I don't really want to wear a rucksack full of kit down the motorway. Plus I don't know what to do with my bike kit when I'm there, particularly my boots and helmet
spiritofold
05-10-2008, 17:08
I used to use cargo nets on the back of the seat and on the tank....
John Fenna
05-10-2008, 17:11
I used to have two daysacks fitted as panniers and have a big locking topbox for my helmet and such.
The pillion took a big pack strapped over the two pannier day sacks.
saddle_tramp
05-10-2008, 17:27
I use a slightly modified one of these
http://www.bobgear.com/trailers/trailer.php?product_id=10
tho i dont think im the type of biker you were refering to :naughty:
I take me Land Rover...:D
alpha_centaur
05-10-2008, 20:41
Try this its pretty well made kit for the price and flippin huge I could almost use the top bag as a bivi tent
http://www.getgeared.co.uk/MOTO-DETAIL_82L_Touring_Bag_Set;jse ssionid=0a0108421f43dae86468ec 5445638332905fa8d89a31.e3eTaxe PaNqNe34Pa38Ta38MaNz0
lavrentyuk
05-10-2008, 21:20
Depends on the bike and the trip.
BMW (1970's flat twin sports tourer, 1000cc) - hard Krauser panniers and a tailpack on the pillion seat. Then a tank bag in front of me as much for the chest support as anything else - means you can take a rest on long trips and some of the pressure off the wrists. The tent gets strapped across the rear of the seat on a small carrier, not a good place for big weights. Tools, spares and first aid kit under the seat in one of two cubbyholes.
XT Tenere (1980s 600cc single, off roader) - soft throwover panniers, tailpack on the rear carrier. Tankbag if necessary though I don't find they fit very well becasue I have a huge Tenere tank. Tools and spares strapped on in small army sidepacks and a first aid kit in a too small cubby hole. Much nicer on slower trips as there is little wrist pressure and can get well off the beaten track, on BOATS obviously !
Soft luggage takes a fall better, the Krausers would suffer damage. On the other hand the Krausers are both lockable and removable like small suitcases which does have its advantages.
So I can get far more on the BMW but is it very road oriented. If camping somewhere I prefer to take the XT as I can be confident it would get me out of a field. But I take the BMW to the Isle of Man where I sleep in a hall. When considerably younger and more foolish, having owned the Beemer for about 21 years now, I did take it trail riding in the Pyrenees with some surprising success - but no luggage.
I have a Coleman which can run on unleaded and can now run all my bikes on it - which is handy and prevents having to carry alternative fuels.
Watch what you put into a magnetic tank bag - they can allegedly damage things like phones and cameras because of the powerful magnets.
I have also done a bit of travelling on MZs, old two stroke singles of great charm and simplicity. Major advantage is their light weight. One day I shall fit knobblies to one and make my ultimate bushcraft bike ! Sometimes I have nightmares about things like sidecars for the luggae (beer) carrying capacity it adds and an inability to fall off in the snow here in Wales.
Best of luck !
Richard
lavrentyuk
05-10-2008, 21:21
I forgot to say, however much the manufacturers of your luggage say its waterproof ALWAYS WRAP STUFF IN PLASTIC BAGS AS WELL. Learnt that the hard way.
That touring combo looks pretty good.
Richard
tommy the cat
05-10-2008, 21:22
Soft panniers by Tech 7 and tank bag and rear seat bag. Although got to say not been on a 'meet' with this set up. I went for soft luggage as its cheaper and interchangeable if you decide on a diff bike.
Do fancy a trail type bike and some off road bivi excursions.
Dave
lavrentyuk
05-10-2008, 21:27
Clothes/ Boots - I usually wear army surplus Para boots with goretex socks in the winter. Why would you want to store them at the Meeting ? Wear them. Sounds like you want Cordura/armoured gear rather than leathers to me. It has improved enormously of late and is fairly cheap. Even Lidl/Aldo do that kind of gear now. I bought one as an experiment and have been rather impressed, easily as good as some much more expensive gear. Sadly waxed cotton has gone up in price since it became a fashion item - shame as it was great off the bike. Waterproof, quiet in movement for stalking and the like, darkly coloured - no armour though - and repairable.
Lock your helmet to the bike, and cover it in plastic.
