The Motorcycle Touring Thread

[AgentDoubleS]

Kanwar, I use the following setup:

1. Tank bag; Rynox Optimus 2.0 with an anti slip yellow layer to prevent scratches and slips. I would whole heartedly recoommend this setup.
2. Dirtsack frogman saddle bags- excellent setup and waterproofing but compromises convience. Ideal for a leh or mountain trip with rain and slush to tackle.
3. Tail bag: wildcraft aqua 40ltrs. Its not the ideal touring bag because of the soft material that tends to sag quite a lot once packed. What has really helped has been the ROK straps I tie it with. These straps are a must have and take away all the pain from tying the tail bag. The yellow strap that you see is from redlineplus.in and is quite ordinary is its tying ability.

The via terra has some positive feeback but I didn't get it for only one reason: We tour a lot as a couple so pillion seat availability is a must.

I've heard of a few disadvantages;
1.. Easy accessibility and segregation of luggage is compromised due to its single large holding space.
2. The weight of the luggage is carried very high up due to its design raising the centre of gravity.

However as a solo traveller its easy to pack and tie and takes away the pain and time when you have to do it for 7 days in a row!

Have you looked at the dirtsack pro or frogman? The frogman is rugged but is not the most convenient to pack. If I were to buy a bag again I'd probably opt for the pro. Whatever you get, do get the rok straps!

[ckkalyan]

Nice work AgentDoubleS - thanks for sharing!

Here are some images from a recent road trip in WA, OR and ID


We have a town called Madras in the USA




Amazing Crater Lake OR




Although it was hot and sunny on the highway it was snowing in Crater Lake a mere 40 min drive up the mountain!




Windmills Galore


Stretched out highways



[youtube][/youtube]


Modded Motorcycle

[ckkalyan]

On one of my stops I got to handle this old, late 1800's beauty of a single shot rifle. So light and easy to shoulder.


Hopkins & Allen Single Shot, Junior 932, Boys Breechloading Rifle .32 Cal, Falling Block, rear sight missing.

[kanwar76]

Kanwar, I use the following setup:

1. Tank bag; Rynox Optimus 2.0 with an anti slip yellow layer to prevent scratches and slips. I would whole heartedly recoommend this setup.
2. Dirtsack frogman saddle bags- excellent setup and waterproofing but compromises convience. Ideal for a leh or mountain trip with rain and slush to tackle.
3. Tail bag: wildcraft aqua 40ltrs. Its not the ideal touring bag because of the soft material that tends to sag quite a lot once packed. What has really helped has been the ROK straps I tie it with. These straps are a must have and take away all the pain from tying the tail bag. The yellow strap that you see is from redlineplus.in and is quite ordinary is its tying ability.

The via terra has some positive feeback but I didn't get it for only one reason: We tour a lot as a couple so pillion seat availability is a must.

I've heard of a few disadvantages;
1.. Easy accessibility and segregation of luggage is compromised due to its single large holding space.
2. The weight of the luggage is carried very high up due to its design raising the centre of gravity.

However as a solo traveller its easy to pack and tie and takes away the pain and time when you have to do it for 7 days in a row!

Have you looked at the dirtsack pro or frogman? The frogman is rugged but is not the most convenient to pack. If I were to buy a bag again I'd probably opt for the pro. Whatever you get, do get the rok straps!

Thanks AD,

I agree with your observation on Viaterra Claw. That is why I am in two minds to pick it up and in any case I need something which i can use with my Viaterra leh Saddle bags.

My current setup is Crapster Turtle as a tank bag with Dirtsack rain cover and Viaterra Leh saddle bags. Looking for a tail bag which I can use with saddlebags. Got a word from Viaterra that they are going to come out with a tailbag by end of this month. Lets see, If its seems good wil pick it up. otherwise will use simple duffle bag as a tailbag.

Earlier i use to use bungy cord for tying bags but been hearing a lot about ROK straps. need to find out where I can pick these up.

