Rich Barnhart sent us a kind thank you letter this past spring for donating door prizes to the Fourth Annual Texas National Picnic. Giant Loop contributed a Tillamook Dry Bag, Zigzag Handlebar Bar Bag, Giant Loop Cap, Pronghorn Straps, and Giant Loop t-shirts as door prizes for the East Texas BMW Plus Motorcycle Club’s camping event that took place this past spring. Thanks to Rich and his motorcycle club for the positive response!
On some of the BMW GSs and other adventure touring and dual sport bikes, cleanly installing Giant Loop’s Fandango/Diablo Tank Bag requires a couple of extra steps. GL rider Whitney shared these pics and comments about routing straps on his BMW R1200GS:
“Here are two pics of the original fandango mounted on my 05 R1200GS.”
“I run the straps under the leading edge of the seat and down to the frame.”
“The left side is a tight fit, but I am able to shove the strap through.”
Once the straps are threaded through the BMW 1200 GS’s frame seat rails, leave them loose and pulled together in the middle of the bike. Then replace the seat and tighten straps. Once the harness is installed it can stay on the bike.
Don’t forget to install Vinyl Protective Film to keep your bike’s shiny gloss coat from getting scuffed underneath the Fandango/Diablo Harness.
Customer Mark from Washington State says there’s too much stuff under the seat of his BMW GS Adventure, so he’s routed the strap down to his trellis frame, which makes for an easy installation:
Overview video of most of Giant Loop’s entire product line for 2016. Giant Loop Adventure Proof Packing Systems & Gear on display in our vendor stand at the BMW MOA Riders of Oregon’s Chief Joseph Rally last weekend.
Prep for your next adventure today! http://www.giantloopmoto.com/product-categories/
NEW! In stock for summer 2016, the limited edition Siskiyou Panniers in Orange.
Named for the rugged mountain range in Southern Oregon/Northern California these panniers offer all the features of our standard Siskiyou panniers, including a rugged, rackless (some motorcycles will require side luggage racks), lightweight design, flexible internal framesheet that conforms to an array of racks and motorcycle makes/models. The cross-over wings create a luggage platform for Dry Bags and gear. Secures to passenger footrest mounts and rides on rear rack and/or pillion seat.
These shiny new bags round out our latest line of limited edition products in orange including the Round the World Panniers (in stock), Kiger Tank Bags (in stock) and MoJavi Saddlebags (coming soon!), so you can color match our Panniers with a Kiger, Fandango or Diablo Tank Bag.
Available for shipping now. For more information and specs visit the Siskiyou Panniers product page.
Helping save precious minutes in life threatening situations! What a brilliant idea: motorcycle paramedics.
ICYMI: Our paramedic motorcycle unit is here to stay! Have a look at it in action. Posted by Ambulance Victoria on Monday, October 12, 2015
This quick video shows how to pack for two people camping on a motorcycle. By using various modular components from Giant Loop’s Adventure Proof Packing System – and high quality outdoor gear – motorcycle touring 2-up can be fun, safe, comfortable and self-sufficient.
BMW F800GS packed with 2 Rogue Dry Bags, Tillamook Dry Bag, Siskiyou Panniers, Kiger Tank Bag, Pannier Pockets, Bushwackers Hand Guards.
TIP: Passenger should wear a helmet with no visor fro 2-up motorcycle travel and camping!
Lighter weight bulky items such as sleeping bags, pads and tent are packed higher, while heavier items such as tool, spare inner tube, extra fuel, stove, cook kit and food are packed below seat height. Weight is also distributed front-to-back to help prevent a tail-heavy bike with an unsafe light front wheel.
Carrying camping gear for two on a motorcycle is simply with Giant Loop’s modular, customizable Adventure Proof Packing System
Many small compartments are better than fewer larger ones, helping keep gear organized and easily within reach without extra unpacking and re-packing. Have any tips to share with us? Post them in your comments here!
