TOURING TIPS
PAGE 125
SPRING 2018 ISSUE 01 / VOL . 03
TOURING TIPS
Packing It Up Gear Guide
CARGO TAIL BAG
Going on a long trip and need to maximize carrying capacity ? Try a cargo tail bag . Nelson Rigg ' s CL-3000 ($ 119.95 ) is shaped to fit over your bike ' s rear seat , and with 56.4 liters of total cargo capacity , you won ' t have to leave anything at home . You can even use it as a backrest ! The CL-3000 can also connect to various Nelson-Rigg saddlebags with an optional kit .
SADDLE BAGS
Saddlebags aren ' t just for cruisers . The versatility and lower center of gravity make saddlebags ideal for sport , sport-touring and naked bikes too . Cortech ' s Super 2.0 Contoured Saddlebags ($ 179.99 ) are shaped to fit the curves of today ' s sporty tail sections . A red liner makes it easy to see your stuff inside , and a heat shield protects the bags from hot exhaust pipes .
Soft saddlebags give you the most bang for your luggage buck . They ’ re best suited for solo riding because most bags are joined by straps that loop over the rear of the seat , right where your passenger would sit . Expansion zippers let you open up the bags and put more in them , but the extra weight shouldn ' t make the bags droop enough to contact the mufflers or rear wheel . Outside pockets are handy for small stuff like a tire-pressure gauge , maps or rain covers . Pack the bags so the heaviest contents are forward and low and won ’ t upset the bike ’ s handling .
Tail bags go on the back of the seat over the saddlebags straps , or on a rear rack or sissy bar . Keep the load light because tail bags are far rearward and high up , where they can affect handling . Mounting systems vary , from bungee cords to straps that loop under the seat to bags made to attach to the saddlebag straps . A tall bag can make it harder for some riders to swing a leg over to get on the bike ; do a trial run before you pick one , or practice stretching !