GStwin.com GS500 Message Forum

A while back someone asked about bungee nets.  I never got around to taking any pictures, because I figured the luggage racks on my bike would not give an accurate impression.

But this morning I thought ... what the heck?

(http://www.bbburma.net/MiscFotos/100_1554_AtWorkWithTankBag&Laptop.jpg)

I rarely haul my laptop to and from work, but the past few days I have needed it.

On the other hand, I ALWAYS bring my tankbag.  This morning it had the usual stuff:

* dark faceshield
* hand sanitizer
* 18mm wrench and towel (for checking the oil & plugs)
* scrap of plastic siding (to put under my sidestand)

PLUS

* a large plastic jar of applesauce (to put in the fridge for lunchtime snacks)
* my newly-rebound Haynes manual ( in case I need to scan something for anybody)

Tomorrow it will likely hold some on-sale-for-$1 frozen dinners for the next few days' worth of lunches.  The day after that ... who knows?

Now for the real reason I created this thread.  I wanted to ask....

What kinds of configurations do YOU use to get YOU and YOUR STUFF to wherever it is you go?

At the moment I'm more interested in your day-to-day jaunts than in long-haul trips, but all are invited.

I have some at home on the puter so it will have to wait untill I get off.

I use a backpack for to and from work, but when I bring the laptop with me it goes across my shoulder and lightly rests on the seat.  I use the bungee net to then strap the backpack down.  Don't know why, I just feel safer with the laptop on me, instead of the bike.

I often get boxed shipped to me at work, (Amazon and such) and I use the net to bring them home.  If it is a large box I turn the net 45 degrees - the back hook on the rear bar, two side hooks on pegs, and leave the front hook loose.  The box can't move forward because my arse is there.

I don't leave anywhere without my tank bag.  I carry my shoes and pants for work in the bag.  I have the same Tourmaster you have.  The best $70 I have spent.  I also carry along my manual, towel, spare sheild, mini first aid kit, leatherman tool thingamajig and mini mag flashlight.  When I need to carry more I use a tailbag I purchased from vtlion.

Small backpack/bookbag, containing skirt, heels, minimum amount of purse stuff, phone, a banana for my snack and keys to the office.  The mister just treated me to a new, blue bungee net to match my new, blue GS500F, but I'm going to be looking for a tankbag instead (no offense, sweetie--a tankbag is just easier to deal with once I get off the bike).

Tankbag for all my stuff.  Rain gear, cause it always rains when I leave it at home of course.  Lunch clothes... whatever.  I try to avoid laptops and large items.   :mrgreen:

For small things like a few tools, sun glasses and the odd honey-do purchase from the store, I use a tank bag. Then for the computer I use a padded backpack.

jnosal
Yellow 99 GS500E

I use a medium sized Givi topbox on a rack, i think it's a 35/36 litre model, in this I carry a pair of waterproof leggings, toolkit, slightly enhanced and one of the aerosol puncture repair kits. This leave plenty of room for any bits and bobs I may collect during the day. Also in the box is about 5m of string and a couple of bungees, for emergencies, last time I used the bungees was when I could not quite close the box having just bought one of those paper-shredder gismos. With the aid of the key the box can easily be romoved and used as "hard luggage" but I generally leave it in place.

My other half is not, at the moment, able to get out and about, so I do all the shopping, I tend to shop French style, little and often, buying pretty much for the next meal only, foreward planning does not enter my thinking. For the boring-but-essential stuff a mate and I have a day out in France or Belgium every six weeks or so filling his people carrier with stuff.

If I'm doing the catfood run locally or shoppping for more then the usual I use my Oxford "One" magnetic tank bag which is a great bit of kit very usefull.

A great advantage of the Givi is that I can just about get my fully armoured winter jacket into it and use the seat hook for the helmet so I am not lumbered with all that kit if I want to have a wander about somewhere.

One of thse days I WILL do the England to Istanbul run I have been threatening to do for years, I guess I'll invest in some hard panniers or perhaps a Honda Deaville (NT650V) or maybe even a Pan-Euro(ST1300ES) possibly one of those big beamers but I think the GS is more my style, I travel pretty light, three weeks in the med with less than hand luggage allowance is fairly typical for me. Most of my mates use backpacks, I have nothing against them but I am not too keen on the constricted feeling around the shoulders.

For work I just stuff lunch in a paperbag and stick it between my stomach and my jacket. Luckily I don't need anything else for work, and I dont have much of a stomach. If I need anything for special trips I use a bungee net, but I don't stick it over the top like Kerry. I wrap it under my seat and bungee it from the inside of the plastics. This takes a lil while but then my paint won't chance getting scratched.

