Packing your SaddleBags...do they close easy?

[dmulk]

So I finished packing the bike last night....I am a little concerned about the load in the saddle bags, though.

While everything "fits", I have to be careful closing and locking the bags because they are so full. When I close the bag, I have to hold it closed firmly while I turn the lock.....is this bad?

I think when I open it, I need to press towards the bike to get the lock to disengage. It's not a TON of pressure, but it is definitely firm...

Should I be concerned?

What are your experiences?

<D>

[gene]

Welcome to fully loaded travel!!! Now remember things wiil never pack as tight on the return trip and you will have a few extra things also to haul home so it might be better to not have things completely full as you leave. When we travel for more than a few days the side bags are olmost always stuffed full

[Mellow]

Firm should be okay.. and, it will settle and compress a little more as you ride.

I've never had any issues with saddlebags doing that.. the one I put clothes in always shuts a little on the firm side.

[Mellow]

Welcome to fully loaded travel!!! Now remember things wiil never pack as tight on the return trip and you will have a few extra things also to haul home so it might be better to not have things completely full as you leave. When we travel for more than a few days the side bags are olmost always stuffed full

That's why you throw your dirty clothes away... :clap2:

[motomac]

AHHMMMMM!!!!!, you may get water in the bags if it rains when you have to put your hip against the bag to open the latch!!!! If you put everything in gallon or two gallon plastic bags, it don't matter if the water gets in. DAMHIKT!!!

[STindy05]

So I finished packing the bike last night....I am a little concerned about the load in the saddle bags, though.

While everything "fits", I have to be careful closing and locking the bags because they are so full. When I close the bag, I have to hold it closed firmly while I turn the lock.....is this bad?

I think when I open it, I need to press towards the bike to get the lock to disengage. It's not a TON of pressure, but it is definitely firm...

Should I be concerned?

What are your experiences?

<D>

Are you using bag liners? I read on here that if you actually put the bags in so the small pouch is facing in towards the tire that they fit better. I tried this on my last trip and have to agree they did. Might want to give it a try if you did not pack it that way.

[dmulk]

Are you using bag liners? I read on here that if you actually put the bags in so the small pouch is facing in towards the tire that they fit better. I tried this on my last trip and have to agree they did. Might want to give it a try if you did not pack it that way.

Thanks Landon, you are right. They fit better, but still "firm". :)

I was concerned about the rain thing and leakage with the saddlebags... I'll have to check that again tonight.

I figure if I have to purchasing something I'll either drop it with a friend on the way back to ship home to me OR I'll throw my tent away (it's a $20 walmart disposable) and pack everything in a compression bag that I have with me.

Hmmm.... has anyone ever Popped a rivet or had a bag come open at speed / over a bump?

<D>

[jahoobob]

I haven't seen any leakage, even when they are stuffed. I would pack more of the bulk to the rear of the bags so the front closes tighter.

[Canuck]

I just did a 4 day trip last month and believe me, mine where tight as I needed to lean my hip into it to close them. It also rained for an entire day, NO problem and bone dry. I love my ST!!!

Mark ....... 05STA

[gene]

I usually stuff the sides full and keep the top box empty on departure and it is always full on return ??? Not sure how that happens but it does !! We have lots of miles in the rain with overstuffed bags with no leaks .

[bygdawg]

AHHMMMMM!!!!!, you may get water in the bags if it rains when you have to put your hip against the bag to open the latch!!!! If you put everything in gallon or two gallon plastic bags, it don't matter if the water gets in. DAMHIKT!!!

Listen to Motomac...I've seen this happen as well. For this reason, I went with this bag that Mellow suggested some time back. It's great:

http://pics.midsouthspyders.com/listpics.asp?a=show&ID=10405

Plus, it's waterproof, and you can leave your side bags empty or lightly packed for all the crap you're going to buy while you're away. lol

[kingprawnokay]

You packed too much.

Without fail, we all pack items we will not use or do not need. Lighten the load.

[Phillyrube]

Save all your old socks and underwear. Then, when you stop for the night, throw away what you're wearing and put on clean. Then, when it's time to go home, you have room for more Harley T-shirts!

[pointpergame]

I just did 12 days. Several heavy thunderstorms with no leaks.

On being stuffed: It drives me nuts! I can't just throw stuff in and ride off; there's this half-hour dance of shifting things around, realizing it's absolutely NOT going to lock, etc.

I started mailing things home. FrogTogs Rain suit. Slacks and two long-sleeved shirts. I cursed some of my choices ( dragonfly stove. Next time, I'm taking a propane canister and a miniature stove head ). I used almost everything, so it was a riddle. I ALSO carried a "biker's friend", large where I put my pillow and hiking boots.

I'm certain this thread can go on and on. I'm still noodling over ways to trade bulk for something else. For instance, I will take a down sleeping bag next time. Clever suggestions quite welcome.

BTW: a brand new thermarest mattress will NEVER pack as tightly as the factory pack. Open it. "compress" it. Then stow it. I had several nasty interchanges with mine. Ate ten extra minutes every morning as I recompressed it.

