Tail Bag question- almost embarrassed to ask

[golgofett]

I just picked up a cortech tail bag for my 696 as it is the perfect size to take everything I need for work, without wearing a backpack.  I put the bag on but can't get on my bike with it on.  My legs are too short to throw over the bag and rear end.   I'm 5'8 with a 30 inch inseam.  I have thick legs too since I work em out quite a bit.  Any suggestions?

I was avoiding a strap mounted tank bag as it seems like a pain for getting gas and heard they can scratch. 

[Spidey]

Position your leg like you're stretching your quad, i.e. with your foot up by your butt.  Swing the leg over the seat while keeping your leg folded.  Then straigten out the leg.  Lean your chest into the tank as you swing your leg over.  It'll give you more clearance (and helps a lot).  Also if it helps, hold your leg folded. 

Alternatively, face the side of the bike and put your leg up and onto the seat (so that your leg is parallel to the ground and you're standing facing the side of the bike).  Hop on that way.  This is a little awkward, but it works.

[Raux]

i do the first method when i have stuff on the back.

[Porsche Monkey]

Step on the left foot peg then throw yer leg over.

[fastwin]

Step on the left foot peg then throw yer leg over.

+1!! I strap a decent sized duffle bag onto the back seat of my Hayabusa (my sport touring bike) when on long trips. I also have a 30" inseam so it is difficult for me to clear the duffle with my right leg. I do what Ducaholic suggested. When the bike is still on it's sidestand I grab the bars, stand on the left footpeg and do the high kick leg swing with my right leg. No problem. There has been no negative effect to the sidestand or left footpeg. Works like a charm and I am sure my big ass travel duffle is a lot bigger than your tail pack. Give it a try! [moto]

[Statler]

regular program of yoga and stretching  starting now for next season.   Everything else is a temp fix.   (29 inch inseam here). 

[He Man]

stretch before u ride,facing the bike from the left, shoot your leg out at seat height and brign it across the seat while u pivot on ur left foot.


or just get on it like a passenger. left foot on left peg then stand up and bring ur leg around.

[rule62]

How about the wild west-style, spring-board approach.  You know... how all the cool guys got on their horses in those old western films.  Run up as fast as you can from behind your bike, put your two hands on the tail bag, and use them to leap-frog yourself over the bag and into the saddle, um... seat.   

[Kopfjager]

How about the wild west-style, spring-board approach.  You know... how all the cool guys got on their horses in those old western films.  Run up as fast as you can from behind your bike, put your two hands on the tail bag, and use them to leap-frog yourself over the bag and into the saddle, um... seat.   

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[sroberts152]

Use the peg as a step. 

You have a link for this bag?

[Popeye the Sailor]

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/John-Surtees-Son-Killed-Henry-Died-In-Formula-Two-Racing-Accident-At-Brands-Hatch/Article/200907315341569

What does that have to do with tailbags?

[somegirl]

28" inseam here, it's tough but doable.  In addition to the suggestions on how to swing your leg over, stretching, keeping your leg folded, etc. you can also try grabbing onto your pants with your hand and pulling up a bit as you swing your leg over.  I always keep my left hand on the bars to steady the bike while I do so.

If I have stuff strapped on top of the tail bag then I use Spidey's second method.  It's not graceful but it works.

[golgofett]

Pulling my leg back to my ass worked fine, it's a little painful but only for a minute.  As far as stepping on the peg goes, my dealer told me to never sit on the bike supported by the kickstand.  He said it was not strong like a japanese bike and would cause thousands of dollars in damage if the kickstand broke off.  Is this true?

Also, the bag says no more than 10 lbs in it.  How do they come up with this figure? I just weighed my bag with my lunch (and ice pack) duty radio, and back up firearm.  It weighed in at 11.5 lbs but I still would like to add some extra small tools. Do you think this is an issue? I was thinking off maybe adding a tank bag just for the firearm.  I would die if my firearm fell of the back of my bike and I didn't know until it was gone.  I am going to look for other options before I test this out with my firearm.

[stopintime]

Pulling my leg back to my ass worked fine, it's a little painful but only for a minute. 

Once you have the leg over on the other side, you CAN let it drop - much better

Me, I wouldn't step on the peg other than when the bike is off the side stand. Balance the bike first and be quick to get the right leg over, then fall down on the seat with both feet quickly on the ground.

Spidey's two methods must be a lot better though


Weight in a bag should be as low as possible - it affects the handling. The reason why they say "max this/that" is that they won't risk being held responsible for a bag tearing off, hurting someone in an accident OR causing an accident by affecting the handling too much. In my experience, a well secured bag will carry more than 10 pounds without issues - it's just better if it's light.

[DucHead]

Just position your bike next to a fireman's pole, and slide down onto your bike...viola!