Panniers and tank bags??

[pritch]

The stuff the sign shops sell is OK, it is designed for outside use. Some bike shops also sell it, but they can't do complicated shapes the way a sign shop with their computerised drawing/cutting gear can.

[Zapf]

find a sign writing supplies shop. Look for 3M paint protection film, not cheap but very good.

[banditrider]

find a sign writing supplies shop. Look for 3M paint protection film, not cheap but very good.

Can get it at most bike shops too. About $25 for a metre & I think it is about 50cm wide. I've put it on my last few bikes - just done the sides of the tank on the Concours & will probably do the front of the panniers to ward off stone chips. Good stuff.

[Zapf]

Can get it at most bike shops too. About $25 for a metre & I think it is about 50cm wide. I've put it on my last few bikes - just done the sides of the tank on the Concours & will probably do the front of the panniers to ward off stone chips. Good stuff.

different stuff. The ones from the bike shops are cheap / lower quality ones. You'll find during summer the glue bleeds from the side and collects dirt, also the finish of the film is uneven. But yes they both do the job.

[sunhuntin]

Look man, just get whatever you think it's gonna work best for your bike. Although do make sure they are of a reasonable standard.

Soft, hard, firm, jelly, whatever, as long you think it's cool who cares?

I have a full set hard Givi Panniers that came with the bike, I didn't really ask for it when I was looking in buying bikes, but I am sure glad that it came with a top box. Knowing now, I put shit in it nearly early ride. Of course the most important asset it that my top box can fit a 12 bottles of beer easily and with space with to spare.

If you want to get some, then get some yo!

yep, givi top box here too. first thing i bought when i got my license. its on its 3rd bike, and still going strong. dunno what literage it is, but last week i had in it: helmet, full gloves, rolled up leather pants, various bungy cords and tool kit. invaluable item that... can put so much in and on it. would be lost without it now.

also have a pair of leather saddles, but i only use them long haul, for heavy stuff like oil and tie downs [oil more so cos it will stay upright] in an off, im certain they would be shredded. eventually i might get hardbags.

[scracha]

The baglux stuff is also good for use with tankbags. Keeps the tank pristine and the added bonus is you don't get icy bollocks on a cold winters day.

[FROSTY:Me]

I'd suggest you get yaself a 45l topbox
Its less er "ugly" than a set of panniers and if you are just going for a rideit doesn't look so ugly off

[vifferman]

Ive done a five-day trip, two-up with two Ventura zip-together backpacks and an expandable tankbag, and there was enough room for all our stuff (even took things we didn't wear or use.
I second the comments about the tankbag: it's easy to forget to wipe the underside and travelling about 80km on gravel roads I ended up with grit underneath it and fairly well muntered paint on the tank. But I still use it, as it's very versatile. We had our clothes and personal stuff in the backpacks, and things like wet-weather gear, camera, sunscreen, sunglasses, hats, firstaid stuff etc in the tankbag where it was readily accessible. I sometimes use the tankbag on a day-to-day basis, but find although the bike handles better than with the backpack, the backpack's more convenient as I can put it on / take it off one-handed when I'm carrying my helmet and gloves.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Ive got a set of Oxford throw over panniers. they are fine although I have lost one of the cheesy raincovers (mine are the cheapest ones they make, about $120 retail) they have a couple of ranges and the more expensive ones might be better-er. Mine were fine over a week of wet riding this crimble though.. I just used a rubbish bag to put all the crap that was in the bag into.

I bought a Givi top box and mounting bracket thing off tardme for cheap. about $200 or so all up (maybe more, but definitely not more than $250) so thats an avenue you could look at. the Givi topbox rules, plus it doubles as a passenger backrest.

I have only a leedle tankbag (more of a purse really) which is a Givi again, and again bought from tardme for about $80 or so. its magnetic, holds a camera, phone, wallet sunnies, and various bits and bobs. and its never even shifted even during some relatively spirited riding.

[jafar]

I am looking to buy a set of soft panniers and a medium size tank bag to use on my "new CB1300S" !!!

I want something that is medium to maybe high end (so it will last a while?), and will suit my CB. It maybe required to fit gear for two people for a few days if my wife wants to join me on a few nordy weekends away !!

Any "printable" suggestions re the luggage options ???

Cheers,
Grant.

Oxford tank bag & saddlebags + venturer pack. The quality is good , the price is ok & they don't look too bad. I used all these to take la cook to the cold kiwi recently. The best part is that when you get there it all comes off (except the pack frame) . Didn't seem to upset the handling on my cb 1300 @ all. You can get a grabrail to replace the packframe too.
The only problems we had were that the straps over the pillion seat get a bit uncomfortable on a long trip & the bags do rub a little on the side of the bike, a sheepskin solved these issues.

[HTFU]

On both my GN and GPX I fitted ventura racks ($200) for bike specific bracket and rack. I recently purchased Rjays tank bag (small $40 one) and a expandable rack bag (150) from Motomail. The quality looks fine to me as it looks hard wearing stuff. The tank bag was a basic one but they have a good range of bigger ones. The rack bag is awesome. 40-80 L capacity, heaps of pockets etc and comes with a waterproof cover. I also have some throw over panniers and they are only used a few times a year when I am carting food back over to the beach. I am working on a budget and a smaller bike so the Rjays was the ticket, but the hard luggage would be my choice on a bigger ride.