Luggage solutions. (Picture request)

[Gringo_el_Bingo]

Evenin' all!

I've never done any bike touring before, so I'm looking for some luggage solutions, and I'm coming up short at the moment. Ideally what I'd like would be hard panniers (Givi, or the like), and a rack to strap tent etc to.

I'll be touring two up, so strapping to the seat is out. Is there a solution? I looked at the Givi Wingrack stuff, but the brackets to hold panniers alone (no top box) don't look like they'll accommodate a rack to strap my tent etc to.

Does anybody else tour this way, and if so, could I trouble you for a picture or two of your setup?

Also, is there a way of carrying 2 panniers, a top box, a pillion and strapping a tent/rollmats etc down? Might be a little hopeful there, but I thought I'd ask.

Thanks in anticipation,

Gringo.

 

[fivetide]

Might be best with soft luggage and a Renntec rack... I used that set up touring with a ninja.

Barrin that, the Givi stuff with top box etc should hold a small two man tent. The other alternative is of course hotels/cheap hotels. To be honest, we've alwways done that, cuts down the luge immensely and if it rains, there is at least a slight chance of not having to put on wet kit and set up a wet tent again the next night. Worth a few quid extra.

5t.

 

[Gringo_el_Bingo]

Fair point about the hotels, but I do enjoy camping. I'd quite like the option.

The Renntec rack is ideal, but I heard that throw over luggage can crack the rear plastics. Not something I'm willing to take a chance on if it's true.

I reckon you're probably onto something about getting a topbox that'd fit tent etc in it. There must be 50cm wide boxes...

Thanks,

Gringo.

 

[Spikeywan]

Check the load capacity of top boxes. The E450 will only hold 3Kg, whereas the E41 panniers will hold 10Kg each.

 

[ascar]

i use a wing rack 2 with both side cases and a top box you can fit a rack to the topbox so that you can strap a small tent to it . have a look at the givi web site and you will see it listed.
normally i put the tent and stuff on the rear seat but if you are carrying a pillion then it would have to be on the top box. with 120L+ there is loads of room to put stuff

 

[Gringo_el_Bingo]

Thanks guys, I think that's solved it. Top box for me instead of a rack, and I'll just have to buy a couple of bits that pack up a little smaller if they don't fit!

The missus will be happy too. She's been looking forward to a top box with a back rest. Lazy mare...

 

[Vinterceptor]

I use Honda panniers fitted to a modified Givi monorack and a small Givi top box (just for bits n pieces)

For carrying loads of luggage, the most practicle is prob the large aluminium cases ya find on BMW type adventure bikes, they also have racks on top of the cases..... most likely not a good look on a Bird:dunno:

 

[tok3078]

Fair point about the hotels, but I do enjoy camping. I'd quite like the option.

...There must be 50cm wide boxes...

Thanks,

Gringo.

There qre 50 cm boxes, try the Krauser K5 boxes + K-Wing system. If you buy it from Germany then you will save a fortune.

It has a nicer looking rack system than then the Givi and the build quality is excellent.

http://www.bikersoracle.com/blackbird/forum/album.php?albumid=19&pictureid=192

Also, it is a modular system, so top and sides are interchangeable and independent of one another.

 

[bmwdumptruck]

Thanks guys, I think that's solved it. Top box for me instead of a rack, and I'll just have to buy a couple of bits that pack up a little smaller if they don't fit!

The missus will be happy too. She's been looking forward to a top box with a back rest. Lazy mare...

You can always pack the tent in the top box and strap the pole bag under the top mounting plate. I did this for two years with my old BMW R1100RS back in 01/02. We had a pannier each for clothes, then tent, sleeping bags in compression sacks, and small blow up lilo mats all in top box. Personal bits then went in tank bag.
My other half won't camp anymore, so camping is now me and mates, and she only comes when we hire a house to share with a group, or stay B+B.
Givi wingrack is way way stronger than a renntec rack, you can always just use the givi top plate as a rack.

 

[Murt]

I don't carry a pillion, but have loaded the bird up for camping, top box, 2x smaller panniers, two man tent, sleep roll, and 'stuff' for a week..

