Newbie Question - How do you carry stuff

As i said the other day im booked in to do my L'd course in 2 weeks and i am
trying to get myself sorted with some gear for when i ride to work. I need a
smallish bag to carry a few odds and ends (hat, wallet, jacket etc). I also
need to be able to easily take it off and carry it with me.

So would something like this be suitable for my XT?

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2456657218&category=32
628&rd=1


And no, i dont have anything to do with that auction in case you are
wondering.

Thanks
Steve

 

In aus.motorcycles on Sat, 31 Jan 2004 15:11:41 +1100

Tankbags are easy enough to get, and work well as long as they don't
foul your switchblocks, especially the horn. (Yes, that is experience
talking!)

I've got a tankbag like the one in the auction if you are in Sydney and
want to have a look to see if it fits. I haven't used it in years and
the T has a Bagster now so probably never will, I'll even sell it to
you.

Another alternative is a backpack, which stays with you and doesn't have
to be farted about with when you want to fill up.

If you don't want to carry it on your back when on the bike, then find a
smallish bag, fasten cheap occy straps to it, and put it on the seat
behind you, with the straps holding it to the seat. You used to be able
to buy such seat bags, maybe you still can.

Zebee

 

Just use a $10 backpack until you're sure about what you want.

 

If you've got a fouled horn, you mustn't be doing it right!!!!

Yessssss!!

 

In aus.motorcycles on Sat, 31 Jan 2004 21:47:26 +1100

Have you ever seen a de-horning tool?

Allow me to demonstrate....


Zebee

 

Which model XT do you have? Does it already have a rack or a flat expanse
for utilising as a securing point?

Hammo

 

Haven't they heard of magnets?

G

 

In aus.motorcycles on 1 Feb 2004 07:32:04 +1100

Well.. maybe they know there are plastic tanks out there.

Or people who have scratched the tank once too often.

Me, I'd say "haven't they heard of Bagster?"

Zebee

 

I've got one of them (in the ebay link).
Cam used it as a tank bag on the ancient GPZ600. When we got rid of the
steaming pile of GPX !@#$ I discovered by accident that it fits pretty damn
perfectly to the pillion pad of the YZF, which is good because I'm too lazy
to fit a rack.

Used for a couple of longer trips when the bagster (on the tank) capacity
alone just isn't enough.



K

 

I put optimax in my tankbag, and it fouled my switchblocks.

-----sharks

 

Which model XT do you have? Does it already have a rack or a flat expanse

Ive got a 1998 XT250. It does not have a rack, but it does have a flat area
behind the seat where i could hook up a backpack or something like Zebee
suggested.

Steve

 

Thanks for the offer but i am not in Sydney.

That was my original thought, but i dont really want to carry it on my back
while im riding.

Thanks Zebee, this looks like it might be the way to go. I'll have a look
around and see what i can find.

Steve

 

I have gear for the BMW but really only put it on when I go touring etc.
For the rest of the time I use a good backpack . I have two and one is a
Targus
that I use to carry my laptop to work Get a good comfortable backpack

 

Ah, the "modern" one. Go for the Sharkey method of x metres of shock cord.
One end tied to the flat are and the other with a loop to criss cross over
whatever you are carrying.

The XL250 I had for a while (Yes, I know its a Honda), I did a similar thing
with and could happily carry all manner of things, including 3 slabs of
petfood at "high speeds" and be sure they were going to be there when I got
off.

Cheers

Hammo

 

What goes on tour, stays ... oh, I see what you mean.

Works better than occy straps ... just tie loops into either end,
and maybe one in the middle if that's useful for your setup. The
best bit is, when you pick up that extra rally slab you can just
reconfigure the rope ...

-----sharks

 

I detect a superfluous *'l' and a missing #'s'.

 

Just an a, eh!

Hammo

BTW brother and his SO are in your neck of the woods as of next week. You
need a drinking partner?

 

Of course. You know the phone numbers. Got the geriatric MIL staying for
three weeks, so bed space is gorn, but happy to see them. Cellar is down to
sixty dozen, but we'll manage somehow.

 

They have a tent! Mostly camping about the island, and you can tease him
for dropping the VTR!

Hammo

 

Man; I wanna have 3 slabs of pet-food when I'm gettin'-off!!
Clem