► Tank bags, tail packs and soft luggage

FAMSA strap fitting...

twisticles said:
YEah I got mine delivered last week. I ask BM to post pix of the attachement because I couldn't figure out quite how it attaches, the Famsa pic shows it attached to the vertical...

The side straps have a double-d connector with velcro for the flappy end - but the position of the velcro doesn't make much sense.

Also, the side bits have quick release buckles which is nice - but the headstock strap doesn't, which makes it quite fiddly to attach & remove the bra.

The bag itself is nice and well designed, but the straps seem odd in comparison, I feel sure I am missing something!
Click to expand...

Just had one of these delivered from Winding Roads, and fitted the side straps onto the vertical frame rail.

If you fasten the velcro tab like a helmet double-D ring, then the loose end doubles back, and the velcro fastens to the opposite velcro on the main part of the strap wrapped around the frame rail... if that makes any sense ?

It's a bit fiddly on the LHS, getting it between the plastic bodywork and the frame rail, but it works.
 
Gany said:
You have to drill the false tank cover. Check out this post by Chitownrider:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=402092

There is a template for drilling the holes specifically for the F800GS on the sw-motech website as well. Im currently considering this with the powered tankring and a pelican type case for all my electronic gizmos.
Click to expand...


Gany

Did you land up installing the powered ring and case, if so, any pics and suggestions for the install. I'm thinking of arranging this for my machine?

Ta
 
Blind Lemon Ade said:
Just had one of these delivered from Winding Roads, and fitted the side straps onto the vertical frame rail.

If you fasten the velcro tab like a helmet double-D ring, then the loose end doubles back, and the velcro fastens to the opposite velcro on the main part of the strap wrapped around the frame rail... if that makes any sense ?

It's a bit fiddly on the LHS, getting it between the plastic bodywork and the frame rail, but it works.
Click to expand...


email 'Winding Roads' i hear that their customer service is excellent.
if anybody knows the best way to fit it'll be them..:thumb
 
twisticles said:
Yeah I got mine delivered last week. I ask BM to post pix of the attachement because I couldn't figure out quite how it attaches, the Famsa pic shows it attached to the vertical...

The side straps have a double-d connector with velcro for the flappy end - but the position of the velcro doesn't make much sense.

Also, the side bits have quick release buckles which is nice - but the headstock strap doesn't, which makes it quite fiddly to attach & remove the bra.

The bag itself is nice and well designed, but the straps seem odd in comparison, I feel sure I am missing something!
Click to expand...


Blind Lemon Ade said:
Just had one of these delivered from Winding Roads, and fitted the side straps onto the vertical frame rail.

If you fasten the velcro tab like a helmet double-D ring, then the loose end doubles back, and the velcro fastens to the opposite velcro on the main part of the strap wrapped around the frame rail... if that makes any sense ?

It's a bit fiddly on the LHS, getting it between the plastic bodywork and the frame rail, but it works.
Click to expand...

These might make things a bit clearer -

Front

5mediumw.jpg


Side / Rear

6medium.jpg


7medium.jpg
 
Blind Lemon Ade said:
D'you put anything under the "tank bra" (Ooer !) to stop it scuffing the paint ?

I was thinking Wunda-Web or helicopter tape or similar ?
Click to expand...

I've never bothered but I think helicopter / 3M tape at any tight points would be better than wunda web.
 
Soft luggage and backpacks

Hello all,

My first post I think. Trouble with this forum is that if you stick to using the search to get information, you'll find everything you want and never talk to ANYONE!

So I figured, sod it - I'll just ask this and not worry about the search. Hope you don't mind.

I've been searching around for the right luggage combo for road trips. The trouble I have is worrying about leaving stuff on the bike when I stop and want to explore on foot. So I want something I can strap to the bike easily, but also carry around with me too.

Options I've looked at include a backpack with some sort of strapping I fashion myself to hook it to the rear rack plate, or a tailpack which is designed for strapping to the bike but also has some sort of shoulder strap.

Best I've come up with so far is the Kriega gear. R20, expandable to R40 with the addition of two R10. It has a shoulder and waist strap to carry it courier style when off the bike. But with 40L of gear in it, I'm thinking a backpack would be easier to lug around off the bike.

Anyone got any good solultions to this?

Cheers,
Russ
 
Warning - Novice approaching

Hey people.
Great forum, by the way.
Stupid novice question... What straps do you use for fixing bags like Ortlieb duffle bags to the back of the bike (passenger seat or tail rack)?
I should explain I'm picking up the bike in a few weeks and have nothing to do but think about and order all the accessories.
Russ
 
raggedyruss said:
Hey people.
Great forum, by the way.
Stupid novice question... What straps do you use for fixing bags like Ortlieb duffle bags to the back of the bike (passenger seat or tail rack)?
I should explain I'm picking up the bike in a few weeks and have nothing to do but think about and order all the accessories.
Russ
Click to expand...

I've used Andystrapz... but when I lost those I've now reverted to bog standard webbing straps with the ratchet thingy.
 
Will you be solo or two up Russ, how long is your trip and how much do you intend to carry? The best starting point is to fit a top box, you can place most of your lesser valuables in there and lock them safe. Any bag can then be placed over the pillion seat and strapped on. In 25 years of European traveling we have not had our luggage tampered with, I think thief's know there is only a sleeping bag and tent in the soft luggage.
Soft luggage panniers are more difficult. We purchased a SW Mocheck QD frame to space some off the silencer and tank filler. They were so wide when fitted we bought some slim 21l Givi panniers instead, at £100 pr they lock shut and to the bike.
The F800 is not the easiest bike to fit luggage to, but once sorted it has quite a good carrying capacity.