Motorcycle camping set up at Cyrstal Crane Hot Springs
#golightgofastgofar
Here’s how to install Giant Loop’s Kiger Tank Bag, Fandango Tank Bag or Diablo Tank Bag on motorcycles – like the BMW GS models or the Honda CB500X shown in the video – that do not have exposed frame rails. By removing the seat, installing the Tank Bag Harness, putting the seat back down and tightening, the mounting is clean and tidy! #golightgofastgofar
Sandy Borden washes her face in Guatemala! Sandy, her husband Terry Borden and their teenage son Jack are the “Adventure Trio,” and the three of them are riding BMW GS from their home in northern California to the southernmost tip of South America. After a couple of months on the road, the Adventure Trio is in Central America now. Sandy’s using he Fandango Pro Tank Bag?you can see in the photo above – enhanced with a little Guatemalan-style bling. Follow their adventures here.
Thanks BMW Owners News for highlighting the new 100% waterproof Columbia Dry Bag: “Better than top-loading duffels, Columbia Dry Bag opens from both ends, providing quick access to gear without unstrapping the Dry Bag from the motorcycle.”
Cycle World magazine’s Jeff Allen and Sean Klinger recently loaded their adventure bikes – a KTM 1190 Adventure R and a BMW 1200 GS Adventure – with surf boards and went on Baja run, dubbed “Baja 500 Surf & Turf” in the November 2014 issue. They used Giant Loop’s Pronghorn Straps to secure the surf boards to their motorcycles, and as you can see from the photos this wasn’t a sit-down-putt-putt kind of ride!
Here’s what Cycle World wrote about the Pronghorn Straps:
“We used the awesome Pronghorn Straps from Giant Loop (www.giantloopmoto.com) as attachment points to keep springy tension in the tie-downs, which kept the boards snug and secure with little chance of slack developing. A quick test run down the freeway at 80 mph and a few curb and speed-bump jumps as shakedown proved this was the right solution, and we were comfortable with the setup for the trip.”
Local jewelery designer John Paul recently sold his ’70s vintage BMW R90, and he came by the shop with his first dual sport motorcycle, a 1999 BMW F650 Funduro (pre-GS)! He wanted to see which of the Giant Loop Saddlebags and Tank Bags best fit his bike.
After fitting the MoJavi Saddlebag, Coyote Saddlebag and Great Basin Saddlebag on his bike, as well as the Diablo Pro Tank Bag and Fandango Pro Tank Bag, and seeing each one was an excellent option for the F650, the deciding factor was rider choice. So, with what John wanted to pack for his ride, the Great Basin Saddlebag and Fandango Pro Tank Bag delivered the right capacity and features.
The Great Basin Saddlebag mounted easily to the stock tail rack and passenger peg mounts, and the Hot Springs Heat Shield (included with the Great Basin Saddlebag) clamped right over the gap between the stock BMW heat shields, protecting the saddlebag from making any direct contact with the exhaust. To fit the Tank Bag harness, we popped the seat off and looped the side anchor straps around the seat rails of the frame and put the seat back on top of the straps.
Thanks for riding Giant Loop!
Had a blast leading the Giant Loop Gnarly Dual Sport ride, at Rally in the Gorge, last weekend. It included a section of old wagon trail called the Suicide Grade. It wasn’t that suicidal but I had to wonder, when the rain caught up to us and changed things!
The route was, well, gnarly.?Pretty challenging and fun overall, except for the slime section. The?bit of rain that we started with, turned into a down pour and the couple miles of silt road became a slime pit.
Ride West Ambassador Tad and I both ran the same front tire, with the similar results. His 2014 BMW F800GS Adventure was less fortunate that my KTM, and endured a few permanent changes. The Possible Pouches that Tad runs on his engine guards were dirty, but unscathed from the down time. Cant say the same for his brake pedal, which did a rock encouraged u-turn…
The right tool for the cleaning the baked on slime…
Big Bertha was really not happy with her K-60, in the slop we encountered. She had more than one throw down with that stuff and I was glad not to break anything, but my pride.
A big thanks to ADVrider Apple Jam, and everyone else that attended, I can’t wait until next year!!
