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....

Touring twins - the (not so) Shiver ride

There had been talk - for quite some time now - to get a bunch of Shivers together for an Italian-Ape blat.

Turns out one local Shiver rider is down with mechanical gremlins and a few others are MIA - no matter, the call went out and a total of 3 Shiver pilots popped up their heads.

A fellow Shiver rider (chillibutton) gathered a crew of 5, 3 x Shivers, 1 x BMW F800S, 1 x Firestorm. The common denominator? Twin cylinder engine configuration:

Italian 750 V-Twin = Braaaaarp
Japanese 996 V-Twin = Rrrrrrraaaarrrgh
Austrian (Rotax) 798 Parallel Twin = I need less fuel stops than all of you! (sorry, couldn't help myself petesul)

So - we were in business.......game on.

We met mid morning in the Eastern hills of Melbourne, quick "G'day" with the obligatory "Nice bike mate," then off - pointing the bikes towards Kinglake.

Traffic was acceptable - a few slow patches, but all in all a great fist leg - a mix of tighter twisties to open sweepers to flowing changes of left/right, left/right - very nice indeed.

The fun continued as we rolled into Beechworth Bakery in Healesville - a standard issue stop for riders.

Quick caffeine and food stop for the riders with a tank top-off for the bikes - sans BMW :)) - before heading towards Yarra Glen. 

Another wonderful route - the BMW pilot has fantastic local knowledge and directed the group through some pearler country side - zero traffic, excellent road condition and composition........absolutely magic!

The Ape - thoughtfully surveying the road travelled and the route ahead 

Along the way we pull over for a photo opportunity - bikes in their natural environment - in the hills, with plenty of black stuff travelled, with plenty more to go.

Ohhhh - I am a sucker for a Firestorm

Twin, twins......I wonder which one is the evil twin?

All in all - a fantastic run gentleman - cracker ride with an, even more, cracker group. Let's not wait so long before we head out again eh?

Oh.......I also managed to scrub away some of my commuter tyre shame........

'Till next time fellas.....

\BitSar 

-- hopefully sooner rather than later. 

Another "Not Forgotten"

I've been shit.......really shit in getting Blog pieces organised.

Getting married, moving, changing jobs etc.....Bah! No excuse eh!

There is an overnighter coming shortly.
Plus new Tyres (segue to long, long, long term Pilot Road 3 review)
Plus 15T
Plus further "formal" training.

In short......not forgotten - just getting more and more busy......life huh?

Back soon.
\BitSar

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.