Luggage?

[SpyRyd]

My 2012 RT Ltd has lots of storage/luggage, but... I store my rain gear, travel cover, Ultimate seat rain cover, and OEM tool kit in the lower part of the rear trunk; upper part of rear trunk (above flip up/down shelf) is for Garmin when not ryding, spare gloves, small flashlight, hat, misc. stuff, etc; front trunk (frunk) for tire repair kit, small 12v air compressor, small bottle of fuel stabilizer, 1 or 2 quarts of Amsoil on long trips like 1000 mile ryde to Spyderfest next month (yeah); 2 small squeeze bottles for putting stabilizer and oil in Spyder (no mess), small tool kit, and my Shoei mod. helmet/gloves/eye wear when stopped for other than gas; side compartments w/ hard bags are used for trips. However for the 10-12 day trip to Spyderfest I think I need additional storage.

Looking for a waterproof bag that I can secure to my passenger seat using ROK straps that won't extend beyond the width of the seat so my rear view is not blocked. Thinking about a US30 Kriega bag that is 17.5"(H) x 11.6"(W) x 8.9"(D). Anyone have any experience with Kriega luggage? Any other suggestions? Thanks,

 

[harrypottar]

Problem with seat luggage is you have to remove it each gas fill which on a spyder is about every 130-140 miles. Spyderfest is at a central location, I would pack travel clothes for an over night stay and mail/ship the rest to the hotel prior and when you leave ship back what you can not carry.

I know there expensive and storage can be an issue, so I don't say this lightly but have you considered a trailer? One of those items in life I said I would never hook to the back of a bike. However after having one I would never leave home with out it.

One other thought, have you tried travel space bags, you know the TV advert that you suck the air out, the travel one roll to squeeze the air out. You will be shocked at how much you can fit in those things.

harry

 

[ulflyer]

Would sure make it easier if we had a gas cap in the seat so it didn't have to be raised. As often as these things suck up a tank of gas, I find it annoying as heck to remove the bag every time.

Has anyone come up with a kit to install a gas door in the seat? I know a few have done them on thier own.

 

[mcaccamise]

Vendors such as Corbin have seats with gas door so as not to have to lift the seat when packed with luggage.

 

[Trickie Dick]

I used a Watershed bag on my GS for a 3 week trip. Larger than what you are looking for but completely waterproof. They make several sizes so it may be worth your while to check them out. They do have D rings on the ends and top for fastening your straps. Maybe a little cheaper than Kriega. :dontknow: I had no problem securing it to the passenger seat with ROK straps. Yes, I had to undo 2 straps at each fill up. It took maybe 15 seconds. I understand Kriega makes good stuff but I have no experience with it. Good idea though, as long as you don't have a passenger.

 

[SpyRyd]

Problem with seat luggage is you have to remove it each gas fill which on a spyder is about every 130-140 miles. Spyderfest is at a central location, I would pack travel clothes for an over night stay and mail/ship the rest to the hotel prior and when you leave ship back what you can not carry.

I know there expensive and storage can be an issue, so I don't say this lightly but have you considered a trailer? One of those items in life I said I would never hook to the back of a bike. However after having one I would never leave home with out it.

One other thought, have you tried travel space bags, you know the TV advert that you suck the air out, the travel one roll to squeeze the air out. You will be shocked at how much you can fit in those things.

harry

I'm thinking that since the ROK straps are easily loosened all I'd have to do is loosen the straps to allow for the gassing up ritual rather than completely remove the bag each time. I have considered a trailer but since I ryde 1 up and don't have any room in my garage to store it I don't think it would be a prudent investment. I have not tried the travel space bags, that may be a viable alternative. Of course another alternative is to pack less and just wash clothes more often.

I'm gonna try several variations using my RT luggage and see if I can come up with a game plan that gives me some more options. One thought is to use the left saddlebag for the "stuff" I keep in the frunk, use the RT luggage in the frunk and right saddlebag, and just use the helmet hooks under the seat for my helmet when stopped for meal or take it with me.

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[murphybrown]

what I use

My 2012 RT Ltd has lots of storage/luggage, but... I store my rain gear, travel cover, Ultimate seat rain cover, and OEM tool kit in the lower part of the rear trunk; upper part of rear trunk (above flip up/down shelf) is for Garmin when not ryding, spare gloves, small flashlight, hat, misc. stuff, etc; front trunk (frunk) for tire repair kit, small 12v air compressor, small bottle of fuel stabilizer, 1 or 2 quarts of Amsoil on long trips like 1000 mile ryde to Spyderfest next month (yeah); 2 small squeeze bottles for putting stabilizer and oil in Spyder (no mess), small tool kit, and my Shoei mod. helmet/gloves/eye wear when stopped for other than gas; side compartments w/ hard bags are used for trips. However for the 10-12 day trip to Spyderfest I think I need additional storage.

Looking for a waterproof bag that I can secure to my passenger seat using ROK straps that won't extend beyond the width of the seat so my rear view is not blocked. Thinking about a US30 Kriega bag that is 17.5"(H) x 11.6"(W) x 8.9"(D). Anyone have any experience with Kriega luggage? Any other suggestions? Thanks,

First I love my ROK straps. Since I do alot of long travels (and have been in some serious downpours) I use on my passenger seat a 65L Sea to Summit "dry" bag.. Think I bought it at REI online..100% waterproof..fits perfectly in passenger area..adjustable in sizing..need more room? fill it up...need less room take a few more rolls down...The no gas door and having to remove my dry bag EVERY time I fueled up was more than I was wiling to do (did it for the first 20K--total pain in arse!!). So even though I had no comfort/ryding issues with my stock RT seat..when I could I purchased my Corbin with gas door...NO REGRETS..just the convenience of the gas door and not having to unload makes it a winner...but it also is very comfy...I will come into Spyderfest with my green dry bag secured with Rok straps in full view!!!:yes::clap: SPYDERFEST 2013 will be :firstplace: . See you there...