Thanks for replying.

-Inder

[AgentDoubleS]

CK, thanks for sharing the pictures. That rifle looks neat and could do with a restoration treatment from our fellow member TC! My wife and I have been thinking of doing a west coast road trip in the US. Still undecided whether we want to do it by car or a motorcycle. There's so much left to explore in India.

Inder,

I recently visited a Decathlon store in Delhi and saw some seemingly sturdy bags that would serve well on motorcycles, I can't recall the brand. They had options for 30,40 and 60 litres. Worth a look if you have a Decathalon store nearby. Rynox came up with a tail bag recently that I didn't quite like.

I'll probably get the dirstsack rain cover too for my wildcraft aqua. I used bungee cords, ropes et al too for some time. Learnt to tie all those different knots from youtube and the luggage still gave issues. ROK straps were godsend for me.

Theres a guy in banglore who stocks rok straps, he's the authorised dealer for SW Mototech. Bigbadbikes i think it's called.

Cheers,
ADS

[aadhaulya]

Here are some images from a recent road trip in WA, OR and ID

Thanks for sharing the photographs. What a beautiful place you have discovered.

Regards

Atul

[xl_target]

What gorgeous photos, CK.
Truly an unforgettable experience?

[captrakshitsharma]

Hey promise breaker ... I thought I was gonna get a ride... Just kidding bro... Bonnevile is the most useable and practical bike much better than the lower end Harleys

[AgentDoubleS]

Hey promise breaker ... I thought I was gonna get a ride... Just kidding bro... Bonnevile is the most useable and practical bike much better than the lower end Harleys

It wasn't me! Someone on the forum promised he'll check his roster and plan a get together.let me check through the history and find out who it was, and then we can deal with him together!

[ckkalyan]

Thanks aadhaulya, AgentDoubleS, xl_target

Absolutely amazing experience, I felt like an explorer from years ago. When I spotted the single shot rifle the person that came immediately to mind was TC! I thought to myself that I must take a few photos for him to enjoy

It also occurred to me that the whole trip on a motorcyclye would have been quite awesome!


From Sun to Snow in a jiffy


Antique Gas Station & Grocery

[AgentDoubleS]

It looks like your trips deserve a travelogue CK... Will look forward to more pictures and experiences.

Cheers,
ADS

[AgentDoubleS]

Agent 99 and I did a couple's trip to Ladakh this late August. What a brilliant adventure it was! She flew in mid journey and flew back from Leh while I turdged along on the Bonneville the entire length of the trip.

Trip Summary:

Route:
Onward:Delhi>Pathankot>Jammu>Srinagar>Sonmarg>Kargil>Leh>Pangong Tso>Leh>Khardung La>Leh
Return: Leh>Sarchu>Keylong>Manali>Kullu>Chandigarh>Delhi

Duration: 13 days
Distance: 3000 kms
Time on the saddle: 100 hours +

Route:



The inevitable rain in Punjab:



Enroute Drass:



Zoji La:




Kargil Town:


Dal Lake, Srinagar


Agent 99 at Sonmarg:


Tanglang La:


A night in the tent, that's a 1978 Royal Enfield Standard!! :


Post Rohtang Pass:


Army Convoys:


Highest motorable road in the world...well arguably!


Some not so easy stretches:



The cute wildlife:


Agent 99 admiring the roads:


Changlang La (17800 ft)!


Mulbekh Town:


Pangong Tso Lake: (500 sq kms, 150 km long and 2/3rd in China, 1/3rd in India):






More Plains (16000 ft):


I assure you this is not photoshopped!:

[Kittu]

Thanks for sharing
only one thing i can say pics are owesome.last 2 pics are from moore plains?

[aadhaulya]

ADS, you are the one having fun in life. Keep it up. Just love the pics.

Atul

[Kittu]

sorry for off topic but changl la is more difficult then khardug la.what are you opinions
thanks