How Not to Pack Your Motorcycle
I love long term touring and have discovered that proper packing is crucial for a safe and hassle free trip. The photo below is a perfect example of how not to pack your motorcycle. A few infractions are…
- Too much mass.
- Relying on bungee cords alone for restraints.
- Center of gravity too high
Seriously people, if you need to carry this much crap on a trip, take the damn car! Improper packing is not only dangerous to the rider, but to other motorist as well.
How about sharing some of your packing tips?
Agree that’s a sub-optimal packing job. But it probably looks worse than it is, because the main bulk is the dog carrier. If this was my rig & I had the cash a good fix might be to:
1) Put bigger cans on the back
2) Replace tail box with hard-shell dog carrier (better for dog’s survivability too)
3) Tank-mounted saddle bags
Or — sidecar for the dog.
Dear Rick:
The typical BMW GS bags would have been a better choice for the bike in this picture, provided a set could be found that fit. This guy should have planned to make-do with less.
You have reminded me that I do have an interesting packing story… But I am going to use it for my column in the BMW MOA’s magazine.
Fondest regards,
Jack • reep • Toad
Twisted Roads
May be heading your way this spring.
Heading my way? Swell. Drop me a line on my email and I send you my phone number. Coming out this way for business? A ride? Makes no difference. We can do dinner, a few miles, whatever your schedule permits. I’d be delighted to intriduce you to a few of the Mac Pac riders I hang with. Naturally, all is grist for my blog.
Are you doing the RA Rally in July?
Fondest regards,
Jack • reep • Toad
Twisted Roads