Where to place tools for least wind 'impact'

[CaliKarl]

I had all my tools today up in my tank bag, tubes and pump as well. This did not work in the gusting winds in SoCal today. I got blown off the highway and into the grass and pushed over at a stop light. I've gotten a lot better at handling the wind, but this was unbearable. So, where should I put my tools so that this doesn't happen again? I've been through heavy winds (40+) before, but was loaded down with all the tools in the panniers at the time. Perhaps some crash bar bags would work (what kind for SW Motech)? Or a tail bag? Or the tool tube attached to the luggage racks? Thanks. My searches didn't yield much of anything.

[chadams]

Any pics of being blown over?

As for the tools I'm considering using the void on the right side behind the rect/ regulator.

[señormoto]

This is all you need - a tool wrap packed into the adv-common map tube. If you're carrying more tools than this you have too many tools. In here I have sockets, torqx, three tire spoons, wrenches, allens, pliers, etc. As for tubes I have the front tube under the seat beneath the ECU, and the rear tube folded and zip tied in between my front crashbars and the radiator: perfect fit and out of the way. I keep CO2 cartridges in the tool bag area in the stock under-seat location.

As for wind, there's no real secret aside from leaning into the wind and not being top heavy.

[señormoto]

Just make sure you're not loaded up like this guy

http://advrider.com/forums/showpost....06&postcount=1

[JRWooden]

IMHO - Your lowest center of gravity addition would either be one of these:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=750749

or these:

http://www.touratech-usa.com/Store/P...S-Twin-LOCKING

note that they only fit certain bash plates.

After that the tool tube mounted as low as possible is probably next best...

You could also consider getting one of the new high-tech batteries like the Shorai which would drop some of the "built-in" OEM weight way up high ... I think the stock battery weighs about 8lbs, and the Shorai is less than 2 lbs..

[CaliKarl]

Originally Posted by JRWooden

You could also consider getting one of the new high-tech batteries like the Shorai which would drop some of the "built-in" OEM weight way up high ... I think the stock battery weighs about 8lbs, and the Shorai is less than 2 lbs..

Forgot about that battery! As I need a new battery anyways, I ordered it and the tool tube. Thanks again.

[CaliKarl]

Originally Posted by chadams

Any pics of being blown over?

As for the tools I'm considering using the void on the right side behind the rect/ regulator.

No, didn't have my camera ready. Where exactly do you mean, behind the rect/regulator?

[señormoto]

Originally Posted by CaliKarl

Forgot about that battery! As I need a new battery anyways, I ordered it and the tool tube. Thanks again.

Cancel your order on the Shorai. They suck in cold, even 30F will make them fail to start. I have one in my F8 that I dislike for that very reason. I live in socal and go to death valley a lot - and every morning I have to do a bunch of bullshit to get the shorai to start in 30F weather.

If you want I'll sell you mine for 50% off. It's brand new, I've had it for about a month. If you never plan on being in anything colder than 40F then they're great. Otherwise there are other lithium batteries that apparently don't suffer from that issue.

[Casejeep]

Originally Posted by thematt

Cancel your order on the Shorai. They suck in cold, even 30F will make them fail to start. I have one in my F8 that I dislike for that very reason. I live in socal and go to death valley a lot - and every morning I have to do a bunch of bullshit to get the shorai to start in 30F weather.

If you want I'll sell you mine for 50% off. It's brand new, I've had it for about a month. If you never plan on being in anything colder than 40F then they're great. Otherwise there are other lithium batteries that apparently don't suffer from that issue.

Hey Matt
Where did you get your map tube?

[thorinoakenshield]

under the seat, thx to this clever ff:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showp...0&postcount=76

shrink your tire tubes:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=674455
(i've never tried this, but i want to)

you can also put your tire levers between the subframe and the fuel tank.
there's a 1"-wide gap that's about 9" long. if you have those best rest levers with the hole in them, you can just tie your levers there.
or just drill small holes in your lever, not a big deal.

also, there's space near the brake light, assuming you dont have an alarm.

that should free up your tank bag a bit. get creative! dont forget to let us know if you have any good ideas!

[señormoto]

Originally Posted by Casejeep

Hey Matt
Where did you get your map tube?

