Pannier options: bags versus boxes? [Archive]

JATZ

30th October 2009, 21:20

ok would you rather have soft luggage or hard luggage,
ie, pannier bags or boxes, tail bag or top box..

your thoughts on what you have and why you like it.

reason im asking is im un sure what to fit on my new bike.

JMJ

My 2 cents.....
Soft bags on the DR got melted by the exhaust so I just use a bag straped to the carrier.
Hard cases on the Triumph are goooood, waterproof, strong, and lockable. Side cases also sit on top if we havn't got too much gear and stop MrsJatz being thrown of the back

dino3310

30th October 2009, 21:23

ive seen a few photos of the 990s with these on bro and i think there the beez friggin knees,http://www.andystrapz.com/productdetails.php?pid=34&BACK=51, good variety of packs.
ive gone away from the hard luggage,ya bolt them on and thats where they stay,same size and configuration, hurts when they hit ya, where as the softy's are expandable, moveable and dont hurt so much.

junkmanjoe

30th October 2009, 21:42

yea the dr set up i had was good,,but a bitch to get on and off at times..
im going to have to make new pannier racks.. for new bike..

Dakar

30th October 2009, 21:49

ive got BMW hard luggage, there ok, but useless if you fall off, the pannier will be held with duct tape forever more, around $700 down the gurgler in a very minor off, see Pic 1 Jay came at very slow speed and his left pannier is a write off!
another mate, Nick, came off in Thialand, slid down the road (Pic 2) and the panniers saved his bike, those were the metal ones though, http://motonick.com/

im still thinking about this ?

topo

30th October 2009, 22:00

I've got both a set of H/B plastic boxes and soft throw-overs. absolutely love the HB's on the few occasions i've used them, they're strong and well made with good racks for the KTM but they stick out a bit much for real ADV touring. The soft bags (oxford first timers (or somthing like that)) are excelent for the more adventure/trail trips, lower profile and expandable to hold a few extras if needed. Neither better than the other in my mind, just do things in slightly different ways.

pampa

30th October 2009, 22:30

that's not counting that 'hard' means that it can also be hard on you in case u lay the bike down ...

ive got BMW hard luggage, there ok, but useless if you fall off, the pannier will be held with duct tape forever more, around $700 down the gurgler in a very minor off, see Pic 1 Jay came at very slow speed and his left pannier is a write off!
another mate, Nick, came off in Thialand, slid down the road (Pic 2) and the panniers saved his bike, those were the metal ones though, http://motonick.com/

im still thinking about this ?

junkmanjoe

30th October 2009, 23:00

once i get the bike home, next couple weeks..

start figering out what i can do on it..if its best to stay factory,$$$$ or if i can make a set of racks, and alloy tins for roadie trips...and buy some new soft bags for the other track trips....:mellow:

Horney1

30th October 2009, 23:05

Hi JMJ,

I gather you're looking at a 990. I tried the soft option thinking "I have them there, why pay $1500+ on a frame and boxes". Wrong. I should have bought at least the frame to keep the bags away from the exhaust. I've included a couple of photos of the results. The Macpacs were great, couldn't ask for a better saddlebag, except now there're stuffed. I'd look to the alloy boxes in future as you can sit on them and use them as a table (as long as you don't want to get another beer out of it while the table's set! ).

FYI - I bought the Macpacs back in about 1991 ~$500. I don't know if they make them still or if they're up to the same quality as they once were if they do still make 'em. These bags have seen some hard scrapes and not been touched.

Horney1

30th October 2009, 23:15

Oh yeah, I was quoted ~$450 Australian per side for a new set of 990 sidecovers, a couple of years ago. The frame would have been cheaper. I guess they would cost about $1,100 for a pair in NZ?? Maybe it was a little less, I don't quite remember... but it would pay to check if you are considering tieing soft bags on and you care about the appearance of your bike. They stink when they burn to! :laugh:

dino3310

30th October 2009, 23:22

yea the dr set up i had was good,,but a bitch to get on and off at times..
im going to have to make new pannier racks.. for new bike..

