I hate backpacks. I have a fancy rigid one and all, and I still hate it. As soon as there’s more than a bag of chips in there, it’s uncomfortable. Besides, it’s bulky and definitely not prone to impressing ladies at Starbuck’s.

Since the 1098 (and many Ducatis with it) uses a plastic tank, I can’t have my magnetic bag, and I’m not fond of having to use straps, or shelling out 300$ for the official Ducati Performance one.

Hence the SW Motech quick-lock thingie. Bolts up to gas tank, and the bag itself is clipped on smoothly. And it doesn’t ruin the paint. I debated endlessly on size and ended up with the Daypack II.

So this is what you get. The bottom tank ring to be fitted on the bike, the top bag ring (not visible here, under the bag), and the tankbag itself. Plus, a myriad of bolts to choose from, not pictured. You’re probably familiar with the looks of bolts. Directions are perfectly accurate in pointing out which ones you need to use.

The gas cap ring. Remove 4 of the original bolts, put this on top, use new provided bolts. Piece of cake.

The tank ring is on, it’s slightly more cumbersome than anticipated. Mind you it doesn’t get in the way, just not as discrete as expected. Also, it’s rock solid.

The tankbag and its top ring now need to be mated, and you’ll need to position it to your liking. You have quite a range of adjustment (recessed area of the bag).

In my case, it’s full-on forward. Nothing’s bolted down yet, just sizing things up. The whole measure twice, cut once thing. Because yes, you’re about to drill holes in your fancy schmancy brand new tankbag. Don’t fuck it up.

Drilling. The pressure’s on. It’s where it should be, lined up straight … close eyes and drill. Also, avoid being an idiot like myself and put on the release trigger before you bolt down the topring to the bag.

Topring bolted solidly to the bag, set on the bike. Success.

Taking it off or putting on is an absolute breeze. So much so I find myself double-checking often “really? it’s holding on properly already? *gives a solid tug or 2* … ok I guess it is”. Carrying it off the bike, it does looks like a man purse. That will impress the ladies at Dairy Queen “OMG he’s so like … sensitive”. Yes, that really happened.

That’s it that’s all. It took more time to take these pictures than it did to install the frigging thing.

First quick trip out, it’s more capacious than anticipated, I can fit my big Canon SLR with an extra lens, wallet, phone, GoPro camera, chocolate bars and I still had room to spare … and that’s without using the extension.

It only gets in the way when I try to tuck my head in at speed … which also means it works as a headrest. Low clipons are low, so of course there’s no interference there. I can’t tell the bag is there 99% of the time.

I’m predicting lots of use. And I kick myself for having waited a couple months before picking up a tankbag.

Quick freebie, here’s the bike in touring mode. Saddlebags and tankbag, room for more stuff on the passenger seat.

First outing with the new-to-me 1098, after 6 months of winter storage.

Within an hour, I come across a police car.

Cherries light up. Ah crap.

I stop, my heart races, what did I do wrong? Dammit.

Take my helmet off, get paperwork ready as he sits in his car. He’s loading up his guns, for sure. Or making sure his dogs are hungry, willing to chew my head off.

Door opens … he’s smiling. “What?”. He’d misread my plate. Comes up ot me, doesn’t ask for anything, says it’s a beautiful weather for a ride, and wishes me a good day.

Crisis averted.

The day carries on. It’s a balmy 10 degrees, but the winter ice and snow are still omnipresent.

A pause at the local marina.

Catching a break at the marina

The ski resort was far more popular, for skiers anyways.

Ducs at Tremblant

We found some clear, straight and scenic roads.

Stopping for pics on the side of the road

Montreal to Mt Washington and back. That was the plan. Lots of km for a day trip, but nothing unreasonable.

It didn’t start all that well with my alarm not going off … great. So we leave at 9, an hour later than planned. No biggie. Healthy breakfast just before noon. Omelette, home made potatoes and toasts. This is why we often cross the border into the US. Food is made of 82% win, and 18% awesome.

A sight we’ll witness many times, the Hyper in its natural habitat. [note, I still had the Z1000 back then. I can’t make fun of the Hypermotard’s range anymore, as I’m only doing marginally better with the 1098, ~180km]

We take a lakeside break after some most pleasant beautiful uphill sweepers.

And soon we’re back on the road … smooth mostly deserted roads.

Around 4pm, we (finally) reach Mt Washington and head for the Auto Road. The weather up top looks cloudy and brisk. We don’t care. We came here for the damn mountain, we’ll ride up.

“oh it’ll probably clear up once we get to the top” … that’s the kind of outrageous lies I kept telling myself in my helmet.

Thankfully, Captain Obvious was there to inform us.

Yes, those are anchored chains holding down the house. Chains.

The way back was as pleasant as it gets, engines idling quietly, temperature warming up. And that view.

… aaaaand the inevitable happens when you take fancy Supercorsa tires on gravel roads. A flat in the middle of nowhere Vermont, ~200km from Montreal.

It’s getting dark, we’re in the middle of nowhere. So we did the only thing anyone can ever do in such a situation. Burnouts and fix-a-flat cans. One of these works better than the other. Guess which one.

We made it back home in Montreal way past 2am. Quite the full day of riding.