Packing the bike for camping trip, rack, no topbox

[wow]

I'm moving towards doing a u-turn on the topbox. As the rack doesn't sit comfortably with the indicators since I've had the tail tidy put on and it needs to come off again to do some work to it maybe new indicators or move them or something I am now thinking what if I just get rid of the whole thing.

Although I really like the usefulness it's v practical it really doesn't do anything for a nice looking bike like the SV. I like my bike when I rode without the rack for a few weeks.

I think I'll be alright for commuting (the main reason I got the topbox for). I'm more worried about packing the bike for camping trips. I have got it down to a fine art with the top box and use bungees and cargo net (tent, sleeping bag) attached to the pillion pegs and then underneath the top box. I also use fabric panniers which I'm v happy with. Might get a bigger tankbag.

My question is without the topbox I have nothing to attach the other end of the bungees too, will just the pillion pegs be ok (for sleeping bag, tent and mat)? I also have nothing to lean tent etc against.

I am not keen on getting a tail pack.

Are there racks for SVs like the Renntec ones, guess they still spoil the look or are they ok. Do I need one?

[wow]

I found this one on ebay. It says it stops at 07 my bike is an 08 bike will it fit you think?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Renntec-sport-rack-to-fit-SUZUKI-SV650-X-TO-K7_W0QQitemZ280343360140QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Moto rcycle_Parts?hash=item4145c4328c&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12|66%3A2|39%3A1|72%3A1683|293%3A1| 294%3A50#ebayphotohosting (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Renntec-sport-rack-to-fit-SUZUKI-SV650-X-TO-K7_W0QQitemZ280343360140QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Moto rcycle_Parts?hash=item4145c4328c&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A1683%7C 293%3A1%7C294%3A50#ebayphotohosting)

[yorkie_chris]

My question is without the topbox I have nothing to attach the other end of the bungees too, will just the pillion pegs be ok (for sleeping bag, tent and mat)? I also have nothing to lean tent etc against.

I am not keen on getting a tail pack.

Yeah the pillion pegs are fine to bungee stuff too. You can also link bungees together under tail, or around grabrail.

Will the tent not locate at the back on the grabrail? Or do you not have this fitted?

You will struggle to get lots of kit into a tailpack, easier to just bungee it all on.

[wow]

Yes grabrail of course forgot about that as I'm not using it (it's not visible) when I'm packing the bike at the moment.

Will I be able to get away without a renntec rack you think? I can't try it out as the top box rack is still attached.

[yorkie_chris]

Yes, will be fine. I've done the same with an old tent (huge) and army issue sleeping bag (hardly compact!). As well as having the essential 24 cans under it all.

for total security you could put a blanket over the tail, and use a ratchet strap around the lot. I have used this to good effect with bergen and panniers, stuffed full. It didn't shift an inch!

[wow]

I'm hoping to put everything in front of the grab rail and on the pillion seat and not on the tail. Mine is quite narrow (08 pointy) and I can't wrap anything around as I have nice LED lights! But I could if needed to. I got some ratchet straps from a friend. I'm quite excited by all this. It's since I've had the tail tidy that I think yes that looks a lot better but the top box and the rack (which goes all the way to the pillion pegs) just spoil it.

[yorkie_chris]

Ah, when I said tail I meant wrap something around the tailpod as in over the pillion seat and down the sides, to avoid ratchet strap scratching the plastics.

Does the pointy have the small bungee rails underneath?

[wow]

Yes I already use that web stuff for the bungees. No hasn't got a bungee rail only points it has are hooks attached to the pillion pegs and the grab rail.

[dizzyblonde]

Just a tip, for if you don't want to spoil your rear plastics with bungees etc. Buy a roll of rubber mat from 'Instore' used to be 'poundstretcher' for a quid. You can buy motorcycle ones but they cost more. Lay it over your rear seat, and let it hang down. Also cover the ends of bungees with electric tape, so it cushions the metal coils at the end of them.
A rentec takes more than the bag of sugar it says your limited to :-)
My tailpack will fit the kitchen sink in. They are the same capacity as a set of panniers(depending which make and size of course)
My sleeping bag is in essense a 15 tog double duvet when rolled out(so a bit large) I've had that and a 10kg 4 man tent bungee'd to the back on the Rentec as well as having a tailpack on.

edit..my typing was slow and WOW already got in there first about the webb/mat

[yorkie_chris]

In that case if you need a point in the middle you might have to bring a bungee right over and link it to itself underneath.

This would not usually cause any complication, but if your bike is lowered a very long way (much further than the suzuki lowering kit), there may be trouble. Probably be fine though...

[the_lone_wolf]

Just a tip, for if you don't want to spoil your rear plastics with bungees etc. Buy a roll of rubber mat from 'Instore' used to be 'poundstretcher' for a quid.

I've always just wondered, if you weren't particularly bothered by the aesthetics, if you could get a similar effect less likely to shift by putting a couple of layers of duct tape over the exposed bits that are likely to rub?

[yorkie_chris]

Yup works fine. Also makes them less likely to slip.

[the_lone_wolf]

Yup works fine. Also makes them less likely to slip.
I thought so...

Any issue with damaging the paint with the adhesive side of the tape?

[dizzyblonde]

I've always just wondered, if you weren't particularly bothered by the aesthetics, if you could get a similar effect less likely to shift by putting a couple of layers of duct tape over the exposed bits that are likely to rub?

thing about duct tape is its reallly bleddy strong on stick. I have known people the ruin paint because of it. Once the matting is held down with the strain of the bungee it doesn't budge whatsoever. I have tried in the past, and I'd be hard pushed with a shoehorn TBH.
Rubber grips does it not, so why would it move once its loaded??

