Anyone Using a Pod?

rmak · Post by **rmak** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 6:54 am

http://www.ascycles.com/detail.aspx?ID=43172

My R is becoming to be my vehicle of choice. Since I'm using it for daily activities I find I often need to carry something. I have several luggage systems that I've collected over the years, all of which have some drawbacks in functionality, looks and ease of use. Saddlebags are usually more room than I need. I ran across this product that appears to be unobtrusive and good looking. Does anyone have any experience with one? I'm looking for a piece of equipment I can keep on the bike all the time. If there's a drawback to this pod someone please let me know, I really don't need another bag sitting around unused.

Thanks,
Rich

r12r-don · Post by **r12r-don** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 8:29 am

That does look like a good solution. I'm also battling with how to handle everyday commuting and riding and carrying essentials while keeping the awesome look of the bike.

I like the looks of this pod and the fact it is reasonably priced.

I have been stalking corbin's website to see when a seat and smuggler package will be available for our bike. Although that is a totally different price range. I was thinking of something like the smuggler for next year's purchase.

I will be watching this thread to see what others say. Thanks for the question.

Post by **DJ Downunder** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 9:06 am

Looks good..I like the nice little vid about it...and the delivery girl looks cute.

DJ

rmak · Post by **rmak** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 6:35 pm

That photo might just be a come-on, DJ. I don't know about Australia, but I get deliveries by a big, homely, balding thing with a day's worth of stubble. I guess I should be happy, though. She's a little better looking than the guy she replaced!

Rich

budH · Post by **budH** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 10:45 pm

Because it looked so neat, I ordered one (I believe from NationalCycle.com). When it arrived, I remember thinking it was kind of pricy for what it was. Plus, it had a huge crease across the top portion - spoiled the neat streamlined look of the one in the photos. The packing job they did was probably to blame. Anyway, sent it back with detailed info as to why I wasn't satisfied and with a suggestion to pack it better.

Eventually received a second one with nearly the exact same problem. Called and they suggested I try using an iron or a hairdryer to remove the crease.

Finally realized the Pod really didn't seem to be the best bang for the buck anyway and wouldn't really hold everything I wanted it to - clear shield, wallet, camera, Palm computer, Sunglasses, (GPS when not on the bike) and a small handgun (I'm a cop). Plus, it just wasn't as rigid as I thought it should be.

I've since added a wonderful tank bag (SW-MOTECH Engage) from TwistedThrottle.com. I love it! It easily holds all of the above and more. I ordered it at Americade two years ago where I met the designer. Anyway, it uses a metal quicklock socket that's bolted to my fuel cap and doesn't touch the tank. Very quick removal for refueling or for taking my valuables with me. (The Pod would never be as quick to remove.) The included rain cover is fantastic as is their optional detachable mapcase. Plus, I believe the bag fits the lines of my R1150R very nicely. You can also add a GPS mount that clips to the front of the bag - I've not tried that because I use a RAM mount on my handlebar but it seems like a nice option. At $160 it is $30 more than the Pod but is of much, much, higher quality. Plus, it is just so nice to have all my necessities right in front of me just in case I need to use one of them quickly!

Post by **deilenberger** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 9:15 am

budH wrote: I've since added a wonderful tank bag (SW-MOTECH Engage) from TwistedThrottle.com. I love it! It easily holds all of the above and more. I ordered it at Americade two years ago where I met the designer. Anyway, it uses a metal quicklock socket that's bolted to my fuel cap and doesn't touch the tank. Very quick removal for refueling or for taking my valuables with me.

Bud - how did you mount the quick-connect to the gas cap - since there are no external screws on the Roadster cap?

Post by **deilenberger** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 9:36 am

I may have partly answered my own question:
http://www.mo-tech.de/produkt/?produkt_ ... ee5007b890

That's the mothership website in Germany. It appears they have a mount that replaces the entire gas cap assembly. NOT cheap - 99Euro on the German website, which is gonna be about $135 USD - before any of their tankbags.

For some reason TwistedThrottle has it listed for $70 - but dunno if it actually exists (the German website indicates backordered).

The bag Bud has is now $160 before anything like a map pocket ($15), the GPS mount which looks cool - $40. So - total would be somewhere upwards of $245 without the GPS mount and $285 with.

