I've started many projects and finished few. My goals for this new venture, or possibly adventure, are few and modest at this time. I recently purchased a Honda CBR250R and I'll try to chronicle what happens as I try to relearn motorcycle riding skills after having not ridden regularly since about 1970. I hope to do a modest amount of traveling or touring, with my first venture planned for the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia. I invite you to follow along if you're so inclined.
Also, I'm going to be posting rants, if you will, about religion, politics, so-called complimentary and alternative medicine in addition to anything else that comes along that I find interesting. Please excuse how the format of this blog/website. Though I have many blogs, I'm a neophyte at best in how to properly design them.

Snap of the Blue Ridge Parkway or the Skyline Drive (Virginia), OK, I fess-up, taken on a trip with my Miata.

Saddlebags? What to do?

May 23, 2012
OK, if I'm ever going on my trip I need to get something to carry my junk. At first I was going to buy the Ortleib large saddlebags. They are eight inches wide. Then I dragged out a large Ortlieb dry bag that I've had for several years (long story), stuffed it with clothes, and here's the result. Now, this bag, is huge...and I mean huge. However, I'm now beginning to wonder whether I can strap it securely. I surely don't want to have to stop every ten minutes to check on it.
Another real problem is my getting on the bike once the bag is strapped on. I'm having a little difficulty getting on it now with only my rain suit strapped on. And, yesterday when I strapped on a bag of dog treats they started shifting around. Soooooo, now I'm considering the thin Ortlieb bags that are four inches wide. Hmmm. The Ortlieb bags are appealing because of them being absolutely waterproof without having to put on rain covers.
Just went out to my bike and did some more measuring. Hmm? It's too bad someone doesn't make a small neat rack that would keep the bags straight. Well, no one does and that's that. Of course I am sure there are folks out there using similar bags on similar bikes and having no problems.
I have a small compression bag (if I can find it) which I should be able to put fives day's worth of underwear and socks in. I could then put that bag in a "small" dry bag and strap that on the seat. Or hell, I could ship all the stuff UPS. (As an aside, my step-father always said, There's only two people you can trust, the Marines and UPS.)

1 comment:

Outside the dealership....

Outside the dealership....
Yes, taking delivery of my new bike, May 17, 2012. The Marsee tank bag fits nicely. It's the strap-on type and you can get to the gas filler by unsnapping two of the straps. It is not in the way; however, it does expand upwards. My rainsuit is strapped to the seat.

OK, I promise to keep snaps of me to a minimum.

OK, I promise to keep snaps of me to a minimum.
Yeah, I know. I look pretty old. Actually, I'm only 25, the years have been tough and they've taken their toll.

Ortlieb Large Dry Bag (Rack-Pack)

Ortlieb Large Dry Bag (Rack-Pack)

I was on the verge of placing an order with Aerostich for Ortlieb saddlebags and decided to see how this bag would work. It’s the large Ortlieb dry bag. It cavernous and holds a whopping 2990 cubic inches. And, no it’s not filled to capacity, I just stuffed it with some clothes. The bungees I happened to have, though if I decide to use this as shown, I’m going to order six ROC straps. The only things that I can think of that I’ll be packing that are damageable or breakable are my netbook and two small cameras. The cameras I can put in the tank bag and the netbook I can wrap in clothes. I know one thing, if I do decide to use this bag I’m going to have to do some stretching exercises, as I will surely not be able to throw my leg over this. Yes, definitely a step-through situation.