@Jeremybaland - Sorry for noticing this note so late! Yes, topcases are fantastic for keeping things locked if you need to walk away from the bike. The problem many riders have is that topcases can "pop off" if you're doing any off road riding. Because of it's high position on the bike, a topcases shake back and forth, and some of them work loose from the quick-release points and pop-off. Also, topcases leave very little room if you want to have a duffel bag on the seat behind.

finally somebody who knows what he's talking about - thanks for sharing that with us

Fantastic then, as long as you're waterproof. Nothing's worse than a long, cold, soaked day of riding ending up with a cold shower and cold, soaked clothing to get into! -- Another great option to consider is the gear made by Giant Loop Moto. Designs like their "Great Basin Saddlebag" hold plenty of gear, and still nestle down behind the rider's legs and back. Much more slim than sidecases or a topcase, and tested as waterproof by many. (Although we have not reviewed them yet.)

Jeremybaland, the top case can be a good option, as you said, things are locked that way. A two main downsides to a top case I think are: a) they don't hold as much as you can fit in a large waterproof bag, b) a top case is in a position high on the bike, and therefore tends to get the bulk of the of wiggling and shaking, and sometimes can loosen up and pop off for some riders. (Never happened to me when I used a top case, but I understand it has to some people.) Just my thoughts...

Some of those regular mountain-hiking big backpacks are waterproof like mine, and the nice thing is that by puting it on the rear seat and tail of the bike you don´t loose aerodynamics like with the paniers.

Munaki33, if you mean regular, non-waterproof backpacks, obviously the waterproofing could be a problem. The Orbleib Rack-Pack shown in this video is 89 liters, and most versions of their bags come with an strap/clip attachment option to secure the bags to each other. Using those same straps/clips, you can attach the bags to the bike using smaller 10 inch straps with a loop. I've only seen those mini-straps once, and they might have to be purchased separately from the bag. Hope that helps.

So yeah...if you haven't noticed, I'm binge watching your videos. Really digging them. :) BTW check out the Chilli Pepper straps. They are cam buckle straps with a bungee component built in to compensate for air loss in a bag. They are brilliant.

@RIDEAdventures

3 жыл бұрын

Had not heard of those straps, but could be interesting. Thanks for the suggestion.

Jeremy, I never thought of that. Excellent point. Plus in terms of being "waterproof," I think the bag beats the topcase. Of course f we walk away from our bikes, and someone REALLY wants to get in our luggage....they can do it. (Just a matter of how long it will take them.) With a heavy-duty cable & padlock wrapped around a cinched-down Ortlieb Rack Sack, the challenge is similar to that of a topcase. Of course, the more "locked" we make things appear, the more valuable they must be!

First time to channel and great info. Thanks and ride safe

@RIDEAdventures

4 жыл бұрын

We're glad if it helps, and likewise : )

Fantastic, and thanks for the offer. Typical Patagonia Motorcycle Tours never really go as far east as Buenos Aires, instead they stay hugging the beautiful Andes from about Bariloche to Ushuaia. But maybe you'll see us out with a group next season....nos vemos ahi!

Barronfujimoto, I was actually commenting with someone today that assumed it was a Lexan or some type of plastic cutting board as well. It might not look as "slick" as some other possibilities, but that wooden cutting board, all covered in grey duct tape is holding up incredibly well for about 2.5 years and 30,000 miles. Sits in the sun, carries a 65lb. bag with computers and junk all the time. Very tough! And cheap...

Great video. Exactly the information I was looking for. Thanks for sharing the video of what can happen if your not strapped in tight.

yes it´s true nothing worse than that, i know the giant loop is a good option too, i also like the wolfman enduro kit, thanks for your help, if you ever come to Buenos Aires, Argentina and you need something, contact me, cheers!

UUuff! of course Patagonia and all the region near the andes like Salta, Jujuy, Mendoza is beyond beautyful, here in BA you can make a nice city ride or maybe hit some dirt roads of the pampa´s flats and stay in a country house for some days, also Uruguay and the beach is very near, i highly recomend, nos vemos! saludos!

What do I think? I'm glad you're embarking on an adventure! - The Ortlieb is an excellent choice, but without being able to build some kind of a platform, the bag just might not last as long as it would if properly supported/protected. You'll be the best judge of that once you see what you've got to work with. The 89-liter would have to bend over the sides quite a bit, unless you get sidecases supporting it. Check out Giant Loop Moto. Enduro-minded bags, but they could be perfect for you.

Galvin, that was a 2004 KTM 950 Adventure S. What a great bike if you can get your hands on one!

Actually, that fist-sized hole was something I didn't even try to repair. I thought about duct tape and other materials going over a new tube to get me going, but I was so far from any replacement parts, i knew it would just shred the new tube and/or leave me stranded again. So, I ended up flagging down a truck to carry my bike to Cuzco, where even there, the new tube/tire was a challenge to find. (Had to ship one from Lima.) All part of the fun and who we meet along the way.....!

Great Vid, very informative! Were you able to fix the hole in your rear tire (while in Peru)? Or did you have to rely on someone w/ a truck to transport you and the bike to a dealership for the repair?

