V-Strom and Givi Luggage

Riding season is just around the corner, and I hope to do much of my Ohio River Towns photography project on the motorcycle. So, I needed to equip the bike with sufficient luggage to make it utilitarian.

I have always liked the Givi brand of motorcycle luggage. They are rugged and good looking. Secondly, I love the way you can use the same mounts to put different bags on the bike. Below is a great example of how that looks. First, the bike without bags.

V-Strom-Givi-Bags-02-27-2016-5

You can see the new engine guards and the luggage mounting racks on the rear. Next, is the set of smaller bags I purchased when I first bought the bike. Givi E-22s. These are great for around town and running small grocery errands. I have used the smaller bags to go camping, also.

V-Strom-Givi-Bags-02-27-2016-2

What about a top case? I decided to go with the Givi Trekker series of bags. The 52-Liter top case will hold a lot of stuff like camera gear and audio equpment, and it doesn’t look too bad with the E-22s—just a slight difference in styling.

V-Strom-Givi-Bags-02-27-2016-1

Or, how about riding with just the top case. Many do. Without the side cases, it’s a narrower profile.

V-Strom-Givi-Bags-02-27-2016-6

For the bigger loads, such as motorcycle touring and/or extended camping, the full set of Trekkers will do just fine—52L top case and 33L side cases, better known as panniers.

V-Strom-Givi-Bags-02-27-2016-9

That’s some serious load-hauling capability. Still, it’s best not to try to carry everything. Think backpacking or minimalist motorcycling.

See you on the highway … along the Ohio River.

Brent

Exploring Cowan Lake State Park

There are several state parks within an hour’s ride from my home. Cowan Lake State Park is to the east southeast, about 30 minutes away on some nice two-laners. Even though the V-Strom is still in the break-in period, this bike is so smooth, a joy to ride.

Cowan-Lake-3-15-2015

Next time, I visit this park, I’m bringing my fly rod.

See you on the highway.

Brent

There’s a new motorcycle in the garage

I wanted to get back to one motorcycle. And, I’ve done it. Say hello to the new 2015 Suzuki V-Strom DL650 ABS.

2015-DL650

Purchased at Clinton County Motorsports, Wilmington, OH.

20141220_110224

I do not give motorcycles names, but this one is my “50 Years of Motorcycling” motorcycle. That’s right, I started riding when I was 15 and that was 50 years ago.

See you on the highway.

Brent