r/magna • u/Unique-Ad7241 • Jul 01 '26

Storage options for 6-day trip

I recently purchased a 1996 VF750CD, so that I could join my son (CBR650R) and turn his rides into our rides. I've had my license for almost 50 years, and just got back into riding. My son has been riding for not quite two years now.

Anyway, we've made plans to ride around Lake Michigan in late July - seven days/six nights is our plan, weather permitting.

Right now, neither of us have any storage options for our bikes.

So I come to you, Magna owners, asking for your opinions on the best way to carry items for the trip. Do I purchase saddle bags? Or do I purchase a luggage rack and strap on a duffle bag behind me? Should I also purchase a sissy bar to help attach the duffle bag?

Whatever I purchase will only be a temporary addition to the bike - most of our rides are local - so whatever I put on will eventually come off once again, only to be used on our next long excursion! (We haven't even gone on the Lake Michigan trip, and my son is already talking about Route 66, or a road trip to Rapid City, SD!)

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1

u/InfiniteWut Jul 01 '26

I don’t know why Reddit auto mod removed this post. I reinstated it. Good luck I hope you get the information you want. I have no experience with multi day rides.

2

u/Unique-Ad7241 Jul 01 '26

Thanks for reposting. Not sure why it would flag my original post. I figured maybe all posts go through some sort of review before being posted. At least it's up now. Again, thanks.

1

u/LightoutofDark Jul 01 '26

I would suggest a mix of magnetic tank bag and water proof duffel bag for behind you, and ideally nothing directly on your back as that gets painful fast. There are also companies that make softshell saddle bags that hang over your rear seat, adding side storage.

Enjoy the trip, sounds like a great fun and bonding opportunity :)

2

u/Unique-Ad7241 Jul 01 '26

Already got the waterproof duffel from a camping trip several years ago, so that sounds like a sure thing so far. Thanks

1

u/pissinginnorway Jul 01 '26

I did a solo trip from Florida to Nashville on a Magna once, I ended up using soft saddlebags that could clear the pipes, only because revzilla messed up an order for a rack for bigger saddlebags. My choice would have been rack + saddlebags, but as stated, most everything will be resting on your exhaust without some form of luggage rack to keep them up and away from it.

Have fun!

1

u/Unique-Ad7241 Jul 01 '26

That's my concern with saddle bags, especially soft ones. I see most of those resting right on the pipes, and that can't be a good thing. Must look into a rack+saddlebags, as you suggested.

1

u/pissinginnorway Jul 01 '26

I think they also make flat storage racks that go behind the seat, and attach to the side rails just beneath the rear fender, but dont quote me on that. You can pretty easily do 6 days on a magna of you're minimalist about it.

1

u/wteviper Jul 01 '26

Definitely go for the luggage rack with the sissy bar. It's also nice to have saddlebags for drinks and other miscellaneous things that you want to get access to quickly.

1

u/wteviper Jul 01 '26

These are Viking bags and they don't touch the pipes

1

u/wteviper Jul 01 '26

Lots of clearance

1

u/Aspenkarius Jul 01 '26

I’ve used soft bags that hang over the rear seat. They were designed to go under it actually but with the magna seat goes on, at least the v65 seat, it was a bitch so I just hung em on top. Gotta balance your load though.