The fine art of properly loading a motorcycle for travel

[totalmotorcycle]

The fine art of properly loading a motorcycle for travel
Monday, November 27, 2006 - Bruce Reeve - Toronto Star - thestar.com



Given a large enough lever, Archimedes said, he could move the world. Given enough rope and baling wire, Jed Clampett could move his family to Beverly Hills. And given enough bungee cords, what need does a motorcyclist have for a proper luggage system?

In fact, there are plenty of reasons to think carefully about packing gear on a motorcycle. There are at least 50 ways to lose your luggage on a road trip, and some of them are a serious threat to your safety if loose gear tangles with moving wheels.

Hence the appeal of factory-installed integrated hard luggage systems on bikes like the K1200GT. They're tested and safe, with locks for security.

Aftermarket hard luggage systems are available from companies such as Givi, but they may require some adaptation for installation.

Topcases and saddlebags are available in many different sizes, but expect to pay at least $1,000 for a basic small-capacity package.

Leather saddlebags for cruisers are widely available, but look for the type with plastic inserts that hold their shape and offer waterproofing. Many of these are designed as much for appearance as load capacity.

A less-expensive approach is to use soft luggage, or throw-over saddlebags that secure to the bike with a temporary mounting system.

These begin at around $100, but the better designs are stiffer and durable with more secure mounting. Make sure they clear exhaust systems and stay firmly in place.

One disadvantage is that passenger seating may be compromised, depending on the design.

Dealers rarely carry a wide selection of luggage systems, so be prepared to do some research on the Internet, or visit a motorcycle show and talk to reps for aftermarket distributors.

My favourite for a weekend tour is a tankbag, particularly the magnetic type for a bike with a steel fuel tank, which can be removed and installed easily. Prices start around $100.

These keep weight centralized and leave you in no doubt about whether or not your luggage is slipping out of place.

Some styles double as tailpacks that attach to the passenger seat or a luggage rack. Plastic fuel tanks will require a different mounting system, though a design is available that uses the fuel cap as a mounting point for a magnetic bracket.

One option that leaves me a little uneasy is the stacking tailpack that mounts to a sissy bar or backrest. Some of these permit an extraordinary amount of gear to be loaded, but the weight distribution high and to the rear is far from ideal, especially if you also carry a passenger.

Another questionable design is the "tool pouch" that can be mounted under the headlight in front of the fork, or sometimes to the base of a windscreen. Any weight attached to the front fork will affect the steering, stability and possibly the suspension action of a motorcycle, but to overload here is asking for trouble.

If you're travelling two-up on a motorcycle and camping overnight, you face the ultimate challenge. It can be done, but not surprisingly many decide to tow a trailer.

These can range from simple, lightweight designs that sell for less than $1,000 to luxurious tent-trailers costing many times more. Although they do require some adjustment in your riding approach, trailers have a long history among touring riders and can work successfully.

One final note: manufacturers' load capacities on motorcycles are sometimes surprisingly easy to exceed while carrying luggage and a passenger.

Although most bikes can stand some overloading, it's essential to keep tires properly inflated. A loaded, under-inflated tire will wear out rapidly and could suffer a failure.