The official: How do you carry baggage on your monster thread

[Labbedds]

So, heading down to socal in mid june with the duc, how do "you" carry baggage, hard bags, backpacks, luggage racks etc.... 

[duckwrench13]

I've always used a tank bag and a decent sized back pack. The trick to it, is to put the more frequently needed/used items in the tank bag, and the other stuff (i.e. clothing, etc.) in the back pack.

If you have a pack that has an option for a hydration system, by all means use it!! You can get dehydrated easily while riding... being out in the wind all day, not being able to drink as frequently as you would in a car, sun and radiant heat...and having a hydration system is a big help.  I've used one on my cross country rides from Austin to Atlanta, and from San Francisco to Portland.

Just remember that adding any kind of luggage, to you or the bike, will alter the handling and center of gravity of your bike. [moto]

And remember to take plenty of "get of and stretch" breaks.

Oh, if you really want to carry some baggage on your bike, you can take my ex-wife along!

[Labbedds]

No ex-wifes, ex-fiancee's or the like.  This ought to be fun.

[tigre]

Ventura Pak is the easiest way to carry large amounts of luggage.  Pretty easy to install and plenty of storage.  Not very cosmetic, but much more comfortable on a long haul vs. a backpack.

So, heading down to socal in mid june with the duc, how do "you" carry baggage, hard bags, backpacks, luggage racks etc.... 

[sonofabike]

Wolfman Beta Mini tail duffel.  I've used iti on 5 trips this year, between 3 and 6 days.  I know I can pack weeks worth of clothing (assuming a laundry day midway), pair of hiking shoes, a generous set of tools, my laptop, and a SLR camera kit.

With high mount cans, I found saddle bag options to be extremely limited.  Theoretically, you could rest saddle bags against CF cans since they really don't get all that hot, but I didn't want that sort of contact. 




A larger version of this, the Beta, is also available -- as well as weatherproof nylon style counterparts.  And you can buy an add-on duffel that straps on to the side of the bag too.

[remy]

That Wolfman Beta Mini seems perfect for all the traveling I want to do. Now the only limiting factor is the size of my tank!

[Michael Moore]

It's a lot easier with low mount exhaust - you can put on soft bags no problem. But DW is right - the tank bag is your go-to bag on a long trip. Stick your camera, clear shield, bug-b-gon cleaner, money, cell, maps, etc. all up there.

Personally I'm not crazy about riding long distances with a backpack. It just makes me that much more tired faster.

(Hint: if you take interesting roads it may take longer, but it'll *seem* like the trip goes faster.  )

[somegirl]

Personally I'm not crazy about riding long distances with a backpack. It just makes me that much more tired faster.

I might be the only one around that prefers riding with a backpack...the added weight makes leaning more effective for me.

[Popeye the Sailor]

By baggage normally just hangs out on the back, with her arms wrapped around me.....

[ROBsS4R]

Does my Ass or Gut qualify as baggage 

[Popeye the Sailor]

Does my Ass or Gut qualify as baggage 

Only if you regret them.

[ROBsS4R]

I used a Cargo Tank Bag that doubled as a Tail Bag.

It was really to big for the Tank with my stubby arms so I used it as a tail bag.

It basically rubbed all the gloss of my Cowl  I would avoid anything that has contact with the paint.

The bags that hang off the side would be the way to go IMO. Or like Paula said use a backpack all the time.
All I will be taking to Laguna this year is a small tank bag and backpack.

[MendoDave]

A Magnetic tank bag, and I use one of those Timbuk2 message bags. If you get tired of wearing it, strap the whole thing to the back seat with a Bungee net. But be careful, too much weight and the Bungee net might not hold. You could double up the net (use two) or Just use some bungee straps on top of the net for extra strength. I had a load of stuff slip off the side and get caught up in the rear wheel causing me to skid to a stop and i lost the rear fender in the proccess. So now I use more elastic and everything is fine.

Also with the magnetic Bag don't let it get around metal shavings or they will stick to the magnets and scratch the tank.

[Labbedds]

I just bought a tail bag off flea bay and it looks pretty legit, might pose a problem with the shotty exhaust but i'll make it work, those pipes don't get all that hot.  Plus, they had it on the back of a hypermotard, freakin' sold me meng.  Now just need to find a sweet Duc patch to iron on the sucker.  Thanks for all the responses everyone.   I'll take pics and post a review of how my 1000+mile trip to so-cal goes in the next 3 weeks.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Motorcycle-Sport-Touring-Tail-Bag-Luggage_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1638Q2em118Q2el1247QQcategoryZ84147QQihZ010QQitemZ200229445128QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD1V