NORTH OF STEAMBOAT SPRINGS COLORADO
Swamp is a serious adventurer who’s ridden all over the Americas on dual sport bikes. Here’s the intro his latest “Mexico to Canada: Solo on the Continental Divide” with the Coyote Saddlebag, Zigzag Handlebar Bag and Pronghorn Straps:
“After having one of my motorcycles confiscated by a band of illiterate, Ecuadorian customs officials in early July 2014. I returned home and started piddling around with my 2007 BMW G650 X Challenge. Changing the oil, oil filter, air filter; installing new tires and some other modifications and tweaks. The bike had previously received no love from me. I just rode it, never washed it, rarely changed the oil, never changed the filters. Every time I rode it I would try to rag the motor out. It never complained. Never boiled over. Never leaked. Anything.
Swamp keeping it the “Go Light, Go Fast, Go Far” way, solo on the Continental Divide Trail
I usually like white bikes but the paint on THIS one (yes, its paint not just white plastics) always bothered me so I sanded the plastics down and put a few coats of green paint on it. The bike seemed to say ?Jeez, finally!? I let it set for a few weeks. Only riding it down to the river a few times to go fishing.
On July 20th I woke up, made coffee and walked outside. It was foggy; pretty thick. ?Ya, I think I?m going to ride the Continental Divide?.
New Mexico mud
Five days later, July 25th both the X-Challenge and I were riding through the border town of El Paso Texas then working our way into New Mexico where we would meet up with the Continental Divide trail near Hurley/ Silver City. As far as planning and preparations went, well; I ?prepared? for maybe two hours. I had some containers for extra gasoline, one pair of socks, one pair of underwear (wearing both ), a rain jacket, batteries, flash light, small air compressor, some tools, a knife, a lighter, harmonica, protein bars, a trash bag and a camping rig the size of a football. Basically the same shit I?ve carried with me for eight or nine years now.”
El Vado Reservoir
“I LOST MY TAG SOMEWHERE ON THE WAY TO CUBA NEW MEXICO. THE TAG IS A BARBER MOTORSPORTS TAG THAT HAS ?SWAMP? AS THE NUMBER. IF YOU FIND IT SEND ME AN EMAIL: SWAMP@ENDUROEARTH.COM”
Here’s Swamp’s comments about the Giant Loop gear in the conclusion of his ride report:
“Giant Loop Coyote bag (www.giantloopmoto.com) : I?ve had this bag for a few years now and its still holding up despite having the hell beat out of it. The Giant Loop guys have treated me well and have always answered the phone and returned my calls and e-mails. Their customer service is excellent and I believe that their products are excellent. The bag is just that, a bag. Put whatever you can fit in it, its not complicated. On this ride I lashed an extra 1/2 gallon of gas to the top of the bag with no problems using a set of pronghorn straps. The Coyote is the perfect size for this ride.. however I found it strange that I rode The American Flesh Eater Route from California to Alabama (1 month ride) using the smallest giant loop bag (the mojavi) but used a larger bag for this ride.”
“Also, the Pronghorn Straps are friggin’ sweet! Probably my favorite “new thingys” for the bike lately.”
End of the Trail
The guys riding big bikes on the WABDR had a time of it, last weekend. Here are pics from their ride, thanks to our friends and advrider.com inmates SOP-Dirtrider, Cyclops, Konflict and Motostay’s Tad Haas for sharing their fun.
ADVMOTO Magazine has a big article where Scotty Bloom, producer of the Baja Rally, wrote about the “Ultimate Riding Machine”, a BMW F800GSA setup with a long list of off road must haves!
He had this to say about Giant Loop’s packing system:
“The Giant Loop Siskiyou soft luggage solution has a few benefits over its hard box counterparts, namely weight and durability, and it passed the waterproof test on our first day in the field. The Siskiyou package comes with a pair of waterproof liners, keeping out even more rain…”
Thanks Scotty!
Giant Loop Rider Jack Broomall is taking part in the historic Cannon Ball Centennial, following the original route taken by Erwin Baker, the original “Cannon Ball”. He is riding a BMW F800GS with Fandango Tank Bag and Tillamook Dry Bag. Jack has ridden cross country a few times before, most notably on his vintage Hodaka, in Two-Strokes Across America.
