Just done a quick update to the packing. After I thought about it and realised that nothing will fit in the tent over night except me I have bought a water proof dry bag so the stuff won't get wet if it rains. I cut a piece of hard board 11"x22" to fit to the bottom so make it ridged for strapping on to the bike.

I have left the tent on top outside the bag so that I don't have to open the bag to erect the tent.

http://www.xt660.com/gallery/display...p?imageid=1812



http://www.xt660.com/gallery/display...p?imageid=1813


no wider then the handle bars

http://www.xt660.com/gallery/display...p?imageid=1814

also it is easier to get on and off the bike cocking your leg over the seat.

The rack is................................................ ...the sump guard off my old (2005) BMW1200GS , which I have fitted to my Givi mounting brackets, I will show some pictures of that later

As promised rear rack made from a BMW 12OOGS sump guard

http://www.xt660.com/gallery/display...p?imageid=1815


http://www.xt660.com/gallery/display...p?imageid=1817


http://www.xt660.com/gallery/display...p?imageid=1816



http://www.xt660.com/gallery/display...p?imageid=1818

Hell, why not, good way of recycling!!
Greetz, Hans.

Heres my setup although not minimalistic as I like gadgets and all the kit. Tent and toll matt are in one panner. Cooking repairs and pucture repair kit, cooker etc as in the other. Top Box carries clothes and shoes, camera and maps etc.
Across the seat I use a roll bag which worked well.

http://i786.photobucket.com/albums/y...02010/xtz1.jpg

http://i786.photobucket.com/albums/y...luggaedxtz.jpg

http://i786.photobucket.com/albums/y...010Tour109.jpg

Stop showing me those lovely pictures of kitted out bikes. I am brimming with envy as I can't even think about such things at the moment. I have the ally panniers and still have not had a trip on my Ten after almost a years ownership due to various goings on!:090:

Only kidding about the envy thing, keep the pic's coming in so I can keep dreaming of when I can embark on my on adventures! :rolltfl:

All that weight high up and along way back will make the handling very interesting especially off road. Keep an eye on the travel log section of our recent trip to Portugal and checkout the different luggage setups.

I didnt have any problems doing miles of fire roads in Europe and some light off roading. True it certainly does affect handling however I prefer to carry the gear I need and use rather than skip on comfort. The top box is full of light gear and the roll bag the same postion as a pillion. Its like riding with a pillion but I have ridden alot worse setups.

For full on off road I wouldnt pack so much but then again I wouldnt be on a Tenere.

Mike,
I've just noticed that I've got the same crash bars as you and I was wondering what bashplate you have. I'm still using the plastic thing that Yamaha kindly provided but was thinking of getting something more substantial!

......and did you have to take the crash bars off to fit it?

cheers!

I got the same, they are from Sw-motech.
The touratech bashplate doesnt fit in combination with the crash bars

You dont have to take the crashbars off in order to fit the bashplate

The bag is not that heavy, and it will make the front slightly lighter which is good for off roading any way. It is no different then riding with my 52ltr Givi top box.

I have road/off road tested the set up and it is fine for me

I am far from a novice offroader, having competed at clubman level at local hare and hound races.