Is motorcycling allowed?

[patches]

On 10/5/2021 at 3:45 AM, Hairy said:

So which one of you riff raff are planning on refurbing a bike and willing to attempt a vid like this?
 

 

Reminds me of this...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxxQCU9qkPQ

A former colleague (from when I lived in Christchurch) was a member of the Quake City Rumblers

Edited October 6, 2021 by patches

[Spokey]

21 hours ago, sawystertrance said:

All good and sensible, thanks. My problems then seem to be:

I don't want to carry my top box because it's high, heavy and I fear for its integrity when bumping along on corrugated dirt roads. 

I have a fair bit of camera kit, including mini-tripods, which I need to access regularly. 

I don't have either pannier bags or a tankbag. It seems to me that those would resolve my issues. At some point I want to be able to take some supplies for an outdoor overnight and to do some self-catering so I need to be able to cater for that. 

I agree with your point about soft luggage. Seems to be the way to go. 

Pete, the guy Andrew_Smith has bought stuff from, seems to be a regular guy who makes good quality, basic kit and will make to customer requirements so I need to figure out exactly what I wan and then decide to ask him or something like ATG or Badger bags which Chris at Flying Brick carries.

One last question: Any problems with stability or speed wobbles when loaded?

Cheers and thanks for your input.

The top box has grown on me. I did not like it at first as it is harder to get on and off the bike. I am getting on in years and also only 5 ft 8 tall ( sorry, old money there ha ha). However, I like that it is lockable and secure. Mine had an issue where the pin holding the C clips that lock on the rack was working loose when bouncing along gravel tracks. I dismantled the lot, drilled through the pin with a 1,5mm bit and inserted a split pin. It does not move now. Further to that I loop a strong bungie strap through the rack and stretch it forward over the box to the hand holds. The box is very stable now. Also pack that box tight. Any free space in there and the content of the box will bounce around unbelievably! If necessary I even stuff in an old towel or piece of foam to pack it tight.Sounds like a good sized tank bag is what you need for your camera gear. I would advise against putting that in a top box unless well wrapped in foam.
I have had no problems with stability with luggage on the bike and I do cruise at enthusiastic speeds . I run Motoz Tractionator GPS on the rear in the dirt orientation and a Pirelli Rally STR on the front. Very stable up to speeds approaching the tyres rating. Great on tar and hard pack dirt. I prefer my Anakee Wilds in the dirt but recent trips have been tar biased. For me the GPS tyre is sketchy in the wet. If I do not put the rain mode on the bike spins up very easily! My favourite tyres if travelling long distance predominantly on tar or hard gravel are the Michelin Anakee Adventures.

Which ever bags you choose ensure they are well tied down. Gives huge peace of mind to know the luggage is secure when steaming along a Karoo dirt road trying to get airtime off any natural ramps in the road!

[sawystertrance]

Got to admit, I also find my top box very handy - especially on runs to the supermarket. And for the same reasons as you. Just on long trips the possibility of it breaking is something I want to avoid and it also is a bit high for me. Plus, of course the bouncing around of contents as you mention. I'm trying to figure out my ideal combination and think it is going to be some combination of pannier bags, a soft top bag (probably both from P.K) and then a tank bag. I also wear a CamelBak so that has to be factored in too. 

I agree with you about tying them down. As Andrew has mentioned above, straps are important and while I have used cam buckle straps so far for fastening and they work loose so perhaps Rokstraps are the best option. 

I agree that the Anakees are great. It's still early days for me but so far they have performed well and inspire confidence in me - which is important. Good to her you have had no wobble problems. WildDogs is full of stories of guys who have.

Cheers to all for your input.

[WaynejG]

So this thing happened. Looks like I am selling my Harley Wide Glide ????

[Hairy]

1 hour ago, WaynejG said:

So this thing happened. Looks like I am selling my Harley Wide Glide ????

SO WHAT HAPPENED ?

[Hairy]

I had a meeting in town this evening, managed to come through a little earlier and headed up Signal Hill.

It was spectacular up there.

If you were in a car though, I pity you. Traffic was basically standing still and there was no parking. Not a problem for the HD though.

[WaynejG]

6 minutes ago, Hairy said:

SO WHAT HAPPENED ?

Buying a Triumph Rocket 3

[Hairy]

3 minutes ago, WaynejG said:

Buying a Triumph Rocket 3

Oh  my ... the 2.3 or the newer 2.5l models

Sat on a few of them and they certainly have my interest

 

[WaynejG]

2 minutes ago, Hairy said:

Oh  my ... the 2.3 or the newer 2.5l models

Sat on a few of them and they certainly have my interest

 

The 2.3. I would dearly love the to have the 2.5 but way out of my price range.

Years ago I had one for a afternoon as a demo. Man alive it is a machine.

[Hairy]

Just now, WaynejG said:

The 2.3. I would dearly love the to have the 2.5 but way out of my price range.

Years ago I had one for a afternoon as a demo. Man alive it is a machine.

in that case I hope/trust you are getting the red one

Where are you getting it .. there is a steal of a one in CT at the moment for 69K

[Hairy]

https://www.northernmotorcycles.co.za/product/2006-triumph-rocket-3-2/

[WaynejG]

Just now, Hairy said:

in that case I hope/trust you are getting the red one

Where are you getting it .. there is a steal of a one in CT at the moment for 69K

From JHB. Tell me more about the one in CT?

[sawystertrance]

So Wayne, sorry to hear. To a biker it's like losing a part of you. Keep lots of photos.

[sawystertrance]

10 hours ago, Hairy said:

I had a meeting in town this evening, managed to come through a little earlier and headed up Signal Hill.

It was spectacular up there.

If you were in a car though, I pity you. Traffic was basically standing still and there was no parking. Not a problem for the HD though.

I went for a short ride along the coast road. Riding through Camps Bay to get there was hell. Traffic was chock-a-bloc and the are was as crowded as can be. Christmas has come early..

[Andrew_Smith]

Durbanville to Yzerfontein for the weekend. Left just after 07:00 this morning, was misty and cold when I past Darling.

[sawystertrance]

Have you been doing some skelm purchasing? Howcome your Nomad bag is bigger once you reach Darling than it was when you stopped for petrol?