Afternoon All, So, as per the title, is it a feasible option on a Fireblade? I used to do short trips to France (2-3days) with my wife in the back, on my previous Fireblade (2004 model)... and she seemed quite happy With grippy seat cover and Renntec baggage/grab rail... my wife claimed she was more comfy (especially knees) vs. our previous sport-tourer Yamaha Thunderace. Anyway, I'm planning a 9-10day trip this year (via Black Forest, Swiss/French Alps down to Monako, and via Millau viaduct... down to Pyrenees (Andorra) and finally to Santander (and back home via feery to Portsmouth). I'm just wondering... if it would be possible with my pillion. I'm going to fit a Renntec rail with Kriega US-70 set on the top (US-30 in the middle, 2x US-20 on the sides; plus US-10 as a tankbag). Of course, I will cover both seats with some grippy material and likely add additional 1'' comfort foam. I would really appreciate you thoughts guys. Has anyone of you been touring with a pillion for a longer than 2-3 days? Thanks, Peter
Yep, me and the Doris have done a few trips around western Europe. Been down to Italy 3 times and south of France, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, etc. Last trip was to Mugello last year (trip report here). We tend to limit the daily mileages to 250-300 on average, with an occasional 500 mile autoroute day to skip northern France. The Blade is an awesome tourer, although you will need an Airhawk or equivalent for the pillion, and I have the e-comfort seat.
Hi Peter! I have done a number of these trips. Most recently a nine day, 2,500 mile trip out to Meersberg with my son as pillion. I have a very similar set up to yours, with the rust bucket Rentec rack which is currently away being properly powder coated. Have you spotted the 5 kilo weight limit sticker they put on those racks!!! I use one Kriega US20 and two or three US10's depending on needs. I think 70 litres may be pushing your luck weight and balance wise ! I can thoroughly recommend the SW Motech Evo tank lock bags, which come in many different shapes and sizes. I use the Micro which holds a surprising amount of all the stuff you need speedy access to and comes off the bike in a second when you stop for a walk around. The best bit of kit I use is the Airhawk pillion pad which transforms the comfort level for your long suffering pillion !! Get the Mrs. one of these and you will definitely be in her good books!! I'm off again at the end of August to the Dolomites for 12 days and have vowed to lighten my load this time by leaving my laptop and charger at home. I can do all that I need to now with my new I phone ! The more of these trips I do, the more I learn what I do not need to take with me! I always stay in hotels and on the last trip we took half the normal amount of socks, undies and shirts. Making each set last two days! We bathed or showered every day and neither of us smelled at any time !! Share toiletries and put them in a ziplock bag or two. It takes up less space than a proper toilet bag ! Finally, get a Caxton FX Euro debit card. You get a much better exchange rate, they are free and do not charge fees You can load them with money from one of your other cards via your smatphone while you are away. Have a great trip ! D
I can't agree more! I did several 'solo' week-long trips to the continent, and my Blade always proved a brilliant 'track-orientated tourer' ') With a set of Kriega luggage (typically US-20, plus 2x US-10) I could go anyware for 7-10 days ')
I have already contacted Renntec technical guys, asking if such set (Kriega US-70) could damage to rack fittings and/or the frame itself. They are supposed to come back to me next week. I might go with US-20 plus 2x US-10 in the back and US-20 as a tankbag... however I'm afraid that US-20 on the tank might obscure the clocks/sat nat view '(
One thing to definitely get if you haven't already is the Interphone F4/F5's or one of the other manufacturers' equivalents. Works on Bluetooth and is vital for 2-up trips.
What year is your current Blade Peter? I'd say you'd really need the (I can't believe I'm about to say this!) Ventura setup with a 50 litre bag. I use the Rectec rack with a US30 sat on the Pillion seat, a US20 strapped on top of that and a US10 strapped vertically at the back of those two and resting on the reack it's self. That gives me 60 litres plus a 10-15 litre Givi Tanklock bag as well, but leaves no room for a Pillion and certainly a 9-10 day trip would require very selective packing and having to wash stuff on the go. Below is a picture of my setup which I'll be using in two weeks when I'm off to southern Ireland for 5 days.
Sinewave, I have a 2009 model, HRC, very similar to yours. When I tour 'solo', I would usually have US-20 on the rear seat, plus 2x US-10 on the sides, and Kriega R3 waistpack. However, given that I might travel with a pillion this year, the whole set has to be fitted on the Renntec rack... and I'm bit concerned that it might be too heavy/too far to the back '(
Unfortunately there is no 'if' about it Peter! The Rentec rack as stated by someone else has an official weight limit of 5 Kg's which I admit is pathetic and is way under what it will hold. Your main problem that I can forsee is physical space for your Pillion and Kreiga gear no matter how U try and stack it, hence my recommendation to look at the Ventura setup, which IMHO is your only viable option and even then 8-10 days away for two Peeps is asking a lot of 50 litres storage space! (and she's a Girl so they don't travel light!)