you can get the racks through that site bro

Waihou Thumper

31st October 2009, 03:23

getting a good alloy plate on the back, a little wider than stock as the 950/990 one is rather small.
buy one of those good roll up waterproof bags. I use these and they are great. Tie them down with rok straps or similar and use a small back pack or tank bag for the essesntials like cameras, maps etc...
Less is good when travelling, and I can still get all tools and clothes and sleeping bag, tent etc in there and it compresses really well...
The bigger and bulkier you go, the more you tend to carry and fill the bags up.....:no:

Woodman

31st October 2009, 06:58

ducatijim

31st October 2009, 07:28

Hey Joe, Givi racks are a good price here, couple hundy I think. All the protectn youll ever need

Then you can do whatever from there- hard cases for road touring when you need the security of locability, or any number of throw overs, ie, Andystrapz/Steel pony/Wolfman/Givi...all are reasonably priced for wot u get.

If you should 'off' in the technical while loaded, not too likely here in NZ, you WON'T bust your ankle/lower leg with throw overs. But, watch the injurys with hard cases.

All good kit, easily available and well priced:yes:

cooneyr

31st October 2009, 07:36

My 950 came with the H/B plastic Gobi cases and SW motech (sold by KTM as the KTM racks). Worked really well in that kept gear dry and dust free. Gobi cases are pretty wide though and being double skinned (they can hold water in the walls) there isn't that much room inside them. I was going up a steep climb and the LHS one hit a bank which gave me a surprise as it bounced me off towards the right. Case still solid though. Biggest issues I had is that the latch lock broke. The latch itself is OK but the lock that holds the latch in (they are fold out latches) broke. I'd rather have alloy cases than the Gobi's in that they are similar over all dimensions (slightly narrower and deeper) for much bigger capacity (about 38l instead of 31l).

I find the cases are plenty far enough back that it is not likely you will hit your leg in normal riding. Also wind a bit of preload on the suspension (and adjust the damping) and it handles the extra weight really nicely.

I'd recommend the SW motech racks cause they mount to more places than Givi or others but they wouldnt be hard to build yourself. Also I reckon the SW Motech crash bars (if you need some) are much better than the others in that you can take the side pannels off without taking of the bars and they are stronger.

Happy to take more pics if you want.

Cheers R

nothingflash

31st October 2009, 07:42

junkmanjoe

31st October 2009, 07:46

Hi JMJ,

I gather you're looking at a 990.

Hi Horney1..
shame about your bags having a melt.. lucky you didnt catch on fire...:eek5:
ive brought a 950 but it a bit naked at the moment...no bars or racks, so just sorting best option before i dish out more dosh......

cheers for your advice..

JMJ

junkmanjoe

31st October 2009, 07:52

Happy to take more pics if you want.

Cheers R

yip that be great if you got a few spare mins on ya hands...
pics of the rear bars set up..be great..im tempted to make my own again.
but ill price up the factory set, as they would look cleaner on there.
can send pics to
junkmanjoe@msn.com

cheers.
JMJ

junkmanjoe

31st October 2009, 07:53

Great photo of Jay - I am so photogenic :woohoo:

what do you use on your bike....

dino3310

31st October 2009, 12:58

ya gonna post some pictures up JMJ:scooter:

kevfromcoro

31st October 2009, 13:08

ya gonna post some pictures up JMJ:scooter:

YOU just beat me too it.

How about some katy em pics....

junkmanjoe

31st October 2009, 14:49

easy girls....the bikes not ready to be picked up yet...:scooter:

dino3310

31st October 2009, 14:52

easy girls....the bikes not ready to be picked up yet...:scooter:

But we wanna see it NOW

Waihou Thumper

31st October 2009, 15:04

Joe is a little shy and a bit embarrassed as it needs a bit of a groom and tidy up before showing you all....

:gob:

junkmanjoe

31st October 2009, 15:11

oh fark...now every one knows...bastard...:angry2:

Dakar

31st October 2009, 17:49

Joe is a little shy and a bit embarrassed as it needs a bit of a groom and tidy up before showing you all....

:gob:

Fark that made laugh so hard, choked on me cuppa, and ended up all over the monitor!!!!!!:puke:

Waihou Thumper

31st October 2009, 18:26

Nice to amuse some folk....I giggled when I was assembling it....
:yes: It had to be done.....

kevfromcoro

31st October 2009, 18:49

Joe is a little shy and a bit embarrassed as it needs a bit of a groom and tidy up before showing you all....

