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Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 11:01 am
by famousperson
What an incredible amount of information! Thanks for the great response. I had no idea all that stuff was out there. I'll add a source for tank and tail bags that look like they might suit my needs. A poster on another thread mentioned RKA (
http://www.rka-luggage.com/).
When I was young and poor, and didn't know what "touring" was and never thought I'd have a BMW of my own, I loaded up my Suzuki Savage with an army surplus duffle bag bungey'd on and a tent, sleeping bag, and bag of tools under a cargo net on top of that and went. It was simple.
Now that I have the R12R, I thought I'd do the same but with a touch of class. You guys have shown me how.
When I've gotten the kit together, I'll post pictures.
Re: Luggage
Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 11:15 am
by famousperson
phillyboy wrote:Hi Famous,
Are you going solo on this trip? [...]I sure am looking forward to doing more camping and riding this Spring and Summer on the new R12R. Where do you plan to go, anyway?
My son and I are going to the Upper Peninsula (Michigan). He's riding his Ducati ST4s. It's only 650 miles from Pittsburgh to Macinac. We may camp and stay put, or, if we get itchy throttle hands, go on to Minnesota.
I'll be making a couple of solo weekend trips to areas close by here to make sure we'll be taking everything we need. It would be a terrible thing to get there and discover we have no way to light the stove!
Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 12:04 pm
by Lost Rider
The U.P. is beautiful, Pictured Rock National Lakeshore is worth going to, it has a few great campgrounds right on the beaches of Lake Superior.
Just be prepared to ride on gravel/hard packed sand if you want to explore...
I would also suggest picking up one of these on Amazon, or at a walmart once your in MI. Plenty of great roads, but most of them aren't on a regular map, and this also lists all the campgrounds - one's that won't have big RV's in them...
Have fun!
-Joe
Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 11:32 am
by BigEasy
[quote="ChiTown"]The U.P. is beautiful, Pictured Rock National Lakeshore is worth going to, it has a few great campgrounds right on the beaches of Lake Superior.
Just be prepared to ride on gravel/hard packed sand if you want to explore...
I would also suggest picking up one of these on Amazon, or at a walmart once your in MI. Plenty of great roads, but most of them aren't on a regular map, and this also lists all the campgrounds - one's that won't have big RV's in them...
Have fun!
-Joe
+1 on the Gazatteer, I have accumulated a library of probably 15 or more of those. If I am on vacation, or even a project, in another state I grab one. Even in the cage they can be the best way to find fun
Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 1:57 pm
by famousperson
ChiTown wrote:The U.P. is beautiful, Pictured Rock National Lakeshore is worth going to, it has a few great campgrounds right on the beaches of Lake Superior.
Just be prepared to ride on gravel/hard packed sand if you want to explore...
I would also suggest picking up one of these on Amazon, or at a walmart once your in MI. Plenty of great roads, but most of them aren't on a regular map, and this also lists all the campgrounds - one's that won't have big RV's in them...
Thanks for the tips (and the beautiful pictures). I could't plan this trip without MS Streets and Trips but there's no way to find the Really Good Places without the insiders' insights.
Re: Luggage for touring
Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 6:15 am
by gaijin
Famousperson,
I bought a bag (Moto Fizz, $167) at Aerostich.com for my Iron Butt Riding last year. I used it on my Harley S1200S before I bought my R1150R. It works great, lot of straps, easy access for packing. It might be good for you. I do not have BMW system cases (too pricey). Moto Fizz bag is perfect for me, look good and strong. It came in S, M and L. I bought a medium one and it expands to 29" in length.
Just because I owned a BMW, I do not have to get all pricey stuffs.
Gaijin
famousperson wrote:I am planning a 1-2 week road/camping trip in May. I will be carrying a sleeping bag, tent, backpacking stove and freeze dried food for at least a week. The system bags are not going to be near sufficient for everything, but I am at a loss for what to use for a bag I can lay or sit on the passenger seat.
I do have a rack but refuse to pay $500-$600 for a little-bitty top bag that wouldn't give me the extra capacity I think I will need. A tank bag will be good for organizing small stuff but still isn't enough.
On my Harley it would have been easy--since I had a sissy bar I could have used a T-Bag or equivalent, but on the R I don't even have a back rest. So I am curious what other people have used or might suggest. How easy is it, or is it even possible, to bungey things to the rear fender? What about the idea of actually wearing a backpack--is that really dumb?
Any and all suggestions will be greatly welcomed.
Re: Luggage for touring
Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 7:30 pm
by wncbmw
I used the Helen Two Wheels stuff for a while and had no problems with it. However, I decided to switch from the roll-end closure to the top entry and got the Orleib. It is really a stout and ties down nicely. I have a packing tread on the 1150R board that you might check out. Meanwhile, here is the HTW setup:
And the Orleib:
No debate on straps. Rok Straps are the best! Get the ones with the loops instead of the hooks, more places to tie it off!