Strapping stuff on - Bungees or other?

[Judjonzz]

Originally Posted by peter650

Rope you can use it for more than one thing.

You give a guy enough rope, he can hang himself, but you wouldn't be happy if they hung you with a new rope.

[KY2008]

I did this with one small ratchet and a couple of bungees.



This is when I went over a hill backwards. The bike ended up upside down in a ditch after knocking a tree over. My lunch box stayed on through the whole ordeal. I took it off after I uprighted the bike. Only thing holding it on was one bungee.



I use bungees all the time. Generally that's the only type of tie down I use. It's the only thing I've used when I go on overnight trips, securing my sleeping bag, tent, etc. I also use common sense. I check my load everytime I get on the bike and when carrying big stuff (i.e. PW 50) I drive slow and extremely cautious.
Bungees work great for me.

[[TASF]Overkill]

Rest of pics

This is probably the most insane bungie setup yet... This was actually a lot more solid than it looks like it'd be. Strapped down the sleeping bag real tight and then used it as a solid anchor for the other crap. I don't do this anymore (Yay for boxes!) but I kind of had no choice.

It required a lot of engineering and frequent checking of what was where.

My biggest fear was a bungie snapping and tying up the works of the rear tire. Didn't really have any concern about the load moving.


Rest of pics

This is the way to go though. I'm carrying more stuff now (though some equipment has been upgraded to easier-to-carry-things), and in a safer more compact way.

Bungies used wisely are suited for light loads, but I'd stay away from having them be your primary strapping method...

[GaryM]

If you do decide to use rope you should learn about a "knot" called the Poldo Tackle.
I have one permanently attached (tied onto) my rack and it works great. First time you use it and see it working you will wonder how the hell does it hold like it does.

[Burrito Bandito]

I've been using bugees for a while, didn't know they were bad news. guess I'll upgrade soon, probably a good idea because I don't like my gear shifting around anyways.

[SnowAviation]

Any kind of strapping can fail if either neglegted or attached improperly.




Otherwise bungee type straps are fine.

[Macca]

You can get shock cord (bungee cord) by the meter/foot at hardware stores. Using this stuff for about 20 years and its never let me down.A couple of 2m lengths and your set for anything.No hooks to let go,flick back and bust your glasses(it happened)and its almost always the right length.You need to tie it down both ends but how hard is that
When you set up camp you have the perfect stuff for swinging fly shelters from trees etc.Love it
Macca

[dahveed]

Originally Posted by [TASF]Overkill

Rest of pics

This is probably the most insane bungie setup yet... This was actually a lot more solid than it looks like it'd be. Strapped down the sleeping bag real tight and then used it as a solid anchor for the other crap. I don't do this anymore (Yay for boxes!) but I kind of had no choice.

It required a lot of engineering and frequent checking of what was where.

My biggest fear was a bungie snapping and tying up the works of the rear tire. Didn't really have any concern about the load moving.

Hey, where does the rider go in this setup?

I think you should get an award for the most stuff on a KLR with this one!

[GaryM]

Pictures of poldo tackle. This "knot" will not loosen under usage. It will only loosen when you do so.

[Jonzilla]

I've alway used bungees for smaller stuff and a rachet strap for the bulky stuff. Beware of any dangling loose ends or anything that may work its way loose. I was following a friend on his KLR and the bungee holding his backpack came loose, wedged in the front sprocket and locked up his rear wheel causing him to fight for control as he skidded to a hault. Not only that but his backpack fell off and slid, wearing some holes in it. This could happen to anyone of they aren't secured properly.

[[TASF]Overkill]

Originally Posted by dahveed

Hey, where does the rider go in this setup?

My jacket and helmet are where I sit... But it wasn't all that comfy, balls pressed against tank and everything. It was nice being able to lean back though. :-)

It's not that much stuff, it's just a lot of stuff to carry without bags or boxes...

Backpack with clothes in it, blanket, 1 sleeping pad, liner for jacket, laptop, lunchbox full of tools, tool tube, nalgene, sleeping bag, tarp.

I carry more than that now when I go camping, but I've got room for a passenger, the weight is down lower, and the gear is more luxurious. :-)

[webmost]

Bungees and straps are elaborate solutions to non-problems. Then they introduce their own problems. Most of all, they stretch. Umpty ump years ago, back in the 60s, I used to go camping with bungees. Bump by bump, bounce by bounce, my stuff would creep out from under, migrating toward the edge, until fall off. So I went to big black truck tie-downs. Now the stuff migrated slower. First wife and I took a year's trip through Mexico, starting with Baja. This was before there was any road at all there at all. Worst thing that fell off and got lost was her purse with $640 cash in it. That was a substantial portion of our kitty. At which point, I gave up on truck ties, and went manila. (Purse came back through the mail with all cash, BTW!)

