[MotoGuitar]

I have mine on order and am already planning a long trip this summer. Thinking of going cross-country for 2 weeks and want to carry clothes, sleeping bag and tent. I've seen the official BMW tail bag and tank bag they are marketing with the R NineT but does anyone have any other ideas for luggage? Saddlebags? I've never done a long trip like this and haven't ever purchased luggage so any advice would be appreciated.

 

[TwoWheelTim]

I have mine on order and am already planning a long trip this summer. Thinking of going cross-country for 2 weeks and want to carry clothes, sleeping bag and tent. I've seen the official BMW tail bag and tank bag they are marketing with the R NineT but does anyone have any other ideas for luggage? Saddlebags? I've never done a long trip like this and haven't ever purchased luggage so any advice would be appreciated.

I don't have any suggestions about the luggage, but your trip sounds totally awesome! Have fun!

 

[1561]

hi MotoGuitar, first of all you gotta believe what ALL the books/videos/weblists say: A bloke can travel so incredibly light - other animals in the travel world (cage drivers) would undoubtedly think t's rude !!! hahaha

Assemble everything you think of needing, spread it out on the floor, remove half the amount of all items, put the remainder on your bed, look at it carefully - and remove half of everything again - and put what remains on TWO kitchen chairs. NOW comes the hard part: Reduce the amount of what you have left until what's left fits onto ONE kitchen chair. Presto! you're done

My typical stuff for an average 10 day trip fits into ONE 2/3 size pannier liner (they are a very good idea if you're using panniers) which is roughly 450mm x 180mm x 180mm. That includes a book, a sketch pad and pencils/pens/ etc. On my C, light shoes, rain gear and camera go into the top box (that's for 2 people, my younger daughter rides with me). My daughter's liner is 1/3 larger and she manages to fill it right up (yep, girls travel heavier )

I'm not too proud (or unskilled) to wash clothes every 2 days in the motel shower , it drastically reduces the need to take along heaps of stuff - in summer anyway.

For the R9T I've chosen 2 Vintage style canvas barrel bags (lots of leather straps, buckles, good attachment points) which I'm going to modify into a pair of saddlebags. I'm going to remove the original seat and make a custom comfort seat for rider & pillion - and hopefully it'll all come together to complement the bike nicely. I found all saddlebags on offer are too black, too high tech looking (streamlined, etc). Hard panniers would bring the R9T closer to a R1200R look - not what I envisage for this roadster ....

Re-reading what I just wrote, if I was riding solo, all my stuff wold fit into one of those canvas barrel bags and strap on the rear seat. But then I would also rough it more (than when travelling with wife & kid) and take along my swag to sleep out - which would bring the saddle bags back into play.

Have fun deciding

 

[MotoGuitar]

hi MotoGuitar, first of all you gotta believe what ALL the books/videos/weblists say: A bloke can travel so incredibly light - other animals in the travel world (cage drivers) would undoubtedly think t's rude !!! hahaha

Assemble everything you think of needing, spread it out on the floor, remove half the amount of all items, put the remainder on your bed, look at it carefully - and remove half of everything again - and put what remains on TWO kitchen chairs. NOW comes the hard part: Reduce the amount of what you have left until what's left fits onto ONE kitchen chair. Presto! you're done

My typical stuff for an average 10 day trip fits into ONE 2/3 size pannier liner (they are a very good idea if you're using panniers) which is roughly 450mm x 180mm x 180mm. That includes a book, a sketch pad and pencils/pens/ etc. On my C, light shoes, rain gear and camera go into the top box (that's for 2 people, my younger daughter rides with me). My daughter's liner is 1/3 larger and she manages to fill it right up (yep, girls travel heavier )

I'm not too proud (or unskilled) to wash clothes every 2 days in the motel shower , it drastically reduces the need to take along heaps of stuff - in summer anyway.

For the R9T I've chosen 2 Vintage style canvas barrel bags (lots of leather straps, buckles, good attachment points) which I'm going to modify into a pair of saddlebags. I'm going to remove the original seat and make a custom comfort seat for rider & pillion - and hopefully it'll all come together to complement the bike nicely. I found all saddlebags on offer are too black, too high tech looking (streamlined, etc). Hard panniers would bring the R9T closer to a R1200R look - not what I envisage for this roadster ....

Re-reading what I just wrote, if I was riding solo, all my stuff wold fit into one of those canvas barrel bags and strap on the rear seat. But then I would also rough it more (than when travelling with wife & kid) and take along my swag to sleep out - which would bring the saddle bags back into play.

