Okay go ahead and laugh but ...

[Ripshod]

This works even better than I'd imagined.

http://funhouserock.com/funhouse/blab/picture.php?albumid=13&pictureid=248

Those little side bags are actually bicycle panniers. I bought more camping gear but my big bag was full so I started looking for places to hang bags. Since I always ride one-up it occurred to me that all that room between the back of my legs an the front of the sidebags was virgin territory. At first I thought about hanging some tank panniers there but they just aren't big enough. I found these by googling 'bicycle panniers'. I had to make a few changes to adapt them but they hug the bike tightly and they hold lots of stuff.

Now I have to figure out what to call them. I've been calling them kidney bags but that's both lame and misleading. Somebody asked if they were colostomy bags - and my personal favorite - scrotal supplements.

Here's another shot - sorry for the grainy pics, had to borrow a camera 'cause the wife has mine at the beach.

http://funhouserock.com/funhouse/blab/picture.php?albumid=13&pictureid=249

The top bag weighs 50 lbs and the two panniers together weigh in at 25. It feels like a great weight distribution. Here's one more grainy, unfocused shot. I had to rush to take these pics while the bike is clean - it'll not stay that way long. I'm leaving on Fri. the 15th for our 2-week trip 'round Lake Michigan and to the Very Boring Rally.


http://funhouserock.com/funhouse/blab/picture.php?albumid=13&pictureid=250


So what do you guys think -
a) Ugly?
b) Pretty?
c) Who cares, it carries a lot of stuff?

I vote 'c' myself.

[Tx White Knight]

I vote for "C" also

As long as it is secure and you have what you want with you then it is perfectly OK :)

Be safe on your trip and get your camera back so you can get lots of :takepics2:

[Ironheadziggy76]

I'm not sure how to rate these, I'll go with either a "C+" or a "B-". I think they look good myself, and they look like they would hold a lot. Your weight is down low so it looks like you have a winner on your hands. I had never considered bicycle panniers, I have been looking at some ATV bags that go over the gas tank at a place locally. I have even considered one of the smaller hard boxes that mounts to the front rack of ATV's to go on my rear luggage rack I'm building for the 650.

Thanks for the great idea Ripshod, shows what you can do when you think outside of the box!

[Mr. Guy]

I'll vote "C". The only problem now is I need to remember where I put my old set of bicycle panniers. :)

Guy

[Trailace]

I'll say C if they work for you and you like them that's all that matters. :D

[Ripshod]

Thanks guys. Just this morning I installed some bar risers, got a fresh set of tires last week, now the gear is set to go. And I have a week to work and wait till we leave.

I'll take pictures of the campsites and post when I can. I try to make use of all that stuff I carry around.

[les1234]

Well, they don't look TOO bad, they actually kind of match the other bags. But they look like they hang a little close to the exhaust pipes....

[Scorch]

What brand is that gear bag? it looks sturdy with those straps and all those side pockets.

[STrep]

If it works great, if it looks good much less an issue. Always function over form while motocamping:tent1:

[ImRubicon]

I always give a C but I wonder about heat too?
They look pretty good if they are out of your way

[Ripshod]

Well, I haven't been posting here for a few months but I'm back.

I see I got a couple of comments on the picture since I was here last, and least one question. The seat bag is by MotoFizz, sold by Aerostich (http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/MotoFizz-Camping-Seat-Bags-Small-Medium--Large-p-16405.html). It's the large size. Of course it's intended to be mounted side-to-side, not front-to-back like I do but it's so long I'd have to give up seeing anything with the mirrors and well, I just like it a lot better that way. I open the rear flap (would be the side flap) and all the gear just slides out the back. When I pack it, everything slides back in from the rear. I pack it tight to the front and cinch up the expansion till everything's tight. It's very secure and yes, it does have lots of straps and pockets. It weighs about 50 lbs packed.

The pole bag holds two Noah's poles (http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___22046) and two Noah's staffs (http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___22047) which I use to hold up the Noah's tarp (http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___22049) which is packed inside the rear bag. It's a real life saver when camping in the rain. Otherwise I wouldn't be able to relax in the chair, cooking eating and hanging around the campfire in the pouring rain.

