[CBR250R]

If anyone is interested in touring with their CBR250R, here is a system that I think will work well. I've used it on a 3200km camping trip across Ontario on my CBR125R and plan to use it on a similar camping trip to Toronto on my CBR250R at the end of this month.

A few months ago I purchased the larger Nelson-Rigg Saddlebags for my CBR250R found here:

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...addlebags.aspx

These will allow me to carry more gear and to keep the heavier stuff lower on the bike. I really like how easy and convenient the Nelson-Rigg system works and how well the clips made all my gear feel secure on my CBR125R. Based on suggestions found on adventure riding forums, I have replaced my Nelson Rigg Tail Bag with a waterproof duffel bag found here:

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabel...h-All+Products

The straps on the Cabelas duffel bag conveniently connect with the Nelson-Rigg saddles - like they were made for each other. However, if you went this way too, you would have to change-out the side release buckles on the duffel so that they mate properly with the Nelson-Rigg saddles. I just removed the ones from the Nelson-Rigg tailbag and attached them to the duffel bag. The duffel has about twice as much room as the Nelson-Rigg tailbag, it is waterproof (so no more fooling around with waterproof covers), and soft shelled (so easier to fit certain items), has a nice blue reflective coating for visibility, and a more comfortable (softer) wedge against my back while riding. The duffel also has a convenient carrying handle for times when you need to move the bag around.

Now that I have the CBR250R in my possession, I took a few photos today of the bike with my new Nelson-Rigg Silver Streak saddlebags and Cabela's waterproof duffle-bag attached. I added a few items to the duffle to fill it out a bit. The saddles and duffle fit even better on the CBR250R as it is larger than the CBR125R. My short kayak ratcheting ropes help ensure the load is secure.



I had to pass the forward saddlebag strap under the seat and the rear stap over the seat (instead of both under the seat like with my CBR125R). It still feels very secure.



The bags look larger on the bike than they do in real-life.



Mike

 

[Dave101]

WowiewowieWOW! Can't wait to read about your next trip report. (hoping you do that again ) Thanks for posting the pics. Looks great and like you are set!

Still got room for your cot, tent, and mattress?

I saw a rack made to fasten to the rear hand grips on another forum. Looks like the beginnings of a more finished design yet to come that will allow something like a milk crate and such to be bungeed easily to. finally - a rear rack...!...!

Did you use a rear rack on the 125?

 

[w0rM]

Holy crap! 3200km? That's awesome man! Can't wait to hear your report.

 

[CBR250R]

WowiewowieWOW! Can't wait to read about your next trip report. Thanks for posting the pics. Looks like you are set!

Still got room for your cot, tent, and matress?

Ha..ha.. Yeah - I've realized that I can't do without those items now. I feel spoiled. Like Karl Malden said - I don't leave home without it. I actually look forward now to sleeping on my sleeping pad/cot combo at the end of a adventurous, yet tiring day on the road. It feels like I am sleeping in a real bed. Waking up fresh and rested also keeps my spirits and sense of adventure up - and from a safety perspective - a well rested rider is an alert rider. I recently purchased a Nemo Cosmo Insulated Sleeping Pad. This might be my new favourite mattress. I plan to take it with me. I wrote a review of it on Amazon.com here:

http://www.amazon.com/Nemo-Equipment-Insulated-Sleeping-Orange/dp/B004J1RJ5K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1307158569&sr=8-1

There is just enough room left on the passenger grab rails to attach my cot. The extra size of the CBR250R makes packing the bike much easier. And I should have almost twice the volume/capacity with this system compared to the similar setup on my CBR125R.

Mike

 

[CBR250R]

Holy crap! 3200km? That's awesome man! Can't wait to hear your report.

Just in case you missed it - here is a link to my 3200km camping trip on my CBR125R from last year using a similar setup to the one above. On the first page you can see the the saddlebag setup. I used the Nelson-Rigg tailbag and it worked great. However, I was looking for something waterproof and with a larger capacity. That is why I went with the Cabelas waterproof duffle.