But, Really. I mean, what are you solving? Do you feel too challenged to tie a knot? It can't be that hard. Cub scouts do it. Ignorant aborigines do it with coir. A bit of clothesline, an old boot lace, a bit of dacron cord, will fit in your pocket, costs nothing, is infinitely adaptable, does not scratch your machine, can be used to tow, to hang a tarp... for as many things as a pocket knife. Knife and rope are as versatile as it gets.

And here's the kicker: It's fun. Knots are like poetry, in that you find a way to get the most work out of the least and fewest. Think of it: There are only 3 things you can do with cordage: the bight, the overhand, and the bitter end. That's all. Yet from those wee three you can trap a mule, load a mule, harness a mule, lift a mule, or hang a jackass. That right there is cool.

Rope is the answer. No question.

[peter650]

Garym,and WebmostWas starting to think i was on some sort of bmw site.

[Flanman]

Originally Posted by Jonzilla

Beware of any dangling loose ends or anything that may work its way loose. I was following a friend on his KLR and the bungee holding his backpack came loose, wedged in the front sprocket and locked up his rear wheel causing him to fight for control as he skidded to a hault.

There's another nice ROK strap feature: a loop at the end of the loose strap that secures it to the tightened portion. Ergo, no dangles.

Originally Posted by webmost

Bungees and straps are elaborate solutions to non-problems. Then they introduce their own problems. Most of all, they stretch.

Actually, that's the advantage of straps. They don't stretch, but as you say the load can shift and work its way loose anyway.

To overcome that, the ROKs have a short, flat, elastic section that won't roll but keeps the much longer non-stretch webbing tight -- which makes them better than truck tie-downs.

Originally Posted by webmost

Knife and rope are as versatile as it gets. And here's the kicker: It's fun. Knots are like poetry, in that you find a way to get the most work out of the least and fewest. Think of it: There are only 3 things you can do with cordage: the bight, the overhand, and the bitter end. That's all. Yet from those wee three you can trap a mule, load a mule, harness a mule, lift a mule, or hang a jackass. That right there is cool. Rope is the answer. No question.

That, right there, is poetry dude. Well said.

However, although I won't ride far without a few lengths of cord (for starters, there's the 5 feet of line attached to the kickstand pad I always carry in my tank bag), ROK straps are a major upgrade from rope when it comes to hauling camping gear, duffel bags, firewood, etc., on the back of a motorcycle. IMHO, if they had 'em down in Mexico back in the day, you likely wouldn't have dropped your stash.

Just sayin'.

[GaryM]

Originally Posted by webmost

Bungees and straps are elaborate solutions to non-problems. Then they introduce their own problems. Most of all, they stretch. Umpty ump years ago, back in the 60s, I used to go camping with bungees. Bump by bump, bounce by bounce, my stuff would creep out from under, migrating toward the edge, until fall off. So I went to big black truck tie-downs. Now the stuff migrated slower. First wife and I took a year's trip through Mexico, starting with Baja. This was before there was any road at all there at all. Worst thing that fell off and got lost was her purse with $640 cash in it. That was a substantial portion of our kitty. At which point, I gave up on truck ties, and went manila. (Purse came back through the mail with all cash, BTW!)

But, Really. I mean, what are you solving? Do you feel too challenged to tie a knot? It can't be that hard. Cub scouts do it. Ignorant aborigines do it with coir. A bit of clothesline, an old boot lace, a bit of dacron cord, will fit in your pocket, costs nothing, is infinitely adaptable, does not scratch your machine, can be used to tow, to hang a tarp... for as many things as a pocket knife. Knife and rope are as versatile as it gets.

And here's the kicker: It's fun. Knots are like poetry, in that you find a way to get the most work out of the least and fewest. Think of it: There are only 3 things you can do with cordage: the bight, the overhand, and the bitter end. That's all. Yet from those wee three you can trap a mule, load a mule, harness a mule, lift a mule, or hang a jackass. That right there is cool.

Rope is the answer. No question.

I have a sailboat so I know a few things about knots. I am damn sure I have studied them more than most people and I have to agree. A few good pieces of rope and a working knowledge of knots can do a hell of a lot in securing a load.
But, it does take a bit of studying and practice.