Have fun deciding

Thanks huntsman! I totally agree with you. I come from a hiking/climbing background and so like to keep things as lean as possible. In alpine climbing you want to have as little weight as possible on your back!

I imagine VERY few clothes for this. Mainly I'll want the very basics, plus camera and tripod. I could fit everything I need in a waterproof duffel like this one:

Seattle Sports Roll Top Waterproof Duffel Bag - Large - Save 38%

But how to attach it securely to the bike? Along with a camera bag and tent (sleeping bag is small enough to fit in a duffel like this).

But I like the style of what you're describing better. Any link or pics of what you have in mind?

 

[1561]

uh, no pictures as yet .... just mere 'ramblings-of-the-mind' , will have to see once the bike is here. I've got access to aluminium billet stock, and plan on copying the original seat frame, slightly extend it for strength, include either some loops/slots for straps to pass through, or an s-bend kind of hook arrangement which allows the bags to be just hooked on .... not sure how yet. My local marine chandlery store will have heaps of stainless gadgets which allow modification to create snug fittings, clip-on's or such ... I dabbled with leather carving before, so covering the seat, shaping a removable hump over the pillion seat - is what I've chosen to challenge myself. The canvas bags should complement what I have in mind, less work for me and better protection against the elements. It's often rather wet here in Tassie, and whilst a leather seat can be better treated against rot and moisture, leather saddlebags - in my experience - trap more moisture and mold than waterproofed canvas. Anyway, that's what I'm aiming for.

 

[MotoGuitar]

uh, no pictures as yet .... just mere 'ramblings-of-the-mind' , will have to see once the bike is here. I've got access to aluminium billet stock, and plan on copying the original seat frame, slightly extend it for strength, include either some loops/slots for straps to pass through, or an s-bend kind of hook arrangement which allows the bags to be just hooked on .... not sure how yet. My local marine chandlery store will have heaps of stainless gadgets which allow modification to create snug fittings, clip-on's or such ... I dabbled with leather carving before, so covering the seat, shaping a removable hump over the pillion seat - is what I've chosen to challenge myself. The canvas bags should complement what I have in mind, less work for me and better protection against the elements. It's often rather wet here in Tassie, and whilst a leather seat can be better treated against rot and moisture, leather saddlebags - in my experience - trap more moisture and mold than waterproofed canvas. Anyway, that's what I'm aiming for.

That sounds excellent. Love the sound of the seat, and using marine components on it. Hope it works out and you can share some pictures!

It is cold and wet a lot here around New York as well, so I'm similarly looking to avoid leather.

 

[Escape Route]

That back pack slash saddle bag looks like a really good option. I would use a saddle bag, perhaps one as nice as @huntsman pointed out depending on the cost. Packing light is awesome. You think you need a lot of stuff, but you don't. It feels so nice carrying a small bag with all your stuff in it. Let us know what you end up deciding on.

 

[rkevwill]

You will note, that pillion extends back further than even the "comfort" seat. My guess is by summer, you will see several rack or hardshell case attachment features. Thing is, with those two big pipes on the left side, it might be problematical. Me thinks I would go for a rack choice. Time will tell.

 

[MotoGuitar]

You will note, that pillion extends back further than even the "comfort" seat. My guess is by summer, you will see several rack or hardshell case attachment features. Thing is, with those two big pipes on the left side, it might be problematical. Me thinks I would go for a rack choice. Time will tell.

I bet you are right. By the time I am planning on going, in July, there will hopefully be some bike-specific options. There may even be a smaller pipe by then to alleviate the issue.

 

[Maverick]

I know that BMW is planning on coming out with a wealth of accessories for the nineT so it would make sense for them to have luggage or at least some type of cargo solution included in their offering. Might be worth it to wait it out for a while and see what BMW offers, though it will not be cheap.

 

[MotoGuitar]

I know that BMW is planning on coming out with a wealth of accessories for the nineT so it would make sense for them to have luggage or at least some type of cargo solution included in their offering. Might be worth it to wait it out for a while and see what BMW offers, though it will not be cheap.

In your experience, how soon after release of a bike does BMW start rolling out more accessories?

 

[Lost Rider]

Thanks huntsman! I totally agree with you. I come from a hiking/climbing background and so like to keep things as lean as possible. In alpine climbing you want to have as little weight as possible on your back!

I imagine VERY few clothes for this. Mainly I'll want the very basics, plus camera and tripod. I could fit everything I need in a waterproof duffel like this one:

Seattle Sports Roll Top Waterproof Duffel Bag - Large - Save 38%

But how to attach it securely to the bike? Along with a camera bag and tent (sleeping bag is small enough to fit in a duffel like this).

