Touring w/o a Trailer

[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?

 

[cuznjohn]

PATTI would it be worth to you to ship your stuff to your final location, and only carry what you need

 

[Chupaca]

Little checking..!!

So many to pick from. I have two depending on the trip and if solo..I got them from Kuryakyn and they are semi rigid and come with rain covers...I some times use a rack on the RS. The smaller one you can see in the signature picture and here is the larger one...

both are easy carry and have shoulder straps...:thumbup:

 

[murphybrown]

Back in the day

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.

 

[SPECTACUALR SPIDERMAN]

i have doc's spyder rack, worked great for me on my first trip

 

[retread]

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

 

[spyderjo333]

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.

 

[NautiBrit]

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.

 

[ARtraveler]

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.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

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

 

[cuznjohn]

2pair of my underwear fill the back seat

 

[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.

 

[Tanshanomi]

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/cruiser-touring/riggpaks-dayrunner-detail.html

 

[JKMSPYDER]

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.

 

[SpyderAnn01]

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.

 

[ulflyer]

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!

 

[PrairieSpyder]

FYI, my Ultimate seat has a gas door, so I don't have to lift the seat to refuel.

 

[SpyderWalter]

Biker Friend Endorsement

I have used a Biker's Friend for some years on my old Victory Vision (Street edition 2009 Arlen Ness Custom). Because there was no sissy bar I used the four straps to attach it tightly and it was perfect backrest.

I am new to Spyder world and plan a 2 week trip soon where I will use the Biker's Friend also as a back rest (nice PVC tube covered in fake leather) and it wedges nicely into the passenger seat. However I do not have the Ultimate seat with fuel door so I will try to strap it less tightly to give play to raise the seat for fueling. We'll see how that goes...
SpyderWalter

 

[Bob Denman]

Like "UL"; I'm a large "garbage bag" kind of guy!
There are other tactics that can be used to minimize the amount of stuff that you have to carry:
1. Buy clothes along the way
2. Mail Home the dirty laundry (Have cameras to video the postman's face as he carries them! :roflblack
3. Pack clothing that can be easily compressed into the smallest possible size
4. Minimize the amount of toiletries that you need...
A. Check to see if hotel rooms have hairdryers
B. Use the soap in the hotel rooms; you've already paid for it!
C. Carry the smallest sizes of whatever stuff you need; you can always replace them on the road
5. Souvenirs? Mail them home too! (But separately from the Laundry!)
6. One pair of footwear: your riding boots!
I was able to pack for an eight -day trip on my RT, by following these guidelines... hyea:hyea:hyea:

 

[lwrydr]

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....