[bygdawg]

+1 on the mailing things home. Just don't stay gone so long that you forget what day it is and try to stop by the P.O. on a Saturday somewhere in Colorado and mail things out only to find out that you are the only one there. Well...You're the only one there besides the people staring at the guy that's trying to mail things out from the closed P.O. This is embarrasing or so I hear.

[ST1300 Alicia]

Thats why I buy high end backpacking gear. 2 liter pot, 1.5 liter pot, fry pan with handle and 1 liter Tea Pot. Size 8 x 4.5 inches and nests in a small net bag. Century Matchless Single-Burner Stove 6.5 x 6.5 x 3.5 inches. Mountain Hardwear Haven 2 Tent packs 5.5 x 18 inches. Honda ST1300 Top Box Rack from Turbo Tom. Tent in compression bag on top. Kuryakyn Ultra Tour Bag by Bagtec on passenger seat. Heck, I even have room for an Ice Chest with a weeks worth of food. You don't need to bring any clothes with you, your Motorcycle Camping.
Nobody cares if you Smell, a LITTLE :cool:

[MLRickards]

Hmmm.... has anyone ever Popped a rivet or had a bag come open at speed / over a bump?

<D>

Haven't had a rivet pop and I've had the bags pretty stuffed. But, and DAMHIKT, if you close the saddle bag but leave the key in and turned to the open position...it's entirely possible that your saddle bag will open up and your expensive golf rain gear top will fly out without you knowing it until somebody yells at you at a stop light 3 miles down the road and tells you your saddle bag is open. Or so I've heard...

[UNTMatt]

On trips, with our bag liners, we have to work the covers closed. Never had them leak but I do, every couple of months, lubricate the rubber seal with silicone spray.

We've had them stuffed with no ill effects. I do recommend bag liners though...we would not travel without them.

[Flyboy909]

Lotsa good suggestions already, but I'll add 2 things...

I bought the $45 dollar ST1300 specifically shaped sidebag liners on eBay. They are no frills but do the job very nicely. The place sells 2 versions.. get the 'wide' to fill the whole space.

I just finished a 2500 mile tour that ended at NJSTOC. The folks there can tell you what happens when you inadvertently leave the left lock open because you had to get under the seat to adjust the intercom. I had then taken the lock out to get in the topbox and in the confusion never relocked the left sidebag lock after putting the seat back. The fully loaded left bag came off a mile down the highway, in front of my wife who was trailing on her bike. It skidded (on the painted side of course) between us into the breakdown lane.

I am still thanking my lucky stars that it didn't hit her... and to a lesser extent - it didn't burst open, and we were able to continue the trip.

I am currently looking for a left '06 sidebag lid if anyone has a lead. :(

[STindy05]

Lotsa good suggestions already, but I'll add 2 things...

I bought the $45 dollar ST1300 specifically shaped sidebag liners on eBay. They are no frills but do the job very nicely. The place sells 2 versions.. get the 'wide' to fill the whole space.

I just finished a 2500 mile tour that ended at NJSTOC. The folks there can tell you what happens when you inadvertently leave the left lock open because you had to get under the seat to adjust the intercom. I had then taken the lock out to get in the topbox and in the confusion never relocked the left sidebag lock after putting the seat back. The fully loaded left bag came off a mile down the highway, in front of my wife who was trailing on her bike. It skidded (on the painted side of course) between us into the breakdown lane.

I am still thanking my lucky stars that it didn't hit her... and to a lesser extent - it didn't burst open, and we were able to continue the trip.

I am currently looking for a left '06 sidebag lid if anyone has a lead. :(

:worthless

[ParkerBill]

I'd like to offer my humble suggestions.

1. Take less stuff--only what you really need. Make a list, check it
twice and eliminate things from it that you don't use, except for
things like first aid kits, repair kits, etc. Whether backpacking or
motorcycle camping you just simply cannot take stuff to handle
every possible problem that may come up. That's where your good
old "American ingenuity" comes into play--or you seek assistance.
Leave the proverbial "kitchen sink" at home--it's more fun making do
with less. Your camping needs are simple really--don't make them
more complicated than they are.
2. If you are camping and going to cook at your camp site, buy it along
the way--don't try to pack a week's worth on your ST. The only
food items I carry are coffee singles (like a tea bag) and cheese/
crackers (snacks) and maybe one or two freeze-dried meals in case
I get stuck in camp because of bad weather and don't want to ride to
a restaurant and a liter or two of water. I normally eat my meals out.
3. On the subject of down sleeping bags--keep in mind that once they
get wet they are useless until dried out completely. I always use
down bags on a high-altitude mountain climbing trip and/or a winter
trip where I must have warmth and don't have to worry about rain,
but for motorcycle camping I use synthetic. For really warm weather,
above 50-55 dg you might want to consider a Travel Sack sold by REI.
I bought one and use it and love it. It packs really really small without
a compression bag.
4. Buy high quality backpacking/mountaineering type gear.
5. Use compression bags for everything you can.
6. Don't carry a -10 dg sleeping bag when temps are in the 50's; carry
a bag more in tune with the temps you expect. I normally carry a
little less of a bag and if it gets colder help the bag by wearing
synthetic long underwear.
7. Take and wear synthetic clothes as much as possible. They pack
smaller, last longer and dry much faster than cotton.
8. Unless you have a problem, you most likely don't need a change of
underwear every day, so don't take so much. You can always stop
at a laundromat or, if you're using synthetics, wash them in camp or
the motel sink and they will normally dry in a couple of hours or so.
9. Tent--again, high quality and one size larger than needed. For example,
if you're camping solo, use a 2-person tent; if two of you will sleep in
it, buy a 3-person tent. This gives you a bit of "extra" room for keeping
some of your stuff inside out of the weather. Oh yeah, having a fairly
room vestibule can really come in handy, too, for cooking out of the
weather, a place to put your wet boots when you get in the tent, etc.
10. Share multi-use gear with other riders; don't be redundant. If you are
going to be riding with and/or camping with a group, you probably all
don't need to pack along your own Coleman double-mantle lantern, etc.
Personally, if I carry a lantern at all, it's the really small little Gaz-type
lantern that Joe has a thread about. I depend heavily and almost
solely on a good quality headlamp like my old Black Diamond Duo that
has served me well on many a mountain, backpacking and motorcycle
trip.
These are just a few of the things I've learned after 50+ years of camping. I hope they help.