Quote from the Cannonballproject.com:
“On May 3, 1914, Erwin Baker, a motorcycle racer and enthusiast from Indianapolis, Indiana, left downtown San Diego, California on a twin-cylinder, 7 horsepower Indian motorcycle en route to New York City.”
For more info on the ride and route, check out their site.
http://www.cannonballproject.com/
Follow Jack’s progress on his FB page.
Rob Rickert, owner of Off Road Adventure Academy and Dirt Bike School in Sacramento, took a trip to AZ a couple weeks ago and rode around the Wickenberg area. His BMW R1200GSA was loaded with a Great Basin Saddlebag for the trip. He took a bunch of pics and shared them with us, so I will echo them here! Looks like a hot one, Rob’s temp sensor read 101*F while they were riding.
Thanks for the photos!
Wonder what kind of shiny new Ram-Mount accessory Rob is showing off and is it in the Touratech catalog?
I met Tracy at a RawHyde event in 2012 and learned that there is an appetite for DIRT in all of us. Some, like Tracy, just express it better than the rest. Tracy has devoted her motorcycling skill development and riding experiences to honing her ability to roost dirt and ride big adventure bikes with the best of them. She has been a fixture at North West adventure riding rallies, supporting Touratech and Ride West BMW during events, leading GS rides, plus raising money for Riders For Health, a motorcycle based health care charity.
I am stoked to share the news that Tracy has put Giant Loop’s Summer Lake Hot Springs Overnighter on her schedule and has volunteered?to lead the Ladies Group. ?Thanks Tracy for bringing your skill and experience to our little hot springs ride.
So far, there are six ladies signed up for the event, so if you were on the fence about whether to join us, now you have another reason to get registered!
Details about the 3rd Annual Giant Loop Ride:
* All riders are expected to be self-sufficient and equipped with all tools and supplies needed to be safe and comfortable.
* For your registration fee, Giant Loop is providing food, beverage and commemorative drink ware ? all provided and delivered on private lands.
* This is not a paid guided trip. Riders are free to choose any route they wish to ride, and riders are responsible for all required permits, licenses, etc.
* Route suggestions and GPS tracks are provided free of charge for your convenience.
* We recommend using a SPOT tracker or similar device for self-rescue. Cell phone coverage is unreliable in rural Oregon. There are no support vehicles, and many available routes are far from medical and mechanical help.
* Unpaid volunteers will be available to facilitate forming groups of riders with similar skills, bike types and interests, but riders are responsible for themselves, are free to choose any route they wish to ride and are free to ride with any other riders ? or by themselves as individuals.
Thanks BMW Owners News, for including Giant Loop’s?Siskiyou Panniers?in the April issue’s soft luggage roundup!
Here is a key point made in the review:
“The Siskiyou Panniers are narrow and ride high enough to not catch on rocks, trees or bushes, when the trail gets tight. Since they are so narrow, it is easy to forget they are back there.”
Terence Tay has set out on a 15,000km, three month long journey from his home of Singapore. He has dubbed it “Anywhere But South” and the route travels through?Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar and Malaysia.
He is the first solo biker to travel through Myanmar and wrote in to say “”Btw, I’m officially the first rider to go at it alone in Burma, albeit with an escort car and tourism official (mandatory),”
His BMW F800GS is packed with a Great Basin Saddlebag and Fandango Tank Bag. He had this to say about his choice of luggage, in an?interview with AsiaOne,?before heading out on the adventure.
“…Mr Tay: “I have opted for soft panniers as they’re lightweight. Weight distribution can be placed closer to the centre of the bike to improve handling. Also, they will not bend out of shape in a crash…”
Follow Terence on his Facebook page.
Carlos wrote in about his ride in Bolivia. He included a bunch of great pictures to share. He equipped his BMW F800GS with a Fandango Tank Bag and Great Basin Saddle Bag.
He said, “They [pics] were took during some trips around Bolivia: Salar de Uyuni (Salt flats), El Chaco (southern part of Bolivia) and the last two are from Yungas (the famous Dead Road).?I have two toys, my F800 GS with the Great Basin and Fandango bags, and my Kawa 450 with the Coyote saddlebag. Both work just perfect for me.?Hope this new year can ride more, I will share my trips with you.