The panniers, which I found by googling 'bicycle panniers', are from Bike Nashbar (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=600066&subcategory=60001004&brand=&sku=15439&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20Panniers). The were cheap and with just a little customization they work great and yeah, they do stay up off the exhaust. They weigh about 10 lbs. apeice and I like keeping that extra weight down low.

And here's a better picture, as also seen on the 'How Heavy Do You Pack?' thread:

http://www.funhouserock.com/funhouse/blab/picture.php?albumid=13&pictureid=404

[Scout]

Is there an issue with heat from the exhaust?

[ctbandit]

Jesus thats a lot of stuff!!

Really going for the minimalism of moto-camping huh! haha

[Trekker]

Impressive Ripshod!

Is there any chance you could provide a pic of you on the bike when packed?

[Gene McCall]

Rip, it is impressive! However, I would not be able to push the bike up right from the side stand! But then thats why I now drive a hack anyway! I see you are from Knoxville, maybe we will run into one another down at TWO this spring.
Gene:cool:

[Ripshod]

Scout - No, it looks like a close ride in the picture but there's a little shelf that sticks out from the frame over the exhaust which holds the bags up and out. They're also hooked to the frame in two places, keeping them snug and tight.

Trekker - That's a good idea. I don't have a mounted and packed picture but maybe I'll have one later this year.

Gene - Well, it is a struggle, especially since I'm a bit inseam challenged but I've managed pretty well so far. I'd hate to have to pick it up by myself if it was ever dropped. Luckily I've never dropped it packed. It did fall over once while I was washing it and it was all I could do to get it up then. On my old bike, an ST1100, I can't say the same, unfortunately. On long trips, it wasn't uncommon to drop it every other day, mostly due to fatigue and inattention. And the 1100 was packed a lot higher. And the 1300 is a few inches shorter in the saddle which helps a lot.

Yeah, I usually make it down to T.W.O once a year or so. In fact, I might be dropping by for lunch this Saturday. My riding buddy who lives in Nashville will be taking me with him down to Atlanta to pick up a(nother) bike he found on Craigslist and if the weather holds out and we have the time we'll try to take the scenic route back to Knoxville. He's picking up a VTR and I can't wait to take it out and lean for a few curves. Only problem is, we'll be on four wheels with the bike in the back of the truck (or best case scenario, one of us on two wheels while the other chases in the truck). I understand that while the campground and lodge are closed, the restaurant (yum) is open on weekends. Love their food.

[coopdway]

I'm going to guess that you leave the garage and the basement at home.

Seriously, if you want/need that much stuff along, carry it any way you can. I'm appreciative that I can go with less.

[BCST]

Actually that load doesn't seem like all that much to me and he's got it well thought out on how it's all attached. I'll bet it weighs a lot less than a passenger and the weight is a lot lower on the bike so easier to handle. P^

This is a pic of my ST on last years trip and I have to tell you the bike handled like there was nothing back there.

Pete

[spd2918]

That big Motofizz bag ROCKS. A friend loaned me his for a ride to Florida and I bought one on my return (Aerostci is two miles from my house).

[sawguard]

A few 'Packed" motorcycles

[Millsaps2]

What size tarp do you use?

[Ripshod]

What size tarp do you use?

Just got around to this thread again. I use the 12' tarp. It's big enough to be a good gathering spot for half a dozen or so to get out of the rain, or it'll cover a picnic table with room to spare.

[TJ Willy]

I vote: 'B'.

The ST looks good with all that gear. I bet it looks impressive rolling down the tarmac.

[HaChayalBoded]

I gotta ask, whats in your duffel that weighs 50lbs and what are you carrying in the bike panniers that weigh an extra 25lbs? Is that 25lbs each?

