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The Riders Blog / How-To / HOW TO CARRY CARGO ON YOUR MOTORCYCLE. CORRECTLY.
How To Load A Motorcycle Correctly | The Riders Blog | RidingGearWarehouse.com
14
Apr
How-To, Travel

HOW TO CARRY CARGO ON YOUR MOTORCYCLE. CORRECTLY.

Posted on April 14, 2018November 26, 2022 by RGW Staff Writer

Is there a best way to carry cargo on your motorcycle? Yes… if balance, handling, and safety are important to you.

 

How to position cargo on a motorcycle

When positioning any cargo on your motorcycle or scooter, strive for two things:

  1. The lowest COG (Center of Gravity) possible.
  2. The most neutral balance possible.

The degree to which these can be achieved will vary depending on the size and shape of your cargo and from bike to bike.

 

The heavier the cargo the more its position matters

Motorcycle Center of Gravity COG | The Riders Blog | RidingGearWarehouse.com
The goal when placing cargo on a motorcycle is to leave the bike’s COG (Center of Gravity) as unaffected as possible.

The heavier your cargo the more important that it is positioned as low as possible and as much toward the center of the bike as possible.

Here’s why.

 

Place the weight low

Position motorcycle cargo weight low | The Riders Blog | RidingGearWarehouse.com
When using motorcycle luggage to carry cargo keep the weight as low as possible. i.e. The bottom of a pannier rather than in the top case.

The lower the weight of your load is positioned the lower the motorcycle’s center of gravity (COG) will remain and the more stable the bike will be. Place weight high on a motorcycle (or scooter or bicycle or anything 2-wheeled) and the more top heavy the motorcycle becomes; it wants to tip over; balance becomes more of a wrestling match.

It’s the same principle at work when you stand on the footpegs vs sit on the seat — standing on the footpegs places your body weight lower on the motorcycle (the footpegs are lower than the seat) thus lowering the bikes COG and increasing its stability.

Follow this same logic when you are loading motorcycle luggage such as a top case or tail bag or panniers — place heavy items as low in the luggage as possible. e.g. heavy items at the bottom of a pannier or saddlebag rather than in a top case or tail bag. Lower is better.

 

Center the weight

Where to position motorcycle cargo | The Riders Blog | RidingGearWarehouse.com
Ideally you want any added weight from cargo to be centered on the motorcycle from front to back and side to side (over the COG). This is hardly a practical location so position the weight centered from side to side and then as far forward towards you as comfortably possible.

Ideally you want any added weight on a motorcycle to be centered — centered and balanced from side to side and centered from front to back. In a perfect world this puts the weight roughly over the footpegs. However since that’s where you sit this isn’t exactly practical. So position the weight centered from side to side and then as far forward towards you as comfortably possible.

Position motorcycle cargo forward near rider | The Riders Blog | RidingGearWarehouse.com
Place heavy cargo forward towards you (and the COG) as is practical. Similar to how you would have a pillion ride.

Obviously if your cargo is very light then positioning it forward is not so critical, but in general, think of any load as you would a pillion. You want the weight snugged up against you.

Why? For the same reason the engine (the heaviest part of the motorcycle) is placed low and in the center of the bike. Neutral balance. Place too much weight at the rear of the bike and the front end becomes overly light. Traction and handling are compromised. Not good.

 

 

How to secure cargo on a motorcycle

Once optimum placement is determined your cargo must be secured to the motorcycle in such a way that it stays firmly in place and moves in unison with you and the motorcycle — similar to how a good pillion moves. The load must lean together with the bike, move up and down together with the bike, and hold on to the bike strongly enough to withstand the increased forces exerted on it while in motion.

We strongly recommend using cargo tie-downs designed specifically for use on a motorcycle to do this. For extensive information on why, and on how best to secure cargo to a motorcycle, check out our article on The Riders Blog: Why We Never Use Bungee Cords On A Motorcycle And Neither Should You.

 

 

Adjust your shocks

Depending on how much weight you are carrying you may want to stiffen up your rear shock a bit. Adjust it per manufacturers specifications or as you would for carrying a pillion.

 

 

Know your limits

Above all, never try to carry too much, either in weight or in bulk. Before transporting any heavy load on your motorcycle or scooter, always check the manufacturers maximum weight capacity specification. No joke. Springs and shock absorbers are only so strong, and motorcycle frames can (and do) break.

 

 

Safety first. Always.

The most important consideration when carrying any extra load on your motorcycle — pillion or package — is that you both arrive safely at your destination. Following these few simple guidelines while loading your motorcycle will help ensure that happens.

Have fun. Ride safe.

 

 

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Products related to this article

  • Motorcycle Cargo Tie-Downs
  • Motorcycle Luggage
This entry was posted in How-To, Travel and tagged best practices, motorcycle luggage.

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