 

[joet82]

Granted I have an RS, but I use a duffle bag made/sold by Eddie Bauer. it doesn't look like much, but it survived a couple of thunderclouds perfectly while on my way up to Spyders in the Redwoods without a drop getting onto my clothing.

 

[SpyderAnn01]

I have a Nelson Riggs bag that I strap on the passenger seat and I don't have to remove it to fill up. I run a strap under the seat which allows the seat to flip up. It holds a few days worth of gear and works as a backrest too.

 

[bruiser]

We have a Saddleman SSR1200/1900. Fits perfectly on the passenger seat of our RTS. I can even use it as a back rest. Comes with ROK straps and I strapped it to the passenger grips. Yeah, had to take it off to fuel up but at this point we can't afford a Corbin or a 622. Oh, this is the same company that makes the Saddleman seats.

 

[bmwlarry]

This may be the answer to the rear seat bag.

larry

 

[Cavman]

A way to save a bit of room is to put clothes into freezer ziplock gallon bags. Zip almost closed. Roll it down towards the opening to squeeze out most of the air, then finish sealing the ziplock.
You can see what's in each bag and reuse them.

I also have a dry bag that was a REI brand bag with built in backpack straps. It's a monster. I have loaded camping gear in it as well as clothes. And it is a pain to unload each time at the gas station. Unfortunately, REI doesn't make their own brand dry bags anymore. Fully loaded, it would stand waist high and about 30" in diameter.....a monster!

 

[daveinva]

This may be the answer to the rear seat bag.

larry

Came in here to say this-- the RT has rack options out there available, if I rode one I know I'd get one. Ditto the "trailer hitch" buddy rack thingamajig you can install (sorry, can't remember what it's called, sure someone will be along shortly to say what that is).

BTW, if you have an Ultimate seat, I'm assuming you also have the backrest as well? I find on my RS that if I know I'm going to be traveling, i.e. I'm worried about practical function and not how shiny-nice the bike looks, I keep the raincovers on the seat and backrest (or, in the case of my RS, backrests) 24/7. But what I do is simply roll back the front part of the cover off the rider's seat and fold it around the backrest, twist it around, stuff it under a passenger seat bag, etc. to stow it when I don't need it. This way, I can just roll it back on when I get caught in the rain. Might save a couple inches of packing space for the road trip.

Oh, and lastly, and I say this to everyone: you live in the wealthiest, most modern nation in the world, and you ain't dirtbiking through the desert to get to Spyderfest. Pack a cel phone, a AAA card, a credit card, and consider leaving as much :cus: as you can at home. :joke:

 

[NancysToy]

I'm thinking that since the ROK straps are easily loosened all I'd have to do is loosen the straps to allow for the gassing up ritual rather than completely remove the bag each time. I have considered a trailer but since I ryde 1 up and don't have any room in my garage to store it I don't think it would be a prudent investment. I have not tried the travel space bags, that may be a viable alternative. Of course another alternative is to pack less and just wash clothes more often.

I'm gonna try several variations using my RT luggage and see if I can come up with a game plan that gives me some more options. One thought is to use the left saddlebag for the "stuff" I keep in the frunk, use the RT luggage in the frunk and right saddlebag, and just use the helmet hooks under the seat for my helmet when stopped for meal or take it with me.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Loosening the straps works fine. I use my Helen2Wheels clothes bag or my Seal-Line bag that way. (BTW, they really don't seem to interfere with my rear vision.) You will need to prop up the seat to get gas. The gas shock won't hold it with luggage on top. To me, this is only a minor inconvenience, but to some folks it is a major headache. Listen to your own drummer.

 

[spyderjim2012]

Rear Rack

I made a Rear rack so i can put a cooler or a bag to carry clothes,chairs,tent,sleeping bags ect, and when you get some were it just pulls out,

 

[bmwlarry]

I also have the PakIT Rak. I cant use it if I have the trailer on. Why do I need it with the trailer, you ask. It would be a great place to put a net bag for wet washed laundry to air dry while riding!

 

[asp125]

+1 for the space saver bags, compression sacks and wrinkle resistant clothing. Before the spyder I used to travel on a sport bike. Compression sacks and a wet-dri outer bag was the way to go.

 

[CurtG]

Another Possibility

You might also take a look at Biker's Friends bags. My friend Chris has one of the medium large bags with the back rest. It fits on the passenger seat of his RT and so far he hasn't felt the need to strap it down the fit is so good. Based on seeing his mine is due here on the little brown goody truck today.

Ride safe,

 

[Captain Fin]

Tooth Brush

I do the graduate thing and just pack a tooth brush.:roflblack::roflblack:

 

[jwmcclellan]

I have the Utopia driver's backrest installed on my RT. I'm looking for the largest luggage that I can find that will fit on the passenger seat with the backrest installed. Any clues? It seems like I only have around 8 inches in depth for the passenger seat, which isn't much space for a bag.