Pack correctly. Here's how!

These tips will help you travel safely and comfortably with your motorcycle

Focus

It’s often said that it's advantageous to load your motorcycle close to its centre of gravity. This is absolutely correct. But where exactly is the centre of gravity of an unloaded motorcycle? As a rough guide, on most bikes, you can assume the centre of gravity is where the longitudinal axis of the motorcycle intersects with the transverse axis, around the middle of the clutch cover. On Boxer BMWs, the transverse axis corresponds roughly to the axis of the cylinders. You certainly won’t be wrong with this assumption.

The next thing you need to know is that the centre of gravity "moves". What does that mean? The centre of gravity starts shifting as soon as the rider sits down. Let's assume that the rider's centre of gravity is roughly at the height of the belly button.

The new overall centre of gravity for both the motorcycle and rider is now no longer at the level of the clutch/cylinder axis but higher up, above the seat and slightly towards the rear.

Furthermore, from a physics perspective, all forces act on the overall centre of gravity, which is composed of individual centres of gravity. This applies to acceleration, braking, and lateral forces. Additionally, there is the effect of the vertical lever between the motorcycle’s centre of gravity and the overall centre of gravity. The larger this lever becomes, the harder it is to control the motorcycle safely, as the tipping point moves further upwards. Everyone is familiar with that wobbly feeling when a passenger is riding along…

In summary:

It is ideal to place luggage as close as possible to the motorcycle’s centre of gravity and the rider to minimise the adverse effects on handling caused by the load.

Our ranking of the best luggage options for this purpose, in order, is as follows:

• Side-mounted panniers
• Tank bags
• Passenger seat racks for solo riders
• Top bags for the panniers
• Top case

Store heavy items as low and as close to the motorcycle’s centre of gravity as possible. Ensure balanced weight distribution in the panniers. Light items belong on the luggage rack or in the top case, both of which are located far behind and above the centre of gravity. The increased load and the tendency for the centre of gravity to shift upwards and backwards noticeably affect handling. By following these tips, you can significantly reduce the negative physical effects on riding safety and dynamics.

Wobble

Wobble occurs when luggage starts to vibrate due to being affected by the wind during the ride. The cause can be insufficient fastening (see also strapping), or luggage elements (often soft luggage) that provide a surface for the wind to act on. This happens mainly on long motorway stretches and at high speeds. The effects can range from a loss of comfort to critical riding situations if the wobble extends to the entire motorcycle.

At Wunderlich, we counteract any wobble by considering the shape stability of our luggage systems – even those made of fabrics – from the development stage.

Strapping

Ideally, luggage should be integrated into the motorcycle and tailored to the specific model. This applies to panniers and tank bags. Soft luggage, on the other hand, must be carefully strapped down to ensure it doesn’t shift or get lost. Suitable straps should be used for this purpose. It’s particularly important to ensure that no wobble occurs. Since luggage can settle during the ride, causing the straps to loosen, we recommend checking the straps and tightening them if necessary at every stop. Wunderlich luggage racks, luggage mounts, and panniers are equipped with solid lashing eyes to securely strap down additional luggage. The straps must not stretch when wet, and the ends should be carefully secured to prevent them from getting caught in the rear wheel or chain. It also protects the paint if the loose strap ends aren’t whipping against it during the ride.

Less is More

Last but not least: Less is more. Back in the 1980s, motorcycle trips required a great deal of preparation and, above all, a lot of storage space.

Nowadays, compact tyre repair kits, smartphones, apps, credit cards, and much more make things much easier, so you can set off on a trip with less luggage on the bike. Practice the art of reducing your luggage to the essentials, as space and load capacity on a motorcycle are limited. Plus, it improves both riding dynamics and safety.

Important

Do not overload your bike. Always adhere to the manufacturer’s guidelines regarding permissible weight and maximum speeds. It’s helpful to get used to the altered handling at the start of your trip – even better, practice beforehand to become familiar with the bike’s handling characteristics.

If you frequently travel with a lot of luggage, it might make sense to upgrade the suspension with suitable components that meet your individual travel needs in the long run. Our suspension specialists at Wunderlich Suspension are happy to advise you. This also applies to normal wear and tear that occurs when a suspension has "more than 30,000 km under its belt."

Book a Workshop or Consultation Appointment Now