But I like the style of what you're describing better. Any link or pics of what you have in mind?

I like what you guys are throwing down, while I don't backpack I do travel extensively and very lightly on various bikes big and small to remote places and will do so on the R9T.
Camping gear, minimal lightweight clothes, camera(s) and tripod are typical for me, sometimes add in a fishing pole or two also.
We'll see what BMW comes up with and aftermarket stuff should hit later this year too. I'm hoping some of my dirt bike luggage will transfer over nicely for camping trips.
Will be interesting to see what you guys come up with when your bike comes, hoping to have mine by summer.


As for securing bags without built in straps to the bike, ROK Straps is the way to go for sure. Very strong and dependable.


Here's some other MC luggage companies I own products from and wouldn't hesitate to use on the R9T.

Motorcycle Luggage, Saddlebags & Bags by Wolfman:

Kriega USA Motorcycle Backpacks & Motorcycle Luggage

OrtliebUSA

Motorcycle Saddlebags, Tank Bags, Panniers, Adventure Packing Systems » Giant Loop




-Finn

 

[MotoGuitar]

Anyone have any experience with the Givi stuff? This looks pretty decent:

Givi SR371 Topcase Rack Super Tenere XT1200Z-11 - Buy Now Get Free Shipping

 

[Bonkorama]

Givi stuff is good stuff.
I have a Givi topcase for my R1100RT ( 115k miles ).
It uses the monokey system.
On and off in a flash.
And mine holds TWO full face helmets.
Id recommend.

That one looks pretty Mech, I like it. Not sure how it would look or fit on the r9t tho.

 

[mikeo]

I think most of us are aware of the C-Bow luggage attachments that Hepco & Becker are offering, but it looks like there will be a luggage rack and a more traditional pannier attachment as well:

HEPCO & BECKER Alurack BMW R nineT | Polo-Motorrad
HEPCO & BECKER Lock-it side rack BMW R nineT | Polo-Motorrad

I'm not sure about the Alurack, but the pannier rack is nice and traditional.

 

[MotoGuitar]

I think most of us are aware of the C-Bow luggage attachments that Hepco & Becker are offering, but it looks like there will be a luggage rack and a more traditional pannier attachment as well:

HEPCO & BECKER Alurack BMW R nineT | Polo-Motorrad
HEPCO & BECKER Lock-it side rack BMW R nineT | Polo-Motorrad

I'm not sure about the Alurack, but the pannier rack is nice and traditional.

Nice and I like the looks of the Gobi panniers. But I am really torn as to whether soft saddlebags or hard panniers are the right thing...

 

[rkevwill]

I think most of us are aware of the C-Bow luggage attachments that Hepco & Becker are offering, but it looks like there will be a luggage rack and a more traditional pannier attachment as well:

HEPCO & BECKER Alurack BMW R nineT | Polo-Motorrad
HEPCO & BECKER Lock-it side rack BMW R nineT | Polo-Motorrad

I'm not sure about the Alurack, but the pannier rack is nice and traditional.

So why in the heck are they showing them on a Honda, instead of the NineT. Pretty shoddy display if you ask me. Might be nice to see how they look on our bike!

 

[path]

Might be nice to see how they look on our bike!

ask and you shall receive...hallelujah!

http://www.ninetowners.com/forum/accessories-gear/49530-packing-ninet-luggage-options-thread-5.html

 

[mikeo]

So why in the heck are they showing them on a Honda, instead of the NineT. Pretty shoddy display if you ask me. Might be nice to see how they look on our bike!

Yes, it would be nice to see the lockit case attachment and the alurack displayed on a nineT before purchase.

I would be especially interested in how the lockit frames are mounted to the bike. The c-bow attachments looked to be held on by four screws under the passenger seat, which doesn't strike me as the strongest mount (and probably why the carrying weight is rather minimal).

If the lockit case is supported from both the seat frame and the passenger peg frame, then it will probably be able to support a decent load. Doesn't need to be cases. In fact, I would just as soon get Kreiga packs and attaching system, like the Overlander 60:

Overlander 60 - Kriega USA

But given that the lockit frame is pictured on a Honda, and the Hepco&Becker site doesn't say anything about a fit for the nineT (at least with respect to the lockit frame), Polo might just be imagining things.

The alurack is very likely, however, since I was already told by the company that one would be built. But I would still like to see a picture.

 

[mikeo]

The alurack is very likely, however, since I was already told by the company that one would be built. But I would still like to see a picture.

Correction: I wasn't told by Hepco&Becker that an alurack would be forthcoming. It was SW Motech that said it would have one available (as well as panniers).