Luggage solutions. (Picture request)

[MAG man]

Lightweight but bulky items like sleeping bags can be strapped on top of the side panniers, and your pillion will appreciate the armchairness of your creation, although getting on is a little trickier.

Buy microfibre towels from camping / hiking equipment shops. I have a "giant" size that is the size of a large bath towel, but folds up to the size of a tea towel. Wife didn't appreciate the expense (about ?15) until we went trekking in Peru last year and I had bought one each for her and the kids plus a small hand towel size each. They saved so much space and weight that my wife was converted and is now the first item packed whenever we go camping, holidaying etc, even if we go in the car. They also dry much quicker than conventional towels.

 

[tabletenniser]

Dont laugh, buy a sidecar, there Iv said it.

 

[Gringo_el_Bingo]

Mornin' all!

Thanks for the pics etc. Very usefull. Thought I'd let you know my solution to the storage issue...

Get the missus to learn to ride her own bike! Job done.

She's now riding her own bike, so with a top box and a few bits strapped to the seat, I'm all set.

Now for the next question (didn't want to start a new thread for this): camping chairs. What's the smallest packsize about?

I've got one of those tripod stools things, but I've discovered that after 3 beers, I fall out of it. Frequently.
I've also seen the "Kermit Chair" which looks amazing, but costs $130. Too much money for me.

So I'm after a chair, with a backrest, which folds down to something around the 50 - 60cm length.

Any ideas / suggestions greatly appreciated...

 

[MAG man]

Inflatable armchair;

http://www.funkyleisure.co.uk/inflatable-flocked-armchair-1600-p.asp

 

[adam81]

Inflatable armchair;

http://www.funkyleisure.co.uk/inflatable-flocked-armchair-1600-p.asp

Agree with this, but don't buy a flocked one, repairing flocked air beds is always a pain to get to take.

 

[noobie]

http://www.yogakit.com/backjacks.htm

http://www.cybercheckout.co.uk/camping-accessories-folding-camping-chair/

any good?

 

[Gringo_el_Bingo]

Cheers for the links Noobie. The yoga chair looks like a possibility, but it's still (sort of) sitting on the floor, albeit a little more comfortably.
The other one you've got there is packed to about 85cm in length, which is a little too long.

Inflatable chairs just seems silly for me, as I'm a smoker. 2 beers and 1 tab and I'm fairly sure I'll be sitting on the floor again!

I'm thinking of making my own version of the Kermit chair. I'll let you know how I get on!

 

[bmwdumptruck]

The other one you've got there is packed to about 85cm in length, which is a little too long.

Thats all I take with me, it straps across the rear seat with the tent, its narrower than the panniers, even if I only take my small panniers.

I just keep forgetting to strap it in front of the tent instead of on top where it completely blocks any view in the mirrors:wank::wank:

 

[barbancourt]

Hi, I just joined this forum, and saw the pic of ur bike with the original Honda panniers. I already have a Givi monorack for my topcase. Some "experts" told me that it was not possible to combine the Honda panniers with the Givi rack. Could you pls tell me how you fixed it?

 

[DEG5Y]

I used the the Givi system last year 2x E35 and a V46 top box, more than enough space and not the slightest effect on the handling.


ps. Is Yellow the slowest BIRD as you don't see many of those?

 

[ScottyUK]

I'm now looking at hard panniers. I can get colour matched Honda panniers with the "stay kit" for ?350 instead of the ?600 list price.

[1] Would I need anything else?
[2] Could I fit my Krauser top box plate on?
[3] Is there a better/cheaper solution for hard panniers?

 

[SkimpyWan]

Hi,

I have a just done my second European trip (4,000 miles down to San Marino and then 3,800 miles around Spain) and I have used a Givi Wingrack 2 with E55 and E45 keyless panniers. We had 13 stone of luggage on the first trip (to much as the bike was too top heavy, but the luggage and bike will take it).

I would agree that cheap hotels are the way forward, although not as much fun. Saying that we knew where to stop and dry out, as well as wash kit etc.

For stop starting and sight-seeing I would recommend a safepac 80 litre as it held boots, trousers, jackets, gloves, base layers and helmet. Which meant we could look around all day and jump back on the bike. Now we have them I wouldn't go anywhere without them and we aren't tied to where we stop!!

The only other advise I would give is if your planning on going by ferry or short stops, pack all you both need in your top box. This way you can take what you want when you go to your room and don't carry everything in two trips etc.

Happy riding and remember, wear ear plugs so you can't hear her telling you to slow down (speeding fines abroad are so much cheaper than track days!!!!!!!). :yo:

 

[smedly]

Quick question as I've never fitted a top box to my bike

Once I have the mounting plate for the bird do all the boxes have standard fittings is it that easy ?

 

[ceoils]

I have a motec system on mine so you can get different base plates that fasten onto it with 4 1/4 turn screws Mine is for the monkey givi stuff. Monokey is for larger volumes and bikes but there are some nice monolock givi big stuff. they are not compatible with each other. be wary of buying monolock stuff of fleabay as the pic may not show correct size as these are used on scooters etc. was nearly caught out by this once. box looked great phoned em up agreed deal went to look at it and collect and was a tiny thing to small for even a open face lid.

nobby

 

[Duck n Dive]

Quick question as I've never fitted a top box to my bike

Once I have the mounting plate for the bird do all the boxes have standard fittings is it that easy ?

Sort of ... almost all boxes you tend to see these days are either givi or their cheaper cousin kappa.

The kappa fitting seems to be almost the exact opposite to givi so you can't swap them over.

Kappa baseplates etc tend to be plastic.

So, basically once you decide which type then yes .. it's plug & play.

You can interchange by fitting the correct baseplate for the topbox onto whichever rack you have.... but ... the 'bird rack fitting is quite wide so some of the baseplates for the smaller boxes (i.e. scoot types) won't fit without some messing about.

I've not used the sw motech stuff, so can't advise on that.

 

[ceoils]

mine is motec base with givi monokey plate (made by motec) and I can use any of my kappa /givi boxes as long as not monolock. basically the retsaining studs that the box slides onto are a different distance apart so are not compatible with each other.
But a plate to fit monkey this is the one that will fit the majority of boxes out there for sale. I have givi side boxes 35 ltr a givi top box 40 ltr and just bought a kappa 52 ltr all fit the same plate as all are monkey.

nobby
nobby

 

[smedly]

at this point all I'm interested in is a top box of reasonable size, so all I need is to buy the correct plate that fits where the rear handle is then buy a box, is this correct ?

 

[Oldbull]

Think we mite be confusing you a bit Smeds,
All monokey boxs will fit all monokey plates, be it Kappa or Givi or whatever, its the bits that bolt the plates onto to the bike itself that vary. You can easily adapt them to suit tho mate.

I have the Motec Base with the plastic Kappa monokey plate bolted to it..
had to adapt it slightly but not rocket science. The Motec is very good gear but the quick release stuff rattles a bit so I bolted mine to make it more solid. My rack stays on the bike

 

[smedly]

now I understand, thanks for the pictures mate, will take a look at some options to buy, need to ship to Thailand though or buy in the UK next time I'm back and put in my luggage, cheers

 

[noobie]

I understand that these are the official importers for Givi in your neck of the woods. It might be worth contacting them and see if there is someone who sells them close to you?

GIVI ASIA SDN. BHD.

No. 11 & 13, Jalan Jasmine, Seksyen BB10,
Kawasan Perindustrian Bukit Beruntung,
48300 Rawang, Selangor Darul Ehsan,
MALAYSIA