When I talked with SHAD about weight limits with a SH59X and their tubular Y0FJ15ST frame, it boiled down to one limit (5kg?) being set by the lawyers, with the engineers saying it was good for MUCH higher - as in "don't worry about it".
Touring (Top case or no case ?)
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I can't stand the look of the big ROUND topboxes out there, but I do love the extra storage. I ended up modifying an Apache hard case from harbor freight to be a topbox on a Givi mount. I'm sure some would say it looks tacky or cheap but I like the look and it adds some nice weather resistant storage.
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I use my FJR as my daily commuter, so every little bit counts with storage.
I use my FJR as my daily commuter, so every little bit counts with storage.
I bought my 2021 almost 2 years ago and have logged over 20,000 miles on it: one long trip from here in Montana to Maine and back and another one from here to Seattle and down to through Oregon and Idaho. I've thought about a top case but, so far, haven't gone that way. I have never stayed in a motel as I camp out on these trips and just put a bag, sleeping bag, and tent behind me and secure with Rokstraps. In the photo below it shows a small satchel on top of my my main bag. That has gloves, rain gear, sweatshirt. I have a small tank bag for water, phone, wallet, etc. An iPad is in a side case with a few other items. Other side case has my camp stove, tools, etc.
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IMHO Vince brings up a good point. I am not a camper. I much prefer A/C and a shower at the end of the day, call me spoiled 
. My last two multiday trips were multidays in the wet and the last thing I want to do is set up, live in and break down a camp in the pouring rain. And I mean pouring as in creeks overflowing and roads with 2, 3, 4" of water, all the way from Frederick, MD to Gallipolis, OH. No way to escape it- sideways Forrest Gump rain with muddy flash flooding rolling off the WV mtns into and down the road. The trip before that I rode from Coopertown, NY to central NC in the pouring rain. My whole body was like a giant prune-ish toe.
But if I were the camping type, I wouldn't use a top case either. It seems too restrictive for the bulkier & odd-shaped needs.
. My last two multiday trips were multidays in the wet and the last thing I want to do is set up, live in and break down a camp in the pouring rain. And I mean pouring as in creeks overflowing and roads with 2, 3, 4" of water, all the way from Frederick, MD to Gallipolis, OH. No way to escape it- sideways Forrest Gump rain with muddy flash flooding rolling off the WV mtns into and down the road. The trip before that I rode from Coopertown, NY to central NC in the pouring rain. My whole body was like a giant prune-ish toe.But if I were the camping type, I wouldn't use a top case either. It seems too restrictive for the bulkier & odd-shaped needs.
If i had had to put up/make camp the day i rode in 250 miles of tropical storm, i would have probably just gone to the local pawn shop, bought a revolver and ate that for dinner 😆. Instead I had a shower, laid all my gear around the whole room and went to get Italian 😆IMHO Vince brings up a good point. I am not a camper. I much prefer A/C and a shower at the end of the day, call me spoiled
But if I were the camping type, I wouldn't use a top case either. It seems too restrictive for the bulkier & odd-shaped needs.
I hear that. I've been rained on a few times but it adds to the adventure.IMHO Vince brings up a good point. I am not a camper. I much prefer A/C and a shower at the end of the day, call me spoiled
Summer before last I was returning to Montana from Maine and after touring the UP in Michigan I was going through Duluth, headed for International Falls, and it poured, a lot. I was on Hwy 11, following along the appropriately named Rainy River, and somewhere east of Baudette I'd had enough. I finally saw a camping sign and pulled into an empty campground right along the river. There was a picnic shelter and set my tent up underneath it. Luckily most my gear was dry and it was actually a nice evening, watching the river with Canada just across it.One thing I like about camping is that I'm a distance runner and I love getting up in the morning and going out for a 3-5 mile run in a new area, especially on trails. It gets me ready for another 300-400 miles on the bike that day. And I'm no spring chicken. I'm 70.
Well guys I'm sold. I'll be taking it for sure. I appreciate all the feedback. I hope others find the post useful. It's good to get a cross section of other guys who tour and tips and tricks. I'm used to touring on my Super10 where the top case feels more natural. Exactly like my setup on my S10, I will be duplicating the on the FJR right down to the tankbag. The Motech bags on the passenger seat is all camping stuff
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