Sportbike luggage options

[Southern Biker]

So whats the best options for touring on a sportbike, maybe a good tankbag, and something decent for the backseat, or maybe saddlebags? I'm wanting to kit out for a holiday, trademe has stuff all good luggage systems that I could find. And it's quite pricey stuff in the shops!

[NighthawkNZ:Me]

So whats the best options for touring on a sportbike, maybe a good tankbag, and something decent for the backseat, or maybe saddlebags? I'm wanting to kit out for a holiday, trademe has stuff all good luggage systems that I could find. And it's quite pricey stuff in the shops!

I happy tour using the venture pack rack and luggage, as well as there side saddles...

[Gremlin]

I used the oxford humpback range on a zx10. I used the tailpack a lot for normal use, and used the panniers on touring trips. If you have space, a tankbag is handy. Best (if you can) is to centralise the weight, ie, tankbag, tailpack etc.

Haven't used ventura, but I have seen the light (and don't have a sportsbike) and now I love givi, very useful stuff.

[zeocen]

My current setup is a Givi top box and side panniers, it's great because it's waterproof, hard and lockable.. but it's also heavy, bulbous and entwined my bike with support frames.

My previous bike was the best setup I have had so far, I'm not sure how the previous owner made it look so tidy, it had Givi hard panniers for the lockables and a ventura rack for the soft top bag, which I then purchased a bigger bag that also turned into a backpack so I could carry it around with ease. It was 90% waterproof (few drops got in on heavy rain) and much, much lighter.

All the weight on the arse really messes up my current bike, which has all the mass in the centre. On big tours I doubt you would notice it much, if at all, I didn't.

So in conclusion my opinion would be, if you have the money, the a hybrid givi/ventura combo of hard and soft luggage! The best of both worlds was definitely a luxury for me.

[Okey Dokey]

I've been really happy with a ventura pack and rack.

[Pussy]

I've been really happy with a ventura pack and rack.

Same here. I've had them on five different gixxers... work very well

[Swoop]

I have a Givi topbox and also a Dririder tankbag.
Topbox is waterproof and lockable. It is also bloody handy around town as filtering with that fitted, is still possible.
The tankbag has 2 sections, the lower half being able to zip-off which then becomes very handy for day rides as it has a map pocket on the top (of both sections, in fact!).

[ManDownUnder]

Givi. Waterproof, bullet proof, easy to take on and off... just brilliant.

I've used mine for 8 years now - I don't think a single drop of water would have gotten into the thing in all that time despite the usual range of terrible weather I've ridden in.

I changed bikes a while back - first thing I did was throw a new Givi setup on it.

Highly recommended

[vifferman]

The vifferbabe and I did a 5-day tour a couple of years back, and used two zip-together Ventura packs, and an expandable tankbag (unexpanded). It was more than enough for all our junk, some of which wasn't used.

[scracha]

Givi + baglux/bagster.

[MotoGirl]

I've been really happy with a ventura pack and rack.

Ditto. We used them for our tour of the South Island in March. The two bags plus an Oxford tank bag did really well. Personally, I like my luggage being on top of the bike instead of hanging down the sides because you can still fit through small gaps

The disadvantage of soft luggage (versus say Givi panniers) is that they aren't as secure when you leave the bike parked somewhere. The upside is that soft luggage stretches so you can really load it up. We found the Givi panniers on our old Vulcan weren't as forgiving when you filled them with odd shaped items.

[Rev DJ]

I used a tank bag for a recent trip around the South Island. The pack was expandable with a good sized clear pocket on the top for the touring map - sweet. I used a back pack as well and this was plenty for the five day trip. I prferered to fill up the back pack and keep the tank pack a little smaller as this helped me tuck in behind the screen when it got a bit breezy... DJ

[vifferman]

The disadvantage of soft luggage (versus say Givi panniers) is that they aren't as secure when you leave the bike parked somewhere.

When we weren't riding, the bike was usually praked within view. The exceptions were when we left all our gear at a motel and went for a day trip, and when we wanted to go for a walk at a tourist spot, and there was an enterprising local who charged tourists to watch their gear (we left it in his wagon). It was only $1, so it was cheap.
Perhaps those who didn't opt to do this had it end up there anyway, or in someone else's car?

The tank bag is great, as you can unzip the top part from the magnetic base, to leave just a map book holder. The zipped off bit then becomes a day pack, complete with padded straps etc. The base bit also has plastic rings which you can bungy extra stuff onto (or use to bungy the bag onto the back of the bike). The bungy cords were included as was a storm cover with clear plastic top.

Although it only acts as a deterrent to an opportunist thief, I've got a couple of small locks and a cable with a combination lock for the Ventura, which I've used in town a couple of times when I didn't want to cart my bag (and/or helmet) around the shops. I figured even though a thief could cut the bag or the zips or whatever, if the bike was praked somewhere busy they wouldn't bother.

[Kinje]

I've been using the oxford pannier bags and tankbag. They have plenty of space and don't seem to upset the bike.

They aren't waterproof though and like others have mentioned are not secure so I generally try and park with the bike in view.

[alanzs]

Where are the Ventura packs available in Auckland?