Cheers from Bolivia!”
Carlos also rides trails on his Kawasaki KX450, with a Coyote Saddle Bag.
Thank you Carlos for all the sweet pictures!
Giant Loop hopes you get your wish to ride more this year, too.
Thank you Kit J. Vercella for the comprehensive review of Giant Loop’s Tillamook Dry Bag and Rogue Dry Bag in the January 2014 “Kit And Caboodle” column of BMW Owners News magazine. This is our favorite part:
“A personal side note: Although not necessarily relevant to your purchasing decision, there is something heartening about a group of adventure riders down the street who have the vision and technical expertise to create top-shelf, functional motorcycle gear every bit as good (maybe even better) than their corporate rivals worldwide.”
Over at ExpeditionPortal.com,?Christophe Noel tells about using the full Giant Loop motorcycle packing system on his BMW F650 Dakar. ?Christophe is using a Fandango Tank Bag, Coyote Saddlebag with Drypods and Rogue Dry Bag. His BMW is a desirable edition and Giant Loop looks just right, all mounted up.
He writes in his review,
“…It seems good soft luggage is still hard to come by with many manufacturers banging on with the same poor designs which have been around for years.
I recently found myself once again in need of a soft luggage system and the Giant Loop Coyote Bag came with a chorus of glowing recommendations…
…Individually, each piece has more than exceeded my expectations. Combined, they?re a tour de force of design and construction.”
Thanks for riding Giant Loop, Christophe and for the great review!
Thank you Giant Loop rider for sharing the pic and feedback on installation of the Fandango Tank Bag (and Diablo Tank Bag). On many bikes, including BMW GS models, removing the seat, running straps around seat rails of frame, reinstalling seat and tensioning straps makes a very tiding mount. Don’t forget to install Vinyl Protective Film to protect the shiny painted surfaces under straps and Fandango/Diablo Harness.
Hi Giant?Moto Team!
When I was trying to find a tank bag for my G 650GS, I had trouble finding clear photos of the Fandango for my bike.
I had a reasonable idea it was going to look good, but now it’s fitted I don’t think I could have made a better choice.
Photo attached in case you would like to add it to your website.
Thanks for making such an awesome product!
Cheers,
Scott
From BMW Motorcycle Magazine, Winter 2013:
“Motorcycle Adventure Gear
Giant Loop has become known for products that are rugged yet lightweight and can be loaded with stability. New products include:
Pronghorn Straps: Multi-purpose stretch polyurethane straps with virtually unbreakable fasteners. You’ll find a hundred uses for these tough, quick-connecting straps for securing items to bike or luggage. Sold in packages of two, the 3/4″-wide Pronghorn Straps are available in three color-coded lengths. Multiple straps can be chained together to make various lengths. 16″ gray $15, 20″ orange $17, 26″ red $19.
Indispensible Dry Bags: The 17-liter Rogue (20.5″ x 13.5″) and 38-liter Tillamook (40″ x 19″) are new. Made in the USA of 18 oz gray polyurethane with 100% waterproof radio-frequency welded seams. They both feature reflective daisy chain loops for easy attachment, access to gear from each end and durable side release buckles with vertical nylon compression straps for secure closing. $73, $89
Rubber Boa Straps: Shock cord straps with molded hooks lash gear to dirt bike fenders, in packages of two, super tough Rubber Boa Straps are made in the USA from military-spec 1/4″ shock cord with heavy-duty injection molded fender hooks. $25, www.giantloopmoto.com“
Thanks GL rider Timothy for the great comments and pics. Glad you enjoyed the journey – and stayed dry during the crazy Colorado weather. Ride while you can!
“Just got back from 2,500 mile ride and all my Giant loop gear performed very well. Mostly good weather except two days in western Colorado (heavy thunderstorms).”
“All my personal effects were dry as a bone as long as I kept it inside GL bags.”