Trip Report: 3200 KM Camping Trip - Part I - Honda CBR125R Community Forum

Did you use a rear rack on the 125?

No - I didn't use any rack with the CBR125R. It would definitely be an option if I were to bring a passenger along. Now that would require some creative packing! However, I like the idea of keeping the weight as low as possible on the bike so I don't upset the bike's handling characteristics too much.

Mike

 

[hunkyleepickle]

thats insane! i have been having daydreams about taking my cbr250 camping, but just wasn't sure if it could hold enough gear, now i know it can. Great work, hope you don't get blown around too much!

 

[Dave101]

The amazon link didn't work for me but I googled it and found your review right away. With the information you provided in your 3200k trip I know what I want to do, should I try this. Let me know if you try another tent out. I don't think the one you used on the prior trip report is still available. Really appreciate you sharing links to the items your using. I hope to be a copy cat someday.

 

[CBR250R]

The amazon link didn't work for me but I googled it and found your review right away. With the information you provided in your 3200k trip I know what I want to do, should I try this. Let me know if you try another tent out. I don't think the one you used on the prior trip report is still available. Really appreciate you sharing links to the items your using. I hope to be a copy cat someday.

Hi Dave,

Are you referring to the Nemo Andi single-walled tent I used on that trip? I've noticed as well that it doesn't seem to be available anymore. I really like mine. Really quick to setup - only two poles!!! Packs really small. Well made. Lightweight. Can be used for backpacking as well. No fly to setup (thus saving time and effort, and no worries of losing the fly), completely waterproof. One downfall of single-walled tents appears to be condensation due to a lack of ventilation. But this isn't an issue in the climate zones I tend to ride in. I believe the Nemo Nano Elite on the Nemo homepage is essentially the same tent as the Andi.

Mike

 

[Dave101]

Thanks Mike. I will check it out. It is hard to find just the right tent that packs down so small.

 

[w0rM]

Just in case you missed it - here is a link to my 3200km camping trip on my CBR125R from last year using a similar setup to the one above. On the first page you can see the the saddlebag setup. I used the Nelson-Rigg tailbag and it worked great. However, I was looking for something waterproof and with a larger capacity. That is why I went with the Cabelas waterproof duffle.

Trip Report: 3200 KM Camping Trip - Part I - Honda CBR125R Community Forum

Thanks man! Going to read it now.

 

[riverguide]

If anyone is interested in touring with their CBR250R, here is a system that I think will work well. I've used it on a 3200km camping trip across Ontario on my CBR125R and plan to use it on a similar camping trip to Toronto on my CBR250R at the end of this month.

A few months ago I purchased the larger Nelson-Rigg Saddlebags for my CBR250R found here:

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...addlebags.aspx

These will allow me to carry more gear and to keep the heavier stuff lower on the bike. I really like how easy and convenient the Nelson-Rigg system works and how well the clips made all my gear feel secure on my CBR125R. Based on suggestions found on adventure riding forums, I have replaced my Nelson Rigg Tail Bag with a waterproof duffel bag found here:

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabel...h-All+Products

The straps on the Cabelas duffel bag conveniently connect with the Nelson-Rigg saddles - like they were made for each other. However, if you went this way too, you would have to change-out the side release buckles on the duffel so that they mate properly with the Nelson-Rigg saddles. I just removed the ones from the Nelson-Rigg tailbag and attached them to the duffel bag. The duffel has about twice as much room as the Nelson-Rigg tailbag, it is waterproof (so no more fooling around with waterproof covers), and soft shelled (so easier to fit certain items), has a nice blue reflective coating for visibility, and a more comfortable (softer) wedge against my back while riding. The duffel also has a convenient carrying handle for times when you need to move the bag around.

Now that I have the CBR250R in my possession, I took a few photos today of the bike with my new Nelson-Rigg Silver Streak saddlebags and Cabela's waterproof duffle-bag attached. I added a few items to the duffle to fill it out a bit. The saddles and duffle fit even better on the CBR250R as it is larger than the CBR125R. My short kayak ratcheting ropes help ensure the load is secure.



