June heading west 3 weeks +

[MacDoc]

You should at least bring the bike there and ride BC.

Photos here - random. Please let me know you can see them

June 2019 west Coast by motorcycle

Think I have the answer for my pillion

Imola 14-22 Expandable
The Imola seat bag from Ventura is a lightweight luggage solution for your motorcycle. These bags do not need any ironwork, bracketry or racks for mounting, they simply attach to your seat. Great for sports bikes carrying small amounts of luggage, in a convenient and easy to use design that will not detract from the look of your bike. Imola will fit almost any bike but customers who own super sports bikes with extremely small pillion seats should consider the Estoril seat bag instead as the base is smaller and will fit much better.

The design features a soft panel that attaches to the seat and is securely located by straps underneath. The seat bag itself simply clicks to the panel by way of heavy duty, quick release clips. Because the seat bags use only the seat for mounting, there should be no threat to your paint work.

Ventura seat bags and seat pads are made from super tough materials and feature the same levels of quality, workmanship and features that we have come to expect from Ventura.

• Super tough Ballistic PVC laminated fabric
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• Reflective side stripes for enhanced visibility and safety
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• Rubber moulded carry handle
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• Quick release buckles for fast fitting and removal
• 
  
• Expandable
• 
  
• Double zipper openings for easy access
• 
  
• Pull tags on zippers for easy operation while wearing gloves
• 
  
• 22 litres
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• 230 x 250 x 310 mm (300 x 250 x 310 Expanded)
• 
  
• 9 x 10 x 12 inches (9 x 10 x 12 inches Expanded)
• 
  
• Seat-Bra included

The set up I had ( old tank bag ) was useable but clunky and could not adjust front to back very well.
I like the "bra"concept". Even if I need to use an extra bungies for stability when it's full it's still a better system than what I have

 

[jc100]

You don’t want a rear rack? Couldn’t live without mine. Even have a Givi rolling briefcase option for it along with the 52L behemoth that swallows my helmet, jacket and boots. I know you don’t go camping but my 52L Givi, sidebags, and a couple of roll bags on the pillion fit a 4 man luxury ultralight dome tent, 3pole tarp shelter, cot, mattress, hybrid down quilt cooking stuff and food. And I keep the top box mostly empty to keep the weight down low. It doubles as sealed food storage to keep the pesky bears away.

I’ve had a Givi rack on every bike I own.

Here’s the briefcase GIVI T467 LAPTOP TROLLEY BRIEFCASE - FITS ON MONOKEY & MONOLOCK, Luggage - Amazon Canada

 

[MacDoc]

They look absolutely awful on this bike. That's why I don't want i, hangs out there and I never carry a pillion passenger. I don't camp.



was okay on the Vstrom.

But the CB500x has a sport seat type of rear set up and I really don't want it hanging out that far.

This set up worked but awkward on an off and could not adjust front to back easily.
Kept the weight centred

 

[jc100]

I see what you mean. That does look awkward. Does your bike have a 2 part seat option and then you can swap the pillion for a rack. Altrider often has these kinds of things. If you don't carry a pillion they look pretty good.

 

[GreyGhost]

They look absolutely awful on this bike. That's why I don't want i, hangs out there and I never carry a pillion passenger. I don't camp.

View attachment 40530

was okay on the Vstrom.

But the CB500x has a sport seat type of rear set up and I really don't want it hanging out that far.

This set up worked but awkward on an off and could not adjust front to back easily.
Kept the weight centred

A hard rear case can also make the handling get noticeably worse if you are going quickly. As legal speeds, it wasn't noticeable on the Ape, but you really start to feel the case back there as speeds climb (it makes the back dance around a bit, sort of feels like a metal grate bridge).

 

[MacDoc]

single seat ...that's why I think the bra idea works well for the cb500x and not like I need it all the time either

A hard rear case can also make the handling get noticeably worse if you are going quickly

I noticed that on the Vstrom - one reason I think the CB500x was so stable was the air flow provided by the MadStad screen and deflectors along the tank ( hard to see them ) and the compact form factor. I stuck my arm into the windflow a couple of times at 130 kph trying to stretch ....not a good idea.

 

[MacDoc]

lucky I did not wait - I was on that road less than a week ago.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/snow-bc-jasper-june-1.5181307

 

[MacDoc]

was hoping this came in before I left ....but tire pressure did not budge over the trip. Really bright.
Instant install. Screw on plugs - figure out how to turn the damn thing on.

