How much can you pile on?

[hawke]

I was able to stack almost as high as myself standing! (6' 8")
Well, back in November I tried to make the trip from Oklahoma City Oklahoma, back to Idaho, but the weather stopped me at Gallup New Mexico. Snow and ice and freezing cold in the mountains, there was no way with the load on my back (see picture) that I would have made it in one piece.
Even in clear weather the ride was terrifying because every cross-draft or semi passing me caught the huge "Sail" of the equipment stacked on the bike, and kept trying to blow me over.
So, I detoured down to Tucson Arizona through the canyons backroads, and saw some beautiful contryside there, took a lot of photos, and deposited my bike in Tucson.
I'll be coming back down around early April to ride it back to Idaho.
Note, I stacked several computers and enough clothing and equipment for the 4 monts contract I was working for a big energy and oil company in Oklahoma.
This stack was almost as tall as me (6'8")!













The weight of this load nearly broke my chain, and DID break some of the mountings for the Givi tailback bracket.
I had to replace my chain and sprockets that had about 11,000 miles (original), and replaced my tires while at it, since I'd already worn them out in 11,000 miles of travel in about 12 months accumulation of riding and I had to perform some improvisation to keep going. Such as, yes, bailing wire, to hold the bracket together.







More detailed information:
Motorcycle: 2001 Suzuki Bandit 1200 stock except replaced tires with slightly more tread and replaced chain and sprocket, stepping down two.
Driver height: 6'8" weight around 270 lbs.
Had two Sun Ultra 10's computers, two laptops, networking equipment, portable table, chair, sleeping bag, inflatable bed, 2 weeks of clothing, several technical manuals, and more.
That poor bike! :-)

[nachtflug]

yo,

ever hear of a van?

flug.

[hawke]

That would be the easy way out.
There's not much adventure in that now is there?
:P

[P. Urquell]

You make that motorcycle look like a bicycle! How much do you weigh? 300LBs?

[Roadwarrior]

Thats nuts man, I lovet it. Seriously though Is you are really into that kind of adventure on a regular baisis you should look into a bike thats more capable of being loaded down for safty's sake like a Goldwing, or even a GS. My advise, Ditch the Corbin bags for some heavy duty racks, and mount the load lower and further forward. The bike will handle way better.

[NAVIGATOR]

That´s packing a bike.

Were you within the permissible load range?

[davidhpark]

That's simply not safe and not smart. Adventure riding, I think not. Next time ship the crap UPS/FedEx and go for a ride.

You have no value on your life or those of fellow motorists.

David H. Park

[RockinRobin]

Said nachtflug:
yo,

ever hear of a van?

flug.

VAN????? I was thinking more like a storage unit

Hawke, that is hysterical. I do believe you win first prize for accomplishing to pack everything plus the kitchen sink !

[Neo]

I think it`s good for a big wheelie.

Or grow big and go like this:

[Ricardo Kuhn]

Said RockinRobin:
VAN????? I was thinking more like a storage unit

Hawke, that is hysterical. I do believe you win first prize for accomplishing to pack everything plus the kitchen sink !

Not to highjack the tread but


NOT so FAST ROBIN, I have carry about 380 pounds of load on a REALLY SAFE manner and I have about 25,000milles to prove it
I think if is done propertlly the bike can be a exelent carrior. i move my complete house on her (exept for a heavy and expensive TV)(don't know how to drive)
but i think is more about the tool you use and preparation to the task.....the GS is a very manuverable bike actually on this trip I compete on the "slow trials" at the 49 rally like this fully loaded and I got III,and I'm not the super rider ,is just not that difficult



actually I ,when to canada(BC) and mejico(baja) with my old girlfrind carring all the camping ,bicycles,(my bicycle carring record is 5 bikes,plus two extra sets of wheels, plus tools to fix the bike) riding gear,,etc all you need,,it is possible and if you are carefull is just fine,,
you need to remenber the GS plus a big rack give you about 6,5 square feet of platform space


WARNING the bike will pop willies very easilly..

Sorry for the showing of,2

[RockinRobin]

Said ricardo kuhn:
Not to highjack the tread but


NOT so FAST ROBIN, I have carry about 380 pounds of load on a REALLY SAFE manner and I have about 25,000milles to prove it

Ok Ricardo, you might win the prize for everything and the kitchen sink..........if...........you teach that silly TV how to ride...

Let's see how adept you are at packing for the Sierra Ride !

[Bird]

Said davidhpark:
That's simply not safe and not smart. Adventure riding, I think not. Next time ship the crap UPS/FedEx and go for a ride.

You have no value on your life or those of fellow motorists.

David H. Park

[hawke]

Computer hard drives do not easily survive shipping, as well as many other components when the computers get hurled around by the shippers. Just taking the hard drives would not protect the rest of the systems from damage, and since these older computers were about $4k and $8k each when acquired years before, replacement would be a big PITA.
The trip worked out fine.
The bike held up great.
I'm surprised you're even on this forum with such a cop-out attitude, rather than a "can-do" attitude.
Though it was scary to ride with the cross-winds and all, it all worked out fine.
Those out there "scraping the pegs" and flying blindly around corners are far more at risk and inconsiderate of "fellow motorists".
And (knock on wood, cross fingers and toes, throw salt over shoulder, etc.) I'm still riding strong in 13 states, and over 16,000 miles on the bike, without incident.
I just have to say, for a "poor man's bike" it sure has held up great under all kinds of conditions and uses.

[Bird]

Carry on!

[iswoolley]

Never fails to make me laugh...