Not awful - but not a bargain.

Skippy · Post by **Skippy** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 4:31 am

Don ChiTown modded the original gascap surround to take the quicklock ring and I've been thinking doing the same ever since. My dealer suplies the cheap Quicklock ring for free with the purchase of a bag so ChiTowns solution seems very temting. Just can't get myself to start drilling though. I would be buying the Trial Tankbag witch is nice and big. The SW Motech bags are very well made and I do agree that they look mutch better then the storage pod. Also you have your bag in eyeside witch is nice.
http://r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.php?t=9881

Post by **deilenberger** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 9:34 am

I did send an inquiry to Twisted Throttle to see if they actually have the ring mount for the Roadster. I'll report back when I hear from them..

Skippy · Post by **Skippy** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 10:26 am

Cool.

Curvedweller · Post by **Curvedweller** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 8:11 am

FYI, I spoke with Josh at TT last week who said bottom rings for R12R will be available late July/early Aug. It is listed on their website now if you want to pre-order. Doesn't specify whether electric or not but at $70 I assume it is.

Curvedweller · Post by **Curvedweller** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 11:17 am

Ooops, just got new info. The bottom ring that will be avail. in a few weeks is non-electric. The increased cost (over other non-elec. bottom rings) is due to the fact that it will entirely replace the stock gas cap surround ring.

Post by **parkec** » Fri Jul 20, 2007 8:23 am

Ordered yesterday. Hopefully mine doesn't arrive creased!

While a tank bag is an option I just don't care for them..they destroy the bike's lines. imho

Post by **parkec** » Wed Aug 08, 2007 6:32 am

picked my pod up yesterday...sort of.

No creases so that was a plus.. unfortunately it was 93 out w/ about 90% humidity so after a few minutes of futzing witht the mounting straps I left it at the dealer rather. I'll pick it up this weekend.

TWI · Post by **TWI** » Wed Aug 08, 2007 5:36 pm

Hmmmm.....maybe.

Would one of you who have a Pod (once you get it) please take some pics of it on the R12R? I like to see how it fits. Might be a nice compliment to the tankbag when I don't want to put on the side bags. Thanks!

jomo · Post by **jomo** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 12:28 pm

TWI wrote:Hmmmm.....maybe.

Would one of you who have a Pod (once you get it) please take some pics of it on the R12R? I like to see how it fits. Might be a nice compliment to the tankbag when I don't want to put on the side bags. Thanks!

Yeah, some pictures of a pod installed on an r12r would be nice! I've found a dealer here in Sweden who sells them for about $200. Would be great to see how it looks on the bike before ordering.

Great bike btw, I love it much more than my previous 12gs!

Post by **parkec** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 3:57 pm

Hi,

I went back and attempted to attach the pod.. couldn't do it! seems the taper of seat positions the J hooks in such a fashion that the rear most are almost at a 90 degree angle for the pod (straight down) and they just don't hold.

All in all this owner/reviewer says don't buy..I'm going to try it on my Falco, but I have a feeling I'll be selling the pod back for 50 cents on the dollar

Post by **Dan-A** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 9:09 pm

parkec wrote:picked my pod up yesterday...sort of.

No creases so that was a plus.. unfortunately it was 93 out w/ about 90% humidity so after a few minutes of futzing witht the mounting straps I left it at the dealer rather. I'll pick it up this weekend.

I bought my bike at A & S where the link showed the pod. The Salesman showed me the pod and I tried to mount it on mine. I admittedly didn't spend much time trying it but the straps didn't seem like they would fit well on the R.

I am interested to hear how it works and if you can get it mounted cleanly and securely.

I did buy the BMW tank bag, but rarely use it since it scratches the black paint, and I do not like the look of it.

So for now it's pockets and a backpack.

LeonardoNYC · Post by **LeonardoNYC** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 9:11 pm

Here's something I stumbled on when looking for a backpack for my sister. I have an Axio backpack/computer bag and these things are indeed rugged and water proof and the outer shell is a carbon fiber type material so it won't sag or dent like the pod and is priced around what the pod system is. Seems to compliment the lines of the bike as well.

Skippy · Post by **Skippy** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 11:05 am

That looks very nice. Price isn't to bad also.

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