From my Mugello report, here's a pic of the Blade with Ventura for two people for 10 days (although 2 weeks is packed into the same without hassle): 51 litres I think that Ventura bag is, and holds bike stuff as well (cable ties, chain lube, etcs). It doesn't look aerodynamic there but with 2-up the bag is out of the windblast. Handling is unaffected even at 'motorway speeds'. As long as your roll-ons are gentle especially from starting (which they should be with a pillion anyway), there's no unexpected wheelying or skitting.
Thank you Moily! Your picture is very helpful This is pretty much what I had in my mind... only with Renntec rail/Kriega set. I looked at Ventura L-bracket fitting and it seems almost identical to Renntec... so how come the latter allows 'only 5kg luggage', while Ventura as much as 51litres? I'll wait until the response from Renntec. Well, in the end of the day I might fit the Ventura rail, and mount Kriega US-30 plus 2xUS-10 on the sides (50litres)
. Well, you exceed Renntec's recommended weight limit at your peril! There's nowt wrong with the rack itself but the four (as supplied) M5 mounting bolt/adapters are just not up to carrying any useful weight: Hence the 5kg limit. I've never loaded mine up but a couple of months ago I had reason to remove my carrier so as to split the sub-frame and was shocked to find two bolt broken! Renntec supply these inadequate bolts (made of cheese btw) because they're restricted to simply replacing the MOE bolts, that, under normal circumstances, hold just the 'tool-tray' in place. I replaced mine with four M8s and recently used a workshop crane to lift the whole 'back-end' up using the Rentec as a lifting point so; result! BTW, Looking at 'sinewave's pic, I would say he's 'getting away with it' because most of the weight of his pack is being supported by the pillion seat. Also, if the Ventura system uses the same four bolts then your going to run into the same problem. Have a good trip though. How I wish I was coming too. ATB, Nick.
The rack for the Renntec doesn't look like it'll support much weight on it: (taken from here) The Ventura pack rack has a large supporting arch that you slide the bag over, and is rock solid: It also bolts into the rear sub-frame by replacing the 4 bolts already there with the supplied longer ones that go through the L-brackets of the bottom of the rack system. You can install and remove the Ventura brackets in a few minutes, or replace the pack rack with a grab handle which is great if you and pillion go for a rideout with your luggage stored at your accommodation. Personally I'd go with Ventura every time over Renntec, which looks a bit substandard in comparison, although I've never used one myself. ETA: The only issue I've found with Ventura is their locking screws on the rack and L-brackets working loose. I've lost a few whilst on roadtrips but the weight of the bag holds it in place anyway so not a major issue, thankfully. It pays to regularly check they're done up tight throughout the trip. ETA2: Ah, I see you're wanting to put all your existing Kriega stuff on the Renntec rack. In that case, it may just be their bolts not taking the weight, as el-nicko has highlighted. No such concerns with Ventura so you could get away with the L-brackets and the sports pack rack:
What on earth do you take in all that for 5 days? Lol Tank back for maps and valuables and a us30 would be more than adequate surely? Good set up though. And the rentec does compliment the blade / kreiga brilliantly as you can strap it to the rails so much stronger mount and off the plastic / paint For two up though, and flame me, ventura works best IMO.
El-Nicko, thank you so much! That's exactly what I suspected, the rack itself is (literally) steel solid, the weakest link are the bolts. Your pictures are spot-on, real eye-openers
If it helps here's Ben & I in touring mode back in January Fits loads in including my Mum's Flowers & Here's the bag & rack revered for Solo Work!
Kriega setup. 50 litres. one US20 and three US10's. Rentec rack. Solid as a rock even at warp speed. I have done over 5000 euro miles with this setup without any issues at all. Kriega stuff is waterproof and so does not need a cover. I guess the other advantage is that if you are just touring out for the day from your hotel you can just stick a 10 or a 20 on the back and leave all the other luggage in your room.
Trainers, Shoes, clean T Shirt per day, fresh Shirt per day for night time shenanigans , 2 pairs of Jeans Toiletries etc etc. I pair of Shoes/Trainers fills a US10! ....... some of us have standards ya knarrs when out of an evenin' !
