Need luggage advice

[OrangeWindies]

I'm trying to work out what kind of luggage to get for my F650GS and I need some advice.

My main use is going to be weekend trips that'll probably involve some hiking and camping, so I need to be able to strap my rucksack to the bike. Some kind of hard luggage would be handy for storing my helmet and other gear (rather than carrying it up a mountain with me).

Would a top box plus some bungee cords to secure the rucksack be a good idea? Is the BMW vario top box any good, or am I better off with something else?

 

[Ceri JC]

I'm trying to work out what kind of luggage to get for my F650GS and I need some advice.

My main use is going to be weekend trips that'll probably involve some hiking and camping, so I need to be able to strap my rucksack to the bike. Some kind of hard luggage would be handy for storing my helmet and other gear (rather than carrying it up a mountain with me).

Would a top box plus some bungee cords to secure the rucksack be a good idea? Is the BMW vario top box any good, or am I better off with something else?

If you are going to store lid, gloves, trousers, jacket, etc. on a bike you either need full luggage or to be prepared to lock some of the gear outside the bike. A chain can be used to lock the lid (providing it has a chin guard)/jacket/trousers through the grab rails/frame. The gloves/boots can be locked in the top box. Personally, I carry my hiking kit in my hard luggage, empty rucksack on the back seat. Then at the destination, transfer contents of luggage to rucksac, then riding kit to luggage.

In terms of bungees, Rokstraps get rave reviews for tiedowns and with good reason IMO. One set of those should be more than adequate to secure the bergen. You can use some of the loose straps of the bag as "belt and braces" for if the Rokstraps fail, although this is really only necessary if you are paranoid.

As an aside, if you're into bike hiking, look at Altberg boots. They're great boots anyway, but they make some dual purpose hiking/biking boots. Not exhorbitantly expensive and they do made to measure ones at no extra cost. They are no compromise when it comes to hiking, unless you're one of these new fangled ultralight hikers who wear mountain trainers/goretex nonsense rather than proper leather hiking boots.

 

[OrangeWindies]

If you are going to store lid, gloves, trousers, jacket, etc. on a bike you either need full luggage or to be prepared to lock some of the gear outside the bike. A chain can be used to lock the lid (providing it has a chin guard)/jacket/trousers through the grab rails/frame. The gloves/boots can be locked in the top box. Personally, I carry my hiking kit in my hard luggage, empty rucksack on the back seat. Then at the destination, transfer contents of luggage to rucksac, then riding kit to luggage.

I managed to squeeze my helmet and all the other gear in the Givi top box I had on my old Kawasaki ER-5, but maybe that's bigger than the BMW top box? I hadn't thought about emptying the rucksack, thanks for the suggestion.

As an aside, if you're into bike hiking, look at Altberg boots. They're great boots anyway, but they make some dual purpose hiking/biking boots. Not exhorbitantly expensive and they do made to measure ones at no extra cost. They are no compromise when it comes to hiking, unless you're one of these new fangled ultralight hikers who wear mountain trainers/goretex nonsense rather than proper leather hiking boots.

The Altberg boots look interesting, although I'm generally quite keen on my Goretex boots

 

[mrsroynie]

I did about 15k miles around the USA in 2001 on a F650GS with a simple backback bungeed to the back. For a cheap fix, I'd recommend a 46l Givi topbox and a cargo net.

If you go for the whole hard luggage option, then I'd recommend Exped Waterproof Dry Bags as pannier liners. If you plan to travel and ship your bike abroad (don't discount this option) I'd recommend Musto Carry-all Sailing Bags. These are robust enough to go in the plane hold, but pack down into a neat pack for stowing in your bike panniers.

 

[Ceri JC]

I managed to squeeze my helmet and all the other gear in the Givi top box I had on my old Kawasaki ER-5, but maybe that's bigger than the BMW top box? I hadn't thought about emptying the rucksack, thanks for the suggestion.

Yes, the larger Givis are bigger than the BMW Varios (even when the Varios are expanded). Even so, good going; I had a 42L Givi on my SV and no way could I fit all my kit in that. I'd try it out before you go.