 

[AllistonGT]

was hoping this came in before I left ....but tire pressure did not budge over the trip. Really bright.
Instant install. Screw on plugs - figure out how to turn the damn thing on.

I use Fobo. Has worked well for the last two years I've had them. Just have to replace the batteries every spring. Bluetooth to the fobo app on my phone.

 

[MacDoc]

I looked at a phone system but this appealed more. The display is really bright and attention getting. Bluetooth eats batteries and by iPhone 5 barely keeps going with a powerpack and one Nav app and an Audible running.
I tend to just turn it on once in a while to check ( just like using a mechanical tester ) rather than leave it running so can go years without a battery change.
Still annoyed at the CBF1000 buyer who won't return my email ...I left the sensor caps on the wheels...they are useless to him without the receiver....

 

[MacDoc]

To entice west coast wannabes further ....enjoy ....and yes it is that colour

 

[Supernam]

They look absolutely awful on this bike. That's why I don't want i, hangs out there and I never carry a pillion passenger. I don't camp.

View attachment 40530

was okay on the Vstrom.

But the CB500x has a sport seat type of rear set up and I really don't want it hanging out that far.

This set up worked but awkward on an off and could not adjust front to back easily.
Kept the weight centred

I agree that the top box does not look great, but it is awfully convenient. This is my 46l top box with 35l side cases on the left of the picture.

 

[wonderings]

They look absolutely awful on this bike. That's why I don't want i, hangs out there and I never carry a pillion passenger. I don't camp.

View attachment 40530

Was going to suggest looking at a different brand for the top case, something not as tall but it seems everything on that bike looks awkward. I like the looks of the bike alone, but once you add a top case of any shape it looks bizarre.

https://flic.kr/p/2ghHDy6]Screen Shot 2019-06-21 at 10.41.55 AM[/url] by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150260324@N03/]B P[/url], on Flickr

 

[MacDoc]

but once you add a top case of any shape it looks bizarre.

Yup and with the side cases I rarely need extra space and I'm VERY pleased with my expandible Nelson-Rigg tank bag as it fits my laptop, camera and lens and lots esle ( 20 - 27 liters)

Smarter might have been getting the larger 36L side cases but then it's as wide as a bus and no topload

the 23 liter are just about right.

 

[Supernam]

Yup and with the side cases I rarely need extra space and I'm VERY pleased with my expandible Nelson-Rigg tank bag as it fits my laptop, camera and lens and lots esle ( 20 - 27 liters)

Smarter might have been getting the larger 36L side cases but then it's as wide as a bus and no topload

the 23 liter are just about right.

The Givi V35’s hug the bike closely and does not look so wide.

I’m not sure if you mentioned anything about the seat on this trip? Did you just have the stock seat? Did you use an Airhawk or Beadrider?

I’ve taken extended vacations with the stock seat only and am really surprised that there are no issues, I am only 160 lbs though which would make a difference.

 

[MacDoc]

The stock seat was not broken in as I only had 1,000 km on the bike since new when I left.
I used MotoSkivvies and an Airhawk....some days was terrifc others I hurt but a lot of that is my creaky state. A positive note tho - my sciatica did not bother me ....sore butt yeah left me squirming around but no hip issues.
Sore shoulder a given ...nothing to do about that but drugs helped

Partially my fault too in not getting off the bike at fillups as very easy to fill on the fly. Still .. a string of 7- 800 km days +/- and each day got more comfortable. I think the longest was 875

4700 km 7 days Vancouver to 5369 Snowbird Ct
happy with that at my age and very pleased with the bike. I took the northern Transcan and some of the pavement was dodgy for speed tho wonderful for wildlife and not really prairie like.

 

[kiley]

Mac i really like the look of Vstrom...it all ties in well with the bike...very clean.
That 36L looks ridiculous.
I think people take to much **** when they go on trips.
This is my set up for a 9 day trip to Myrtle

 

[MacDoc]

You've got big side bags. The CB500x has 23 per side plus my 20-27 Tank bag.
That's enough for 3-4 days.
Needed the 20 liter pillion for the longer trip across the country. lotsa layers..

 

[Supernam]

Mac i really like the look of Vstrom...it all ties in well with the bike...very clean.
That 36L looks ridiculous.
I think people take to much **** when they go on trips.
This is my set up for a 9 day trip to Myrtle

I assume that is without camping gear? It is true people take too much.

Macdoc, will you be carrying camping gear with your current setup? I don’t recall reading that you camped on this west coast trip.

 

[MacDoc]

i don't camp