[fridaynight]

Thinking about going interstate with the bike, or maybe just a weekend camping trip. Has anyone done this?
I just need a way to carry stuffs and I couldn't find saddle bags that fit the bike and maybeeee better seat, I rode 4 hours last weekend and was surprisingly ok so I guess the seat is low priority. I actually haven't done any long trip with luggage before so still don't know how this would work.
Any help is appreciated

 

[Rider2112]

Relatively small tank and tail bags are your best bet on this bike.

The bike can certainly tour, the question is can the rider... On the upside, you've already proven you can handle the seat and riding position for a relatively long haul. As long as you can pack light enough to fit what you need between relatively small tank and tail bags, go for it!

I forget which thread, but someone recently posted up a pic and brand / model info on what looked to be a pretty nice / reasonably priced tail bag.

 

[aWanderlustSeoul]

@Kiwi Rider took a long trip and I'm sure he can provide you his insight/experiences. It definitely seems possible and enjoyable with the right luggage setup.

 

[Kiwi Rider]

Have a read here, gets off topic a bit but will save me re-typing. Short answer is yes.

http://www.ninja400riders.com/forum/9-ninja-400-general-discussion-forum/1325-big-ride.html

 

[fridaynight]

Great info! this will definitely get me started. Thanks all!

 

[Copyright]

Relatively small tank and tail bags are your best bet on this bike.

The bike can certainly tour, the question is can the rider... On the upside, you've already proven you can handle the seat and riding position for a relatively long haul. As long as you can pack light enough to fit what you need between relatively small tank and tail bags, go for it!

I forget which thread, but someone recently posted up a pic and brand / model info on what looked to be a pretty nice / reasonably priced tail bag.

I believe the post you are looking for is this one:
http://www.ninja400riders.com/forum...do-your-2018-kawasaki-ninja-400-today-16.html

I got some soft luggage, and I test-mounted it on the bike:

Chase Harper 450 Magnetic Tank Bag:

Chase Harper 5501 Tail Bag:

Seems to fit pretty well, and not overwhelmingly large on the bike:

I haven't taken a trip that would require storage, in quite some time....maybe even 10 years. But I'd like to get away for 2-3 of days soon, and this should offer plenty for that.

 

[pwalo]

That's a very nice set up. I don't think the N400 will have any trouble touring. Last long trip I did was two up on my old RD400, and you can tour on anything if you're keen enough.

 

[Kawizac12]

Just took a 4 hour round trip with my new n400. Bike did great on the highway was able to stay around 75mph for most of the trip. I did notice however it seems to be to geared for lower speeds to get that great economy.

 

[tpoppa]

I rode about 1400 miles in 3 days, mostly through windy WV back roads. The N400 did great. My only luggage was a Ventura Rack/Pack.

 

[Michael Moore]

Last long trip I did was two up on my old RD400, and you can tour on anything if you're keen enough.

A friend rode his Suzuki GS450 from Oklahoma City to San Francisco and back again several times many years ago. 500s are considered starter bikes these days, but they used to be full-sized bikes that you worked your way up to having, and then you did everything with them.

IIRC Robert Pirsig (Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance) did his touring in the book on a CB77 Honda (305cc) with his son as passenger.

 

[Maverick]

Yes certainly, I did 3 days 1300km round trip on my ninja 400. And we slept in tent. It was fun. View attachment 22845

 

[Rich T]

I feel like I want to add here, if you're ever looking for scenic routes avoiding interstates, here are a whole bunch:

Interactive Network Map | Adventure Cycling Association​

I realize this is for the "0 cc" crowd, but the routes would be just as beautiful on a motorcycle.

We're hoping to take a (0 cc) trip in June and see how far we can get from Colorado!

(We'll end up with a new appreciation for gasoline, I am sure! )

 

[Baxter]

Our 400s certainly can travel.

The folks who amaze me are the ones on bikes which cannot do interstate speeds, or at least ought not to. I once encountered two brothers from Ohio entering Rocky Mountain Nat'l Park as I was leaving. They were on a pair of low cc dual-sports. They took backroads all the way. Another time I met a couple moving from LA to NYC, their stuff was with a mover and they were riding their 1970s era 250 or 300 cc bikes. Agan, backroads all the way.

 

[Duckman]

The best trips of my life were when my friend and I would take three or four day riding from either Houston or Orlando to the Deal's Gap area. I would set my Garmin to ignore highways and select only curvy roads. I swear sometimes we ended up where we weren't sure we really wanted to be but had a blast. One time we did this with the only goal as to go north up one side of the Mississippi and ride until we wanted to turn around. And then headed back down the other side of the river. No destination or schedule in mind. Just go. I'll never forget those rides.

 

[chutta]

I've gotten by with a tank bag and backpack. Make sure you have one with the cross strap across your chest so the shoulder straps can't slip down over your arms.
Just an easier route for me, as I then don't have to swing my leg up high over a tail bag.
To be honest, the longest haul I've done is up along the Lake Mi coast along M22 and back, leaving baggage at a room in Manistee. That extra 2 hours home to Grand Rapids after up and back I won't due same day

 

[Baxter]

I've gotten by with a tank bag and backpack. Make sure you have one with the cross strap across your chest so the shoulder straps can't slip down over your arms.
Just an easier route for me, as I then don't have to swing my leg up high over a tail bag.
To be honest, the longest haul I've done is up along the Lake Mi coast along M22 and back, leaving baggage at a room in Manistee. That extra 2 hours home to Grand Rapids after up and back I won't due same day

Have you found backpacks comfortable on longer rides? I've always assumed they'd become a pain after a few hours.

 

[chutta]

You can only fit in the very basics, so the weight is negligible. You almost forget it's back there.

 

[Teorist]

I've gotten by with a tank bag and backpack. Make sure you have one with the cross strap across your chest so the shoulder straps can't slip down over your arms.

Good point. I also use a waist strap to make the backpack more secure.