Loaded to Camp

[sandman]

It may seem overloaded but I have very few problems with this setup. The effect on handling is not noticeable unless caught in crosswinds on the interstate.

Let's see some pics of your bikes loaded to go.

Gordon

[LandRover]

Hello Gordon!

You and I have the same set-up, except I have the HondaLine top box. I take a sleeping bag and Coleman Twin air mattress in one bag, the tent in another, and my gear in a third.

The sleeping bag / mattress go in the top box, the tent stows on the passenger seat, and my gear goes in the left pannier. The right pannier holds my rain gear, a quart of oil, and misc. sundries.

On my last trip, I noticed that the front end was a little vague; felt "twitchy". Almost like it was un-weighted. I had cranked the preload to one notch before full tight, but left the spring at center.

Are you running full tight on both settings? If not, how do you keep from having handling effects? I'll be doing allot more tenting, but only if I can get this sorted.

My stats: 185 pounds (210 with gear), Z6 front, ME880 rear, both have less than 3K on them, and 36K on the bike. I don't see anything wrong with the machine, so I'm at a bit of a loss. I didn't notice this with a passenger, but I admit it's been quite a while since anyone has ridden on board.

Any insight you can offer would be helpful. Ride well, and be safe ..... :)

[Alan]

I have everything packed into waterproof bags. I have tested the waterproofing!;) I learned about the waterproof bags when rafting through the Grand Canyon, they work great. Now my son on his KLR650 doesn't have all the waterproof stuff, but he lives in Arizona and doesn't normally have to worry about rain.

[nomad dan]

I have packed on this trip a tent at the back and bottom, sleeping bag and pillow in the red dry sack, green inflatable mattress, and a folding chair.

I slip my leather jacket off when it gets hot and put under one of the bungees and it's in the pic also.

All my clothes, etc fit in the hard bags.

[sandman]

The only possible differences in our two packing designs is that you have the topbox. I concentrate the bulk of the weight in the large Helen2wheels bag placed on the passenger seat. The tent and chair bags weigh much less than this bag. Having the bulk of the weight in front of the rack may better balance my load and prevent handling difficulties. I do, however, have problems with crosswind in open areas. My return trip from Key West to Mobile was a real workout. I was punchdrunk from all the crosswind buffeting.

My suspension settings are always set hard, I like the sportier ride.

I'm not familiar with the handling of the Metzeler tires, I've only used the stock tires and have about 3000mi. on a set of Michelin Pilot Roads that I'm really happy with.

Good luck figuring out your trouble.

Gordon

Hello Gordon!

You and I have the same set-up, except I have the HondaLine top box. I take a sleeping bag and Coleman Twin air mattress in one bag, the tent in another, and my gear in a third.

The sleeping bag / mattress go in the top box, the tent stows on the passenger seat, and my gear goes in the left pannier. The right pannier holds my rain gear, a quart of oil, and misc. sundries.

On my last trip, I noticed that the front end was a little vague; felt "twitchy". Almost like it was un-weighted. I had cranked the preload to one notch before full tight, but left the spring at center.

Are you running full tight on both settings? If not, how do you keep from having handling effects? I'll be doing allot more tenting, but only if I can get this sorted.

My stats: 185 pounds (210 with gear), Z6 front, ME880 rear, both have less than 3K on them, and 36K on the bike. I don't see anything wrong with the machine, so I'm at a bit of a loss. I didn't notice this with a passenger, but I admit it's been quite a while since anyone has ridden on board.

Any insight you can offer would be helpful. Ride well, and be safe ..... :)

[sandman]

Alan,

I bought the Helen2wheels bags because they are both compression and waterproof. You won't believe what I've got packed in them. (I'll put some pics up when I can).

Dan,

I love that Nomad, when I was researching what kind of bike I wanted to reenter riding on it was my choice just before I found the ST1300. The ability to maintain high speeds effortlessly and carry a 300 mile range sold me on the ST.

Great Pics guys! Looks like everybody has spent a little time with their design.

I've made 2 trips to Daytona 1 to the Smokies and 1 to the Ozarks with this design and found it suits my needs well.

I'll be running the Blue Ridge the week before Memorial Day next month and this will be the first time that I have to setup and teardown my camp daily on any of my trips. Should be an interesting exercise.



Gordon

[Trailace]

This is the old GS loaded on day 2 of 18. The black duffle on the seat holds my tent, sleeping bag, air mattress, air pump and shower shoes. The little blue bag was carrying this.

http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/7584439-Ti.jpg (http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/7584439-M.jpg) http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/7589499-Ti.jpg (http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/7589499-M.jpg)

[Blues Traveler]

Last weekend was ADVriders WARP2 just up river from Kernville,Ca. The GS will haul a lot of gear. Here in these pictures you can see everything on the inside except my sleeping bag, Geeza cover, chair, and tent poles. The bag under the net on the L/H side is my Gerbing jacket linner where its handy if needed.

