Im pretty sure im going to go with the tornado as my travel bike of choice when I hit santiago in january. I plan to buy a new one however im trying to suss out a luggage scenario.

Ive read that racks are unavailable as a rule so if any tornado owners could help me out here it would be much appreciated. Il be flying in from the uk so im able to take things with me that might be of use. Ive seen the big wheel bag thingo that saddles over the back seat but at 400 bucks there must be something else?

Also if there's any more advice out there about mods that could be useful.. like making the seat comfier?! I just rode aroud sri lanka on the xr 250 and my arse did not thank me for it.

Thx

Claire

I would have thought that you would be able to get some pannier rack hoops put on the Tornado, then I would be looking at taking some soft panniers like Magadans, Wolfman, Giantloop etc Having looked at a lot of panniers I will most likely get the Magadans

I am looking at taking my kit over and that is the way I was going to do it. I have been in touch with Toby on this thread and he said if I sent him the size/diameter he would sort me out
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...get-ride-76478
Although he is in Peru

Just got a sheepskin rug/cover put on my XT600E and testing it out on a trip to Hamburg so I am hoping my behind will be ok

Wayne

__________________
The Balkans
https://new.horizonsunlimited.com/poi_entity/8417

Thanks Wayne although wrong country! Im hoping tobstart as far southvas I can to get into patagonia with thr best weather. . Plus im not sure I could ever trust a chinese bike! You used the giant loop before? Exp but I guess they last a long time.

Cleland il certainly check that one out. So you NEVER camped? And those panniers.. are they the ones that connect with just velcro straps or the one piece of material? Cheers

A local fabricator should be able to make you something pretty cheaply surely.

With throw over bags especially. Anyone with a vice, propane torch, hammer and a welder can make racks for soft bags..

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

I had a Honda Tornado and made some racks for it.
Lift up the seat and you will see a few places that are good to attach a rear rack.
Then make from the rear rack a few metal bars to the foot pegs to be able to
use soft luggage.
Just ask a local welder.


Good luck!

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In September 2012 a rider by the name of Paul arrived at the Horizons Unlimited Meeting in North Carolina, with 6 suit cases strapped to his motorcycle. He does furniture repair work in New York City and uses the luggage to carry his tools.

From Long Island, NY, he traveled about 800 miles one way to attend the meeting. While I would not describe his set up as streamlined and question the safety, it does serve as an inspiration. Panniers can be made out of what you have available, to match your needs. Not everything needs to be ordered from a catalog. And some configurations are obviously not sold pre-made.



PS: The seat is sporting a few strands from a bead seat. Not very useful, but it works for him. I took a section of thick old carpet (use a double layer if needed), trimmed the carpet to match the foot print of the bead seat, then cut a large notch out of the carpet in the crotch area. I find the custom design very comfortable for long days in the saddle.

__________________
Peter B
2008/09 - NJ to Costa Rica and back to NJ
2012/13 - NJ to Northern Argentina, Jamaica, Cuba and back to NJ
2023 - Peru, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia...back to Peru.

Blogs: Peter's Ride

Claire,

Here is my opinion, not all will agree with it but this is what I´ve learnt so far.

You can get racks made up in a store on Calle Lire, but they are - imo, rather heavy and somewhat crude. They affected maintainance severely because they get in the way of you taking the sidepanels from the Tornado, that allow vital access to the battery and more so, the air filter. Did I mention that they are heavy?

You can find better stuff in Argentina, but again, I´d really suggest avoiding putting racks on the Tornado, especially avoid topboxes. It handles very poorly with all that stuff because the bike is extremely light to begin with, around 140 dry I think.

Some people do and they are no doubt fine, depends - are you going to be camping, etc? Factor in that you must put have an extra 4lt of fuel somewhere, and 4 or 8 litres of water, food, tins of tuna, etc. Balancing all that on top of your stock equipment can lead to disaster, as I found out.

I am looking into the following, well I will keep my 15lt Tankbag, buy a Giant Loop, and get rid of topbox but perhaps grudingly keep the rear rack and put my Ortlieb 31 rackpack on it, containing sleeping bag, matt, clothes etc. If I can manage to tie on the rackpack to the Giant loop then I´ll ditch the rear rack as well. I am not part of the marketing team for GL, but what else is out there? They look pretty good, you can buy them here in Chile as well - 250,000 peso.