Personally I no longer carry rucksacks on bikes, though an empty one may be okay. I believe, with no hard evidence, that it could make an 'off' worse.
Richard
demographic
05-10-2008, 21:37
We get a van;)
Handy for picking up broken down/crashed mates as well.
The bike is a Suzuki SV650S. Still in two minds about the luggage
I've been wearing Sidi Vertigos for riding, hence not very good for walking in. Thought about wearing walking boots but frankly I don't think they'd protect my feet/ankles anywhere near as much and its usually a bit of a ride to get to a meet. Hence having to put them somewhere while I stick on some other footwear.
alpha_centaur, thanks for the link, that's the sort of thing that might do the job
Womble_Lancs
06-10-2008, 11:47
My rule is "Never carry anything when you can make the bike carry it for you". As others on here may testify, I am renowned for carrying a phenomenal amount of gear on my bike.
When I go on a rally, I use two side panniers and a top box. The tent is bungied to the pillion seat, and my airbed and camping chair above that. I put any heavy stuff in the side panniers, and lightweight stuff in the topbox, such as my dossbag and wash kit.
When I get to my destination, I put up the tent, put my airbed and the contents of the topbox in the tent, and then put my crash helmet and leathers in the top box.
I also have a tank bag, which doubles as a map-case and rucksack. I use that for stuff I want to be immediately accessible, like my camera, tissues, money, keys and contact lens stuff.
Clothing-wise, although I do have some 'proper' bike boots, I prefer to wear my para boots because they are much more comfortable and, I believe, offer me more support and grip.
I have leather trousers with padded knees and hips, and a cordura jacket with armoured elbows. I have various sets of waterproofs, depending on the type of journey I'm making. For long-distance, I have a huge one-piece set, which are big enough to cover my normal leathers & jacket. For relatively short distance, I have a two-piece set which is lightweight but still properly waterproof.
Fandingo panniers and top box plus rucky on the pillion works for me on my Suzi 750 there again I can't walk too far so tend to be fairly close to it when I'm out. Skid lid and jacket, trousers, and boots fit into panniers when everything removed. I don't normally go out more than a quick weekend with the bike though now, must be getting old.
alpha_centaur
07-10-2008, 10:08
The bike is a Suzuki SV650S. Still in two minds about the luggage
I've been wearing Sidi Vertigos for riding, hence not very good for walking in. Thought about wearing walking boots but frankly I don't think they'd protect my feet/ankles anywhere near as much and its usually a bit of a ride to get to a meet. Hence having to put them somewhere while I stick on some other footwear.
alpha_centaur, thanks for the link, that's the sort of thing that might do the job
It does quite nicely on my suzy bandit 600 the only prob is if your sv650 is like the bandit you may have to replace your indicators with the micro ones or even better the tail/indicater combo's.
sandsnakes
08-10-2008, 21:35
Well by and large I use the car but! When I do, I pack the rucksack as I would for any other trip. I try to make sure that I have the right gear and my limit of carrying gear is my sack, this I wrap in heavy weight plastic bags to keep dry. This I bungee cord down to the seat of the bike
I also take a tough waterproof bag with my outer clothes for the 'wilds' this gets put on the sack as well. As for boots, hi-leg gortex linned boots are more waterproof the zippered bike boots. Get to the other end swap outer clothes for cordura gear, put the lot in the bags that protected the sack and chain it and helmet to bike. People stealing it? well if its in your car they can smash the windows or steal the car or torch it! So chaining it down is just as good I feel.
Had stuff stolen fro a car but never from the bike.
Sandsnakes
Mountainwalker
24-11-2008, 05:39
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3242/2820752229_a50076ffa0_b.jpg
I use Andy Strapz canvas soft panniers and mountaineering dry storage bags. Best combo so-far.
If doing some walking I use my Scarpa Gortex walking boots and leave my motorcycle boots at home and replace dry bag with midsize backpack that i strap on the back.
Get yourself to the bike show at the NEC and have a look at what's on offer! Was there yesterday it's great.
I used to carry insane loads despatch riding, I had hard panniers and topbox then, it was a 'must' but now it's a love not a job :)
Looking at your bike there is scope to carry a lot. Aldi do a good magnetic tank bag for £16 which whups some of the £80 stuff in the bike shops. Soft saddle bags (the sit on type) are good the only problem I can see is your back end.
