Reddit mentions of ROK Straps ROK-10025 Black 18" - 60" Motorcycle/ATV Adjustable Stretch Strap

I suggest securing the backpack to the bike (shouldn't be a problem with the rack I see there). This will keep fatigue levels down, as well as general comfort and safety.

If you are interested, look into Rok Straps - I have been using them for decades and they have never failed me and are simple to use. Happy riding!

I've been really happy with the OverBoard Dry Duffel and ROK Straps for my motocamping setup.

But I have a nice rack to strap down to. Your CBR might not be as accommodating without some other add-ons.

Many thanks for all the info -- if I, as another recent Guzzisti convert, can ever be of help, please don't hesitate to PM me. V pleased to hear it's same mounting set up, the wind fatigue is manageable until I'm spending hours doing 80 on the freeways here (as I'm sure you can relate to). Don't really like the look of any fairing on the bike, but it sounds like it's relatively easy to pop on/off

Alas at my height I'm reluctant to go to the racer clip-ons, as anything that would bring my hands further forward would probably increase my size problem. I'm halfway on the pillion seat just to have my knees in the proper position (where you have your pads). I've also looked in to dropping my pegs but popular opinion (AKA internet/forum queries) seems to indicate there is very little room on this model (about ~.5' on the clutch side). Oh well, time to start shopping for a 2nd bike :)

Like the sounds of your future mods, definitely want to see pics when you wrap the tank. In terms of the seat/grips - many say the stock seat is garbage, but I don't think it's so bad. At the same time, don't think you're missing out on much (and if you want, I'd swap mine for yours). The stock grips I wouldn't worry at all about (unless you like the look), they're really about as basic and boring as they come

In terms of your soft bags - the one quick fix I would say is get some Rok-straps these ones, just make sure you don't get the smaller size as they don't hold up well. Obviously you're limited in what you can do with those, but I think it's probably the best $22 I've spent on anything gear/equipment related. I used to almost always ride with a backpack on the back, but now I always strap it down. I didn't realize how nice it feels to be completely free on there and now I can't go back, even if it means taking the time to strap down before a <30m ride. I also, as needed, can now fill my backpack & strap something else down (example: went to Target recently and bought a few small things (into the backpack) but got an appliance in a box that was ~2.5'x1'x1', and I previously would not have been able to transport while riding (definitely not in the backpack, and probably not in most saddle/tail bags either) but I just strapped it down and rode from Long Beach back to Santa Monica w/ it no problem). No mods needed, you just loop em through the passenger bars underneath the rear of the seat. It also would probably be even more useful for you than I, as I have less room on the back half of the seat as per my earlier height issue comment. For multi-day rides you'll probably still want double bags, but for <1-2 day rides you will thank yourself and me

The ECU re-map just changes the fuel injection configuration (I will assume you're talking about Todd/GT's remap, but if it's something else then let me know) from stock - although Todd recommends (and performed on my bike) adjustments to the evap cannister and tip valve accompany it. I got the remap now as: it is borderline mandatory after changing exhaust hardware, I'm planning to get new exhaust in the next month or 2, Todd already had my bike in his shop for my 600mi service, and Todd will do free re-maps for 12 months after initial purchase (so I'll get it done again once I buy the megs from him). I'll admit that the change (while still on stock exhaust) is not massive, but probably still worth the $350 it cost (think it's $500 if you can't bring it in, but probably still worth it IMHO). It's extremely smooth when I cold start the bike now (before, 1 in 10 times it would die, even when it didn't die the revs didn't sound quite right and would bog down until warm). Torque is more even, especially noticeable in 1st gear (making heavy traffic, low speed filtering much more manageable / less jerky). 6th gear is much better as well. Think there may be a small overall power improvement across the board, but it's hard for me to say for sure as I only had ~750mi on it before the change was made

Sorry for the long ass post but I'm not very good at being succinct

Garbage bag could also do the job. See which ends up being lighter/as study as you need it to be. I bought a Seal Line dry bag off Amazon before a recent tour, and it ended up being this strange, quasi-conical shape (rather than a cylinder of the same radius for its entire length). Haven't used it since because of the strange shape.

Also, while I think of it, these are fantastic straps for attaching something to your rear rack:

https://www.amazon.com/ROK-Straps-ROK-10025-Black-Motorcycle/dp/B00SXJLLBW