Do you ride bags on or bags off?

99% on, but it's mostly a commuter for me. I find it very hard to ride without all the options and emergency gear I carry in the bags. Plus, lugging a helmet around blows.

I am almost certain you will still damage hand guard, maybe front fork ends and probably at least the muffler guard if dropped with bags on. If you squeeze the bag it gives at the zipper seam and I really don't think this will survive. The handguards will prevent snapping a lever, which is nice. And yes, mine went over. A new mirror and black sharpie for muffler guard and you would never know.

Unless I'm going out of town no bags on the bike

Usually ride with the bags off. I do have a top case that I ride with. Its convenient and out of the way and I can get in and out of it fast.

Bags off. I use a soft tail bag and a small tank bag.

Bags off unless touring.

Bags ON 99% of the time. I like to go on random rides after work and sometimes it lead me quite away from home.

On all the time. I ride my bike as long as the streets are clear so they come in handy when running erands.

HyperstradaHopeful said:

Do you guys find it any harder to lane split stopped traffic to get in front at a red light with the saddlebags on?

Click to expand...

Only you have that problem none of the rest of the states alow lane splitting...

HyperstradaHopeful said:

You're not allowed to move to the front of traffic at a red light? Man, that's one of the nicest things about riding a bike! Don't have to get stuck behind the slow accelerating Priuses.

Click to expand...

No!

Wait your turn damn it!!

Let's be PC and call it "sharing"

California is the only USA state that still allows lane sharing. Every other place in the world allows it. Makes a statement on the mentality of American drivers!

The bags are way too wide for safe lane sharing. Even the handlebars are getting there, and they are right at pickup truck mirror height. That's one reason I never considered buying an older Hyper - the mirrors add more width and I watch them for bikes coming up behind. It's safer to follow than lead...

There are some rules that can keep you safe, like watching for drivers who change lanes without signaling (the majority here, unfortunately). Watch for a shoulder drop, a head movement, or hands on the wheel movement. Of course that means you are not whipping though at 80! My limits are 25 over the slower lane, 45 max. Always stay between the number one ('fast') and number two lanes. And of course, we get to ride in the carpool lanes.

As for traffic lights, yes you can 'weasel' (oops I meant 'share') up to the front - but be ready when the light changes! The guy next to you might not wait. He did get there first, see comment on American drivers. And it's unlawful to go by on the right if there is only one lane.

I was impressed that in some countries (the UK and IOM for instance) the signal will show yellow below the red when it's almost time to go...quite useful. And I was amazed that drivers there expected all bikes to go to the front at lights.

It's one of the few practical laws California has passed. I know the majority of American drivers grit their teeth at the thought of bikes just cutting up to the front but it is a logical solution to reducing traffic congestion.

With that, I'd be pretty nervous splitting with my bags on. I've caught one on a gas pump pilon when I wasn't paying attention.

Actually, it's the opposite - other states banned it. Nevada was a last holdout. It's the CHP that wants and needs to do it, and in the good old Peoples Republic of California that means we all get to do it. So far.

When a lane is 12 feet wide and there's a six or seven foot wide car in front of you, those empty areas look like lanes to me!

In the UK they actually have an area between the limit line and crosswalk that is just for bikes to gather and wait for the green. It's not like they hold anyone up...

mine's a city commuter so side bags are something to hit other vehicles with during lane splitting... a 25-liter tail bag is enough for my daily commutes

I normally don't commute with the hyper. Only live about 4 miles from work.
Otherwise I ride about 60% without the cases on. The times I have the side cases on is when I'm on tour or need them to carry something. I make also use of the tankbag and a small Kriega tailbag with raingear in it.

Lane splitting is not allowed in Holland but when there's a traffic jam on the highway and speed is below 10 mph, it is allowed. Cars are requested to give way but they don't.....

Regards.

I havent got my strada yet. Is there a catogory for "rides the bags but not the bike" ?

zippy49 said:

I was impressed that in some countries (the UK and IOM for instance) the signal will show yellow below the red when it's almost time to go...quite useful. And I was amazed that drivers there expected all bikes to go to the front at lights.

Click to expand...

Its called filtering in the UK and is very legal. Its sooooooo much better in towns, some towns allow you to use the bus lanes too. Others turn a blind eye to it, if its done carefully. I filter about 10-15 mph passed slow (5mph) traffic. But unless I am in a hurry just keep in line with 20 mph traffic.

Its just one reason I have a bike

I took the side bags off when I brought the bike home from the dealer. I have a soft tail bag that I use for my day/weekend rides and trips to work.

SoCal splitting

Lane sharing is just that, sharing which is allowed with another motorcycle, but not a car. If you pace a car and share a lane, could be seen as dangerous by a cop if he wants from what I read in forums. Splitting-must be two lanes in direction of travel to 'split'. CHP recently, like a year ago, put up guidelines. I see many drive on the shoulder which is against the law, tickets for reckless driving or on the shoulder. Cops filter so I do it as well, they never stopped me. I would split with side bags but prefer to just take my topcase for commuting if possible. I usually did not have a lot of junk to take to work. I commuted 30,000 miles in SoCal on my V-Strom and then Hyperstrada before I moved to AL. I followed what I saw others doing and then started to try and find the actual rules and read forums about experiences.