So I am back from my trip around eastern AZ. It was a good trip.
However, I am going to have to do a total re-think of how I pack my bike for long trips. My usual M.O. is to pack as much as I can in the panniers and topbox, then throw a MotoCentric bag on the pillion seat.
Short of using the center stand at every stop, which is not always feasible, I have to employ the 'karate Kick to get on. Then I have to drag my right boot across the seat and hop backwards to get off.
The Kick to get on puts all your weight on the left knee, while doing a twisting motion, which is not good. The hopping or twisting the left foot to drag the right leg off the seat is bad too. My left knee is a disaster after last week. I think I m going to get over it but I can't continue to endure the repeated insults to my knee.
I experimented with some waterproof saddle bags but they made the bike far too wide to throw a leg over. I am 5'6" with short legs and not very flexible. and overweight.
SO...I have thought of three options
1: Pack MUCH more lightly than I am accustomed to, using only the panniers and top box.
2: Remove the top box and install a strong cutting board that can handle a much bigger piece of luggage and leave the pillion vacant. ( I saw an ADV guy do this who was riding across South America and his expensive store-bought luggage kept failing)
3: Install a rack on top of the top box and strap small piece of luggage to that. But will it be too high up in the wind/make me even more top heavy?
I am unwilling to wear a back pack
HELP!!!
However, I am going to have to do a total re-think of how I pack my bike for long trips. My usual M.O. is to pack as much as I can in the panniers and topbox, then throw a MotoCentric bag on the pillion seat.
Short of using the center stand at every stop, which is not always feasible, I have to employ the 'karate Kick to get on. Then I have to drag my right boot across the seat and hop backwards to get off.
The Kick to get on puts all your weight on the left knee, while doing a twisting motion, which is not good. The hopping or twisting the left foot to drag the right leg off the seat is bad too. My left knee is a disaster after last week. I think I m going to get over it but I can't continue to endure the repeated insults to my knee.
I experimented with some waterproof saddle bags but they made the bike far too wide to throw a leg over. I am 5'6" with short legs and not very flexible. and overweight.
SO...I have thought of three options
1: Pack MUCH more lightly than I am accustomed to, using only the panniers and top box.
2: Remove the top box and install a strong cutting board that can handle a much bigger piece of luggage and leave the pillion vacant. ( I saw an ADV guy do this who was riding across South America and his expensive store-bought luggage kept failing)
3: Install a rack on top of the top box and strap small piece of luggage to that. But will it be too high up in the wind/make me even more top heavy?
I am unwilling to wear a back pack
HELP!!!