Tour Prepping a SuperSport, Why don't we do this?

[Rammer]

Do you have a pic of it from the rear?

The problem with doing it this way is the bags stick waaay out, as the bike was never originally designed for those generic bags.
On my Duc St4s, the bags are designed for the bike, so they mount really close and follow the curves of the bodywork.  This means the widest part of the bike are the mirrors.  Handy for cutting through traffic etc. (as well as looking better)

Out of curiosity I went into the garage to measure.....

Zx-14 with Givi bags on Twistedthrottle/swmotech rack system = 41" at the widest.



'06 FJR with factory bags = 37" at the widest.



The racks on the Zx-14 couldn't fit much closer. The plastic on the tail section gets a little wider near the middle of the bag.



I guess I don't really care how far they stick out. I can't split lanes here. What matters is the set up works for me. If it's not for you, well then, I guess you won't put Givis on a '14. I tried soft bags for a few years, but they rubbed through the paint on the tail section. The Givis worked perfectly for 2 5000 miles road trips last year.

[atadaskew]

Thanks for the real life measurements.
Slightly off topic, I wonder how wide the Motus is with bags, seeing that they are using generic Givi bags too.
Or did Motus work on keeping it narrow?

[Dan K]

Because it's a factory option, I'm assuming the width was taking into account in the design of the bike and the racks for the side bags.  Hell, they better have gotten it right for $30+K!!!

- Dan

[SLK50]

always toured on sport bikes, Ducati 900 ss, ZX-9, Hayabusa, RC-51 and lately a 06 GSXR 1000, which after using it for deer hunting has been replaced with a new 2011 GSXR 1000. On the 06 i lowered the pegs 3/4 inch, added some heavy stainless bar ends to tame some high freq. vibes and.... well that's it. Mounted up some ventura lugage and a tank bag and good for a couple week trip. Oh and a GP pipe..Mmmm.

  I sorry but I find absolutely nothing appealing about your set-up.

[dm_gsxr]

I guess I don't really care how far they stick out. I can't split lanes here. What matters is the set up works for me. If it's not for you, well then, I guess you won't put Givis on a '14. I tried soft bags for a few years, but they rubbed through the paint on the tail section. The Givis worked perfectly for 2 5000 miles road trips last year.

I used contact paper under my soft bags, but after the 2nd or 3rd time it fell over in the garage, I wasn't too worried about it any more I figure if I do sell it, I can just grab a replacement set of plastic for a few bucks and keep the old plastic as a trophy in the garage

Carl

[Rattlehead]

always toured on sport bikes, Ducati 900 ss, ZX-9, Hayabusa, RC-51 and lately a 06 GSXR 1000, which after using it for deer hunting has been replaced with a new 2011 GSXR 1000. On the 06 i lowered the pegs 3/4 inch, added some heavy stainless bar ends to tame some high freq. vibes and.... well that's it. Mounted up some ventura lugage and a tank bag and good for a couple week trip. Oh and a GP pipe..Mmmm.

HOLY CRAP! Maybe you should go back a page or 2 and read the conversation on "packing light with a SS"  
Is that a kitchen sink I see in that rear most blue bag?????  

[Justin]

The only problem with saying such things about my 'busa is we'll find the pics

+1 - swmotech makes multiple luggage racks for the busa - one for the e series and one for the v series.

I just use the top case myself. If you pack smart it's more than enough - and I like the narrow profile. If I need more room, I just strap a drybag on the back seat.

[Joey Stalin]

  I sorry but I find absolutely nothing appealing about your set-up.

Well since we're all voicing opinions, I think it's awesome.

[Silverbird]

10 things you can not easily (edited) modify on a race replica bike.

1) Fuel Range. A deal breaker in southern Nevada
2) Close ratio transmissions. They do over 100 in 1st, and every shift after that feel like a wasted effort
3) Engine vibs. None are counterbalanced
4) Touring amenites. You'll miss those bungie straps.
5) Ultra light weight flywheels. Pull in the clutch and the revs plummet, makes shifting a pain
6) Stability in the wind.
7) Narrow seats and less potential for aftermarket improvement.
8) Peaky powerbands.  All that power goes to waste on tour (Unless you ride like an a-hole)
9) Weather protection
10) Small alternators

This thread is done   Just kidding...

