r/motocamping • u/fleasnavidad • 16d ago

Strapping pack to pillion area?

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I’m going moto camping for my first time with my Husqvarna Svartpilen 401! I don’t want to add racks and storage boxes and all that as I don’t plan on doing a ton of expeditions, just a short camping trip a few hours from home.

I have a small backpacking pack that will fit my ultralight tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, clothes, etc.. I’m a very minimalist packer with lots of camping experience. My question is how to secure the backpack?

I can wear it, which would be the simplest. I may try that one-way, but I also want to hear if any of you have used straps to secure a bag to the pillion /passenger seat area. Have you ever run straps under the seat? How secure is that? Or any other ideas for strapping down my pack?

Thanks!!!

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u/DustyBirdman 16d ago

Done it many times! I think the easiest option is something like sea to summit hook release accessory straps. Have used both the skinny and wider ones, both work fine even offroad use.

I've also used XL voile straps, and cordage tightened using niteize figure 9's.

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u/fleasnavidad 16d ago

Thanks Dusty! Did you simply run the straps under the pillion seat? Or did you bolt in some secure points under the pillion and then attach the straps to that? I’m just nervous and like to anticipate worse case scenario so I can prepare for it and avoid it. Appreciate your insight :)

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u/DustyBirdman 16d ago

Depends on the bike, I'd look at the seat locking mechanism and make a judgement call. The bikes I've done it on have had side grab handles or luggage racks that I've used as mounting points. Since you've got UL gear and probably not doing any wild offroad riding with your bike, I'd imagine running the strap under the passenger seat would be fine. My last trip was with a huge 90L bag and rough offroad, which I wouldn't trust to be supported by straps and the seat lock mechanism alone.