Here you go. $4.99. I bought two in case I broke one, which I did in Death Valley when it wasn't mounted tight enough and the washboard rattling busted one of the plastic mounts; which I zip tied to fix temporarily. The better solution is now in place and it's super solid; I used two bolts going to the holes on the wolfman racks and then two long hose clamps to cinch it down.

There are a lot of ways to mount it depending on which luggage racks you have, just be sure to make it solid and to put your tools in a wrap (I like the moose tool wrap as it fits inside just perfect: http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...Tool-Wrap.aspx ) otherwise the tools will rattle around inside the tube and create unnecessary noise and impact on the mounts. On the first tube I didn't keep the tools in a wrap and they made an awful lot of racket.

http://www.agrisupply.com/operators-...ister/p/67670/

[Casejeep]

Originally Posted by thematt

Here you go. $4.99. I bought two in case I broke one, which I did in Death Valley when it wasn't mounted tight enough and the washboard rattling busted one of the plastic mounts; which I zip tied to fix temporarily. The better solution is now in place and it's super solid; I used two bolts going to the holes on the wolfman racks and then two long hose clamps to cinch it down.

There are a lot of ways to mount it depending on which luggage racks you have, just be sure to make it solid and to put your tools in a wrap (I like the moose tool wrap as it fits inside just perfect: http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...Tool-Wrap.aspx ) otherwise the tools will rattle around inside the tube and create unnecessary noise and impact on the mounts. On the first tube I didn't keep the tools in a wrap and they made an awful lot of racket.

http://www.agrisupply.com/operators-...ister/p/67670/

Thanks! just placed my order for 2.

[CaliKarl]

Originally Posted by thematt

Here you go. $4.99. I bought two in case I broke one, which I did in Death Valley when it wasn't mounted tight enough and the washboard rattling busted one of the plastic mounts; which I zip tied to fix temporarily. The better solution is now in place and it's super solid; I used two bolts going to the holes on the wolfman racks and then two long hose clamps to cinch it down.

There are a lot of ways to mount it depending on which luggage racks you have, just be sure to make it solid and to put your tools in a wrap (I like the moose tool wrap as it fits inside just perfect: http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...Tool-Wrap.aspx ) otherwise the tools will rattle around inside the tube and create unnecessary noise and impact on the mounts. On the first tube I didn't keep the tools in a wrap and they made an awful lot of racket.

http://www.agrisupply.com/operators-...ister/p/67670/

Thanks thematt! I did go ahead and cancel the order for the Shorai battery. Though the stock battery is the source of endless complaints, it has fired right up in very cold temperatures. Only after 15000 mi has it been buggy. I bought it, the Shorai, because on one thread somebody stated that it doesn't work well in temps below 0 degrees, which I swear to never ride in anyways; however, as the guy was from Britain, he likely meant centigrade. Anyways, what battery then? Thanks for your advice.

[señormoto]

Originally Posted by CaliKarl

Thanks thematt! I did go ahead and cancel the order for the Shorai battery. Though the stock battery is the source of endless complaints, it has fired right up in very cold temperatures. Only after 15000 mi has it been buggy. I bought it, the Shorai, because on one thread somebody stated that it doesn't work well in temps below 0 degrees, which I swear to never ride in anyways; however, as the guy was from Britain, he likely meant centigrade. Anyways, what battery then? Thanks for your advice.

http://shop.testsycl.com/Motorcycle-Batteries_c2.htm

[Miikka]

Originally Posted by thematt

Cancel your order on the Shorai. They suck in cold, even 30F will make them fail to start. I have one in my F8 that I dislike for that very reason. I live in socal and go to death valley a lot - and every morning I have to do a bunch of bullshit to get the shorai to start in 30F weather.

If you want I'll sell you mine for 50% off. It's brand new, I've had it for about a month. If you never plan on being in anything colder than 40F then they're great. Otherwise there are other lithium batteries that apparently don't suffer from that issue.

Which model do you have? 14Ah or 18Ah?
I just checked/learned that Shorai has dropped both of those options and offer a 21Ah model for F800GS instead.

I have the 18Ah version but not much to say about it yet since bike is hibernating in garage through Finnish winter.

-m