used (some of) the luggage for the first time

[vondalyn]

We decided to take a last minute weekend trip and I used 2 of the pieces of luggage that came with the LTD. We like a place to store our helmets, so I opted to use the small left side case and found that our lightweight raincoats still fit behind it due to the void area below that one "sticky-outy-thing" (a technical term I'm sure). I also used the case that fits in the back cargo bin. A lot of "stuff" still fits below it and I was able to keep my iPod connected without any issues. Anyway, it worked out well other than I forgot to pack toothbrushes :gaah: (at least there were stores nearby when we got to our destination).

We drove up over Trail Ridge road on Friday after work (can't believe that we were pretty much by ourselves the whole way through rocky mountain national park -- ??? I've never seen that road so empty before and I've been driving it for 20+ years). We stayed in Grand Lake on Friday night (the Spyder is a big hit there btw) and then drove to Breckenridge by way of Kremmling on Saturday. We rode all over the place in Summit county on Saturday and then this morning we had a nice breakfast and drove over Loveland pass. I got onto I-70 at Loveland Ski Area and stayed on it until the Central City exit after Idaho Springs -- that's my first real Sypder highway driving so I guess I earned my big girl pants.

We didn't see any other Spyders the entire weekend, but we encountered other bikes/trikes and I was a little surprised by some of the reactions. Ran into some guys from Kansas at a gas station. They didn't know what to think of me driving and my hubby riding. They wouldn't talk to us (but we didn't try real hard either -- in hindsight I should have been super friendly and really baffled them). It also seems that most of the Harley guys in Summit county don't like Spyders, especially when a woman is the driver but even when Don drove... weird. I don't care what others think because I'm having so much fun, but it was odd to experience negativity when at home along the front range everyone goes out of their way to say how cool our "byke" is.

It was a great trip and a really nice loop to do, I'd recommend it.

 

[summerdawn]

So how many clothes/toiletries did the luggage you used hold? Even though you didn't use the frunk piece of luggage, how many clothes do you think it will hold? I am considering buying the piece that rolls and the saddlebag pieces.

 

[vondalyn]

So how many clothes/toiletries did the luggage you used hold? Even though you didn't use the frunk piece of luggage, how many clothes do you think it will hold? I am considering buying the piece that rolls and the saddlebag pieces.

In the small left side saddlebag, I was able to fit: 4 t-shirts, 2 shorts, 2 pairs of socks and 4 pairs of underwear. If I'd really tried, I probably could have stuffed 1 pair of jeans into that bag too. We both had a shower before leaving and put on clean clothes that we planned on wearing the next day. Since we switched back and forth between the jeans and the shorts, we opted to only take 1 of each... In the back cargo area below the luggage I had my big camera, a water bottle, 2 long sleeved shirts, a big flashlight, and the Spyder travel cover (I think that's it, but i might have missed something). IN the back piece of luggage, I packed my kindle, the scala user guide, sleepwear for both of us, chargers for our helmet radios, medicines, a small flashlight, a regular size bottle of conditioner, deoderant, and later toothbrushes and toothpaste -- and because it's an odd shape, there was still room in it to add more stuff if we'd needed more stuff.

We took our big coats (tourmasters -- they both have armor in the shoulders/sleeves and padding in the back) with us and put those and my purse in the frunk. When we got to Breckenridge, our condo wasn't quite ready for us, so we had to kill an hour before we could go drop stuff off, so with our packing the coats in the frunk, there wasn't room for my helmet and I ended up having to carry it with me to lunch. I could have fit it in the frunk with one coat removed, but I thought it would be easier to carry the helmet around with me in the heat than the coat.

The big frunk piece of luggage will hold a lot. I guess it depends on how you pack, but for me (I used to travel for work), I could use it as "normal" carry on luggage. It would hold several days worth of clothes. If we hadn't been in cold temps in the mountains (trail ridge at 12K+ feet in the evening is darn cold!) I would have skipped the coats and gone for the frunk luggage instead.

 

[NancysToy]

:thumbup: Remember that the Spyder has helmet hooks under the seat. You may need to use zip-ties or looped cables as strap extenders for some helmets, though.

 

[Jeriatric]

Securing helmets

I used to use a small dog choke collar to secure our helmets. Looped through the helmet D ring and then locked by whatever means worked best. Under the seat hook, or just using a small lock to secure it to a backrest or even the passengers armrests on the Spyder.

 

[fastfraser]

I have yet to use our luggage from the RT. I find it takes up more room then if I pack the compartments with out.:dontknow:

 

[vondalyn]

:thumbup: Remember that the Spyder has helmet hooks under the seat. You may need to use zip-ties or looped cables as strap extenders for some helmets, though.

Is that what those plastic tabs under the seat are for? I always had metal helmet hooks on my motorcycles in the past, so I wasn't sure even though I'd read in the owners manual that the RT has helmet hooks. The plastic ones felt to me like I could break it off with my bare hands (though I didn't try...) and when I tried to hook my helmet to it, my chin strap is too short so I figured that's not really what they were. I could use an extender and/or a lock. Have you noticed any issues with having the radio connectors on the helmet though? I guess I'm not too trusting of strangers around my stuff

 

[NancysToy]

Is that what those plastic tabs under the seat are for? I always had metal helmet hooks on my motorcycles in the past, so I wasn't sure even though I'd read in the owners manual that the RT has helmet hooks. The plastic ones felt to me like I could break it off with my bare hands (though I didn't try...) and when I tried to hook my helmet to it, my chin strap is too short so I figured that's not really what they were. I could use an extender and/or a lock. Have you noticed any issues with having the radio connectors on the helmet though? I guess I'm not too trusting of strangers around my stuff

The plastic hooks are much stronger than they look. I have never had a problem. With our Arai helmets, we can fasten the helmet straps at their longest length, and they work without extension...although we do have to wiggle the seat past them to close it. Our comm cords tuck into the helmets when not in use, along with our gloves, so we have had no problems there. A looped zip-tie or light cable makes a good extender if need be, if your helmet has sa short strap. I guess I trust everybody, but we have never had an issue with vandalism or theft...even when we just put the helmets on the seat. I guess nobody wants a helmet with bug guts on it...LOL.

 

[2 Cruysyn]

:thumbup: Remember that the Spyder has helmet hooks under the seat. You may need to use zip-ties or looped cables as strap extenders for some helmets, though.

Try (2) 3/4" D rings, or 1" if needed, on the long strap. Support your helmet with one hand, slide the D rings over the hook, rest the bottom of your helmet on the Tupperware and close the seat.