Kriega tailbag: Setup

I've been using my Kriega US-30 for well over 5 years now.

In that time it's seen daily commuting, overnighters, running errands and everything in between.
It's seen torrential rain and extreme heat.
It's 100% waterproof, rugged as hell, and relatively lightweight.
It has never let me down.


The US-30 provides enough room for a large laptop to lay flat for commuting to the office.

I can easily store my wets and basic tools and still fit extra clothes, shoes and whatever else I need for touring.

Off the bike it has a shoulder strap so you can lug it around easily.

All. Very. Versatile.

So - by way of the new MT09, it was time to again setup the Kriega.

Step 1

Remove the seat to access the sub-frame - you'll need to locate some spot to thread the mounting straps. 

For the rear straps I used the last set of frame tags which hold the rear faring on

Step 2

Use two of the four straps supplied and thread one through on each side

Step 3

Repeat Step 2 for the forward mounting straps. 

I used the gap between the sub-frame and the seat-lock. 

Step 4

Tidy up all the dangling straps and make things neat. 

Step 5

Attach bag.

Done and done

In the past I've used cumbersome Ventura packs and their associated (and required) frames which attach to the bike - this type of luggage is good, however it is not transferable from bike to bike. 

On the other hand, the Kriega gear can be used on any bike, it does not detract from the aesthetics, and when removed, leaves all but no trace of ever having been there - no frame, no brackets. 

Just - gone. 

\BitSar

The packhorse. 

-----more like, donkey....

Not forgotten..............

I've been shit......again.

Too busy for any meaningful, thoughtful or decisive posts.....

Too consumed with life to be riding anything or anywhere interesting.....

Bummer.

Since the recent "That was tough ride" I thought bugger it - Sport mode..........everywhere.

Indeed -  this is fun.

The Ape grows with you like no other bike I've had. Although, that alone does not stop me musing about other, new, toys.

Alas, with an impending wedding and work ramping up with new opportunities it seems the Ape is with me for quite a while longer...........but hey - that 'aint a bad thing.

Stay tuned for the Pink Ribbon charity ride post for Breast Cancer at the end of this month.

\BitSar

--Slack.............again 

What's in your tailbag?

I love my Kriega gear.........love it.

I've been using the Kreiga US-30 tailbag for well over 4 years on two different bikes. Great mounting options really make this a universal tailbag.

During that time the Kriega has seen a multitude of conditions: Hot, Cold, Wet, Dry - dusty, muddy and anything else - except snow......I don't do snow.

I use the bag every single day on the commute and it easily holds a laptop/tablet, change of clothes, lunch, miscellaneous work items etc.

When touring the bag can swallow quite a lot of gear......a few years back I did a multi day ride and only took the Kreiga - that's it. One bag. It was capable of holding  just what I needed.

Day to day items carried change - obviously so.
However there are a few thing which stay in/on the bag at all times:

Coded Helmet-Lock 

Various bike related promo gear

A "bandolier" of charity ride badges

The essentials: 

Pocket torch

Spare UglyFish glasses lenses 

"Wets" - overpants and spray jacket

Puncture kit and basic tools

Earplugs - thanks Akra's 

So......what's in your tailbag?

\BitSar

--the packhorse. 

A riders' guide

Here it is.

1 – Think before you ride.

Every single morning before the commute, and for that matter any weekend blat too, I employ a process of getting myself and the bike ready. 

It is the same ritual every time and it centres me – I engage with what I am about to do.

This is a common training technique which shifts focus and consciousness to the task at hand.

2 – Take command

You are riding a motorcycle – you are exposed, you are at risk. Be proactive and choose your risk as much as possible. 

Don't be complacent and let the risk choose you.

3 – Have “brain space”

If you set off and identify that you are not riding well, not seeing things play out like usual or think there is something “not right with the bike”......chances are something is not right with you.

The bike is very likely to be behaving exactly the same as yesterday – but if it feels different today then something is different – that something is more than likely you.

Learn to identify these “yips” and counter them accordingly. This may mean stopping.

NB** baring mental "yips" check the basics like tyre pressure, chain tension, throttle and clutch lines/cables. 

4- Radar and intuition

To be proficient you need to be able NOT to think about what the bike is doing and how you are controlling it.

The bike should be controlled via telepathy. You think, the bike does.

Believe me after years of MTB and Road race cycling – the bike is an extension of the body.

Control leads to having ample capacity to scan the environment for cagers, pedestrians, cyclists and other riders alike. 

Being in control of your bike is relatively easy.

Contemplating the actions of others and reacting appropriately is a skill unto its' own.

5 – Don't

Don't be timid.

Don't allow yourself to hesitate – indecision takes time, when you need to make a choice time is not always on your side.