149147146

[mongo]

This is my old ride packed heavy. My cousin was trying to trade his ST4S off and didn,t want to scratch it, so the work horse was loaded. My first PIC on a forum so I hope it turns out.

[sandman]

Wow Mongo that old ride looks loaded. Did you have to tap the front brake to steer?:D

[mongo]

It actually did pretty good, Ohlins suspension made to my weight + 100 pounds for gear works pretty good for camping or Sport! I have never packed this much before, or after. I was wanting to get out of the great White north (rode through snow to get out of WV) so load it on, So we can get to the Keys!

[Mellow]

This is it for me sorry... but, it is a Wing:
http://mellow.smugmug.com/photos/58265033-M.jpg

[LandRover]

The only possible differences in our two packing designs is that you have the topbox. I concentrate the bulk of the weight in the large Helen2wheels bag placed on the passenger seat. Having the bulk of the weight in front of the rack may better balance my load and prevent handling difficulties.

My suspension settings are always set hard, I like the sportier ride.

Good luck figuring out your trouble.

Gordon

Hi again

Thanks for taking a moment, and sharing your insight. You may be on to something when you allude to the top box. I'm trying various settings, and will re-arrange gear till I get it right. All I can do is adjust till I hit the sweet spot.

Ride well, and be safe ....

Bill :)

[Mark]

This is it for me sorry... but, it is a Wing:
http://mellow.smugmug.com/photos/58265033-M.jpg

That is a very pretty picture with a good looking wing; but, I don't see the handlebar mounted expresso machine...;)

Mark

[Mellow]

Hi again

Thanks for taking a moment, and sharing your insight. You may be on to something when you allude to the top box. I'm trying various settings, and will re-arrange gear till I get it right. All I can do is adjust till I hit the sweet spot.

Ride well, and be safe ....

Bill :)

Bill, have you seen the top box rack that TurboCity Tom is selling? Allows a rack that can be mounted to the top box mount. Remove the top box and attach the rack and you'll have a nice rack (I didn't just say that) to give you some different packing options.

Here it is:
http://www.turbocity.com/product_info.php?products_id=585&osCsid=1db1ecfd279159e54548520364c76f6b

[sandman]

Yeah Joe, But...

Do you pack anything but that cap and a couple of those happy face cookies?

Gordon

[Mellow]

Yeah Joe, But...

Do you pack anything but that cap and a couple of those happy face cookies?

Gordon

No cookies... those were brought by someone else at the time... and the cap, I bought a new one...

[805gregg]

I just did an ADV ride to Baja, and when we stopped at the border, the CHP said my v-strom
weighed about 900 lbs, too much, I came back after the ride and started to find lighter products, like back packer quality. Kind of expensive, but better quality, like just for instance, got a nylon footprint tarp for my tent, $25 8 oz.to replace my $3 chinese 1lb.tarp, also I went from a $19 butane stove with a big cylinder maybe 3 lbs total to a pocket rocket $39 and 3 oz + small cylinder.

[805gregg]

Last weekend was ADVriders WARP2 just up river from Kernville,Ca. The GS will haul a lot of gear. Here in these pictures you can see everything on the inside except my sleeping bag, Geeza cover, chair, and tent poles. The bag under the net on the L/H side is my Gerbing jacket linner where its handy if needed.

149147146

hey Keith i was at the Warp II also, boy was it cold on sun morning.

[Blues Traveler]

hey Keith i was at the Warp II also, boy was it cold on sun morning.

Hi Gregg, Was it cold?:D After Sat. nights light show:storm1: I remember waking up to the sound of rain Sun. morning on the tent as I lay there in my new, first time use Big Agnes -20? sleeping bag. I was toasty warm till I got up and started moving around.

Was a Great weekend even though it rained Sat. night and early Sun. morning. Rained seemed to stop for us to break camp and load up the bikes. We were ready for the rain on our ride home but it didn't get us.

Next trip is ADVwest rally in Colorado at the end of June. You going?

[Motocentaur]

Here's how I pack solo:

Right side case
messware, stove, toiletry kit, water (if needed)

Left side case
clothes, sleeping bag, tool roll

Rear of seat
tent, tarp, sleeping pad (in dry bag), folding chair

Tank bag
food, reading and writing materials, frequently used items

Homemade panniers (slung over seat)
Camp tools, hydration bladder, pint bottle of adult beverage for evenings

There is room to spare, but I'm going to have to figure out how to repack for two-up travel. I have a 46 liter top case coming in the mail, which should help.