Question about groceries

[Brammofan]

I'm trying to ride in every day this week.  Tomorrow - Wednesday- I have to pick up our "farm share" which usually consists of about two bags of produce.  I will already have a backpack full of stuff from work, including my rainsuit, and there's just not enough room in the backpack for much, without crushing the groceries.

Any ideas (short of purchasing Givi bags)?

[EmpulseRider]

The only thing I can think of is a tank bag to add extra storage. I saw a guy once with golf clubs strapped to his back on a crotch-rocket... so I think it can be done with enough ingenuity.

[protomech]

Maybe a cargo net, if you don't want to mount bags to the bike.

http://www.amazon.com/Bell-Strapper-Motorcycle-Cargo-Net/dp/B000HX55ZA

[Brammofan]

I've been thinking about the cargo net possibility. 
Also, I have a large mesh bag that might be able to hold everything.  If I cinch the bag, then divide the contents into two halves, I might be able to basically sit on the middle and let the two halves drape over the seat like saddlebags.  Just got to make sure they don't get hung up in the tire or chain.  I'll have to experiment with some configurations tonight.

I really wish I'd developed that top box with the integrated brake lights.  Oh well. 

[Richard230]

Try throwing a set of soft saddlebags over the "tank". Or you could also try connecting two cloth grocery bags together and try the same thing. With the groceries in front of you, you can keep an eye on them and there won't be a chance of them hitting the rear wheel.

[Brammofan]

I think that's what I'm going to try, Richard.  No awards for aesthetics, but it will probably do the trick.

[Richard230]

Let us know how that works out, Brammofan. It might help the next guy that wants to carry groceries home.

There is a risk of scratching the paint on your tank. One solution would be to place a rubber pad over the tank. A cloth might work, but that might be too slippery and would be a problem if the bags were unbalanced. A spur-of-the-moment option would be to pick up an extra plastic bag from the store or from the produce section and place that under the saddlebag straps to protect the finish of the tank.

[Brammofan]

The bags I'm using are cloth, so I'm hoping they won't scratch.  It's not going to be pretty, but it should work.  I'm picking up locally and organically-grown produce so the thought of driving my 19 mpg Honda Pilot solely for that errand was something I wanted to avoid. 

[protomech]

Saddlebags are extraordinarily helpful for hauling small loads on a bike. Well worth the money if you do that sort of thing..

You can also sling a dufflebag over the back and strap it down nicely. Sort of a poor man's saddlebags, if you distribute the load between the two sides..

[Brammofan]

The problem with strapping anything to the back of the Enertia is that you will block the taillight.  There is a small shelf just aft of the taillight, but I see little use for it (except as an place to anchor the Givi saddlebags to).  Seriously, anything taller than 1" on that shelf will block the lens. 

[protomech]

Is it possible to remove the seat, lay the dufflebag across the frame, then re-attach the seat? My GS500 works like that. May / may not work depending on the seat and the dufflebag material.

[Brammofan]

Maybe.  The material would have to be pretty thin.  Might be easier to sit on it. 
I'm going to try the bags-in-front position.

[Brammofan]

All that, for nothing.  I ended up being able to fit the groceries in my backpack (fully expanded North Face).  Really does point out,though the storage issue.  I continue to look into the top box possibility.  If anyone has the saddle bags on their bikes, could you take a picture of the rack or support on which they fit?