:gob:

shes a good one... lol
bit of elbow grease there joe and your going to have a good:scooter:

junkmanjoe

31st October 2009, 19:04

yea mate....should i use hard boxes or soft on that one.....Ummmm

Waihou Thumper

31st October 2009, 19:21

And I am sure KTM might want the plans to introduce it into the 1190A...:)

Horney1

2nd November 2009, 09:04

My 950 came with the H/B plastic Gobi cases and SW motech (sold by KTM as the KTM racks). ..

Hi cooneyr,

I'd be quite keen to see more pics of the pannier frame to. Do you know if this SW Motech crowd has a web address and if so what it is? I see Andy Strapz over here quite near Melbourne supplies the frames to. http://www.andystrapz.com/productdetails.php?pid=69

Cheers

C

Mountie

2nd November 2009, 11:02

motorradgarage.com.au also carry SW Motech gear and other bits including a range of throw over saddle bags. Darbi accessories are the agents for SW Motech in NZ but have limited range avaliable. Ended up buying pannier racks out of Germany for the f800. Cheaper then buying through aus. Getting SW Motech ex Darbi was going to be a bit prolonged.

cooneyr

2nd November 2009, 12:28

Hi cooneyr,

I'd be quite keen to see more pics of the pannier frame to. Do you know if this SW Motech crowd has a web address and if so what it is? I see Andy Strapz over here quite near Melbourne supplies the frames to. http://www.andystrapz.com/productdetails.php?pid=69

Cheers

C

Gidday C.

These are the pannier bars I have (http://www.ktm.com/index.php?id=248&powerpartID=2007976&isotype=0) and I hope I'm correct in saying they are the old SW motech bars (the new ones are quick reliease for taking them off). SW Motech website 950 page here (http://www.sw-motech.com/hersteller/ktm_LC_8_Adventure_950_266.html). I got my SW Motech crash bars out of Ausi from The Aussi Biker Shop - pannier frame on this page (http://www.aussiebiker.com.au/catalog.php?category=1%20Panniers%2C%20Racks%20and %20Adaptor%20Kits) and crash bars on this page (http://www.aussiebiker.com.au/catalog.php?category=5%20Crashbars%20and%20Engine% 20Guards). I got the low crash bars not the high ones that come right up to the headlight.

Cheers R

sunhuntin

2nd November 2009, 17:55

My 2 cents, from someone who has hardly ever done any overnighters.

I got a givi top box which fits everything I need, but it really messes up the handling off road, and the rear bottoms out on the slightest of bumps with the suspension on its firmest setting. Also I am scared of what may happen if (when) I can it and the box breaks, at least soft luggage woud give a bit. I think the key is to travel as light as possible, but seeing your safari slut loaded up Joe, I don't think that is gonna happen any time soon aye?

ive got a givi as well and have been hit with it attached. the box survived intact, only damage was a cracked reflector. other than that, it didnt get a single scratch.

i have leather saddle bags for the virago, but they are puny! i can fit a pair of sneakers in one and then the tiedowns and a few maps in the other and then they are full. wouldnt mind hard bags, but not on such a small bike.

tri boy

2nd November 2009, 18:11

I'd take a "soft bag" over a "hard bag" any day.:buggerd:
"Pas my tea.........bag"

Moki

2nd November 2009, 18:18

Pedrostt500

2nd November 2009, 18:25

I'm a cheap bastard, I brought 2 tool bags, had a canvas shop sew on some extra D rings, and Im going to use these, I will make a frame up to keep them off the exaust and from crushing the side covers.
The bags cost me about $45 each, and abot $50 to have the D rings put on.

Waihou Thumper

2nd November 2009, 18:31

Quite happy with the Ortlieb Dry soft bags and the e-bay racks I recently ordered in for the KLR. Very light, strong and as waterproof as you can get.:yes: They're very similar to firstlight drybags used for kayaking.

