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Touring w/o a Trailer
Since the Alaska trip, I've cut down my packing list . . A LOT. I'm thinking of doing my next trip without my trailer and carrying on my back seat all the stuff I'd take into a hotel. The RT frunk, trunk and sidebags would contain riding gear and stuff I may need while on the road.
So my question for you all is if you travel without a trailer, and use a bag on the backseat, what kind of bag do you use? I know my airline carry-on bag will fit. I'm also looking at a First Gear dry bag, since it's waterproof. It's also cheaper than buying motorcycle luggage.
Any thoughts?
Last edited by PrairieSpyder; 09-02-2015 at 12:12 PM.
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PATTI would it be worth to you to ship your stuff to your final location, and only carry what you need
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Back in the day
Originally Posted by PrairieSpyder
Since the Alaska trip, I've cut down my packing list . . A LOT. I'm thinking of doing my next trip without my trailer and carrying on my back seat all the stuff I'd take into a hotel. The RT frunk, trunk and sidebars would contain riding gear and stuff I may need while on the road.
So my question for you all is if you travel without a trailer, and use a bag on the backseat, what kind of bag do you use? I know my airline carry-on bag will fit. I'm also looking at a First Gear dry bag, since it's waterproof. It's also cheaper than buying motorcycle luggage.
Any thoughts?
. 70k miles without trailer. I used a sea to shore dry bag.
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i have doc's spyder rack, worked great for me on my first trip
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Very Active Member
Check out a Biker's Friend, it's a round, end load, bag that goes on the seat behind you...with a built in backrest. Only problem with it, you've gotta take it off to refuel unless you've got a gas door.
john
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Originally Posted by PrairieSpyder
Since the Alaska trip, I've cut down my packing list . . A LOT. I'm thinking of doing my next trip without my trailer and carrying on my back seat all the stuff I'd take into a hotel. The RT frunk, trunk and sidebags would contain riding gear and stuff I may need while on the road.
So my question for you all is if you travel without a trailer, and use a bag on the backseat, what kind of bag do you use? I know my airline carry-on bag will fit. I'm also looking at a First Gear dry bag, since it's waterproof. It's also cheaper than buying motorcycle luggage.
Any thoughts?
You're going to laugh, and this is a little off subject, but my husband plays golf and he straps his clubs (with cover over the top) to the back seat of
our RT. He uses bungie cords. So I guess you can use just about any kind of bag as long as you tie it down tight.
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Very Active Member
Patti,
Check the Nelson-Riggs line of products, they're very good, sturdy and waterproof. I've had one of their tail bags for about 10 years and it has stood up well. You may also want to consider a trunk luggage rack for lightweight items.
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Very Active Member
I have done a lot of travel and never pulled a trailer for extra gear. An extra bag (Nelson-Rigg) or similar put across the rear seat and bungeed to rear passenger hand grips may be sufficient for you.
RT has pretty good space, which I find very sufficient. I have one complete set of luggage (from my 2010 RT) and it has always worked for me. We bought stuff bags that fit in the compartments for the 2011--much cheaper than the BRP flagship stuff.
A list like you have is a great idea. When I used to do canoe country camping (every ounce counts), It took me a few early trips and I had that list whittled down to the bare bones. My rule was, If I don't use it on two trips, I don't need it. First aid kit did not count in that statement.
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EL CHEAPO
A tall waste paper basket, that you put a waterproof on top of and bungie it............Also you may want to look at the " EL CHEAPO " GAS DOOR that I put on my RT ( $ 30 ? ) so you can add gas without un-loading !!!!!....Mike ....I have some PICS posted ....look in my STARTED THREADS --- Page #3 GAS DOOR in GS/RS/ RT etc
Last edited by BLUEKNIGHT911; 09-02-2015 at 01:20 PM.
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2pair of my underwear fill the back seat
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any bag will do. I have a stuff bag that I got at a camping supply store.It bungies on real good. Don't spend a lot of money on fancy motorcycle specific bags or luggage. you would be surprised at what you can find in a surplus store,camping/outdoor/sporting goods store, thrift store.
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My wife puts a Nelson Rigg Riggpak 350 Dayrunner behind her on her RT. She has an Ultimate Seats "tall boy" with backrest, and it utilizes the space between the rider backrest on the seat and the passenger backrest perfectly. She attaches it with a short bungie on each side that she passes through the passenger grab handle, then hooks the ends onto the front and rear mounting rings. Works great, very durable and has a ton of room. It comes with a rain cover.
https://www.nelsonrigg.com/luggage/c...er-detail.html
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First Gear Dry Bag
Patti I have the First Gear 25L dry bag that I strap to the passenger seat. I took it along with my Nelson Rigg saddlebags to the Deadwood Trike rally last July. I did remove all 3 bags each night to my hotel room. But if I was taking a day trip only I used the First Gear bag to store rain gear and other things I might need . It worked well for me.
