Packing soft luggage

[Andy C]

Hi,

I'm planning to go touring just in the UK and today i tried to put it all on my bike as a mock up (though i used verious stuff in garage as "luggage")

https://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d20/andy13_uk/DSC01184.jpg
https://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d20/andy13_uk/DSC01186.jpg

Ive never done this sort of thing before and some of my question probably seem a bit stupid but i would rather look stupid on a internet forum and not at 80mph

Now, all was well and the sleeping bag fits in the tail pack. I think this is the best place for it as wont get wet and also nice back support. I really wont need all the space as im planning to travel light so would just sleeping bag and cloths around it be fine?
https://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d20/andy13_uk/DSC01190.jpg

Then, the tent. Now this wont fit in the bags but ive seem some photos of it strapped to the luggage, you think this will be fine? Its not that heavy (was £15 from halfords).
https://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d20/andy13_uk/DSC01189.jpg

Then the panniers, this is how they are under the seat and i'm 99% this is correct
https://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d20/andy13_uk/DSC01195.jpg

Then i strapped the panniers to the pillion pegs which seems all fine
https://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d20/andy13_uk/DSC01191.jpg

And then thinking a tie down (not the one in photo, as really long ) to secure at rear? this the best option?
https://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d20/andy13_uk/DSC01196.jpg

With these in place the panniers seem fairly secure but when expanded then arnt that much, but this should be fine?

Then the tail bag, this is secured with just one velcro strap under the seat.
https://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d20/andy13_uk/DSC01194.jpg

Now, it had this bit by the base with bugees on and i cant make sense of it! maybe its just my bike but does fit under the seat (seat wont close) and doesnt seem to go onto any of the other luggage in an obvious way. Does anyone know what they are for and whats the best way to use them? maybe that loop in the right bottom corner of the photo on the pannier?
https://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d20/andy13_uk/DSC01192.jpg

Hope anyone can help, maybe im just being paranoid but i dont want my first bit of touring to be ruined but getting annoyed with the luggage.
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99 RS125 --> 02 SV650s --> 03 Speed Four --> 92 RXS100 --> 93 CB400sf --> 01 CB600f Hornet

[EuropeanNC30R...]

Oxford neglect to tell you in the instructions it can be impossible to use all the underseat straps when your using the tail pack and panniers at the same time.

There was no way my seat was going to snap shut with the tailpack strap and all the pannier velcro straps attached, so I just used the the middle pannier strap. Then slid the tail pack on the seat, with strap wrapped around, and clicked it shut. Then attached the remaining pannier velcro straps around the tailpack best as I could. It wasquite secure along with the other straps and bungees etc.

[Bendy]

[Andy C]

yea, the pannier straps and the tail pack strap all fit under the seat with jigging.

I might just take the bungees out and use a few small tie downs instead aroung the bike. And take cable ties with me
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99 RS125 --> 02 SV650s --> 03 Speed Four --> 92 RXS100 --> 93 CB400sf --> 01 CB600f Hornet

[ram_doom]

Anything is possible with enough bungee's
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TL1000s, KDX200

[alone]

Bikes with soft luggage can look so much better than bikes with hard luggage.. Why is that?

That tailpack when fully expanded looks kinda dodgy. How much does it lean back at motorway speeds?
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Bikes; '06 Triumph Sprint ST 1050 (for sale) - '95 BMW R1100GS

[chris-red]

Not much I would have thought as it's you taking the windblast not the tail pack.
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[Andy C]

[map]

Fwiw there's this pdf file on how to fit soft luggage on the RiDe site how-to section.

If I were you I'd get some of the non-slip matting stuff (from Wilkinsons, B&Q, Range, etc.) and put it on the paintwork first to protect it from the straps rubbing.

As for packing if it were me I'd put the tent across the back of the bike. Anything I want quick in the tankbag (camera, waterproofs, money, etc.). Remember good idea to take some tools if not got the bike toolkit. Usually one size spanner and allen key will fit most things. Chainlube and make sure you can adjust it.

Try and keep the weight even. Load up, ride off and then stop after a few miles and check if anything needs adjusting, tightening, moving, etc.

HTH
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...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger?

[Mudskipper]

A 5 quid cargo net is very handy - mine secured a tent, bed roll and sleeping bag across my panniers at the weekend.

Best thing is to give the whole thing a firm shake/tug when you think it's secure, you'll soon feel if it needs an extra bungee or 3
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CBR125|||GSXR400|||CBR400|||CBR400|||CB250RS|||GSXR750|||CB250RS
"You're clumsy, you eat too much and you behave like a 12 year old boy. But you know what? Every once in a while, you find a thumb."

[Itchy]

Learn to take less! , anyway its ok , I just stuck me two soft paniers ontop of the seat and sat ontop of them, tank bag was secured behind me thats it 90 litres was enough, hafta get me a £10 ASDA tent too.
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Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[flimbar]

The four bungees at the bottom corners of the tail pack should be attached to the four hooks at the top corners of the tail pack. They squeeze the tail pack vertically and keep it more rigid. This is shown in the instructions.

I also bungee the bottom front hooks of the tailpack flaps to the pillion foot rests. Personally I wouldn't just rely on the velcro strap under the seat.
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Yamaha YBR125 > Suzuki SV650S > Suzuki DL650 V-Strom > Honda CBR600F > Honda ST1300 Pan European

[ncrn]

[jacqui]

Where is the exhaust? this will burn your panniers if it touches them.

The wide velcro straps can go over the seat if required and then the tailpack over the top.

It looks like you may not be planning to return for months, how about travelling a little lighter? It would make it easier for you.
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never say "never"!!!

[stinkwheel]

Put the heaviest stuff in the panniers so it is down low.

I personally have never bothered doing anything other than throw my panniers over the back seat with the two straps over the seat. As long as there is stuff in them, they stay put.

Put your sleeping bag in a black bin liner.

https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f216/stinkwheel/gpzload2-1.jpg
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I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Peirre oBollox]

[niff5855]

[SK]

I've only just joined (hello!) but was interested to see what was being said about this. I went away last Oct and used a soft tailpack. It seems to be up to your own requirements as to how its fastened but I was paranoid for the first 50miles. I could only fasten one velcro strap under my seat(600 fazer) and criss-crossed the bungees under the whole tail unit. Gave the whole lot a good wiggle and it did the job!. Big Tip!!!!: when you go in the main zip, make sure you close it all the way to the back. I left a 0.0000000001mm gap in the zip and was greeted with wet jeans!!

[ncrn]

[Dazza Blade]

If i were you id lose the tail pack and buy a roll bag. Oxford do one. Had mine 10 years and still going strong. Hein gericke do one as well i thikn for around 15 quid.
In that you can put all your 'accomodation' bits. Bed, sleeing bag and tent.
Everything should sit central to you on the bike then and be alot lower centre of gravity than having to extend that tail pack.

I have just returned from a trip and it pissed it down most of the time. Dont bother with the waterproof covers. Make it waterproof yourself on the inside. Everything in free supermarket carrier bags or bin bags. Take extras as well. Worked for me.

https://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j213/dazzajones/best%20of%20three%2007/DSCF0557001.jpg