[Ripshod]

I don't have a list, but I take everything I'll need to cover every likely contingency. I can grill even if no ground fires are allowed. I have a table in case none is provided. I have an axe, shovel, saw and fire extinguisher, and several ways to start a fire, even with wet wood. I also have a chair and a kitchen including cups, plates, dinnerware, stove, fuel, a mantel lantern and spices. And there's a rain fly with poles to be sure I can use everything else in there, even in the pouring rain. I've learned that there are a lot of things that can turn an adventure into and ordeal, but with the right gear that doesn't have to happen.

Both the kidney bags weigh 20 lbs total. They carry the kitchen and fire maintenance tools.

Here's what it looks like when I set up camp. (http://www.motocampers.com/forums/showpost.php?p=20485&postcount=3)

[HaChayalBoded]

What kind of table and grill are you using? I have a GSI macrotable.

[Ripshod]

I don't remember the brand of the table. It's in the picture above, under the tarp. Actually, there are two setup side-by-side under the tarp. My buddy brought the other one.

The grill is a Grilliput with folding firebowl.

[rollsroyce77]

They say, 'Necessity is the Mother of Invention'. I think you came up with a workable solution to the ever-present problem of where do I put "more stuff!!!!" Nice job. By the way, the grainy pics are great. They git-R-done.

[Scout]

Jerry- It has been about a year since the original post. Are you still happy with the bicycle panniers? Have they held up to moto-camping?

On a side note- The bag you gave me works great.

[Ripshod]

Well Scout, I love 'em. Thanks for asking. They worked just as well as I'd hoped. They carry a lot of stuff and I love the way they keep the load low and forward. I found that one of the side zipper pockets on the left side bag is the perfect place to keep a ballcap handy so I can avoid scaring people when I take my helmet off. Here I am pulling into a campground on the Natchez Trace last August.

http://i.imgur.com/o2Ouy.jpg

That big red blob on top doesn't stay there. It's a cooler full of food and drinks for dinner, recently acquired at the grocery store.

Glad to hear that the bag is working out. Are you carrying it upright like I used to do or do you lay it down on the seat?


EDIT: I just noticed that the first post's pictures are missing. I must have moved them. But the newer one above can get the message across. And that link on post#25 above has a picture that got swapped for something else - I have no idea what's up with that.

[kayakinbiker]

A few 'Packed" motorcycles

HEEHEE!! I've seen these before but always good for another laugh!! HAHA!!

[kayakinbiker]

This works even better than I'd imagined.

http://funhouserock.com/funhouse/blab/picture.php?albumid=13&pictureid=248

Those little side bags are actually bicycle panniers. I bought more camping gear but my big bag was full so I started looking for places to hang bags. Since I always ride one-up it occurred to me that all that room between the back of my legs an the front of the sidebags was virgin territory. At first I thought about hanging some tank panniers there but they just aren't big enough. I found these by googling 'bicycle panniers'. I had to make a few changes to adapt them but they hug the bike tightly and they hold lots of stuff.

Now I have to figure out what to call them. I've been calling them kidney bags but that's both lame and misleading. Somebody asked if they were colostomy bags - and my personal favorite - scrotal supplements.

Here's another shot - sorry for the grainy pics, had to borrow a camera 'cause the wife has mine at the beach.

http://funhouserock.com/funhouse/blab/picture.php?albumid=13&pictureid=249

The top bag weighs 50 lbs and the two panniers together weigh in at 25. It feels like a great weight distribution. Here's one more grainy, unfocused shot. I had to rush to take these pics while the bike is clean - it'll not stay that way long. I'm leaving on Fri. the 15th for our 2-week trip 'round Lake Michigan and to the Very Boring Rally.


http://funhouserock.com/funhouse/blab/picture.php?albumid=13&pictureid=250


So what do you guys think -
a) Ugly?
b) Pretty?
c) Who cares, it carries a lot of stuff?

I vote 'c' myself.

Whoa!! You carry that much stuff? I am going the opposite way, less stuff...I will be bringing my lil dog now so I have to adjust my stuff...less clothes, less a grill, etc....

[bobalou]

No pics coming through So I'll just agree with everyone else.
Saw another pic...
Dang brother, Ya know how to pack! More power to ya P^