Out of interest, do you ride on your bike in the Goretex boots when you're bike hiking? I've ridden wearing my Zamberlans a few times bike hiking before I got the Altbergs.

 

[OrangeWindies]

Out of interest, do you ride on your bike in the Goretex boots when you're bike hiking? I've ridden wearing my Zamberlans a few times bike hiking before I got the Altbergs.

Haven't done all that much biking hiking before but now I'm living in Sweden and have a bike it seems like a good idea I did ride wearing my Goretex boots once or twice but somehow it didn't feel quite right.

I did about 15k miles around the USA in 2001 on a F650GS with a simple backback bungeed to the back. For a cheap fix, I'd recommend a 46l Givi topbox and a cargo net.

Sounds worth looking into.

 

[mikeTR]

My recomendation

On my bike I have the BMW soft luggage system, and can highly recommend it.

http://www.moto24.de/index.php?language=en&cat=1264&page=2&

The rear part extends to take double the capacity. It also converts quickly to a rucksack with the built in padded shoulder straps

http://www.moto24.de/en/bmw-motorrad/bmw-storage-and-luggage/f-650-gs-dakar/bmw-softbag-for-rear-carrier-f650gs-dakar-scarver

The front part attaches to the back part for even greater volume

http://www.moto24.de/en/bmw-motorrad/bmw-storage-and-luggage/f-650-gs-dakar/bmw-softbag-for-passenger-seat-f650gs-dakar-cs-scarver

This was mine fully loaded for a trip around Spain

And this is during the trip

MG]

 

[mikeTR]

oh and for the helmet, I use a pac safe

http://www.outdoor-ranger.co.uk/pacsafe-helmet-bag-lidsafe-p-13284.html?currency=GBP&language=gb

(web sites just randomly picked from google search

 

[OrangeWindies]

oh and for the helmet, I use a pac safe

Thanks, I hadn't seen those before. Looks useful. Looks like the soft luggage system isn't available for the post-08 F650GSs but that site does have pretty good prices for the vario panniers.

Anyone know if the BMW vario panniers can take a helmet?

 

[Ross Dean]

I'm trying to work out what kind of luggage to get for my F650GS and I need some advice.

My main use is going to be weekend trips that'll probably involve some hiking and camping, so I need to be able to strap my rucksack to the bike. Some kind of hard luggage would be handy for storing my helmet and other gear (rather than carrying it up a mountain with me).

Would a top box plus some bungee cords to secure the rucksack be a good idea? Is the BMW vario top box any good, or am I better off with something else?

Side panniers and a rear rack - make sure the panniers are strong enough to be used as a seat and/or table when camping. Side panniers keep the weight low down compared to a top box and can take more stuff. They also give you the option of strapping your rucksack and protected roll bag to the rear of the bike when extra luggage is needed ( http://www.outdoor-ranger.co.uk/pac...oof-80l-p-13288.html?currency=GBP&language=gb ). These can also be used to store bike kit (boots, jacket, helmet, gloves, etc) securely when you leave the bike for a hike or stroll around a new town - I use two, one for luggage and an empty one for kit storage as described. As for helmet(s) - a simple short code-lock flex cable attached to it/them and the bike would do it.

 

[walrus]

Thanks, I hadn't seen those before. Looks useful. Looks like the soft luggage system isn't available for the post-08 F650GSs but that site does have pretty good prices for the vario panniers.

Anyone know if the BMW vario panniers can take a helmet?

The bigger, non can side, vario comfortably takes a helmet.

 

[Ceri JC]

The bigger, non can side, vario comfortably takes a helmet.

...in the expanded position. As can the Vario top box when expanded.

They'll even take large helmets with a peak.

 

[OrangeWindies]

...in the expanded position. As can the Vario top box when expanded.

They'll even take large helmets with a peak.

Great, I think I'll go for the Vario panniers. It's interesting how much cheaper they are in Germany compared to Sweden, but then so's beer!