what luggage for a trip to the swiss alps

[oly]

The dilemma is this:
I am going on a trip to the swiss alps, including stelvio etc in august.
I have a 2010 gsa.

Shall I take the alu panniers and top box i have so i have plenty of space but also plenty of weight which will be a hinderance on the passes.

or Shall i take off the panniers and go with a top box and seat bag for the sleek look, so i can chuck the bike about but not have as much luggage space

or do i sell the the gsa and buy a ducati 1198 for the trip?

 

[John Armstrong]

Shall I take the alu panniers and top box i have so i have plenty of space but also plenty of weight which will be a hinderance on the passes.

Carrying lead weights in the panniers?

For me the extra security that loackable luggage gives is worth any extra weight / increased width issues. Also the panniers make nice, but expensive, extra crash protection

 

[wingnut]

Hi

I have just done a quick trip to Spain, France and Portugal on a standard GS1200, I ditched the top box and rear seat and had an Ortlieb water proof bag across the rear panniers and rack (the one underneath the seat), I secured it with bungees and a pacsafe mesh cover (it only had cheap and cheerfull camping gear in it) for security. I reasoned that the bike would handle better with most of the mass more central, and without a heavy top box at the back upsetting the steering, it seemed to work quite well, although it did piss down for most of the trip so I spent most of the time just dawdling along.

Just a thought.

Wingnut

 

[pistonbrokescooby]

bag

hi
last year done france ,switzerland ,italy, rained every day bar the last day,stelvio was snowing near top and ice , june time. ortlieb dry bag was my only saviour . now only travel with dry bags ,simple cheap and don't weigh anything.

 

[GADGET]

Take all the boxes, pack light (be ruthless), ditch the panniers when you get there. If you are travelling solo you could move the topbox to the forward mounting position to help with weight distribution.

 

[luckylucian]

Hi

I have just done a quick trip to Spain, France and Portugal on a standard GS1200, I ditched the top box and rear seat and had an Ortlieb water proof bag across the rear panniers and rack (the one underneath the seat), I secured it with bungees and a pacsafe mesh cover (it only had cheap and cheerfull camping gear in it) for security. I reasoned that the bike would handle better with most of the mass more central, and without a heavy top box at the back upsetting the steering, it seemed to work quite well, although it did piss down for most of the trip so I spent most of the time just dawdling along.

Just a thought.

Wingnut

+1 for drysack on pillion seat, keep the mass central. Security not much of an issue if you are riding passes all day, then into cheap hotel at night

 

[Narcoda]

I have a GSA and the standard panniers and top box- I find with them loaded to capacity that the extra weight add another dimension to the ride, the extra weight is stabilising if you distribute the load evenly.
You can't accelerate as aggressively, but if you wanted to do this you would take a sports bike anyway... only thing you need is to watch how you load them (evenly) and you wont notice they're on...

 

[GSband]

Put topbox in place of pillion seat, works wonders for weight distribution. Really.
Once arrived, remove panniers, and topbox'll be handy for helmet/GPS/costly items while you're visiting.



Cheers, GSband

 

[Dainese Brave]

I've thrown my Gs about through many a pass with all luggage and top box fitted, and fully laiden, without a problem.

I'd always go with hard luggage...and if theres spare space it always comes in handy.

 

[cookie]

i always find carrying luggage/pillion around the passes on a GS is never as much of a hinderance as i imagine beforehand.

i just forget about it after a while.

 

[oly]

luggage

thanks for the comments, I didnt know i could move the topbox forward.
I am going solo so no pillion.

 

[DavidJames]

thanks for the comments, I didnt know i could move the topbox forward.
I am going solo so no pillion.

Worked well for me, but I only needed a few days worth of clothes on the trip I did.

 

[oly]

looks good

how do you move the top box forward?

oh, by the way you were crap in nets for england at the world cup

 

[rdover]

4,500 miles in 23 days riding in Norway/Sweden with full ally panniers and 54l Topbox without any hassle. I now find the bike to be very light, tippy and with rock hard suspension

 

[DavidJames]

how do you move the top box forward?

oh, by the way you were crap in nets for england at the world cup

I was better than the other numpty FFS!!!


If I remember correctly there are four Torx bolts and nuts holding the top box mounting plate in place. Remove them and the seat and move the plate forward inline with corresponding holes in the existing frame and re-attach.

It is very simple - but quite fiddly to hold the nuts in place whilst re-fitting.

 

[cookie]

moving the top box forward looks even more crap than having it mounted conventionally, and will make getting on and off a pain.

 

[earthmover]

i always find carrying luggage/pillion around the passes on a GS is never as much of a hinderance as i imagine beforehand.

i just forget about it after a while.

And the pillion makes a good spotter for traffic on the tighter passes as he/she can look further up the road while you concentrate on the corner.
Mark

 

[GSmonkey]

I'm off to Switzerland next week and the Stelvio etc. My tactic is this:
-Full Ali Panniers and TopBox
-All heavy stuff at the bottom of the panniers
-Bulky stuff in a dry sack on the pillion seat (don't move the box there as you'll have to do karate kicks to get on and off the bike and look a nonce)
-Put nothing in the topbox. This can then be used for your lid when you stop and food that you might get for the day.

Once you get into the trip your bike will feel funny without the weight. You just adapt and it certainly won't spoil your enjoyment.

 

[AlanWM]

Did Alps ride last week - never had any problems enjoying the ride with luggage...

 

[stolzy]

i always find carrying luggage/pillion around the passes on a GS is never as much of a hinderance as i imagine beforehand.

i just forget about it after a while.

Agree, completly. Never really notice them after the first hour.

If it helps at all, its bloody hot in Europe at the moment - 32C every day in France and environs and no sign of change in the next week or so, save the occasional evening thunderstorm