This may sound weird but if you have no pillion fill your rucksack/bergen and rest the weight of it on the spare seat, works for me but ride careful for a few miles until you get used to the centre of gravity change on corners. You need a big rucksack for this to work btw one that goes down to your bum is best.
I'm nearly old enough for a sidecar.....can't wait lol :)
strap rucksack to bike don't wear it, don't wear specialsit bike clothes just wear what you will be using on arrival, anything you have to take but won't use on arrival like helmet just put in waterproof bag/bin liner etc: and bury/hide close to bike so no-one will find it, make sure bike is secured with chain and lock if you want it to stop in one place.
Pantalaimon
07-12-2008, 16:24
Nice topic! I'm planning to start motor driving lessons soon. Now I'm wondering about my Sweden trip next year: by bike or hitch-hiking? :P It will be an adventure anyway :)
tommy the cat
08-12-2008, 16:42
Like the Gs ....git!
Lol d
Like the Gs ....git!
Lol d
What he said :)
wanderinstar
08-12-2008, 17:19
While all you bikers are in one place. I have a Frank Thomas 2 piece cordura suit that I no longer need. Suit is XXL and I am 5ft 8in tall. It cost me £300 about 7 years ago and has spent more time in wardrobe than astride a bike. PM me if anyone is interested.
Sadly I'd need another 8 inches (steady) and a few Xs!
Good luck
tommy the cat
08-12-2008, 19:55
Sadly I'd need another 8 inches (steady) and a few Xs!
Good luck
What he said! Lol
Maybe not 8 inches but lots of x's.
D
Ha, i'd need less X's and more length!
I've been collecting kit for the bike recently. I've now got a Kriega US20, a Pacsafe tailpack and a Lidl tank bag. Tank bag is awesome and gets used every day, US20 gets used every now and then and the Pacsafe has only been used once.
When I go I think that I may have to strap a rucksack to the bike, but I just don't know how secure it will be doing 80-85 down the motorway. Panniers aren't much use when you've got to walk into site after parking up, they're not so good for carrying on your shoulders. Hence my problem!
I have a holdall for my bike kit when I go to meetings, but its a 90 litre bag that gets pretty full, it'll be like moving house
Mike Benis
10-12-2008, 18:30
I tour on a big Harley now, so used the overpriced stuff that comes with it, except for a Buffalo tank bag, whcih was the right sort of size to leave the speedo unobscured (they;re tank-mounted).
In the past I sued Oxford panniers on a Low Rider and they were fine.
The Metal Mule panniers are excellent though. They're a very nice company and will make brackets up to fit most bikes. The stuff is very well made locally here in Sussex.
Cheers
Mike
When I used to ride a Goldwing I towed a 28 cu ft trailer behind it. It was full to the brim too!!
SirDiesel
15-08-2009, 20:35
i use some old military rubberised canvas square bags as pannier bags on a diy pannier rack, green they are.
standard ol' white top box (containing dry food, brew kit, light stuff) with my pack (bergen in small mode) in between me and it with clothes in, tent strapped to the pack, campchair (decathlon low chair) strapped to the os pannier rack. sleeping bag, blow up pad strapped to the tank.
interesting sight seeing that and a 240lb 6'er on a DT50mx lol even if it has got a 125cc chinese 4 stroke in it.. i combine the best of ultra light, ultra compact hike gear and the smallest motorcycle :D
i'd like a nice big bmw but they cost so much more than a homebodge mx'er and i'm not rich :p thinking about the possibility of a CG125 custom next..
Lardrover
15-08-2009, 22:35
1 - How do you take your stuff with you? Assume you're going close but have to walk in so you can't just strap it to your bike. Do you use panniers/rucksack/tankbag etc?
