[jjlee]

I'm currently designing a line motorcycle luggage (I'm a design student at Emily Carr Institute in Vancouver, Canada). I don't know if it's just me, but the products avialable out there just don't cater to the cafe racer style. It's either for choppers (studs and tassles) or crotch rockets. As niche as it may be, there is a specific style that the cafe racers have and it just isn't represented in the market.

I'm not sure how many of you out there actually need luggage, considering a lot of people I've talked to say they don't tend to carry much when they ride, but for those long trips and even daily riders, myself being one who rides quite a bit, it would be nice to use luggage that actually suits my sensibilities, and something that'll look good on my bike.

I would love some feedback from the users themselves (you), and it would greatly help the design process. I've included links to an online survey that would fascilitate this. Please fill out all three pages, as they are different, the last two relating more specifically to the actual luggage being designed.

Thanks for your help,
James


Page1: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=588403092580
Page2: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=484793095690
Page3: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=880963095987

 

[Geeto67]

I don't think luggage in general fits into the "cafe racer" style. I mean have you ever ridden a "cafe" bike? not all that comfortable.

 

[jjlee]

I actually do ride one, and I take longer trips to ralleys and such so it would be nice to take some things for the long rides. I know that it may not seem to fit the style, but that's what this design project is trying to overcome.

Thanks for all that participated. The survey is still open and I will be posting a second, more in depth version soon. The info that I've collected will be a ton of help in the design.

Thanks again, James.

 

[joe c]

chris' beemer could be considered a cafe. it has hard luggage. its great to ride long distances. i did about 600 miles on it this summer and it was quite a nice ride, when it wasnt freaking out mechanically.

jc

 

[krapfever]

Some kind of gyroscopic, shock resistant styrofoam coffee cup holder would be nice.

I loves me my large coffee from the MacDonalds.

Honda go sideways!

 

[ROSKO]

I just take the padding out of my seat and put my clothes in there. A stock Honda seat will hold 4 t-shirts, 6pr. socks, 1 pr. jeans... thats all you need. I keep the underwear in my pocket.

BORN TO LURK, FORCED TO WORK.
www.NYCvinMoto.com
www.VinMoto.org

 

[ROSKO]

I just took the survey and I don't know if I would change my set-up. On short trips all my crap will fit in my jacket. For longer stints "Cafe" or not a little tank and tail bag will get you just about anywhere.

One question I found strange was 'how many times do you stop in 100km?'
thats like 60 miles right? Maybe you should add a zero to that. I'm no ironbutt rider but I have done plenty of 400-600 mile days (some within a 100 mile radius of home!).


Honestly, the answer (for me at least) is to try to survive with less, pare everything down to the essentials. Thems aint much.


BORN TO LURK, FORCED TO WORK.
www.NYCvinMoto.com
www.VinMoto.org

 

[Geeto67]

I am just curious as to what you consider fitting in with the cafe style?

 

[LiLBull]

I would have to say after shaving every last bracket off that wasnt needed fitting a larger gas tank and a tiny one man seat .I wouldnt want luggage .Id opt for a back pack.Just so the bike still looks like a simple machine when I get off it,and enjoy its looks.

However the cafe world needs are perpetual traveling 18 wheelers that you can drive up onto while they are moving (like the Italian Job)where a cafer could shower have coffee and a lite meal, kick up his feet and stretch a bit with out losing any travel time at all .

Now thats cafe style travel at its best and no bulky luggage.

Im so far behind ,that I think Im in first.

 

[jjlee]

I also agree with keeping my bike "bare bones". No matter how cool the luggage is, it's still going to be seen. My intention with this system is to be as discreet as possible, something that doesn't scream that it's there. I'm also considering something that can be used as a carry bag when it's detatched. I'm leaning towards leather for its durability and it's classic appeal. Let me know if you have any other suggestions. I will post the progress here as the project moves along.

Thanks

James.

 

[jjlee]

quote:
I also agree with keeping my bike "bare bones". No matter how cool the luggage is, it's still going to be seen. My intention with this system is to be as discreet as possible, something that doesn't scream that it's there. I'm also considering something that can be used as a carry bag when it's detatched. I'm leaning towards leather for its durability and it's classic appeal. Let me know if you have any other suggestions. I will post the progress here as the project moves along.

Oh, also, it seems as though a lot of people are just filling out the first page and skipping the rest. It's probably because of the confusing set up of the survey. The three links above (page1, page2, page3)are three seperate sets of questions. I know it's kind of annoying but you have to come back to this thread and follow the other links.

Thanks
James.

 

[Geeto67]

If you are going to do leather, I really like tooled brown leather that has a worn look to it. Maybe some small worn brass studs. A side rack that holds a breifcase would not be a bad idea either.

I think, you can broaden your focus if you are just looking to make luggage for vintage bikes that are not harleys or choppers. Cafe racers are not really bikes that would have a mass appeal for luggage, but I would consider a set of saddle bags for my stock looking cb750 daily rider and I know several people with older euro bikes and jap bikes that would want some easy luggage.