The luggage didn't affect the handling at all, from low speed, up to exactly 69.99 mph ;-0))

Murt

 

[Saffie]

Oh my god someone vandalized your bike and sprayed it yellow!!

Hope insurance covers it :-0)

 

[Wolfie]

buying a tent that packs up small enough to get in the side boxes aint hard, BUT what are you using the tent for?? just to sleep in is fine, but to sit during the day, it could be a bit cramped dont forget you bike gear needs to get in there with you as well.

could always split the tent into 2 or 3 parts tent one side , flysheet the other, poles with the fly if small enough, then you have the problem of a warm sleeping bag that will pack small enough, they are out there but the cost rises, then the roll mat needs to go somewhere as well, air beds can pack small but are heavy,

look for walking or cycling camping gear. you can also get clothing that packs very small as well, you will be surprised how much room that top/jumper/fleece really does take up. wash kits are about that have everything you need into fold up tooth brush again it packs small and is light.

Stoves all in one (cooker pans etc ) aint cheap but are worth it, plate bowl cup, knive fork spoon etc all take up room take the small plate, you can always put more on it when you have eaten the first load.

we went 1 weeks holiday used a tank bag and 2 throw overs, everything was at its max, but half the stuff we took never got used.

have fun.

 

[mr tack]

hopefully the link will work

http://www.therevcounter.com/motorbike-touring-forum/40134-croatia-2009-a.html

ive used a givi rack and the panniers for years.
ive never used a top box as i prefer to use an ortlieb stuff sack (waterproof and extremly strong).the tent (a kyham 3 man) goes into the ortlieb bag with space to spare.
then tank bag.
never had a problem carrying the wife on the back.
kyham tents do a "biker" version which we use for uk rallies as its got a decent area at the front which takes all the luggage easily.BUT i prefer the old 3 man tent which has 2 entrances opposite each other which means you can open both entrances and get decent ventilation,handy when camping in higher temperatures .
they are heavier than most tent but they can be put up in less than 30 seconds and no farting about threading poles.and come down just as quick.

i bought a jetboil for cooking (mostly boiling water for coffee) which was a godsend as its not to bulky and very easy to operate.

 

[Gringo_el_Bingo]

Didn't want to start a new thread just for this question, so thought I'd ask it here:

Will a Givi Wingrack 2 with a fitting kit for a 2006 Blackbird fit on my 1997 model? Some websites list the fitting kit for my bike as "'97-'99", some list it as "'97-'01", and others list it as "''97-'09"!

I'm confused, and I can't seem to find a definative answer.

Any help greatfully appreciated.

 

[Duck n Dive]

I;m not aware of any differences ... fit one, fit all.

 

[Saffie]

This seems to work in Africa so might give it a shot here

 

[adam81]

I use Honda panniers fitted to a modified Givi monorack and a small Givi top box (just for bits n pieces)


For carrying loads of luggage, the most practicle is prob the large aluminium cases ya find on BMW type adventure bikes, they also have racks on top of the cases..... most likely not a good look on a Bird:dunno:

You got any close ups of the modification you made to fit the top box with panniers?
Cheers
Adam

 

[Vinterceptor]

You got any close ups of the modification you made to fit the top box with panniers?
Cheers
Adam

I took a couple of shots:

I used 2mm wall thickness seemless tubing for the lower rails (can't remember the diam) and 30mm x 15mm oval tubing (from the back rests off a couple of scrap office chairs) for the side rail extensions. The main locking U bar brackets are 8mm dia round bar. I also welded on a couple of extra mounting points so it picks up on the 4 grab rail screws rather than just the 2 like the standard rack.

Costs ?22 (for a tube bender) to make it and all the materials were scrounged foc apart from the original rack which I already had, which also has the standard givi top plate (not shown in pics)

 

[adam81]

Nice one thanks for that... looks pretty neat. I'll have to get on to my welding friend.

 

[dn1873]

Luggage

Givi wingrack and I agree with Wolfie, get yourself down to an outdoor shop...there the experts at minimum weight stuff. Tent.....Gelert Mongoose or Coleman Avior x1 will strap onto the rack on the top box. Stove...lots of folding ones..the best have the spider legs that collapse. Pan sets...amazing what you can get inside the pans when packed away...lay it all out and then through half of it away you wont need it.

Drew
dn1873