Bike with throw overs
P1010839.jpg


with 21l Givis
P1000066.jpg

Notice the tape needed to protect the tank and plastics from damage by the straps.
 
I'll be solo, carrying usual camping gear (tent, sleep bag, roll mat, cook set and stove), about 3 days food and water at a time, and spare clothes (some of them a bit bulky). I've not done this on a bike before, but I've spent a lot of time walking and camping - so I was mostly worried about the camping gear as its top of the range. Light as a feather and small, but damn expensive.

It surprises me that you've never had a problem. I've had three cars broken into and figured bikes with luggage would be an easy target.

I don't like the idea of a top box because it just looks top heavy. And because I travel very light I figured I wouldn't need big paniers either. So a couple of bags strapped to the back seemed the best solution - if it weren't for the security worries.

Done some more research, starting to find a setup that could work well. Found that the US10 from Kriega strap nicely up front on the adventure-spec engine guard. That looks neat. So that's 20L. Then an Ortlieb Rack Pack on a tail rack, 24 or 31L. And finally a backpack strapped to the passenger seat with anything in it that I don't fancy leaving on the bike. So the only thing I take with me is the backpack and the rest can be slashed and stolen without any major problem except the expense of replacing it.

Would be good to get opinions from people who've been there and done that sort of setup.

Also, one specific question - What sort of capacity would you go up to for a big bag slung across the bike? E.g. is an 80L duffle bag just going to be too wide and unstable?
 
A UK car abroad is easy picking for Euro thief's, they have no idea whats inside, Perhaps my George by Asda trainers tucked into the bungees makes them realise I have nothing to pinch.
Regarding the duffel bag its worth experimenting with the whole luggage setup. In the F650 picture with a very small bag access to the filler cap is possible single handed. With a larger bag is a two man job, one to fuel and one to hold the bag away from the open cap. Don't overlook the top box option on appearance, they are just so practical for everyday use and have very little effect on handling if only used for light objects and valuables. They are extra useful if you can leave your helmet and gloves in while you wander about.
 
raggedyruss said:
I don't like the idea of a top box because it just looks top heavy. And because I travel very light I figured I wouldn't need big paniers either. So a couple of bags strapped to the back seemed the best solution - if it weren't for the security worries.
Click to expand...

Top boxes by themselves aren't really that heavy but what they are really useful for is for just throwing things into that would be too tempting to leave on view or stuff you want to get to fairly often that you want to keep dry. It doesn't have to be enormous.
 
raggedyruss said:
I'll be solo, carrying usual camping gear (tent, sleep bag, roll mat, cook set and stove), about 3 days food and water at a time, and spare clothes (some of them a bit bulky). I've not done this on a bike before, but I've spent a lot of time walking and camping - so I was mostly worried about the camping gear as its top of the range. Light as a feather and small, but damn expensive.

It surprises me that you've never had a problem. I've had three cars broken into and figured bikes with luggage would be an easy target.

I don't like the idea of a top box because it just looks top heavy. And because I travel very light I figured I wouldn't need big paniers either. So a couple of bags strapped to the back seemed the best solution - if it weren't for the security worries.

Done some more research, starting to find a setup that could work well. Found that the US10 from Kriega strap nicely up front on the adventure-spec engine guard. That looks neat. So that's 20L. Then an Ortlieb Rack Pack on a tail rack, 24 or 31L. And finally a backpack strapped to the passenger seat with anything in it that I don't fancy leaving on the bike. So the only thing I take with me is the backpack and the rest can be slashed and stolen without any major problem except the expense of replacing it.

Would be good to get opinions from people who've been there and done that sort of setup.

Also, one specific question - What sort of capacity would you go up to for a big bag slung across the bike? E.g. is an 80L duffle bag just going to be too wide and unstable?
Click to expand...



You've pretty much described my setup. On the Sibirsky trip I set off to Wales with just my tail pack and side panniers. It was only when I lost my tarp off the side (because I didn't strap it on properly) that I returned home the next day to get my Ortlieb rack pack. It was largely empty except for the tent. The bag was used as a return module for Walter's gear that he didn't need.

3798352410_ac3733cec6.jpg


My gear needs are getting more streamlined now so I only use the side panniers and the Kriega US-10 bags.

I consider the photo below to be an overloaded bike

3451739726_9739bbd2bd.jpg


3454665800_5dabb9556a.jpg


The best option for being safe is take the essentials. We made sure we had secure parking, either in hotel or youth hostel grounds. When in small villages we had no issues with leaving the gear outside.

Things like tents, spares, tools, roll mats etc stayed on the bike. Needless to say camera kit, chargers, documents came with...

For me staying light is the way to go. Aside from the weight of loads of gear you also have to organise it everyday which is a pain.

I'm half thinking of doing an Arctic circle trip next year with just two Kriega bags. A US-10 on the front and US-20 tailpack on the rear.
 
the trouble with pacsafe is you can cut through it easily with a simple pliers or leatherman. They are also expensive and heavy. :(

It also tells the opportunist that you have something worth nicking inside.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Bungy
Africa Twin pannier rails and soft luggage
Replies
17
Views
10,218
Bungy
Bungy
Wapping
K1600GT - New tank bags and tail packs from Touratech
Replies
3
Views
5,126
de crowe
Dave56
Tail packs & soft luggage - advice please
Replies
16
Views
3,878
THE DOCTOR
THE DOCTOR


Back
Top Bottom