What I Hauled to Work Today

[davipu]

they were in the tank bag, but i had to get them out to get to the camera

[Flash]

I carry all my gear in my backpack for my daily commutes. Unfortunately, the straps are busted so I have to tie it down to the seat. I tried the whole bungie cargo net thing, but I never really like it  :guns: (see my earlier post).

I really like the adjustable Rok strap and would recommend it to anyone (see it in action below)


I would actually prefer the magnetic tank bag similar to what Kerry has, but I don't want one that is too big, yet still be able to carry all my stuff in it:
- waterproof jacket
- TREDS rain overboots
- water-resistant gloves (supposed to be waterproof :x )
- plastic tie-downs (for emergencies)
- eyeglass case
- various tools

Note: if anyone parks their bike in the garage, then I would highly recommend the Lift-Master Security+ model 970LM (third from the top). Its the smallest of the bunch and in my experience waterproof.

I'm seriously contemplating replacing my wornout backpack with this:

Anyone have any experience/comments on the Teknic Speedstar backpack?

[Rema1000]

I'm using the magnet-mount Held bag on the tank.  The magnet flaps cover-up the hideous ping decals .  In the map pocket, I have a map and garage door opener.  In the tank bag, I carry some tools, spare bulbs, and some polyester business clothes in ziploc bags.

On the pillion seat, I sometimes carry a Held strap-mount "tank bag", used here as a tail bag.  One strap goes under the seat, in front of the seat lock/posts; the other strap goes around the grab rail in back:



With a tall tailbag, you have to swing your foot pretty high to climb on/off.   It's a little awkward when you're tired and stiff.  

So what's in the tail bag?  Today, it's just a 10 liter jug, weighing about 20 lbs.  The weight isn't really noticeable while riding; perhaps it helps to have it forward, rather than up and back in a rear rack? :dunno:  It _is_ noticeable when you put the bike down on the sidestand, tho.

[proudlom]

Day to day things... I keep my toolkit, tire pressure gauge, registration/insurance papers, and a towel or rag under my seat.  For everything else I just use a backpack if I need to, or if it can fit properly, I'll stuff some things inside my passenger helmet if it's hanging in the helmet lock under the seat  
I don't like using my tankbag beacuse I find it annoying, so I've actually... never... used... it... but I might someday.  
Can anyone give me some feedback; I'm thinking of getting a net for the back seat but I don't know how good they are and what they're good for besides helmets?

[Kerry]

I'm thinking of getting a net for the back seat but I don't know how good they are and what they're good for besides helmets?

* Laptop case (as seen in the first post of this thread)

* Case of motor oil, although it will ... just ... fit in my (expanded) 12-liter tankbag

* Strapping down a sleeping bag and sleeping pad wrapped in a groundcloth, for those long camping trips (see Day 1 of my first trip to British Columbia).

I haven't used the net for much else....

[SmoothDave]

Yep, I use the cargo net to strap down the computer, but I'm paranoid, so I put an extra bungee or two over that.

I'd kind of like a tank bag.  Any suggestions?  I want something relatively big, because if it's going to be on there, it's because I need to put stuff in it.

Smooth Dave

[Hazmat]

I typically carry all my things in a backpack.  They oddest, and possibly stupidest thing I ever carried in my backpack was a gas powered chainsaw.  I could just imagine the looks I was getting driving down the highway at 120 with the blade sticking out the back of my bag.

Cheers.

[proudlom]

I'd kind of like a tank bag. Any suggestions?

My brother gave me his old tank bag, I don't like using it, but its a Joe Rocket and it would be pretty useful.  It comes into three pieces; the magnetic bottom and two large compartments.  Each piece zippers together and the sections are interchangable so you can have just one of or both of the compartments.  Each of the three pieces also has a clear pocket on top so you can put a map in there or something and see it no matter which "combination" of sections you choose.  It also turns into a backpack so you can carry it with you, but if it's full, that'd be one huge and awkward thing to wear.

[Rema1000]

I'd kind of like a tank bag.  Any suggestions?

If you want to put a computer in, get a strap-mount tank bag.  But if no computer, then the magnet-mount is pretty convenient.  If you have no windshield, and want to use it at full height at freeway speeds, then I'd trust a strap-mount tank bag more.  The magnet-mount bag comes with a safety strap, but if you have to mess with a strap, then what's the point of magnet mount?

Also, some bags have compartments.  Especially, some "expandable" bags have a different compartment for each section.  I like being able to expand the bag into one huge compartment, to hold bulky things like cereal boxes, frozen pizzas, etc.  If I need to organize the contents, I use smaller nylon bags or gallon zip-lock bags.