Most of all – don't be a victim.

6 – Everything else

Filtering, splitting, cagers and traffic.

Weekend blats, touring, overnighters and tomfoolery.

Everything else is the reason to ride all the time – do it safely.

Be engaged in the process and enjoy.

Footnote:

If you are not a target – you will less likely become a victim.

This does not mean be aggressive – it means be in control – as much as possible.

\BitSar
--getting on with it and "riding" it out

Slack........again

Life has been busy of late......

Other than commuting and weekend errands I've had no time for real weekend blats......it is getting to me.

I do have a post about the Kriega gear in the pipes.....I've had a tailbag for over 4 years and it's still going strong. 

I need to get out for a decent ride soon.......I can tell..........I'm riding everywhere like my head is on fire....

\BitSar

--needs release........

Cold

Winter is kicking in.......big time.

Now - for the European, Canadian and North American readers I might sound a little soft........but bugger me - it was bloody cold this morning! Australian's don't like it cold........

Just as I was heading out the door ........outside it was the coldest temperature recorded for the day....2.4C - that's about 36F.....


Not only was this the coldest temperature for the day.....it's currently the coldest recorded temperature for Melbourne this year.....


Great......



I hadn't got far down the road until I realised that the "fog" on my ugly-fish riding glasses was not fog......it was ice.....bah! I took the first side street....took them off and stuffed them in my pocket.......hitched my neck-sock over my mouth and nose like a balaclava......keep going...

Then my hands started to freeze......literally. My fingers were like dead, white, blocks of wood - no feeling - minimal use for clutch and front brake.........bugger.

Over the years of winter riding and commuting you learn little tricks to keep your hands warm, mobile and tactile......

Of course you could always just pony
up the dough and get heated hand grips......but for the majority of the Australian winter they are really not NEEDED.....they are NICE....but not essential.

My little "keep warm trick" is to stuff my hands under the seat - into the gap above the trellis-frame......onto a nice, warm, rear cylinder head.......

ahhhhhh - that's better!

The only downside? I do get some strange looks from Cagers when I'm stopped at a set of traffic lights, slumped forward over the tank......giving the Ape a hug.......

But hell..........who cares what Cagers think......for that matter.....I'm not sure Cagers do think.....

\BitSar
--hugging his Ape

ABS....Vs......the iWalker

A couple of mornings ago - on the daily commute into work I had a moment........not a nice moment.....and it was one where I was thanking the Shiver for its' ABS......

Traffic was very heavy......so much so that every CBD intersection was full - packed......bumper to bumper.....at this point Traffic lights were incidental....mindless cagers just crowded out intersections and hey - if they got stuck in the middle between two red lights....who cares! They have a nice mobile lounge chair to sit in........hmmmmm....

So as any commuter rider will attest - heavy traffic is a dangerous proposition....cagers, with their small minds, can get impatient and hesitant - at the same time - making them even less predictable than usual.......not something you want to be involved with.....engage GTFO.......

I was nearly at the office and was approaching the street with the entrance to the car park......I was filtering through traffic and switched to the outside of the left lane - in between the gutter and the traffic - to make my left turn < 10m ahead......mind you this is a legal use of the road shoulder........

As I came up to the corner - albeit a little on the throttle - I encountered an iWalker who popped out of the stationary traffic..........BAM! - or should I say.....Baahhhhh

This guys had his iPhone glued to his face......his AWESOME oversized DJ headphones over his ears - looking super-fly as he wandered through traffic.......good job fella!

My eyes had already spotted movement from my right and my right hand reacted before my brain processed the situation - I set up the brakes and squeezed......and squeezed.....a little rear brake to stabilize.....and squeeze....

With the aid of ABS the front pulsated slightly as did the rear - the bike pulled up hard and remained stable......by this time I was pretty much stationary.....balancing the bike using rear brake...keeping the chain and chassis under tension.....rocking, rocking, rocking....

The iWalker looked at me with bewilderment.....I was adamant not to put a foot down.....he scuttled off through the traffic.....live to iWalk another day.....

\Thanks ABS

--BitSar

Moments............Ape style

Since the GOR run all the riding I've been doing is daily commuting and errands etc...........

Inner city work........urban jungle bullshite.........yes - still fun with the right attitude - but not the natural environment for an Ape.....

At first this was getting me a little irksome.....feeling a little impetuous........I need release!

But then - just today.........I walked back to the Ape after picking up groceries. She's a little dirty, needs a good wash and detail.....but she's such a stunner......and - she's mine.......my bike......

I rode home like there was a wasp up my arse..........can't tame that Ape!

Even the mundane is magic..............with the right attitude.....

\Realises the ride is not where you go - but what you make it
................frame of mind.....the moment
-- BitSar