Luggage Fastening

[phanikar]

Use this thread to discuss how to load a bike with luggage. Might sound simple, but its not as much as it sounds.


Touring involves luggage to be carried, a lot for many and a little for few.


Luggage may include:
Backpacks
Tank Bags
Saddle bags
Panniers
Top cases etc etc


It is a very important aspect to have a look at your luggage before you start a ride. Any loose straps or bungee chords may prove fatal to the rider(and pillion , if present). Also it has to be kept in mind that the handling of the bike should not be compromised while loading the bike. Modern day saddle bags/tank bags and panniers are very helpful in increasing the overall luggage carrying capacity on the bikes. At the same time , it relieves the rider from carrying it on his back, which is highly not recommended. Packing your luggage into inside those panniers/bags is a different art altogether.


Key aspects to be looked into while loading the saddle:
*Load should be equally distributed in case of saddle bags or side panniers for better handling.
*If using a top case make sure the cantilever is not so long that the case hangs out of the bike.
*If using a backpack for travel, tie it to the back of the bike using bungee chords. Carrying a backpack on you for a long time is stressful and not recommended. At the same time carry spare spare bungee chords , just in case the one in use snaps.
*Make sure that the top case and panniers are properly fastened/locked.
*Keep in mind the ability/Power of your vehicle to carry the laden luggage.
*It is recommended to carry luggage which have a good number of outer pockets, it provide easy access to stuff like Phone/Maps/Water bottle etc etc, so that you dont have to open the complete baggage to find the necessary stuff
*Make sure that your luggage doesnt come in contact with the rotating wheel/ Silencer at any instant. This is more common in bikes with mono-shocks or swept silencers
*Travelling light is always recommended. touring is no fun if your bikes are loaded like this











@Mods: If any related threads are already existing, then kindly merge it with the same.

[antz.bin]

Thread Approved

[dual disc 200]

Nice thread Phani..Will be very useful for the upcoming ISG2G guys..

P.S. Suresh was talking about the logistics of the new helmet that you shipped y'day for him. Man you're Awesome...

[Eshan-P180]

My rides so far with luggage on board.

1) The R15 first picture carried a month's clothes and essentials, had bag packed to my cousin's place for a month, included my laptop and tablet also. Clicked at Shell bunk. Forward body lean, no stress on back, align the sack a bit higher on your back.

2) Had a P180, simple Tankbag mounting with DSLR and additonal zoom lens inside, along with 3 liter hydration pack. Both the pics have the same contents, 2nd and last pic.

3) R15 again travelling to Mapro Garden for a quick bfast. Bag contained, Camera+stock lens, Zoom lens, Jacket, One tee, essentials and 1 liter water-bottle.

4) The 2 helmet of me and my friend, had been on a short ride to Mumbai, avoid wearing a sack if you are riding and have a pillion onboard, Tank bag to the rescue. The pillion can wear your sack if possible. AVOID mounting of your sack on the tank with the straps wrapped around the handle bars, very risky.

[princesirohi]

ha ha ha.. those BMW's are carrying the load of a tempo...almost....looking like an overloaded lorry or something... its funny.

if you need to carry so much its better to choose 4 wheels.

one should always travel light.

[jalva]

One thing missing amongst the excellent points described above and the pics shared is the need to balance weight between the front and rear of the bike. Heavy saddlebags/topbox can be offset by a tankbag.

[daredemon]

Thanks phanikar for sharing this info...very useful..

[Traveller01]

Very nice points from Phanikar. Few points from my experience. 1. Ride carefully over speed-breaker as they can break a lot more than speed. 2. If you are carrying any tools or other sharp objects don't place them touching the bags surface otherwise your bag will feel a lot lighter after your journey ends. 3. Cover the seat & tank with a cloth before straping the bags.

[tamizhgeek]

Hi Guys,

A quick question. I use a saddle bag purchased from army stores Shivaji nagar bangalore. I used it on my recent trip to madurai. It fitted well but the bag kept sliding down to front seat and always came under bum after some time. How to fix the bag within the rear seat area?

Off Topic : Phanikar, I'm the one who met you near the toll gate after dharmapuri on 12 Jan'13. You were on your way to kolli hills right?

[The Monk]

Hi Guys,

A quick question. I use a saddle bag purchased from army stores Shivaji nagar bangalore. I used it on my recent trip to madurai. It fitted well but the bag kept sliding down to front seat and always came under bum after some time. How to fix the bag within the rear seat area?

Off Topic : Phanikar, I'm the one who met you near the toll gate after dharmapuri on 12 Jan'13. You were on your way to kolli hills right?

Which bike do you ride?

Other than fastening the bags at the bottom, also tie up the bags onto the grab rails. Tying it down ensures that it doesn't move sideways. Tying it to the grab rails ensures that it doesn't move front and back.

[phanikar]

Off Topic : Phanikar, I'm the one who met you near the toll gate after dharmapuri on 12 Jan'13. You were on your way to kolli hills right?

Yep , we were on the way to Kolli Hills. Its always nice to meet a fellow biker on rides. Hope you had a wonderful ride further

[tamizhgeek]

Which bike do you ride?

Other than fastening the bags at the bottom, also tie up the bags onto the grab rails. Tying it down ensures that it doesn't move sideways. Tying it to the grab rails ensures that it doesn't move front and back.

Sorry I'm a real bike newbie. I really don't know what a grab rail is. I assume it is the handle at the rear end of the bike. I ride a pulsar 220.
So we should tie it to the grab rails using a extra cord or something? Because my bags doesn't have anything to tie to rear end.

Thanks.

[The Monk]

Sorry I'm a real bike newbie. I really don't know what a grab rail is. I assume it is the handle at the rear end of the bike. I ride a pulsar 220.
So we should tie it to the grab rails using a extra cord or something? Because my bags doesn't have anything to tie to rear end.

Thanks.

Yes that is what a grab rail is.

I ride a P220 as well. Ya you can do that, use an extra cord to tie the bags onto the grab rail

[Sird]

Sorry I'm a real bike newbie. I really don't know what a grab rail is. I assume it is the handle at the rear end of the bike. I ride a pulsar 220.
So we should tie it to the grab rails using a extra cord or something? Because my bags doesn't have anything to tie to rear end.

Thanks.

Better use those bungee cords (I hope You're familiar with them)
They are a bit more comfort in tie.

[rachitkohli]

Check this a friends 220 to give you some better idea..


tied with the help of bungee chords which has hooks on the ends. They are hooked to saree guard of footrest. The handle of saddle bags are hooked onto the grab rails so it wont slide forward.



and later are few images of luggage on my karizma & cbr

It has saddle bag & an air bag on top of it. The luggage is covered with taadpatri to protect from dust & rains.. Very safe..


This has a saddle bag with clothes & bike spares, an air bag & a sleeping bag on top of it. Gives nice back support to while rides.





Saddle bag on CBR




Pillion and saddle bag