All of those things can be rendered pointless complaining but here's what it all boils down to.  All these high and mighty numbnuts like to proclaim how "you can't use all that power anyway" so I will argue you can't use all that cornering ability of a race replica on the street.  So why not give up some cornering prowess and treat yourself to a bike that is better suited for touring and buy a novice owned $2500 used race bike.

[Justin]

1) Fuel Range. A deal breaker in southern Nevada

That can be fixed.

tourtank.com

Of course, there goes your room for luggage.

10) Small alternators

Say's the blackbird rider.  

[Rogue]

AT, yup Carmel Valley Road.  You and I probably have near-identical pictures of roads in the Central Coast.  Love riding there.  My dream is to retire anywhere there and just ride around all day every day.

[Rogue]

Head says VFR, midlife crisis says CBR. Decisions, decisions...

I notice the 800 isn't even on the Honda site anymore -- 1200 only for the foreseeable future?

No more VFR800 in the US.  It's replaced by VFR1200 since 2010.  The 800 has now morphed into the more fashionable adventure sport bike with the same chassis with longer wheel travel and different body.  

But if you're looking for a bargain then any well cared for VFR800 will do very well.  Not that a CBR would be bad.  It's just easier to tour on a bike with the stuff all street bike should have but been deleted since the late 1990's--things like a centerstand, fuel gauge, and a nice big windscreen.  I like the VFR800 because it occupies the middle ground.  Equivalent bikes are the Triumph Sprint ST, BMW F800ST (still available new), a few others I can't think of right now.

[Bad Dad]

HOLY CRAP! Maybe you should go back a page or 2 and read the conversation on "packing light with a SS"  
Is that a kitchen sink I see in that rear most blue bag?????  

This set up was for a solo trip down to Kentucky, I set up camp at Natural bridge State Park and then went out on day trips with just the tank bag. And the kitchen was In the blue bag, Msr stove, pots, bowls, the whole camping setup, tent, bag, pad, pillow. The blue bag on top had my folding chair in it.
This is the usual set up, tank bag and Ventura,

[Rattlehead]

This set up was for a solo trip down to Kentucky, I set up camp at Natural bridge State Park and then went out on day trips with just the tank bag. And the kitchen was In the blue bag, Msr stove, pots, bowls, the whole camping setup, tent, bag, pad, pillow. The blue bag on top had my folding chair in it.
This is the usual set up, tank bag and Ventura,

Just givin' you a hard time.  
I tend to pack pretty light so to me that looks like about 1/2 a years worth of supplies.  
You obviously use your bike and seem to have a good time so you'll never get more than a mild ribbing from me.  

[LENSMAN]

My CBR1100XX has helibars, pegs from a Buell X12 lowering my feet an inch (I'm 5'10"). I added a Zero Gravity touring screen to give me a little more air deflection. It's pretty comfortable. You should squeeze the tank with your knees to keep from sliding forward- that's with any sport bike. The set up lets me sit fairly upright if I'm just cruising along. A laminar lip might be added to deflect the air a little higher on me, but that's it. A guy in my club just sold his- a '99 with 9,000, yes 9,000 miles on it with lots of extra goodies for $4200.

On my SV650, I put higher handle bars (from an XR100+longer brake&clutch lines)- it's a naked SV), lower pegs, and a national cycle windscreen, done.

Both bikes have head light pulsers (Kisann), rear racks, center stands and light weight mufflers.  I've done 500 mile days on the CBR, and the SV would be even easier. Make sure you have a tire plugger kit and first aid kit.

BTW, I find that a heavy tank bag (Oxford)makes the bike want to tip over, especially the XX when I'm parking or just moving  it at walking speed, so watch how you load your bike. Go to RiderWarehouse for light weight stuff.  I especially like the micro fiber pants. Jeans are heavy & bulky. Have fun.