When packing a motorbike you want to position the heaviest parts of your equipment closest to the Load Triangle (LT). which is the triangle formed by the rider’s head and the two axles. Another way to look at this is that you’re attempting to bring the weight as near to the center of gravity (CG) of the bike as you can.
Hence, it is advisable to go low and toward the middle. In this manner, the extra weight will not significantly affect how your motorbike handles. The rider and the engine, which weigh the most on a motorbike, are at the center of the load triangle, as you can see right away. As much as you can, try to pack all of your heavier items near the LT.
1. Saddlebags
If you compare the OEM hard bags or the soft ones you put over the saddle, you’ll notice that the leading edge is closest to the LT. Put your heaviest goods in that location. Good options include things like your camp stove or toolbox. Additionally, you should try to balance the load from side to side as much as you can.
This helps the softer, throw-over-the-seat saddlebags ride more evenly on the motorbike and prevents the burden from impairing handling. You’ll have to bring less luggage because a sport bike usually doesn’t have as much room for saddlebags as other types of motorcycles. However, the top tail bag is helpful.
Place items in the right saddlebag that you anticipate using more frequently (such as extra gloves or water), as a motorbike leans left while on a side stand. It will be simpler for you to glance into a bag that is angled upwards. Additionally, when you open hard bags with side openings, there will be less chance of your equipment falling out. Bike owners with hard bags ought to give purchasing the original bag liners for their bikes some serious thought. In this manner, your equipment will be simple to carry into the hotel when you get there for the night.
Stuffing small groups of clothes into zip-lock plastic bags is a simple way to increase the amount of clothing you can fit in your saddlebags. Once the clothes are compressed to release excess air, you zip them up to a majority of their length and seal the bag. Save space right away! If your hard bags are overcrowded to the point of not sealing correctly or if your soft bags leak, this strategy also helps to ensure your clothes stay dry.
2. Junk in the trunk
Cruiser riders with large packs strapped to their buttocks and large touring rigs with roomy trunks should resist the urge to shove heavy items into them. Examine the image of the LT above in relation to the trunk of the bike. Carrying too much weight there may reduce the pressure on the front tire and have an impact on handling. When biking, the trunk is a wonderful location to store additional layers. Make sure you have space to keep your warmer riding clothing when it becomes cold outside, even if you’re traveling south from, say, the mountains of the Pacific Northwest. You won’t be able to lock your helmet(s) away while you’re off the bike if your trunk is overflowing with gear.
3. Tank bag
You either like tank bags or you don’t. Whether you like tank bags or not often depends on the kind of bike you ride. Even so, we’ve seen proudly sporting a tank bag on cruisers and full-dress tourers. It appears that tank bags were more common since they offered a convenient location to keep your map open in the days before cell phones and GPS devices. You may always try a tail bag, which has many of the same advantages as its relative that is installed on a tank, if you don’t like tank bags.
You would expect that you could fit a lot of heavy items in a tank bag given its placement within the Load Triangle. You would be somewhat correct, though. If you overload the area, though, your bike will start to feel quite heavy. Thus, exercise reason.
Things that you need to access regularly are well suited for storage in tank bags. As a result, we stash water bottles, food, gloves, and sunscreen there. In addition, you may attach cables to your tank bag and keep your phone and other devices charged if your bike has some extra power. really practical.
4. Lash it on the back
Every motorcycle rider should give thanks to whoever invented the bungie net. There’s just no more adaptable gadget available for securing a variety of strangely shaped items or assemblies of objects to a motorcycle’s rear. Nets do, however, usually lack some of the sheer power of other means of retaining goods on your motorbike, despite their simplicity and versatility. If you observe seasoned travelers, you’ll see that they typically have a few bungie cables supporting the net.
If you take their lead, you won’t drop gear while driving or, worse, have it fall onto your back wheel and maybe put an abrupt halt to your pleasure. Large, yet reasonably light goods like a tent or sleeping bag are often the best to carry on the back of your motorcycle (apart from a passenger). When you remove the layers, you can find yourself strapping your warmer riding gear back there if you didn’t plan beforehand.
5. Making the cut
You will almost certainly find yourself trying to carry too much things when you test pack your bike in preparation for a journey. This is the moment to determine what is actually required. Repack your bike after reducing the amount you are carrying. See if you can incorporate more gear by experimenting with alternative arrangements of items in different locations. You’ll ultimately reach what you believe to be a satisfactory balance for your journey. You’re prepared to drive now.
One of the traveler’s universal truths will inevitably come up when you’re out enjoying long-distance motorcycling: you’ll always forget something and carry something you didn’t need. Remember to make a note for your future journey.