I had to pass the forward saddlebag strap under the seat and the rear stap over the seat (instead of both under the seat like with my CBR125R). It still feels very secure.



The bags look larger on the bike than they do in real-life.



Mike

that looks fantastic Mike - i also saw on a few of these on-line gear sites that motocentric also makes some very nice looking bags - has anyone had any experience with their gear? I had wondered about cortech, but i;ve seen some less than flattering user reviews of their bags lately so wondered about other manufacturers.

 

[pgkool]

Way to ruin a perfectly good looking sports bike...way #1! Maybe you should just invest in a cruiser, but i guess if you HAVE to move **** around...

 

[Aargee]

BTW, I ordered this from US & yet to reach India.

Features...
- Nelson Rigg SPRT-30 Touring Tail Pack
- Mounts using universal adjustable hook and strap system
- Made from top quality UV-treated Tri-Max® nylon and has rigid but lightweight EVA molded foam panels
- Designed to maintain its shape even when empty
- Has highly reflective logos for added visibility
- Fail safe heavy-duty zippers with pull fobs
- Protective material on bottom to hold the bag firm without slipping or marking bike
- Backed by Nelson-Rigg Lifetime No Hassle warranty
- Dimensions: 14.5" L x 14" W x 10" H (in inches)
- Capacity: 33.27 Liters

 

[Oldandslow]

BTW, I ordered this from US & yet to reach India.

Features...
- Nelson Rigg SPRT-30 Touring Tail Pack
- Mounts using universal adjustable hook and strap system
- Made from top quality UV-treated Tri-Max® nylon and has rigid but lightweight EVA molded foam panels
- Designed to maintain its shape even when empty
- Has highly reflective logos for added visibility
- Fail safe heavy-duty zippers with pull fobs
- Protective material on bottom to hold the bag firm without slipping or marking bike
- Backed by Nelson-Rigg Lifetime No Hassle warranty
- Dimensions: 14.5" L x 14" W x 10" H (in inches)
- Capacity: 33.27 Liters

---------------

I ordered the model that's smaller than the one you ordered. I wanted something small enough to fit the passenger seat but big enough to hold quite a bit. It's the same brand, Nelson-Rigg, but model 75S. It was $67.00 U.S. Here's a picture:

Nelson-Rigg Classic CL-75S Mini Sport Seat Pack

• Compact size for even the smallest tail sections
• Designed especially for bikes with under tail exhausts
• Mounts directly to rear seat or cowl using adjustable straps
• 100% WATERPROOF RAINSTORM COVER
• Dimensions: 10”L x 9.5”W x 7”H, Holds 10.90 Liters

I like that the straps go under the passenger seat and not stretched out over the rear of the bike.

 

[7point62fmj]

pgkool- Have you looked at this



Trip Report: 3200 KM Camping Trip - Part I - Honda CBR125R Community Forum

I am sure he could of got a crusier but what would be the adventure in that. Doing alot with less is always more fun.

 

[Aargee]

@OldandSlow - I'd love to get a smaller tail bag, but the issue is that, I don't have saddle bag right now, not I intent to buy one for next few months. However, I don't want to miss a short 2-3 days trip, for which, I believe this 30 lts is just sufficient. Hence I made the purchase decision

 

[Oldandslow]

Right you are. You wouldn't be able to get much in the one I have. For a trip, I have my "Bikers Friend".

 

[skysensor]

How are the saddlebags actually secured to the bike? I was expecting to see straps running to the rear peg mounts.

 

[Aargee]

^^^ Use straps or bungee chord

 

[skysensor]

Based on suggestions found on adventure riding forums, I have replaced my Nelson Rigg Tail Bag with a waterproof duffel bag found here:

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabel...h-All+Products

I really enjoyed reading your ride report.

Thinking about ordering the Cabela's duffel. What size did you get (I see it comes in four sizes).

Also, can you tell us more about the "kayak ratcheting ropes" you use?

Thanks.