Luggage options

[BretMorris]

Hi Forum members,

I am thinking of going to the MotoGP this year, traveling from Adelaide to PI.  I will need to carry sleeping gear, tent etc so am thinking about what sort of luggage options might be best for my S4R.  I am interested in what other forum members use to carry stuff on long distance rides.  I am not too keen on the permanent structures like the Ventura systems but am open to ideas.

Any advice on options would be great

Bret

[stopintime]

I think this one is the best I've seen so far  http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productview/916/658/
For the tent they have this  http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productview/923

I didn't know about it and wouldn't have been able to afford it, so I have a tank bag plus a tail bag - 40L combined.
This year I'm camping and will try to strap the new items to the bike and/or the existing bags.

Keep us informed when you decide

[goldFiSh]

A group of us travelled from Syd to PI earlier this year, although we did not carry sleep gear...

Dockstrada had a ventura on the S4Rs.
Mattyvas used a pair of throwover panniers on the M620 (dual sided low mount pipes)
I had a single large tail pack that was strapped on to the seat (without the cowl)
Heatherp had a ventura as well
Mostro900 had the sherpa, complete with hard (and expandable / lockable) panniers and top box

Given the S4R has the dual high pipes on one side, and that you are going to carry a reasonable amount of gear, your best bet will be with a rack and bag. The rack provides a load platform for tents and the like, and lots of ways to strap things on.

It can be done without a rack, no question, but the rack will make it a lot easier to carry more. Some pics (sorry I can't find a pic of heathers setup

goldFiSh


Mattyvas


Dockstrada


Mostro900

[brimo]

The Ventura rack isn't really permanent as such, you can take the main upright off with two knurled nuts in about 2 mins and that only leaves 2 fairly unobtrusive rails, even then it's only four bolts to remove the whole thing if you want.
I do like the ventura as it has plenty of pockets, is well made and you can zip on an extra bag to give you more storage.
Mine stays on the bike all through the week as I carry a fair bit of stuff to and from, and then I lift off the rack and pack together when I go scratching. A couple of rubber plugs on the end of the tubes and it's barely noticeable.
I do recall seeing a single side pannier that's available for the S*R but at the moment can't remember where.

[craigo]

I did PI with a tailbag and tank bag. managed to pack plenty of stuff in, without needed to expand either of the bags to their full potential:



I reckon if you can find one of those one man or two man alpine tent and strap it on somewhere you'd be right.

[stopintime]

.......
..........

I do recall seeing a single side pannier that's available for the S*R but at the moment can't remember where.

Single and dual side:

http://www.ducati.com/shop/product.jsp?catid=cat970159&prodid=96740303BA
http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productview/2844/658/
http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productview/4408/658/

[heatherp]

I'm a bit of a ventura fan.  After the superbike trip I went camping at the Port Fairy Folk Fest for four days. I  took a two 'person' tent, sleeping bag & thermarest mattress as well as the 35 litre bag and the compulsory 'folkie' chair that I hardly ever use     I have two 35 litre bags that zip together for longer trips away.  This is probably the most I would load up my bike.


And then when I'm not loaded up I have a small rack which also has a bag that can carry maps, camera, jumper and a six pack or bottle or wine or two! 

I bought a bagster tank cover and tank bag but I find the bag gets in the way and hampers my riding as it's too tall.

[goldFiSh]

If your brake light still visiable when loaded like that?

[heatherp]

If you're driving a mini - yes 

and yes I did check given the sorry state of misdemeanor points on my licence.  I only had to go 100kms down country roads loaded like this.

I would pack better if I were travelling further abroad. (Guess who's just qualified as a TESOL (teaching English) teacher??? )

[DosVerde]

If you're driving a mini - yes 

and yes I did check given the sorry state of misdemeanor points on my licence.  I only had to go 100kms down country roads loaded like this.

I would pack better if I were travelling further abroad. (Guess who's just qualified as a TESOL (teaching English) teacher??? )

Well done, so is that what you were studying in Melb?

Here's a pic of my overloaded bike on it's way to P.I. last year, I wouldn't recommend going too far like this...

[heatherp]

Yep, so I'm now gonna be the english grammar nazi!!!   (Jukie please find me a suitable smiley  )

Looks like you're packed for the folkie too?

[ducmeister]

Congratulations Heather.  (I think I just said that in another thread too.)

I've always used a couple of throw-over soft panniers that I bought a couple of years ago in the States.  I guess that they aren't much good if you have high mount pipes but I find that capacity is all I need for trips up to a week or so.  For me the secret is in what I pack, not so much what I pack it in.  Having done a fair bit of overseas travel, overnight hiking, and even a bit of bicycle touring I've managed to get together a reasonable collection of stuff that is lightweight and packs down small.  There is so much more good gear out there now than there used to be so it's worth the extra time to hunt it down.