Touring Gear For Busa?

[OB_JohnnyHorton]

I'm planning to buy a bike for a 50-mile trek from rural Virginia into DC (yes, into a protected garage, of course). Obviously, I'm looking at the standard sport-tourers (ST1100, et.), but the 'Busa has caught my eye for some time.

Anyone do any routine commuting on their Busa?

Does anyone know about manufactuers of (gulp) bags for the side to carry essentials for work?

I'm planning jaunts in any weather short of freezing rain.

Appreciate any input. I live in a small village and lust after the sound of a Busa rumbling between the brick and rolling into the parking garage after a run on 66.

Thanks

 

[OB_jim p]

John i would put on bar risers and a taller wind screen if i rode to work everyday. Don't know about the side bags, i use a tour master tank bag.

 

[OB_BUDDHA]

Please don't get saddle bags!
I would hate to have to see that
Get a tank bag like Jim said,or i think theres companies that make backpacks for motorcycles.

 

[sherm]

The Hayabusa will give you 45 mpg on your comute if you cruise at normal highway speeds and keep it in sixth.

 

[Guest]

I ride 25 miles one way to work most everyday and I have stoped drinking coffee. I dont need a pick-me-up anymore and it normally scares the poop out of me.
HAHA
Paul

 

[OB_Hapo]

...I like the standard bars, even for "touring", but then I'm...diferent....I use a Tour Master magnetic bag and a fanny pack...I carry the fanny pack in the tank bag untill I need the space...you can bungee a bag or box to the rear seat as well...I like the small bag because I can still sort of tuck in...I like just pulling it off and ploping it back on the tank at fuel stops, no straps or pads to mess with...the tank bag hasn't blown or bounced off, even over bumps at speed...although I'll admit to not yet having been much over an indicated 170...after the suspension adjustments recomended by JB and DP, we may feel better about going faster, and although I'm sure it will feel bumpier maybe we won't bottom out in NYC or Hartford just moving with traffic...I remember carrying a cain saw (034) and fuel and tools (axe, wedges, ect.) strapped to the back of a '87 VFR after the tornado of '89...could wail...weight less than wife, complained less too... get creative, tour on a Busa!

 

[OB_Dirty Pete]

Go for the Busa Johnny.

My commuting situation is identical to yours. 50 miles from home in a village to downtown Toronto, and I use the Busa for it weather and biz sched permitting.

One point though, if you're riding in stop & go traffic read no further. I wouldn't do that on ANY bike (or any other vehicle for that matter) so my experience won't help you.

The Busa is totally comfortable for 50 mile romps as is. If you can ride country road routes on your commute, set the bike suspension up tight and turn your commute into a race against yourself.

No saddle bags. Get a mid-size (22 litre) MAGNETIC tank bag so you can just pull the bag off your bike when you arrive at work and slip in back on when you leave. No buckles, etc. The Techic bag behaves much like a briefcase. And the tank bag will stay dry in the rain at speed while saddlebags will get soaked.

If you commute in the dark, the headlights are awesome...brighter than any cage I've been in.

I recommend earplugs for wind roar.

Carry a tire plugging kit and 2 CO2 cans on an adapter to re-inflate your tire (see the Dennis Kirk catalogue).

And if you can get 100% secure parking for your bike at work (like passcard underground) you'll work a lot more peacefully.

 

[OB_ducmanic]

Rev Pack soft bags-on and off in less than thirty seconds. They hold a lot and fit well, and black bags look factory on my black bussa'.
ducmanic
Los Angeles

 

[OB_ROR]

I've got the full TourMaster Cortech luggage for my black busa - saddlebags, tailbag (clasps to saddlebags across the rear seat) and two-piece zip-together magnetic tank bags.

They were wonderful on a 2,000 trip this summer and since then offer me all the flexibility I need to use only what I need at the moment. This is after five years with Givi bags on a CBR1000F. I like the soft bags better.

The Busa is a wonderful sport tourer and a 50-mile commute should be a piece of cake.