“Take care,
Timothy”
Thanks Christophe Noel for the beautiful pics and great feedback. Because Giant Loop packing systems strap onto a broad spectrum of motorcycle makes and models, it’s easy to travel for a fly-and-ride or a fly-and-buy. ?Just check your saddlebags as luggage and use tank bags and dry bags as carry-on bags. and Glad the Coyote Saddlebag, Coyote Dry Pods, Rogue Dry Bag and Fandango Tank Bag stood up to the torrents of rain in Colorado last week. Wishing better weather for you down the road!
So, here’s a testimony for you: I flew into Denver on Wednesday with the gear you sent over. I mounted it to my new-to-me Dakar and rode right into Boulder during the worst flood they’ve had in 500 years. It rained 3 inches during my ride north to Fort Collins just 45 miles away. I averaged about 12 mph with the traffic and road closures. Epic is an overused word, but it applies here. I was stuck in Fort Collins until yesterday. I rode another 5 hours in torrential rain with probably another 2-3 inches falling on me.
All of my goodies are dry as a bone in the Coyote bag with dry bags. And those straps are THE BOMB. Amazing how something so simple can be so fantastic.
Anyway, I found some sunshine today and thought I’d send you some feedback. 500 more miles tomorrow. Great stuff!
Cheers,
Christophe Noel
Technical Editor
Overland International
Direct: 928-273-3754
Overland Journal overlandjournal.com
Expedition Portal expeditionportal.com
3035 N Tarra Ave, Suite 1
Prescott, AZ 86301
Thanks BMW Motorcycle Magazine for the test and write up of Giant Loop’s new Fort Rock Top Case! Especially cool is that it was used as part of the new BMW R1200GS “water boxer” test. Enjoy the go light, go fast approach – the Fort Rock Top Case weighs a fraction of the typical hard top case system. Remember to pack just the light, bulky things in the Fort Rock Top Case.
“Rear Luggage Bag: While traveling light is always preferred, there are times when light just isn’t an option. This is especially true when [riding 2-up and carrying two riders’ gear,] camping or traveling for extended periods. That’s where the Giant Loop Fort Rock Top Case comes in.”
“It’s a U-shaped bag that will sit on the [rear] luggage rack and wraps forward around the passenger onto your saddlebags. The bag is made from a ‘super tough trucker’s tarp Bomb Shell?.’ The bag is a huge 85.5 liters and includes two built-in handles for carrying off the bike. There are two exterior mesh pockets at the front conveniently located for the rider or passenger. Thoughtful touches are the storm flap covering the zipper and reflective trim around the bag.”
“Following the instructions with the case, I used the included dual sided hook-and-loop strap to attach the bag at six points on the luggage rack [tail rack] and rack side supports. Once I shifter the bag a few times, settled on the exact mounting location and tightened the hook-and-loop straps, the finale was to tighten down the load on all three sides with my own nylon straps and Fastex? buckles.” [Note: Giant Loop recommends Rok Straps, Pronghorn Straps and the cam-lock straps on the Siskiyou Panniers as additional stability for off-road riding.]
“My enthusiasm for the Fort Rock Top Case hasn’t changed over the first few trips. For flexibility I pack using my waterproof Giant Loop Great Basin Dry Pods. The case gives me plenty of room up high for lightweight items like the clothing, jacket liners and sleeping bags, while saving saddlebag space down low and forward for heavy items like tools and canned goods. And as an added benefit, when packed with soft goods the case makes a comfy backrest and secure cushion on three sides when you carry a passenger.”
? “On- & Off- Road Test: 2013 R1200GS Second Opinion- Multi-Tool Versatility,” BMW Motorcycle Magazine, Fall 2013
Thanks Greg and Melinda for sharing the pic and comments – glad you enjoyed your Giant Loop ride!
Hello,
My wife and I just recently purchased two of your products for me the Fandango Tank Bag, my wife the Great Basin Saddlebag. ?We just got back from a 1300 mi loop from Corvallis to Calistoga via Hwy 101 into the Avenue of The Giants, onto Calistoga. ?Calistoga east to I-5 up to Weed, 97 to Bend, Bend back to Corvallis. ?Your bags worked excellent! ?Here are a few pics.
Thanks
Greg and Melinda
2008 KTM 990 Adventure
2012 BMW G650GS
© 2016 Giant Loop.
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