Ortlieb, from Touratch, a big mother! and a smaller Ortlieb. Awesome bags, roll them, compress them and you can fit a shit load of stuff in them too...
Tried to get KTM Orange but had to make do with Yellow and black...:)

Box'a'bits

2nd November 2009, 20:26

I have the Touratech / KTM hard boxes.

Upsides - The frames are well made. The frames & boxes are robust. They lock (with padlocks) so are secure. They should be waterproof. Being Aluminium, if I have an off, I could panelbeat. Looks the part if I wanted to be a 'round the worlder'. They have a certain cool factor.

Downsides -they are heavy compared with soft bags. On the 640a they are quite far back. Great for not taking out your legs out in an off, but not great for handling. They are WIDE. This means they grab wind, and kills any capacity for shooting through skinny gaps. Initial cost can be very high (but I got mine cheap via trademe). They leave a black Aluminium residue on stuff.

Other points - They are top loading. This just means you need to adjust your packing strategy (maybe inner bags). They are not flexible. This means they will take the same space / weight regardless of how much you are carrying. They are not quick detach.

Final points - depends on what you want to use themn for. I took them to the Kiwi, to test them. But for the sort of big weekends we have done, I will still use soft bags.

Other reference - why don't you shoot a PM to Young1. He's also got them on the 990.

igor

2nd November 2009, 21:01

i have a set up on my pig. Touratech 75 litre roll bag on rear helicopter landing pad. Touratech panniers 41l & 35L and some modified gearsack tank panniers and a baehr tankbag. if i go by myself use the rear rollbag and tank panniers. (nice windbreak)

now if i was gunna do rear panniers again I would do Mr Andystrapz "Expedition panniers"

junkmanjoe

2nd November 2009, 21:10

thats a good set up....:scooter:

igor

2nd November 2009, 21:14

thats a good set up....:scooter:

yeah and one weekend we went away and she is wearing a dressing gown the next morning in a motel. I said where did that come from. It fits in the pannier. sshhhhhhhhsssssssssh

dino3310

2nd November 2009, 21:17

Other reference - why don't you shoot a PM to Young1. He's also got them on the 990.

i was wondering how long it would take someone to mention the widest butt on KB:shutup:
:lol:

mind you joe you could fit a berley bomb, bait, and a doz on one side and your camping gear on the other.:yes:

nothingflash

2nd November 2009, 21:20

what do you use on your bike....

I've got a top box an hard panniers. That said the farthest I've been on this bike is maybe an hour that way and back again. I had been looking for a Dominator (had an nx250 prior) and was going to grab a couple of $20 plastic toolboxes and have my brother fashion a frame for them like the Dominator on the African Odyssey. Thankfully it came all ready to go...

Gremlin

3rd November 2009, 01:09

On my 990sm I have a set of givi pannier racks custom fitted and a top box (using the KTM top plate and givi universal plate).

Using an E52 Maxia Top box and E21N panniers, its a decent balance. The panniers aren't big enough to really upset the bike, but they aren't as good quality as the bigger boxes (they do cost a lot less tho). I can still split to a degree, but then, I can't take as much gear.

Hard luggage for me every time. Waterproof, lockable and secure. In the Givi gear, easily detachable as well, so take it off and into room or whatever.

Now, if you want the money is no object option, look up Caribou luggage :yes:

LBD

3rd November 2009, 01:24

Hard luggage when touring two up on the GS1150 in Europe....felt bulky as does the bike, but was good and convenient

Soft throw over on the Monster when single touring, fits snugger to the bike, feels and looks less bulky and has the ability to expand from 11 to 17 litres per side and is flexable and to a point easier to stuff with gear.

Snails pace

3rd November 2009, 06:45

I have SW-Motech Quick Lock Siderack pannier carriers with givi 41's and 52liter top box on my vstrom. All quick release leaving small lugs on the bike. Great for long distance touring as being hard plastic they can not be opened easily by light fingered types. They handled a 80kph slide landing on the left, rolling onto the top box and ending on the right hand side no problem. Only damage, besides to my pride, were a few scratches and a slightly bent pannier frame. They are wide though, so forget filtering Auckland rush hour. Since then I have added a set of Andy Strapz which fit on well. So best of both worlds. The racks i shipped in from Twisted Throttle in the USA. Was a couple of years ago and can't think of the dollars.