Royal Enfield Classic 350. Running In is a long job, and my thoughts on carrying "Stuff".

[@MsDenver2]

I’ve bought soft canvas and leather side bags and waterproof inner bags with fitting for padlocks and a good quality bag instead of top box as it’s more versatile and lots of straps on it plus waterproof cover.

[@shottostravels]

Another advantage of these bikes is their versatility in as much as they can be customized to your needs. At a fair cost. Take care👍

[@Retro_Iron]

Hey, top box looks fine. Very “plain” which is a good thing. But as you know, very functional! I too prefer a top case to side panniers. Ease of use, helmet fits, locking, etc. You’re spot on about the bike being a head turner! And almost always a conversation starter at the fuel up! 👍😎 Just a sweet ride all ‘round. (Run-in is a pain, but worth the wait - the motor just gets better!)

[@shottostravels]

Thanks for taking the time to comment. I agree with everything you said. Ride safe👍

[@powysrider]

Hi, nice video, enjoyed your thoughts on luggage, mine of course are different. Bought my 350 Classic last October and have recently passed the 1200 miles mark so consider myself to be ' run in '. Gave luggage a lot of thought as I agree with you we need to carry Stuff. I went down the single side hard locking case route, I'm ok with securing helmet to bike with a wire lock, also removed rear seat and fitted a rear carrier in its place. I have purchase a Rhinowalk 40-60 litre rear bag to fit on carrier which is for touring ( off to France in summer ) . At moment looking at small magnetic tank bags for documents etc. Best of luck with your continued running in and keep those videos coming.

[@shottostravels]

Many thanks for your comments and glad you're enjoying my ramblings. France sounds good, why not. At first I thought. It'd be too small for touring but it's changed my mind completely. I'm certain it would now and am planning something similar myself. See you at Eurotunnel👍Ride safe.

[@TracyLoop]

I have been looking at bags myself. Thank you for the information in this video.

[@shottostravels]

Thanks for commenting, options are endless. Just my random thoughts.Ride Safe👍

[@jonathandeeley6276]

I had the same dilemma with luggage on my Classic 350 and opted for the retro larger Craven as in your thumb nail. Great box but as you rightly say it will carry everything but a helmet. I think your top box is probably the best option for carrying your helmet as it has a more angular profile. Your rack, oh dear, you've opted for the RE version which isnt designed for ( or big enough) to carry a top box, no doubt you have quite a bit of overhang at the rear. Givi do a purpose built model specific rack forvthe Classic and can be picked up for around £80 off Ebay. I have your rack at home in the shed and mounted a plastic tool box to it to carry bits and bobs but the rack is only designed to carry your sandwiches etc. Running in, you'll find the engine will start to loosen up properly at around 1,000 miles and will continue to improve all the way up to around 2,000 miles when it will feel at its optimum. I'm on my 3rd Classic 350 and also have the Meteor 350 in the shed, great bikes. I have done a 3 day tour in Wales on my Classic without issue and threw all my gear into a 60 litre roll top bag strapped to the Pillion seat, looked like a pack horse but coped without issue. Ignore all the doubters who say you can't tour on one, utter rubbish, you can! Last year i covered 275 miles in a day on my Meteor, it lapped it up!! Look forward to future vlogs. Think I've subscribed.🤔🙂👍

[@shottostravels]

Thanks for commenting and subscribing Jonathan. I agree, you can tour on anything. Didn't realize the rack wasn't fit for a top box, there is a bit of overhang. It all seems quite solid, I will not overload it. Ride safe mate and thanks for your input.👍

[@graemeevans2608]

Looks good to me Keith, one of the smartest I've seen. I've taken delivery of my bike, did a few miles today. Very enjoyable although I'll need to adjust the gear lever or go for the toe/heel shifter. I think I need a retro helmet now! Ride safe

[@shottostravels]

Happy days, I agree, I'm about to fit a heel and toe shifter. In the next couple of days. Enjoy you're new bike and Ride Safe👍

[@jonathandeeley6276]

I fitted a toe and heal shifter to mine and its great. Got used to them on my Meteor and never looked back. I need to find a retro open face lid too.🤔🙂👍

[@shottostravels]

@jonathandeeley6276 I agree, unfortunately the weather is a bit pants here at the moment so I haven't been able to. Check it out. Ride Safe 👍

[@Peter234100]

I just use a couple of rock straps for what I need to take out with me sat on the pillion seat, gym kit etc. 😊

[@shottostravels]

I keep my Chocolate bars and Milkshakes in my box as I drive past the gym.👍

[@edwardwest5035]