I thought so...

Any issue with damaging the paint with the adhesive side of the tape?

As above. Electric tape has less grip, I've pulled it off the plastics with no residue or damage left behind.

[TC3]

For a recent trip to France i got this Givi bag model T464 which is 33 L. Great bit of kit that has access to a pocket on one side and the inside of bag on the other (ideal for pulling bulky water proofs out). Bag looks much nicer than in pic! It sat across my seat cowl.

http://tc3.smugmug.com/photos/587975286_578d5-L.jpg

I attached it with the Zumo link straps i just got. These are fantastic. No chance of damaging any paint and they hold down your gear with ease.... i just passed it under the tail. The photo is just to show you the strap in action and not my bike.

http://tc3.smugmug.com/photos/587975286_578d5-L.jpg

http://tc3.smugmug.com/photos/587975268_PoAAZ-L.jpg

Now when i go away for a week or more i will use that bag on the seat cowl again but also add my Renntec sports rack to which i can attach another smaller bag or sleeping bag etc.

Bag and 2 Zumo straps cost me less than 60 quid on ebay.

[Bluefish]

yes, but what can you do if carrying a pillion?.

[TC3]

yes, but what can you do if carrying a pillion?.

I have had a bag of similar size on the rack and overhanging a bit onto the tail with a pillion at one point. This bag has many points to whicj you can attach other bits and pieces. the rack is very handy to have.

[Svsmokey]

And now for something completely different ! I took a piece of aluminum plate (dump truck bed liner) , cut it to shape , cut a coupe of slots in it and hammered between the slots to replicate the seat hook . bolted on a latch pin from an old bandit seat . Cut a piece of plywood and bolted it thru the bag of my choice into the plate . Looks bitchin (no visible means of support) and changes from rear seat to pack in an instant using the key . U can also drill some bungee holes. In the plate for more versatility . Tools required are a hand grinder with a cutoff wheel , a drill , a hammer and wrenches . The plate is about 3/16 " thickl

[the_lone_wolf]

As above. Electric tape has less grip, I've pulled it off the plastics with no residue or damage left behind.

I thought you were a thrifty northerner? You need eight strips of electrical tape to cover what two strips of duct tape will cover...;)

[dizzyblonde]

yes but its preferable to a respray when the gaffer rips off the paint when you decide to take it off ;-)

[wow]

And now for something completely different ! I took a piece of aluminum plate (dump truck bed liner) , cut it to shape , cut a coupe of slots in it and hammered between the slots to replicate the seat hook . bolted on a latch pin from an old bandit seat . Cut a piece of plywood and bolted it thru the bag of my choice into the plate . Looks bitchin (no visible means of support) and changes from rear seat to pack in an instant using the key . U can also drill some bungee holes. In the plate for more versatility . Tools required are a hand grinder with a cutoff wheel , a drill , a hammer and wrenches . The plate is about 3/16 " thickl

Troll anyone?

[TazDaz]

Troll anyone?

No, not really.

He gave an alternative solution...hard one to do, but an alternative none the less.

[yorkie_chris]

Yeah hard work.

People suggesting tailpacks, you won't fit a tent, dossbag and roll mat in a tailpack!
Just bungee the lot on, it will be fine.

If you're 2 up a rack makes life loads easier. Otherwise you can bungee things behind the grab rail, but it's not roomy or particularly straightforward.

[Svsmokey]

Took about 2 hours to build . Have used many times , and swaps out with the pillion and vice versa in an instant . Well worth the effort if u have the tools .

[TC3]

Took about 2 hours to build . Have used many times , and swaps out with the pillion and vice versa in an instant . Well worth the effort if u have the tools .

And a lot of American guys have a garage full of the right tools.

On another note was down your way a year ago as my sister in law lives in Bull Head City and we took a drive to London. Pretty cool replica bridge and shops! We where out in arizona a few months ago again but spent more time down san Diego where it was a bit cooler in the evenings, than the desert :)

[Svsmokey]

As unlikely as it seems , if memory serves , that is the original bridge !

[daved407]

I use a cargo net type thing to hold tent, sleeping mat and sleeping bag to bike rear seat. I then carry the rest in a rucksack. Used to be a 35L Berghaus but last weekend used Kriega on a rally for first time. Faultless.

[wow]

My bike is now topbox less woohoo and I had a look underneath the bike and it's perfectly suitable to wrap a strap underneath. My friend's bike was hollow and the plastic would break if he would do the same so I'm glad that the SV is built this way.

The nice LED lights are on full display finally and it is much better plus the tail tidy of course which looks nice too. :cool:

[Lozzo]

yes, but what can you do if carrying a pillion?.

Tell the pillion to get their own bloody bike.

[daved407]

Since pillion is wasting valuable space they carry the gear in rucksack on their back. Or they go down in car with fridge, barby grill and lots of beer.

[wow]

I've found a rack for £43 on banditmania http://www.banditmania.co.uk/Metal%20Parts/SV1000_RACK.JPG

Less than the £60 from Renntec and they look identical to me.

Thought it might be useful for anyone else interested in a sports rack :D

[dizzyblonde]

Does look like a rentec to me too WOW.
Although if your really stingy, you can find em cheaper on ebay ;-)

I bought mine off a fellow orger for 25 quid!

[yorkie_chris]

You can fit loads more kit on than you really need with a pillion. But a rack does make it LOTS easier.