My map pocket will just barely hold a single page from a Rand McNally road atlas, if you fold it in half.  Since most maps are a 2-page spread, this means that I get 1/4 of a state map showing at one time.

The waterproof cover for the Held bag works well when the bag is expanded to full height.  But if the bag is collapsed to half-height, then the cover balloons itself back up to full height anyways.   So when using the cover, I expand the tank bag to full height (and fill it with crumpled newspaper or whatever) just so that the waterproof cover fits snugly.  

The bag keeps its shape well when half-height, but it kind-of "droops"  a bit when expanded.  If I plan to ride for a while with it at full height, I put a cardboard box inside to give it a firmer shape.

[conflicttheorist]

Davipu has now fully Impressed me.  I had maybe half that much stuff (although I probably shouldn't have tried to bring my weight set). Caraaaaazy.  My bike came with a rack, which I think is ugly.  But the thing is so useful I can't imagine not having it.  Usually just a back pack does the job, though.

[Cal Price]

This thread got me thinking, has anyone used the helmet hooks for carrying? I figure if I could knock up a couple of nylon or similar bags that were small enough to screw up and keep under the seat that could be hung on the helmet hooks and stabilised around the rear pegs to stop them flapping about it might be a usefull thing to have. I thought fairly small say about three or four half-litre cans. I might have a look for a suitable material and dust off the sewing machine, or poly-weld or glue something together. Any issues with the hooks???

[cajrovd]

Backpack: for almost everything (usually shoes, liner jacket, company backup tapes, etc.).

Cargo net: doggie-bagged food after dining out, oil containers, chain lube cans.

Jacket pockets: wallet, cell phone.

[passive357]

Pics Care of Kerry

: Here are the pictures Dave took the night he got back from his double-cross-country trip:

Dig those pipes!

wasnt that bike used in the filming of mad max, road warrior? eeeeck! dont forget your ear plugs.

[straightforward]

This is what I use: Givi E52



It holds 2 full face helmets / 1 helmet plus gear for my wife / notebook plus lots of stuff with ease, is waterproof, easily detachable and carried around like any other piece of luggage.

Also has a neat backrest and makes me feel much more safe for the pillion.

To abuse the old prejudice, it really is surprising that excellent quality stuff is made in Italy, considering:



... and immediate apologies to everyone who may feel offended - not meant that way - please feel free to add Austria in whichever way you might consider appropriate.

[Steve-C]

Glad I'm not the only one with the E52!

Great box, almost everything I need fits in there.

For away trips I add a pair of E360 cases, and a tank bag with custom cut foam inserts to double as a camera bag.  Saves space in the top box!

[Bluez]

I also have an E52 and it is the best thing I ever got for my bike, probably not the sexiest thing out there but as I use my bike everyday it makes it a lot more practical. Maybe someone can correctme but I never liked the idea of using a backpack/ Rucksack. I was always worried that if I came off it would get in the way of my ability to roll, so all the scrpaes would be in one place. Ouch  

[perfdrug]

i use an icon tankbag. i take it with me just about everywhere. i don't trust anyone in my city tho, so if i'm just going to dinner or something, and i know it's not gonna rain, i'll leave it at home.
otherwise, in the bag, are rain pants, shoes, some cash just in case, and i put my phone in it when i ride. it has a windowed top compartment for maps. genius idea. the magnets are quite strong, and the ingenuity of the bag amazes me. the backpack straps fit in a little compartment at the top, and the padded, sticky bottom, that rests on the tank, folds down and curls around to carry a helmet in when in backpack form.

smart bag.

http://www.kneedraggers.com/details/58-ICON-UTB

[Steve-C]

Don't think any case can be really sexy...but I go for practical over sexy anyday....

Never thought about a backpack stopping you rolling, I'm just worried about the awkwardness of the fall should you land on it, and the effect that may have on your spine!  Still the top case and paniers remove the need for me forever!

[Rema1000]

Is there room for a pillion and the E360 cases also?

[Steve-C]

I'm just under 6' tall, and I tried sitting in the pillion position with the bike on the centre stand.  I could still sit there quite happily with the cases on.

It really shouldn't be a problem, and the cases provide a good armrest!

I'll try and get a pic of the GS 2-up with all the cases on for reference.  Won't be til mid next week though.

I'm gonna be replacing the stock shock with something a bit stronger before touring 2-up though....or I may splash out on a more appropriate bike like a BMW K75.  They are cheap enough and insurance on them is not that much more than the GS.