How to carry luggage

[SierraWhisky]

Hi guys,

I've got to do a couple of trips to the Isle of Wight next year with work. It's only a 15 minute drive to the ferry then another 15 mins to where I'm staying. I've got about a weeks worth of clothes plus a few books and laptop to take.

I'm looking to purchase a top box/panniers or a combination. I've got a suzuki gs 125 1996 with no capability to attach anything to as far as I'm aware.

So, all and any advice on the best way to do this is going to be greatly appreciated!II'm new to all this maintenance stuff but more than willing to have a try! So please start with the basics!

Thanks in advance!

SW
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Suzuki GS 125 ESM (1996)
Complete and utter novice.... but I will get the hang of this!

[Fisty]

Weeks worth of kit? Rucksack and a tailpack or tank bag should do it.
____________________
Quietly and consistently taking the piss.
TL1000R | Hayabusa | ZXR400 | TL1000S | Bandit 400 V
Fatter and faster than Fret

[Shillz]

Rucksack on back, plus a bag bungee strapped to the passenger seat!

Sorted.

[Slacker24seve...]

[SierraWhisky]

I've got a bergen that I've been using so far, but that's not going to be enough. I was thinking that if I did this properly I'd also have somewhere to put my lid and gloves when I park up.

I do like the idea of the tank bags - How secure are they?

Thanks

SW
____________________
Suzuki GS 125 ESM (1996)
Complete and utter novice.... but I will get the hang of this!

[Flatbadger]

I've been through the IOW in the summer and the main roads get clogged leading from Ryde, and other points I expect. Depending on exactly when/where you're going, be aware that you may want to filter quite a bit!

I'd like to get over there next summer for a night or two
____________________
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
You're in ISIS

[covent.gardens]

[barrkel]

I detest tank bags because they get in between me and the bike. They can limit maneuverability at low speeds by interfering with the handlebars, and you have less space to move around on the bike when cornering etc.

Just bear it in mind before you go off and spending a bunch of money on one, you may not like it. Try balancing a stuffed backpack on your tank and see how you like it.

A very small tank bag used to hold no more than change, phone, and perhaps a map or GPS is easier to live with.

When I bring a laptop with me touring, I put the laptop on top of a wooden cutting board and wrap it up in a rubble sack, and use the resulting waterproof flat object as the floor of a duffel bag filled with clothes etc, also packed in rubble sacks - I don't trust the duffel bag to be waterproof. I then lash the duffel bag to my pillion seat with 200kg luggage straps, so that it doesn't move at all in any circumstances - last thing you want in cornering is a heavy load shifting. The cutting board stops the tension of the straps from applying a bending force to the laptop with the seat pushing up in the middle. Screen typically ends up with a few dirty marks from the keyboard being pushed against it, but no permanent damage.

You can put a lot more weight on the pillion seat than in a top-box. Handling is far more affected by weight further back over the rear wheel, and the leverage from bumps etc. means the subframe attachment points for the top-box, or the top-box mount itself, may snap. I've broken a rack in the past with relatively small loads over 500 mile distances. Higher quality racks / mounts (Givi etc.) are worth it here over things like sw-motech.
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Bikes: S1000R, SH350; Exes: Vity 125, PS125, YBR125, ER6f, VFR800, Brutale 920, CB600F, SH300x4
Best road ever ridden: www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2MhNxUEYtQ

[tracks]

May sound obvious but remember to completely power down your laptop so the HDD is parked. If it's in sleep or hibernate mode you could knacker the HDD with vibration / sudden movements (unless you have an SSD of course)

[Kradmelder]

i hate anything on my back except a camelbak. It tires you out and is uncomfortable if you need to stand.

I use a dry bag and cargo net and a tank bag for things I may need on the road, like tyre repair kit, tubes, compressor, first aid kit fire arm, cell phone, wallet

Tank bags get in the way a bit when standing, but it is convenient.

This set up for 3500 km 1 week trip

https://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m270/hvandermerwe62/2012ecape/IMG-20120108-00027.jpg

https://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m270/hvandermerwe62/2012ecape/IMG-20120109-00034.jpg

https://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m270/hvandermerwe62/2012ecape/IMG-20120109-00029.jpg

The extra bag on the back has tyre levers and other bike kit like chain lube and cleaner, chain brush, and oros ornage concentrate that i add to the water in my camelbak. When the water iis like 35 C and warm, or is a bit brackish, it makes it more drinkable. 100 km from any town on remote roads in high 30s heat, hydration and carrying liquids is important etc.
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2011 KTM 990 Dakar
2009 BMW 1200 GS

[Peirre oBollox]

A good quality roll bag strapped to the back seat will carry more than enough stuff.
Ortlieb bags are the best, but cheaper alternatives are available such as a 60Ltr LOMO https://www.ewetsuits.com/acatalog/dry-bag-holdalls-60L.html
or the smaller 40ltr bag https://www.ewetsuits.com/acatalog/dry-bag-holdalls.html
The LOMO bags where recently featured in one on the equipment write ups in a bike mag (no doubt someone will tell me which one) and sales have rocketed as prices are 1/2 the price of Ortliebs, and they ran out of stock shortly after, but new stock is ariving this week, and pre-orders are being taken.
I`ve ordered 1 of each myself
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I accept no responsibility for swearing, drinking, motorcycle riding or your pregnant teenage daughter.

[Kradmelder]

[Tarmacsurfer]

[Kradmelder]

[Tarmacsurfer]

I never used them for pretty much that logic, don't find backpacks all that comfortable and it's a massive wind drag. Plus you can't fit a coffee table/Dyson/half a ZX6R in a pack
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I'm immortal. Well, so far.

[barrkel]

[fatjames]

I keep thinking about getting a tail pack. It would be nice to not have to wear my back every time I go out. Are there any recommendations for a tail pack that would cost less than £40, be quite waterproof and connect/disconnect quite easily? (Leaving the straps on the bike)

Thanks
FJ

[Superduke]

I have Kriega and love the gear

[Peirre oBollox]

[Tarmacsurfer]

[ukdiceman]

[Kradmelder]

[barrkel]

[magpiemale]

I would Just wack on a top Box with a large 60-100 ltr roll top waterproof duffle bag attached with rok straps,or Just use the bag
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NSR125 1992 (sold) kawasaki Z750S,fazer FZ1 07 now gone present bike 2012 fz1s Fazer,beowulf rad protector,heated grips,sw motech gps holder,power socket.

[barrkel]