[jahoobob]

I'd like to offer my humble suggestions.
8. Unless you have a problem, you most likely don't need a change of
underwear every day, so don't take so much. .


:eek: Yuck!!
Take care of those gooleys.

[ParkerBill]

:eek: Yuck!!
Take care of those gooleys.

I didn't say not to take any spares... :D

[jahoobob]

I didn't say not to take any spares... :D

To me it is just nasty to wear underwear more than one day which is what you suggested. I may skimp on packing jeans, shirts, shorts but not on underwear. I overpack them just to make sure I don't run out of clean ones.

[ParkerBill]

To me it is just nasty to wear underwear more than one day which is what you suggested. I may skimp on packing jeans, shirts, shorts but not on underwear. I overpack them just to make sure I don't run out of clean ones.

Ahhhhhhh, you failed to factor in item #7, synthetic clothes (includes underwear) that can be washed and dry quickly, meaning you can carry less clothes (including underwear). Another plus is that most synthetics wick moisture away from your skin so you're less likely to get "monkey butt".

Sorry, I should have made that a bit clearer.
:D:rolleyes: :cool:

[pointpergame]

I took 4 freeze-dried meals on my last trip. Used them all. I couldn't find any on the road. Any ideas where to find them in a general medium-sized town?

I'll go with a down bag next time and store it in a water-proof compression sack. Requires a rigorously water-tight tent. Also, I'll swap the hiking boots for gym shoes.

One last place I figure is to take the tools out of thier plastic case.

Much appreciate the reminder about the bag key. Despite the inconvenience, I think I'll make a regular habit of always taking the shorty key out of each bag to guarantee It won't flop open or fall off.

[Louie Louie]

My only advice would be to be careful when you throttle up w/ full/heavy saddlebags, as you dont want to take off like the space shuttle as I did..

[Mark]

My bags usually have to be coaxed into closing when I'm packed for a trip.
I'll let you know later today if this WeSTOC trip is any different.. :-)

Mark

[kingprawnokay]

My wife and I lived out of the ST for 30 days and 7K with one change of clothes, some extra socks and tennis shoes. The top box held sleeping bags, thermarests, cooking gear, a stove, a fuel bottle, and a tent. We only packed the half-liners. We washed our clothes along the way at camp sites with laundry facilities.

I still can't get over the idea of not being able to close the saddlebags because they are bulging with stuff. The ST's bags are huge.

Simplify, man.

[motomac]

I took 4 freeze-dried meals on my last trip. Used them all. I couldn't find any on the road. Any ideas where to find them in a general medium-sized town?

I'm almost positive that both Mellow and Diggers1300 told me they get those at Walmart in the camping area. They don't always have a big selection, but they do carry some.

[Brighteyesue]

Saddelbags carry my gear - tire gauge, leatherman, rain gear, gloves, extra shield, tire repair kit, air compressor, hat, yadda yadda And yes, they can be quite snug to latch, but have not leaked yet. I use the bag liners becasue it is so darn handly to pop them out and get them in a hotel, epecially in inclement weather.

waterproof duffel - from Cabela's (thanks Mellow) Boundary Waters, anything larger than the regular size is too big for the bike. In my duffel are all my clothes, toiletries, stuff

Tank bag - lip balm, water, hair brush,,,,,

[DAS]

Just finished packing for WeSToc. Going south to get north - otherwise it's only 200 miles - no big deal. I'm not sure if I like the St bags. They don't close very easily and the top load bags on my old Yamaha XS Eleven were easier to fill and get some stuff out of without all the other stuff falling out. But, I just strapped a large duffel on the pillion and now realize that I can get stuff out of my St bags without taking the duffel off and that is a lot more convenient than the Eleven. I guess it's all a trade off.

[Brighteyesue]

I just realized this was in the Camping section - oops. Havent tried that yet.