First up - The cases are almost always on the bike, unless it's just a local run. If I'm travelling overnight, I'll use a large GIVI topcase, or a smaller bag, or a range of other bags for clothes and camping gear. I do lots of long-distance stuff, and it's usually in the more 'remote' parts of the country, so I need to be prepared.
The left case. It's been a full-size case with the can removed for a long, long time.
Open it up and this is what you see. Note the black bag in the lid. More about that later. My wet-weather duds sit rolled up along the bottom of the lid to cushion the big black bag.
The black plastic mesh is to stop stuff falling out - A common problem discussed often here. It's just 'heavy-duty gutter-guard', a thick plastic mesh used to keep leaves out of your house gutters, and cut to fit.
I use the same stuff as an oil cooler protector. Very heavy duty and DOES NOT make the engine run hot. Great for keeping the grass-hoppers and locusts out as well.
This is the case almost empty. The black bag in the lid is for storing a 4.7 litre fuel can. It gets used on the marginal gaps between fuel stops. It's also handy for rescuing others! Normally travels empty. The purple padded bag is a very comprehensive tool kit. Contains a broad range of metric spanners, a set of torx keys, a set of metric keys, a set of torx bits, and a few different pliers and screwdrivers. I have rarely used my tools on my bike. I have often used them on other people's bikes.
The other stuff that came out of the case is as follows - Starting from top left and working clockwise. Toilet roll (naturally), plastic bag with small jumper leads, various zip-ties, and lengths of parachute cord. Then comes a half dozen cylume sticks. The yellow bag has a siphon hose, thin webbing straps in case gear comes loose, electrical wire, tie-wire, and some spare nuts and bolts that I know fit the bike. The long skinny bag has my alternator belt, plus spare bulbs and spark plugs. The larg-ish plastic bag is a well-wrapped half-litre of oil, plus some rags. The open bag to the left has a mini WD40, plus 4 mini tie-downs. Why tie-downs? Well, I've been on three group rides where someone has come off. Easy enough to get a ute (truck) to stop, but each time we had trouble finding enough gear to strap the bike in the tray-bed or trailer. If I break down somewhere and can hitch a lift, I want my bike secured, so I carry my own. Lesson learned - Be prepared.
The right case is marked for carrying my first aid kit so my buddies know where to look if I'm the one who has come off. A simple thing, but often overlooked. Helpful if people are in 'panic mode' and not thinking straight.
Note the plastic mesh divider again. The big red padded bag is my thermal liner for my jacket, plus my heated vest. Keeps it protected.
Note the large size of the first aid kit. It carries stuff specifically for motorcycle crash treatment, and has lots of gear for broken bones, amputated fingers, and gravel-rash. It's been used. More than once. I've improved it each time as I discover important omissions, like larger amounts of sterile water and bigger 'patch' bandages. Carry one, and have the knowledge to be able to use it. I also carry a small towel. Nice for when you find a stream and want a swim.
The rest of the contents from top left and clockwise are: A bag containing my balaclava, a helmet liner, glove liners and cooling scarf. The wrapped box is a mini-air compressor. I have learned not to trust the repair cylinders in really remote places, even though I carry two sets. Next is a bag containing spare sunglasses and glass cleaning materials. Then comes a pack of 'baby-wipes' for those unexpected stop-overs or just to freshen up and remove the sweat on a hot day, and a padded case with two sets of tyre repair gear (two full kits), plus a spare oil filler plug and a few o-rings. Lucky last is a 'personal' kit with map-reading glasses (magnified), some emergency toiletries, spare earplugs, pens, and a few other bits and pieces.
So that's why I always have my sidecases on the bike, and why there is no room for anything else. I can jump on and head of anywhere knowing that all I need is my topcase with spare clothes and toiletries if it's an overnight trip. Otherwise, I'm prepared for anything, and even if I can't fix something myself, there is a fair chance that I've got the bits and tools for someone else who comes along who can fix whatever might be broken. If all else fails - I have my road service card and my credit cards!
Oh - Almost forgot - The underseat area has very large zip-ties for handling broken case attachments, an l.e.d. torch, spare batteries, earplugs, and a few other things, including the service manual and log book.
So what does everyone else carry?
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..(just kidding)...what is that little brown bag of stuff under your seat?