Oxford Tank bag.

that's usually it.

(http://www.bmts.com/~martin.lepage/biketrip/002.jpg)

Minus the big backpack.

DUCT TAPE!! :)

i just have a cargo net, i'm a simple girl, if i can't fit it in my pockets i don't need to carry it, and if i go on long trips with the family, since my parents have a harley, they will put stuff in the bags for me.

Quote from: pizzleboy

:o

Just so everyone is clear on this, the picture of pizzleboy's fully-laden bike is the BEFORE pic for the long-distance trip he and his wife went on recently.  (See the thread Well, I'm back! (http://www.gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10143))

I'd say the overall result deserves a "Nicely done!"

Here's what I use for day-to-day hauling...hehe. :mrgreen:
(http://www.ai.sri.com/~dost/web_images/pocket.jpg)

Seriously though, I use a backpack for the laptop and any other things I might need at work.

My tankbag is mostly filled with my lunch, but also my security badging to get on site at work.  Its much easier to just hang the plastic card out between the zippers than to dig around my pockets with gloves on.  And fortunately the security guards don't ask me to take my helmet off when comparing my photo to my face, I just raise up my faceshield.

Also, I keep a state map opened to my area of the state in the map window of the tankbag, just incase I need to find a long way home ;)

I specifically put GIVI bags on my YZF to have secure storage on my bike for carrying stuff.
(http://www.knology.net/~ARS/images/GiviCatBack.jpg)
WHEN SOMEONE BUYS THIS BIKE (http://www.gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10354), I will also put them on my next GS, they are that convient.

I usually don't carry a tank bag now a days since I have the boxes. But I did miss having one to lay on while on a trip to Florida this weekend.

I NEVER ride with a backpack after reading about a guy who broke his back and became a parapaligic <sp> after crashing with one on.

manofthefield, those security passes are quite an issue where I work. I used to bugger about with it on a snake chain around the neck then hit on the idea of putting one of those plastic holders on my handlebars secured with a couple of cable-ties. Until recently we had the magnetic strip and picture type that you had to put into a machine like an ATM card but about six months back we switched to passive transponders so now i have it attatched to the back of my right glove and all I have to do is shove my hand in the general direction of the reader. As for the face-picture double check, it don't often get done but I have a flip-up lid which makes it very simple. Around my neck whilst on-site I wear a scanned-in fake that has so far not been spotted.

I use just a plain 'ol timbuk2 "el oucho" messenger bag...It has lots of pockets for my cell phone, security badge, wallet, etc. It's also waterproof and very comfortable. Fits the laptop, shoes, and pants for work. When I go riding on the weekend, just bungee the bag to the bike and go.

http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/byobclassic.t2

Quote from: davipuI have some at home on the puter so it will have to wait untill I get off.

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

Dig those pipes!


I guess Dave got his money's worth out of that Cheng Shin Hi-Max 130/90-17 rear tire!


Hmmm ...  he must have unloaded the air conditioning unit and the BBQ grill before he took the pictures....  :lol:

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

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 (http://www.gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10043&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=rok)).

I really like the adjustable Rok strap (http://www.aerostich.com/riderwearhouse.store/EN/product/9051-9055-1) and would recommend it to anyone :cheers: (see it in action below)

(http://img78.photobucket.com/albums/v254/Flash_gm/Flash_96_GS500.jpg)
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 (http://www.treds.com)
- 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 (http://www.aerostich.com/isroot/riderwearhouse/sitemap/catalogs/1316.html) (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:
(http://img78.photobucket.com/albums/v254/Flash_gm/Teknic_SpeedStar_backpack.jpg)
Anyone have any experience/comments on the Teknic Speedstar backpack (http://www.teknicgear.com/pages/collections/luggage/speedstar_backpack.html)?

I'm using the magnet-mount Held bag on the tank.  The magnet flaps cover-up the hideous ping decals :thumb:.  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:

(http://gs500.specialgreen.com/img/loaded-up.jpg)

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.

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  :roll:
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?

Quote from: proudlomI'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....

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

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.

Quote from: SmoothDaveI'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.

Quote from: SmoothDaveI'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.

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.

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??????

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.

Pics Care of Kerry

Quote: 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. :thumb:

This is what I use: Givi E52

(http://1x1xl.com/dl/foto/me_on_GS.jpg)

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:

(http://1x1xl.com/dl/foto/heavenhell.jpg)

... 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.

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!

(http://steve-c.smugmug.com/photos/43163289-M.jpg)

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  :?

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

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!

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

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.