Well, I’m joining my wife’s family on a summer vacation, but work kept me in town for the first couple of days. \u00a0 I’m leaving Wednesday morning and returning with everyone on Saturday; everyone else left first thing Monday morning. \u00a0 So while I get some work done and get ready for the trip there’s a few things that need attention.<\/p>\n
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First, loading the panniers is a bit of a nuisance. \u00a0 The cables on the lids only allow them to open about 70 degrees, so they won’t stay open while laying flat on the bed. \u00a0 You have to hold the lid open with one hand and pack with the other – or hold it open with your head and pack with both hands, your choice. \u00a0 I’ll be making some longer cables for the lids. \u00a0 Also, you need to tighten the mounting pucks from the inside. \u00a0 Doing that becomes a little tricky when the pannier is packed full.<\/p>\n
Second, once the panniers are on the bike, the front is tilted down. \u00a0 This means that everything inside slides forward while riding, and when you open the panniers the contents will probably succeed in preventing them from being closed without some poking, quickly closing the lid, and eventually some swearing. \u00a0 Longer cables for the lids won’t fix this, I think the fix for this is to have pannier liners or perhaps small stuff sacks. \u00a0 Not sure which just yet, but one or the other is a definite future purchase.<\/p>\n
Third, the tankbag is very nice for things like gloves, helmet liners, phone, camera, compact tripod, earplugs, ipod, earbuds, and a cable lock. \u00a0 I’ve got a 12v cigarette lighter socket inside mine, to charge the phone or the ipod. \u00a0 This means I’m not dependent on finding 110v power while on a longer trip. \u00a0 Also, there’s a nice little compartment with a couple of pens in it that can hold gas station receipts for later entry into the record system. \u00a0 I keep close track of gas mileage and maintenance items – they add peace of mind on a long trip as you know that maintenance has been done and also the gas mileage you’ve been seeing. \u00a0 I also have an elastic cargo net if I need to carry additional items on the cargo plate; it can also be used to hold down a waterproof duffel bag for longer trips.<\/p>\n
Fourth, I used a Camelback MULE with a 3L bladder to provide drinking water while enroute. \u00a0 On the Goldwing I have a mug on a handlebar mount, so I admit I’m spoiled. \u00a0 The camelback worked very well, and I have zero complaints or issues with it. \u00a0 Definitely worth the price.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Well, I’m joining my wife’s family on a summer vacation, but work kept me in town for the first couple of days. \u00a0 I’m leaving Wednesday morning and returning with everyone on Saturday; everyone else left first thing Monday morning. \u00a0 So while I get some work done and get ready for the trip there’s … <\/p>\n