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Patti, be sure that whatever bag you choose will still allow you to lift the seat to gas up without having to remove the bag. You can run straps under the seat and, as long as you can push the bag forward a bit so it isn't pressing up against the passenger backrest, you can still lift your seat. If you have to take the bag off completely at every stop you will soon be wishing you had your trailer with you.
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Originally Posted by pegasus1300
any bag will do. I have a stuff bag that I got at a camping supply store.It bungies on real good. Don't spend a lot of money on fancy motorcycle specific bags or luggage. you would be surprised at what you can find in a surplus store,camping/outdoor/sporting goods store, thrift store.
Plus some heavy duty plastic trash bags to keep everything dry, and roll of duct tape just in case it needs securing more.
Worse part is hauling that sucker off every fill-up!
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FYI, my Ultimate seat has a gas door, so I don't have to lift the seat to refuel.
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Packing
I just returned from th SPIR trip and did not pull my trailer. I am on a 2013 RTL. Extra helmet, gloves, gas in right side. Rain gear, bike cover, few tools in left side. Camara, binocs, more tools, pc, rags, duct tape and personal bag in rear. Extra shoes, travel bag, maps, cargo nets and dry bags from Cabelas (which I did not need). I have a rack on the rear which I put another travel bag and my dirty clothes collapseable bag. I use a small cargo net to secure the bags to the rack. My rear seat was empty and I could of put more stuff there if needed. If I go on the Nova Scotia run in 2017 have not decided on to bring trailer or not....
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Originally Posted by SPECTACUALR SPIDERMAN
i have doc's spyder rack, worked great for me on my first trip
We're going to use DOC's Spyder Rack for the first time for our 5 day trip over Labor Day.
2021 Marsala Red Metallic RT Limited
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Hi, Patti, I won't be much help on paring down because I always seem to over pack!! I do have the Biker's Friend round bag that I use on the passenger seat of our 2012 RT. I do have to take it off to fuel, just part of the fuel stop routine now when we travel. I used that and the luggage that came with the Spyder for our trip to the 3WheelMotorcyle Rally this summer and for most weekend trips that works for me. We did a 3500 mile trip this summer out to Washington state to visit our kids last week of July and first week of August and pulled the trailer for that trip and similar trips, it just works better to carry extra stuff back and forth to the kid's. We have the 622 trailer. Hello to JKMSPYDER! Glad you made home from the Deadwood rally. It was great meeting you and riding with you! Peggy
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Originally Posted by PrairieSpyder
Since the Alaska trip, I've cut down my packing list . . A LOT. I'm thinking of doing my next trip without my trailer and carrying on my back seat all the stuff I'd take into a hotel. The RT frunk, trunk and sidebags would contain riding gear and stuff I may need while on the road.
So my question for you all is if you travel without a trailer, and use a bag on the backseat, what kind of bag do you use? I know my airline carry-on bag will fit. I'm also looking at a First Gear dry bag, since it's waterproof. It's also cheaper than buying motorcycle luggage.
Any thoughts?
Not nitpicking, but in cutting down the packing list, have you considered maybe cutting down what is carried in the storage compartments.
I have no idea of what is in the sidebags, trunk or frunk on your trips. I would expect that with some careful consideration, and going solo, the oem storage would be enough.
We use the BRP side storage accessory fabric bags. One holds the half cover while the other holds the rain gear. These are relatively inexpensive from BRP at around $50 per pair. If packed thin, two bags will fit in each side bag. These are cool since everything remains contained and does not fall out when the hatch is opened.
http://www.amazon.com/Can-Am-2194001.../dp/B00AFWP5U8
As for tools, currently we run light when local. I'll use the frunk for the tools to keep heavier stuff low, but don't plan on much more than "transformer" style tools. I also use the frunk for cleaning supplies.
Regardless, you have a cool plan, and the bag behind the seat is cool too.
PK
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Originally Posted by PMK
Not nitpicking, but in cutting down the packing list, have you considered maybe cutting down what is carried in the storage compartments.
I have no idea of what is in the sidebags, trunk or frunk on your trips. I would expect that with some careful consideration, and going solo, the oem storage would be enough.
We use the BRP side storage accessory fabric bags. One holds the half cover while the other holds the rain gear. These are relatively inexpensive from BRP at around $50 per pair. If packed thin, two bags will fit in each side bag. These are cool since everything remains contained and does not fall out when the hatch is opened.
http://www.amazon.com/Can-Am-2194001.../dp/B00AFWP5U8
As for tools, currently we run light when local. I'll use the frunk for the tools to keep heavier stuff low, but don't plan on much more than "transformer" style tools. I also use the frunk for cleaning supplies.
Regardless, you have a cool plan, and the bag behind the seat is cool too.
PK
I currently use the RT storage: Frunk - scarves, gloves, sweater,documents, helmet storage; Left Sidebag - tire kit, first aid kit, travel cover; Right Sidebag - rain gear; Trunk - catch-all for hat, purse, extra water, GPS storage, inverter storage, etc. Maybe not the most logical arrangement, but I've gotten to know where everything is and it's been working for me.
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