luggage

[dizzyblonde]

wedgy!!!!!!!

sorry couldn't resist that, but once your on with that lot on, your not coming off in a hurry...its rather comfy actually

The gear on the back of mine was on a Rentec rack which gives you more room for the pillion!

Originally Posted by wow

I can't quite see how a tailpack and a tent and sleeping bag would fit, but as I've used oxford panniers on my bike, plus tent, sleeping bag and airmat I know i won't need a tailpack on top. I have two tankbags and webbing stuff so can do that too. I just didn't think the pillion seat was that big. How you guys fit a pillion passenger amongst that luggage I don't know.

You fit the panniers on first, then the tailpack (with sleeping bag in a compression sack inside it) as far forward as possible on the pillion seat, then strap the rollmat under the tent at the back of the tailpack resting on the grabrail. Ratchet strap the tent and rollmat to the back of the tailpack doing all you can to pull them upwards so they don't slide down onto the tailpiece. That's how I do it and it seems to work.

Originally Posted by Lozzo

You fit the panniers on first, then the tailpack (with sleeping bag in a compression sack inside it) as far forward as possible on the pillion seat, then strap the rollmat under the tent at the back of the tailpack resting on the grabrail. Ratchet strap the tent and rollmat to the back of the tailpack doing all you can to pull them upwards so they don't slide down onto the tailpiece. That's how I do it and it seems to work.

+1. I also sometimes tie the tent/camp bed (small camp beds actually take slightly less space than a foam roll mat) down across the top of the panniers.

Originally Posted by Lozzo

You fit the panniers on first, then the tailpack (with sleeping bag in a compression sack inside it) as far forward as possible on the pillion seat, then strap the rollmat under the tent at the back of the tailpack resting on the grabrail. Ratchet strap the tent and rollmat to the back of the tailpack doing all you can to pull them upwards so they don't slide down onto the tailpiece. That's how I do it and it seems to work.

Wow that's really helpful, thanks!

I have a Kriega tailpack which straps onto the pillion seat. It can be removed quickly if I wanted to take a pillion. Mine is a small, but their range is fab, I love the fact they are waterproof and have a ten year guarantee- and some of them can be zipped together.

I looked at the ventura system, but didn't want a rack permanently attached, so went with the kriega. Hubby has the oxford panniers and they are sort of angled, to avoid the exhaust. They hold lots though.

Originally Posted by Fizzy Fish

I found that a tailpack plus a rack (renntec do one for SVs) to strap your tent & roll mat to works well. That also leaves the tank free for a map pocket if you need one.

You can use panniers as well but IMO that starts to get heavy and disrupt a bike's handling too much. If you can get away without them that that would be better.

Think I need my panniers. I'm a girl!
Do you leave that rack on or is it detachable?
If I do go ahead with this bike I might need to get a topbox (boring I know) as I commute on the bike (20 miles).

Originally Posted by orose

If you're going solo, there are a couple of one (laughably two) man tents that are short enough to go across panniers - I've got a tech7 set (cheap from m&p), and a Vango alpha 200 tent and sleeping bag strap up together nicely as a block that comes off in one piece.

I'm also a bit soft, so I put an airbed in the tailpack too (a higear D battery-powered thing). Only problem is that theres barely any room for me and all the stuff in the tent.

I have a two-'man' tent and i'm an airbed person. You can fit an airbed in the tailpack? What is a D--battery powered thing??
Why would I need a tailpack, can I not just strap everything to the bike?

I just have to get an SV you're all so helpful, it's a really nice little community

[dizzyblonde]

Originally Posted by wow

Think I need my panniers. I'm a girl!
Do you leave that rack on or is it detachable?
If I do go ahead with this bike I might need to get a topbox (boring I know) as I commute on the bike (20 miles).

TOPBOX?? kidding.... you need Alpinestarshero to talk to you about his topbox.....he loves his top box

Not only does he have a top box, he has bar muffs in it aswell...