Tail Packs & Racks?

[chilli]

Afternoon all,
I need to get the above for a forthcoming trip to Spain. However, does anyone know where I can get a good one from, and also the rack to hold it on??!! I'd feel safer with a proper "rack" rather than just the bungee cords.
I's appreciate any advice.

Cheers.

[Steve_T]

I have a tail pack from a firm named Luggage Locker in the US. It's used everyday commuting and is showing no signs of deterioration. It also keeps the water out. It's the only bike luggage I've had to date that's lasted and keeps its contents dry. Have a shuftie for yourself - www.luggagelocker.com/

>> Edited by Steve_T on Wednesday 3rd May 14:22

[dern]

It looks shite but I have a top box on the blade as it's my main bike and the box is completely and utterly waterproof under all circumstances and also secure in that you can't get it off the bike without a key or a hacksaw and in that it's lockable.

[chilli]

Steve_T said:

I have a tail pack from a firm named Luggage Locker in the US. It's used everyday commuting and is showing no signs of deterioration. It also keeps the water out. It's the only bike luggage I've had to date that's lasted and keeps its contents dry. Have a shuftie for yourself - www.luggagelocker.com/ >> Edited by Steve_T on Wednesday 3rd May 14:22

thanks mate, will do.

[chilli]

dern said:

It looks shite but I have a top box on the blade as it's my main bike and the box is completely and utterly waterproof under all circumstances and also secure in that you can't get it off the bike without a key or a hacksaw and in that it's lockable.

Cheers Mark....any idea where you got it from?

Cheers.

[dern]

chilli said:

Cheers Mark....any idea where you got it from?

M&P... get the one with the non-shiney finish because you'll scratch it plenty and be prepared for a fair bit of piss taking. BTW mine is a givi rack and box.



I could only get a top box for mine but if you have the choice get a wingman rack and then you can get 2 side boxes for touring which will lower the load height at the expense of filtering ability due to the increased width and use the top box for commuting where you'll want to filter and use all 3 to do the shopping

If I was to do it again I'd get one big enough to take my lid.

>> Edited by dern on Wednesday 3rd May 15:07

[black-k1]

If all you want is a method of carrying luggage while touring on a sports bike I would suggest you think very carefully about fitting a top box or large tail pack out over the rear light. It will impact on the handling when loaded and it will upset the bike in cross winds, especially if cruising at high speed on the motorways. It will impact on fuel consumption, again, especially if cruising at high speed on the motorways (It also looks cr@p)

If you don’t have a pillion then strap a tail pack to the pillion seat, as close to you as possible. This’ll keep the weight forward of the rear axle and will put the pack in the “sheltered” air space behind you. It’ll also ensure the bike is no wider/longer when it comes to filtering. Use non slip matting underneath (enough to protect any paintwork and stop slippage on the seat) and a cargo net with a couple of extra bungees over the top and it won’t move.

If you take a pillion then use panniers to keep the weight as low and as far forward as possible but don’t forget they are there if filtering.

In either case use a quality tank bag (Baglux comes with a tank cover – even better!). If you load it correctly it can be used to “lean on” and give the arms a bit of a rest if you are caught in slow moving traffic for any length of time but don’t overload it so you can’t reach the handlebars!

If you are riding solo, (and not camping) and can’t fit everything you need into a good tank bag and decent tail pack then you’re probably taking too much!

[chilli]

Thanks David,

Yeah, I'm not taking a pillion, so if it will be easier to ride, then the bag's going on the back seat!!

Cheers.

[DennisTheMenace]

dern said:

You have taken the domino's pizza stickers off . Looks loads better







I keep thinking about a rack and box for the ace , saves strapping the beer to the rear seat . Plus when you leave the sunday power rangers through the twisties it must upset them more

[sybaseian]

In the past I've ridden with the following:-

1.Baglux Alpha tankbag and cover
2.Soft, detachable panniers (expandable)
3.100Ltr soft bag across the rear seat and over the panniers (held on with cargo tie straps, not bungies)
4.Berghaus day rucksack.

All of this was when moving from Germany to Northern Ireland.

To be honest, the best way to tour is to only take the things that you are going to use. Get everything out that you want to take on the trip and then only pack every other item. I bet that you will still come back with things that you didn't use!

[rsvmilly]

I have a baglux tankbag and whilst they are pricier than the likes of Oxford, I can't tell you how much more convenient they are for filling up. No need to remove the bungees of the tank bag. Just pop a couple of catches and the bag hinges upwards.

For my forthcoming trip to France I'm going to just wear waterproof clothing and take a tankbag and an Ortlieb dry bag bungeed to the pillion seat. Should be at least 50L in that combination which should be plenty.