Hi Keith, that looks a nice top box. I was hoping Givi would introduce a set of frames for the Classic so I could use Givi side cases I already have. They do them for the Meteor, I don't get it. I have my rear seat off so fitting a top box onto the rear seat frame or buying the frame to use with just the front seat won't work for me because I can't swing my bad old leg over with less space. I bought the right side rail that is usually used with that horrible little black plastic case. I fitted to it a cheapo copy of a Pelican case using four 16mm hydraulic pipe clamps. I can lock it using a small padlock. It is functional but not that pretty but I think any of the luggage I have seen spoils the look of the bike anyway. Edward

[@shottostravels]

Hi Edward, thanks for your thoughts. It seems that the luggage solutions are as varied as all our individual circumstances. Shame you can't use the givi stuff you already have have. Are you sure the meteor frames won't fit? Ride safe👍

[@Ainsworth-Rider]

Morning Shottos 😊 Use two Lomo front crash bar bags straped to the back and a G-bag

[@shottostravels]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, I hadn't heard of lomo crash bar bags but they look good for a bit of extra room for "Stuff". Ride safe 👍

[@dennisolson3667]

Believe me, you are not the only one to mis-seat that gasket. I like the smaller Trip Machine bags for my bikes. I also am fond of a back rack and basket for things like my work lunch and small grocery runs.

[@shottostravels]

Thanks for commenting. Good to know I'm not the first! Ride Safe👍

[@Ken_H_]

Luggage generally spoils the look of a bike but at the end of the days you have to be practical. I usually go for a top box and take it on and off as needed. I've just sprung for a Meteor 350 but I think the top box will be too much on a cruiser so will no doubt be endlessly googling and procrastinating. 🙁

[@shottostravels]

Thanks for commenting, I can't disagree. Enjoy you're Meteor, it never ends with the bike though. Ride safe👍

[@twotter1969]

That top box isn't pretty, but it does the job. I'm just waiting on delivery of my Signals 350, and I have just picked up a 'pre-loved' RE commuter pannier on eBay, which will take my spare inner tubes, pump, disc lock, spare gloves etc. For longer trips, I'll likely use a roll bag strapped on the pillion seat in a Pacsafe mesh and a tank bag.

[@shottostravels]

How very dare you!!! Actually, I agree. As you say, it does the job.👍 Enjoy you're new bike, it's a great choice. Ride Safe👍

[@donovandale7077]

Logically, I get the practicality of a top box, but I just find them so goofy looking that I could not bring myself to put it on my classic. Opted for the cheap Indian eBay wax cotton knock off pannier racks and bags. They came unwaxed so I had to do that, and I had to grind a bit on the mounts, but it only cost $117. They match the look of the bike so perfectly that I'm very pleased with them. Something about the budget friendly nature of my classic makes me okay with putting cheap accessories on it. But I would rather just lock my helmet to the supports than install a top box.

[@shottostravels]

Thanks for commenting, I get that. At the end of the day it's down to the individual isn't it. But I agree, Goofy`s a fair description. Ride Safe👍

[@derbyshireruralrider9398]

Nowt up with your North Staffs dialect bit like ours, though bit further afield they travel around on buzzes It was only recently, on someone’s suggestion, I started putting helmet on it’s side

[@shottostravels]

I agree Duck. But our Oatcakes are better than yours.😉 Ride safe👍

[@bobbod8069]

If I'm popping out for a few hours, I use a magnetic tank bag. It will hold a flask, sandwiches and a chocky bar. What more do you need!

[@shottostravels]

Fair enough, you can't argue with that. Ride safe👍

[@MsDenver2]

But if you take the back seat off the luggage rack is bigger than the one with back seat?

[@shottostravels]

But if you leave the back seat on you can use the rear luggage rack or top box and the back seat for a tent, sletpong bag, bed roll, chair etc. effectively doubling your carrying capacity.? 👍

[@TracyLoop]

I like the top box.

[@shottostravels]

It'll do.👍

[@BulletBeena]

I'm not a fan of the top box I'm afraid. It seems a real shame to spoil the classic look of such a beautiful bike with a big plastic monstrosity. As long as you like it though - that's all that matters.

[@shottostravels]

Plastic monstrosity! Fantastic Ride Safe👍

[@BulletBeena]

@@shottostravels You too mate. Loving your content so far…..apart from your top box of course🤣

[@shottostravels]

Thank you, that makes it all worthwhile.👍

[@AntGeezer]

Nooooooo!

[@shottostravels]

Not a fan then! Ride safe mate👍

[@SkysaxonDragonslayer]

Could understand you with the top box, but I would have chosen a bit more old school like an old Rickman…. That‘s a reason why my daily is a modern scooter (Honda PCX 125) - 30L under the seat and a 44L Givi box make it suitable even for WE shopping at the supermarket. My HD Sportster has two 30L side panniers to do everything from shopping to travel, but can’t carry a helmet nor can be locked.

[@shottostravels]

I can't disagree, do you know I looked for an old Rickman type but couldn't just "drop on" one at the time I was looking. Truth is, like I said, it's not really the prettiest but it is practical and I'm sure it will work for me. Ride Safe👍