FYI - the rear rack cost 48,000 peso and I installed it myself. Like I said, I hate it, big heavy, obstructs easy access to the air filtre. They do full racks for around 119,000 peso. Again, up to you, would avoid personally. I met quite a few Tornado riders in Argentina, and they had really nice, small grills on the back of their bikes that looked a hell of a lot lighter and neater, but guess you gotta buy them in Argentina.

Regarding the seat - in Chile there are artisan shops that flog hats, ponchos, etc, from the countryside. There you can find sheepskins that you can cut down to size and attach over the seat using a bunji. I was lucky as someone gave me on for free and it was completly untreated, with nasty looking bugs and all. But its been great, 500k days pass by and I never get discomfort. They really are the best solution out there. Probably cost around 30,000 peso for one - less if you can find them in the country.

I am currently in Santiago with nothing to do, just waiting on another xray to see if my facture has healed up, so don´t hestitate to get in touch! Also check out my other posts out on this forum, as I recorded step by step the buying process here. My insurance company said I should not ride a bike again for 6 weeks after the accident, so kinda stuck here as wont be covered if I fell off again!

Any questions PM me!

Best of luck,
Rtw

Ps buy some of those indestructable mirrors before you come out here (and bring me set!!) - already gone through five mirrors already at a cost of 50 dollars each from Honda!!!

Actually by rack I do mean grill as you put it. I dont like racks either rtw you are right they are so heavy especially on such a little bike plus they break when you drop the bike.. Which you know might happen once or twice .

A grill however as ive had on on xr400 I used to own would do the job nicely. Mostly for a fuel container but also to hook bungies on as theres nothing on the xr to attach stuff to.

I do just want an aftermarket thing that bolts straight on. Guess I could go without till I hit argentina.

You know even though its exp im coming around to the giant loop bag I like the fact the weight is distributed as if it was a passenger.. plus im assuming with a rack I could put another bag behind the giant loop against the rack. AND its super waterproof. Had sone waterproofing issues in north indian monsoons recently so waterproofing is top of my list for gear.

And sheepskin? Its really comfy? Just looks like as comfy as a bit of carpet! Im pretty dubious about this one! And the not waterproof part... maybe the airhawk might suit.. had some sore arse issues recently in sri lanka on an xr so thats 2nd on my list!

Thanks guys all imput much appreciated

Rtw I thought feb was mid summer?! Il hit santiago in jan if youre still there?

I`ve seen second hand Tornados here with grills on them, so they must be somewhere available here? Almost certainly you could get one in Mendoza, a long days ride from Santiago. If or when I get going again, I am definitely going to have a look over in Argentina for one. Will let you know.

As for the GL, yes that is my thinking too. I think I will keep the rack designed for the topbox, and put my Ortlieb there with only lightweight clothes, sleeping bag etc, in it. Heavy stuff in the GL. Looking at photos of my setup now, all seems so obviously wrong. I only ever learn the hard way it seems.

Honestly the sheepskin is fantastic, and water resistant/repellent too. But make sure you do not buy a chemically treated one, as I think this will alter its natural warmth and water resistance properties. Mine is really thick and warm, and very comfortable too. I think it is because every time you shift around on it, the fur moves and creates different pressure points. Mine was free too!

Could be in Santiago around then, probably heading south too - keep in touch!

Rtw

I am now the new owner of an a very orangey GL Great Basin bag I just today bought from Calle Lira. It looks like it`s already been used as was the display model but got a pretty good price (just over than 300 USD) so pretty happy. Just need to buy some dry bags to keep stuff organized and should be great to go. Will let you know how I get on when I get the chance to try it all out on the bike.

Ktmclaire

No I have not used them, I have done lots of research on the net though, I am changing from hard to soft luggage

Wayne

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The Balkans
https://new.horizonsunlimited.com/poi_entity/8417

Maxmoto (maxmoto.cl) on Lira 856 opposite the Honda dealer just fitted me a grill AND screen for my 2014 honda tornado.

Grill 51.000 cp

Screen 56.000 cp

They have heaps of different bike screens and grills. They actually fit different to the ones im used to with a bracket that lets both items stand off the bike so to speak. The guys are really nice and patient with my crappy spanish.