[dern]

black-k1 said:

If all you want is a method of carrying luggage while touring on a sports bike I would suggest you think very carefully about fitting a top box or large tail pack out over the rear light. It will impact on the handling when loaded and it will upset the bike in cross winds, especially if cruising at high speed on the motorways. It will impact on fuel consumption, again, especially if cruising at high speed on the motorways (It also looks cr@p)

I agree with most of that and would go for panniers if carrying a lot of weight around regularly. Having said that if you have no choice and want security etc then it's not that bad. The times it has caught me out was when flicking from one side to another (big pendulum) and when accelerating hard when fully loaded. With the daily stuff in it though (bag of daily clothes, lunch etc) It has an easily manageable effect on handling. I've never found any noticeable effect in cross winds although logic suggests that there must be one.

Basically I went for this because I got annoyed at the tank bag getting in the way, constantly leaking small amounts of water on to my day clothes and occasionally erasing all my credit cards when I left them in my trouser pocket. Didn't like soft panniers because I found them insecure and a general pain and leaky. Both tank bag and panniers were new oxford products kit.

Regards,

Mark

PS. Nice one about pizza express dtm... never heard it before

[sybaseian]

dern said:

Didn't like soft panniers because I found them insecure and a general pain and leaky. Both tank bag and panniers were new oxford products kit.

Garden refuse sacks - pack all your stuff in these first and then in the panniers. Same goes for hard luggage as well as not all are completely water tight either. As for insecure, I agree to a point but mine look more like a large soft case off the bike and I've had no problems with anything being nicked. Also I can keep them in the hotel room and just leave the attachment and clips on the rear seat for hooning when I get to my destination!

If you are going to use soft panniers, etc that touch the bikes body work, first make sure that you cover the relevant areas with duct tape and lots of layers. It's easier to get the duct tape off when you've got back home and you won't get any rubbing on the body either.

[Ballon]

chilli said:

Afternoon all, I need to get the above for a forthcoming trip to Spain. However, does anyone know where I can get a good one from, and also the rack to hold it on??!! I'd feel safer with a proper "rack" rather than just the bungee cords. I's appreciate any advice. Cheers.

I have done much touring over the years and always on sports bikes. Have tried all sorts of luggage from throughovers to harness fitted panniers, plus tank bags and rucksacks. The best system I have found by far is Ventura. New Zealand based co. makes high quality gear. www.ventura-bike.co.uk/products/products.htm

Rack system fits to bike and bag whichever you buy slides over frame could not be simpler, if no pillion rider then it sits over the seat and I've never had a stability problem. Always remember to pack heavy kit at the bottom of the bag. I also use Baglux tank bag which as Black K1 says is simplicity itself, only downside is that is you use the bag fully expanded then you cant see the instruments (RSV Mille before, now a Tuono), no magnets so phones and credit cards are safe.

I have Aero Spada plus sports bag (v useful if you dont want to use a tankbag.)

Hope this helps.

PS. Never leave home without black bin liners

[dern]

sybaseian said:

Garden refuse sacks - pack all your stuff in these first and then in the panniers. Same goes for hard luggage as well as not all are completely water tight either. As for insecure, I agree to a point but mine look more like a large soft case off the bike and I've had no problems with anything being nicked. Also I can keep them in the hotel room and just leave the attachment and clips on the rear seat for hooning when I get to my destination!

I can see what you're saying and did use bin bags for ages but for day to day use I've found that a top box is a lot less faff and mine has proved totally waterproof but I don't know about other types.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it's the best solution just the solution I have found that's best for me using the bike to commute in all weathers and also spending the odd w/e in france on it having tried several of the others so was offering it as an alternative. I've been very happy with it despite the shite looks and endless comments about express pizza delivery

[black-k1]

Ballon said:

PS. Never leave home without black bin liners

So true!

I find that lining the tank bag/pannier/tail pack with a bin liner before packing ensures that the pack contents stay dry and allows the best use of space when packing. Take spares in case your zips/catches put a hole in the bag. Also use sandwich bags for holding toiletries then pack them into shoes. Role, rather than fold, clothes as it reduces creasing and use socks/underwear to stuff into small corners. A carrier bag is useful to keep dirty clothes separate from clean clothes.

Have a great trip!

[chilli]

black-k1 said:

Ballon said: PS. Never leave home without black bin liners So true! I find that lining the tank bag/pannier/tail pack with a bin liner before packing ensures that the pack contents stay dry and allows the best use of space when packing. Take spares in case your zips/catches put a hole in the bag. Also use sandwich bags for holding toiletries then pack them into shoes. Role, rather than fold, clothes as it reduces creasing and use socks/underwear to stuff into small corners. A carrier bag is useful to keep dirty clothes separate from clean clothes. Have a great trip!

Sound like great advice....Many thanks!

[sybaseian]

dern said:

I've been very happy with it (topbox) despite the shite looks and endless comments about express pizza delivery

that's one reason I've never used a topbox.



If any one is touring this year - can I also suggest that you take a big roll of duct tape, loads of cable ties and a multitool. These will get you out of must situations.