Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear?
Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? Anything to do with the bikes equipment, saddlebags, etc. Questions on repairs and maintenance of the bike itself belong in the Brand Specific Tech Forums.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 29 Sep 2005
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: GENT Belgium
Posts: 503
Hard luggage Rack building on a budget

Yamaha Ténéré 89.

Hi folks,

I'm planning on building my own hard luggage rack. I have a second hand rack from a Super Ténéré for the loops and fancy using second hand Army Ammo box's. I don't want to go over the top but the system needs to survive a drop.

My questions are:

Positioning; should the tops of the boxes be inline with the top of the seat ? or lower how far back should they be ? or say inline with the passage foot pegs ?

The rack will be fitted mid chassis and with a cross brace, is 2 fittings to the upper chassis suffice? not to the seat fixing but the standard Ténéré rear rack fixings.

Lastly the Ammo box's are cheap and strong ! but I've been told they weigh in at 10 kgs each ...... I plan on then filling them with spares and camping gear - what's a reasonable "max" weight I should work too.

I've decided on metal over material for security reasons, for now the trips will be mainly Europe / Turkey / Egypt so no RTW just yet .....

I'm already using a (medical) military box as a top box, 100 % waterproof and almost indestructible. A little heavy but hey who else has a decompression switch on there top box ;-)
Your comments welcome..

Many thanks Matt
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 6 Oct 2005
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Deventer, The Netherlands
Posts: 65
Hi there,

God, your bike is going to be heavy! 10 kg for each box is a waiste of loading weight. Try to travel light! I drove through australia on a XTZ 660 (2000) and had twoalu panniers fixed to a steel frame. Even managed to sqeeze a small toobox in the pannier frame. It worked well but including my tent and my girl friend everything became all pretty heavy.(15 kg for the panniers each, and 10 for the tent and camping gear).Too heavy! It can be done though, It will limit your moving ability.(more like driving a Honda Goldwing. Now I'm travelling light. Just a 45 ltr. backpack put in a strong waterproof ortlieb back and strapped down to the back of my seat. It works perfect. I gave up on bringing many spare. These bikes are very good and won't have any troubles (engine wise). Just change a few parts which are worn down like trottle and clutch cables.
The only things I always take with me are:
-clutch and brake levers.
- innertubes and tire levers (will fit under the seat)
-a bit of electr.wire and iron wire
-spare bulbs
-fuel filter

Alle the rest can be repaired down the road or can't be repaired at all.

Is you stick to your boxes try to make te point of gravity as low as possible. Also make sure the boxes aren't to close to your legs. In case you have to put you feet onto the ground for e.g. paddling trough deep sand. It will easy to get your feet stuck between the groundsurfuce and the corner/bottom of the box. People have hurt themselves this way. I hope you understand my explanation...:-)

Use only your bike frame to attach your pannier frame to. Also the footrests are a good attaching point.

about: 'surving a drop". Don't make them to strong. If you crash, drop the bike, It's the panniers and its pannier frame you want to bend, not your bike frame!
Anyway,

take care and take the solution that gives you the most confidence.

greetings,

Roland
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 6 Oct 2005
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Deventer, The Netherlands
Posts: 65
Hi there,

God, your bike is going to be heavy! 10 kg for each box is a waiste of loading weight. Try to travel light! I drove through Australia on a XTZ 660 (2000) and had two alu panniers fixed to a steel frame. Even managed to sqeeze a small tool box in the pannier frame. It worked well but including my tent and my girlfriend everything became all pretty heavy.(15 kg for the panniers each, and 10 for the tent and camping gear). Thank god my girlfriend was light ;-). Too heavy anyway! It can be done though, but it will limit your moving ability.(more like driving a Honda Goldwing). Now I'm travelling light. Just a 45 ltr. bagpack put in a strong waterproof ortlieb bag and strapped down to the back of my seat. It works perfect. I gave up on bringing many spares. These bikes are very good and won't have any troubles (engine wise). Just change a few parts which are worn down like trottle and clutch cables before you leave.
The only things I always take with me are:
-clutch and brake levers.
- innertubes and tire levers (will fit under the seat)
-a bit of electr.wire and iron wire
-spare bulbs
-fuel filter
-basic tools.

Alle the rest that will brake down can be repaired down the road or can't be repaired at all.

Is you stick to your boxes try to make te point of gravity as low as possible. Also make sure the boxes aren't to close to your legs. In case you have to put you feet onto the ground for e.g. paddling trough deep sand. It's easy to get your feet stuck between the ground and the corner/bottom of the box. People have hurt themselves this way. I hope you understand my explanation...:-)

Use only your bike frame to attach your pannier frame to. Also the footrests are a good attaching point.

about: 'surviving a drop". Don't make them to strong. If you crash or drop the bike, it's the panniers and its pannier frame you want to bend, not your bike frame!

The good thing about panniers is, you can use them as a chair, table, bike jack/support when changing tire etc.

Anyway,

take care and take the solution that gives you the most confidence.

greetings,

Roland
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 12 Oct 2005
beddhist's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Whangarei, NZ
Posts: 2,214
I like to have the panniers level, so I can use them as a table for breakfast, cooking, etc. when camping. Requires main stand.
__________________
Cheers,
Peter.

Europe to NZ 2006-10
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 03:13.