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5 Jun 2012
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Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Isle of Lewis
Posts: 153
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Basic info
If you could give us a wee bit more info.
This is a world wide club so your posts are seen by people on all continents.
If you tell us where you are and where you hope to go, we The Hubb comunity, can give you specific advise.
Travelers have been useing smaller bikes than yours for overland trips so don't let that put you off.
Good luck on your travels.
 to the Hubb.
Rory
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5 Jun 2012
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Gold Member
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Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 619
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No Backpack.
Just one point: I don't think a backpack of any size or weight at all is a good idea when travelling on a bike. In no time at all it'll be painful. Lindsay.
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5 Jun 2012
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Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 639
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Linzi
Just one point: I don't think a backpack of any size or weight at all is a good idea when travelling on a bike. In no time at all it'll be painful. Lindsay.
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And with a backpack, the weight of your lugage is way to high. Saddlebags will put the center of gravity lower and that is much better for the handling of your bike.
__________________
Jan Krijtenburg
My bikes are a Honda GoldWing GL1200 and a Harley-Davidson FXD Dyna Super Glide
My personal homepage with trip reports: https://www.krijtenburg.nl/
YouTube channel (that I do together with one of my sons): motormobilist.nl
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6 Jun 2012
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Join Date: Jun 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jkrijt
And with a backpack, the weight of your lugage is way to high. Saddlebags will put the center of gravity lower and that is much better for the handling of your bike.
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I'm not going to spend money on buying that now => I dropped my motorcycle in january with the freezing weather in belgium , need to work to get some money to actually fully fix the bike ( some fenders still dmg'd ) .. so no fancy buying stuff.
I've got a good motorcycle backpack ( not big at all ) On there I can fit my tent .. and besides that, I got a tank bag which is very spacious ..
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6 Jun 2012
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Join Date: Oct 2008
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Luggage.
Hi, for what it's worth I'd expect you to give up on the backpack idea out on the road pretty quickly. If so, bear in mind this. Throw-overs on the back of a small bike work their way backwards as would any lump put there, so strap it down and strap it so it won't roll back over the rear lights. I'd suggest taking straps for this incase you decide to try strapping it onto the bike.
Go for a trial ride of 5 km to see if it works as you intend it to. Have fun, Lindsay.
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6 Jun 2012
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Registered Users
New on the HUBB
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Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Linzi
Hi, for what it's worth I'd expect you to give up on the backpack idea out on the road pretty quickly. If so, bear in mind this. Throw-overs on the back of a small bike work their way backwards as would any lump put there, so strap it down and strap it so it won't roll back over the rear lights. I'd suggest taking straps for this incase you decide to try strapping it onto the bike.
Go for a trial ride of 5 km to see if it works as you intend it to. Have fun, Lindsay.
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I'm really enjoying the fast responds ( Didn't expect the responds ot be so active ) .
Euh , I can't quite follow you?
You advice to not take a backpack but rather then using a back pack strap it on my rear saddle? My girlfriend is coming along . So I cannot strap it on my saddle? IF you ment it otherwise please clarify it a bit more .. I don't really understand fully what you ment to say... Thanks !
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7 Jun 2012
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Contributing Member
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: St Helens
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sonny91be
I'm really enjoying the fast responds ( Didn't expect the responds ot be so active ) .
Euh , I can't quite follow you?
You advice to not take a backpack but rather then using a back pack strap it on my rear saddle? My girlfriend is coming along . So I cannot strap it on my saddle? IF you ment it otherwise please clarify it a bit more .. I don't really understand fully what you ment to say... Thanks ! 
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On the backpack point, you have a small bike with a pillion. Unless the pillion is wearing the back pack then that is a no-goer.
Please listen to the advice you are getting here, backpacks are not good.
However, if you do insist on taking a backpack, have a cheap rack put on the bike (you can always find someone to cut down and fit a "scrap" one for very little cost. You can then put your tent on the rack, and then the pillion can wear the back pack and rest the weight on the rack.
But saddle bags are better option than a back pack.. Something like this ?
Leather Motorcycle Throw over Saddle Bags Saddlebags Panniers Pair | eBay
Cheap items *can* be found.
But also think about pillion comfort, they do not want to sit on straps.
And pack light. You do not need a lot of clothes, just wash often. (Max underwear IMO is 4 pairs).
My wife and I went across the USA with just a tank bag and a ventura rack/bag. (Ok, no tent for the 1st 5 weeks).
Back in '96 we went round France for 2 weeks on a GS550 with *far* more stuff (tent (back rack), tank bag, saddle bags *and* back pack).
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6 Jun 2012
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Registered Users
New on the HUBB
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Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rory799
If you could give us a wee bit more info.
This is a world wide club so your posts are seen by people on all continents.
If you tell us where you are and where you hope to go, we The Hubb comunity, can give you specific advise.
Travelers have been useing smaller bikes than yours for overland trips so don't let that put you off.
Good luck on your travels.
 to the Hubb.
Rory
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So I live in belgium , And where I'm going too I haven't decided yet.
Probably not too far, driving a bit in germany maybe? I gotta find some specific points I want to see and use as checkpoints
And I'll be using mainly my tankbag , backpack , that's it xD
I'm not gonna buy any fancy storing rack's for my bike to put on ( not that much money as a student ), and I'm not hoping I need that much space.
1 Disadvantage : LAck of space behind my back/. Normally I can store some goodies with straps on my second saddle ( for a passanger ) But I'm actually gonna take my GF with me :s ..
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