@RIDEAdventures awesome thanks. Also a waterproof bag is cheaper than have to drop alot of money for a top case :)

Good piece, thanks! I'm finally picking up my new ride this weekend, and already thinking seriously to take a long trip somewhere.

@nickcsuki8123

3 жыл бұрын

Hi Erik, have you done the trip? I am really curious? It's been about 7 years now...

In 94 I was heading to Exeter after Donington monsters of rock gig and my camping gear fell into the rear wheel/hugger of my GSXR400RR at 105mph when my pillion shuffled back - yip scary - held it up right though..... now tie kit on with a rope looped under the seat....

@RIDEAdventures

4 жыл бұрын

Yikes, close one, and yea, we've done other blogs and a few videos touching on this topic. Even helped some riders into ambulances after they mis-strapped their luggage. Ugh, be careful, all.

And what do you think about using regular backpacks tied to the back of the bike, i travel a lot with these option and it´s great, almost 80 lt of capacity and you can atach the tent and sleeping bag with its own stripes to the bike, i only see the need of paniers when the trip is gonna be more than a month long.

great advice - I'm going on a solo east to west us trip on minor roads on a T100 Bonneville in the summer - and am looking to get an Ortlieb packsack and just secure it on the back of the seat with fastners and maybe a wire mesh to keep safe - what do you think ? It's not my bike so wont be able to build a top to rest bag on ... hopefully I'll have side bags but not sure about the size of the bag - would the same bag you have i.e. 89 be too big ? will be away for about 6 weeks.... cheers

Helpful! Thanks!

I've always gone for the next size down when it comes to bags. I've never got home from a trip wishing I'd taken more stuff. The average person will always pack to fill the available space.

Why wouldnt you want a top box again? You can lock it and dont have to use a cable around your bag. I just getting into adventure riding.

How is it finding parts for a KTM in South America?

No matter which you choose, Giant Loop or Ortlieb, this might be the ultimate test in low-volume packing. 2 pair of underwear, 2-3 shirts, 1 pair of pants, etc. Plan on washing each day's clothing in a sink or other each night, and making sure that you don't waste space on anything with perma-stink cotton. All micro-fiber, all polyester on this trip! Wear synthetics that are ultra light, ultra durable, fast-drying, moisture-wicking.....cotton has no place on this trip.

True true true and true...

@RIDEAdventures

4 жыл бұрын

Belated response, but thanks!

Anon ymous, it's tough to describe just "how" tough it is to find KTM parts in South America. Let's just say a) print off a list of KTM dealers from the KTM website b) the bigger the city, the more likely you'll find a dealer, c) also the bigger the city, the more likely the dealer will have parts. -- If you get stuck in a situation where parts have to be flown in from outside the South American country you're in....yuck.....it could be a couple of weeks! Careful with the details.

I think you carry to much equipment! If their was two of you, to one Motorcycle, you could share one set of equipment between you rather than carry two sets. You only need three sets of clothes and one set you would of worn not carried. When loading your bike you should of loaded your dry bag across your seat and side panniers, and then lashed accordingly. If two was on the bike you could of carried a rucksack on the pillion rather than a dry bag.

@RIDEAdventures

4 жыл бұрын

Yep, packing solutions change over time, and everyone/situation is different. Good thing we have options : )

This is not safe packing..

@RantUp

10 жыл бұрын

Please elaborate.

@Tubeme7878

10 жыл бұрын

RantUp It is best to carry motorcycle specific REAR LUGGAGE SYSTEM for safety of yourself and other road users...And it does not cost that much you should guide your viewers for the same....please please it is nothing wrong in showing how pack for your ride but always tell the riders to use motorcycle specific equipment for their safety. Link: www.viaterra.in/Products/VIATERRA-Bags-Motorcycle-Touring/ViaTerra/ViaTerra-Claw-Mini---Rear-Luggage-System/pid-5292978.aspx

@rickr2472

10 жыл бұрын

Imran Abid Disagree. Safety comes from the way the bag is packed and strapped to the bike, not by the type of system used. The system you link to, while appearing to be a nice looking piece of kit, is only as good as the method used to strap it on the bike. If the rider does a bad job, it can come off just as easily as a poorly strapped non-system bag.

@EricLangeIsThisGuy

10 жыл бұрын

Imran Abid Well, we can see you're just trying to advertise your products. There's nothing unsafe about the bag/strap system, unless done so carelessly. Nice attempt at advertising though!

@Tubeme7878

10 жыл бұрын

Eric Lange I had a feeling that someone will say that i am advertising if i shared a link after i posted, What I am telling here is that use something that are designed for motorcycle as it provides the options and the straps for safety they are tested for it, But in the strap system the user has to decide how good he can strap the bag safely. Imagine Bag comes out the straps and hits a car windshield it can even kill people. Lets set our ego aside and think for a while on risk factors. By the way I have not asked anyone to buy anything : The link is for your information only and it is for Indian Sub-Continent, I guess are in USA so you cannot buy even if you want.