Pannier options: bags versus boxes?

**junkmanjoe** · 30th October 2009, 21:09

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

**JATZ** · 30th October 2009, 21:20

Originally Posted by junkmanjoe

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/productdet...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 ...

Originally Posted by Dakar

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....

**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!

**dino3310** · 30th October 2009, 23:22

Originally Posted by junkmanjoe

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.....

**Woodman** · 31st October 2009, 06:58

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?

**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

**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