2 - Do you take separate clothes to change into? If so where do you put your bike kit? (helmet, jacket, trousers, boots, gloves
You might have to adapt preferences to suit, such as not wearing bike boots, a pair of walking type instead, open face helmet (easier to stow perhaps or keep with you, although I always found a full face was easier as I slid my arm through and it hung in the crook of the elbow)
What sort of bike? I've got a KTM and it really doesn't like throwover panniers of any type, heavy loading tends to make them pull down and in so they need a frame to keep them out of the huge gap between subframe and tyre. I've had success with a small pack over the front mudguard/headlight (not riding at night and will worry about poor visibility when it happens), likewise a rollmat across the handlebars (lightweight, doesn't affect handling and helps deflect some air). I've not strapped to the tank so far as I've succeeded with loading elsewhere but I would try it if I had to. My tank is a large capacity shape and doesn't lend itself to being stacked on, certainly not with magnetic bags as it's plastic. Sleeping bag is wedged behind me in the small of my back, works extremely well as a backrest but makes getting on a bit silly as I can't swing my leg over, I have to come in with my foot from the side. Seat is a long one and easy to load up.
I've managed to load it very well, evenly distributed, not at all top heavy. I also wear a small daysack with light stuff in. I like short sleeve shirts instead of T-shirts and can pack them well in the daybag so I don't look like a tramp when I change :) Only one pair of boots but a pair of sandals to rest in. Waterproofs packed up and strapped to top of front mudguard along with tarp or tent, might not be a good idea on a road bike though. A little time spent with some pushbike hardware can add good mounting points if you don't mind the DIY look, bicycle racks modify well to add bungee points to plastic bits as long as you don't add too much weight to them. If you go over the top you end up like a Mad Max extra. I think I'll try a net though, something a bit more secure than bungees.
A normal eurostyle bike should work well with the traditional tankbag and throwover panniers. Watch for the exhaust.
I should have taken some pics but like I said, it's going to be different loading for different styles of bike.
demographic
15-08-2009, 23:01
For a start off I will point out that I have been into bikes since I was a nipper and had practically zero interest in four wheelers.
That said bikes are gash for camping trips unless you are camping right next to the bike, otherwise you have to carry your lid and bike gear to where you camp or leave it to maybe get nicked.
On the other hand they can be better than a Landrover for getting up green lanes.
Bikes: great fun to blat about on and good up green lanes but pretty poor for security.
Got a motorbike recently and want to go to meets on it, I'm wondering how to get my stuff on it and what to wear etc. Hoping to find out what others do....
1 - How do you take your stuff with you? Assume you're going close but have to walk in so you can't just strap it to your bike. Do you use panniers/rucksack/tankbag etc?
2 - Do you take separate clothes to change into? If so where do you put your bike kit? (helmet, jacket, trousers, boots, gloves
I'm wondering how I'm going to cart stuff about, I pack pretty light but I don't have any panniers yet. I don't really want to wear a rucksack full of kit down the motorway. Plus I don't know what to do with my bike kit when I'm there, particularly my boots and helmet
I've been at this for thirty-five years now; still a work in progress. Presently: 2006 Suzuki DL-650 V-Strom
1. Tank bag (Eclipse) and waterproof duffle bungied on the back. Waterproof ATV duffles are pretty well developed and available at discount. My current one came from SierraTradingPost.com. It doesn't keep the weight as low as some panier systems, but cost @$50USD and works.
2. In the motel room. My "old Guy" philosophy of motorcycle travel involves a quiet clean motel room with shower and good rack at the end of the day. I only camp out when necessary.
demographic
16-08-2009, 02:24
Problem with bikes is that you could usually get a scrapper car and insure it for the price of the luggage and gear you would need to get camping gear about by bike.
Don't get me wrong, I love bikes and have a three myself but they are just so crap for going camping away from that it's a joke.
You can manage it by bike but its so much simpler by car/van that its quite funny.
Scott, who likes bikes but can also see their crap side.
Lardrover
16-08-2009, 11:42
Problem with bikes is that you could usually get a scrapper car and insure it for the price of the luggage and gear you would need to get camping gear about by bike.
Don't get me wrong, I love bikes and have a three myself but they are just so crap for going camping away from that it's a joke.
You can manage it by bike but its so much simpler by car/van that its quite funny.
Scott, who likes bikes but can also see their crap side.
Can sympathise with that, along with a previous poster about stopping somewhere with a shower. As a "not young" person anymore, motorbike camping is probably best done with a mobile phone and credit card :)
When I was younger and cheap cars really were old bangers, it was different.