Anybody who has used soft panniers

[Phil W]

Wouldnt mind seeing some pics of soft panniers on 1150 GSA, to see how they fit and look. Could people who use them post pics please. Thinking of Oxford panniers but not sure how the soft stuff does on the GS with exhaust issues etc.

 

[GS TRV]

tbh they look a bit crap on a GS - more a sports bike thing

most people on here have either plastic or alu

 

[Boon]

I use oxfords on my 1150 GS.........I will be changing them for alu ASAP

pissed off having plastic bacgs melted to my socks..........

 

[RickG]

I've used soft luggage on all my GS's mainly because I can squish them inwards to keep the load narrow if I'm travelling light, but also as I'm too tight to buy the hard stuff when I may only use it once a year. The only way it has worked for me is by making a pair of frames to support the bags (a bit like the carrier frames that hard luggage clips onto) I need particularly to keep them away from the exhaust on one side and on the other to stop them swaying into the gap between the rear frame and the pillion footrest. A pair of those tiny bags they make for sports bikes may be OK, but anything larger presents a real issue in my experience. The least satisfactory arrangement has been with the 1200 mostly because with my luggage, the rear carrier and the bag cross-straps don't work well together. I'd say if you intend to regularly carry stuff in panniers, don't even think about soft luggage unless you are prepared for a lot of messing about to make it work for you.

 

[harryfire]

i agree, alot of messing and trouble, i have used some cargo ones, really good, but you still have to make up some sort of framework for the bike.
I dont use them now, havnt for a while as i realised hard panniers is a better option.

 

[Loiq]

I linked some Touretatech bags together to make some mini saddle bags think they work brilliantly and make it much better when travelling light.

also use them on my HP

 

[Rushy]

A set of used sytem cases and rails can be picked up for a good price. Probably about the same as a good set of waterproof soft luggage.

The systems are great , watertight and they sit well 'into' the bike so width isn't really a problem.

 

[red1]

I've heard good things about the Ventura system. Top-box replacement, but good quality and capacity.

 

[Phil W]

I've used soft luggage on all my GS's mainly because I can squish them inwards to keep the load narrow if I'm travelling light, but also as I'm too tight to buy the hard stuff when I may only use it once a year. .

This is where Im at, funds are tight Was offered some GSA 1200 alu boxes for 400 and would need the frames that are on here but its still pricey, nearly bought OE panniers for my GSA, but didnt have the fund readily available when they were selling. Maybe go for Gobis then

 

[Boon]

This is where Im at, funds are tight Was offered some GSA 1200 alu boxes for 400 and would need the frames that are on here but its still pricey, nearly bought OE panniers for my GSA, but didnt have the fund readily available when they were selling. Maybe go for Gobis then

http://www.bykebitz.co.uk/acatalog/Available_Sizes_.html

 

[Phil W]

Are Alpos good quality, look good but what frames do you buy to fit them??

 

[wessie]

I've been using the same set of cheap soft panniers since 1999. They have done 1 trip to Slovenia on a CBR600 plus trips to Italy, Croatia and Austria on the GS.
They were purchased from M&P. The 2 halves velcro together across the seat. I use 5 bungee cords to stop them shifting about. They take about 3 mins to fit.
The bags are expandable but I don't need that extra capacity. From the photos you can see I use them in conjunction with a GIVI topbox (fitted with a monorack kit) and a baglux tank bag. The small pack on the pillion seat holds an Oxford Monster chain. Despite what the camera angle seems to show, there is plenty of clearance between the bag and exhaust, as the base is tapered.

The top picture is the view to the Krimml Falls from the eastern ramp of the Gerlos Pass. The middle one is the Slovenia/Italy border on the Passo di Predil and the last one is at the southern end of the Felbern tunnel in Austria.

 

[Kritou]

Exactly which model are they please?

 

[wessie]

Exactly which model are they please?

As I said up there, they are cheap ones from M&P bought in 1999. The chances of getting the same thing now are pretty slim. There is no branding on the panniers.

If I needed a replacement then I'd probably get the Buffalo ones on the M&P site as they look fairly similar.
http://www.mandp.co.uk/productInfo.aspx?catRef=558048

 

[talljohn]

I have Andy Strapz panniers on my 1150 GSA using a second hand Givi pannier rack to support them. I prefer soft, not least because you can easily remove them and sling them over your shoulder if you are staying at a B&B etc, but also because when off-roading and you drop the bike - they survive! They are also far cheaper. Have taken them to Morocco, Stella Alpina, Scotland tour, and most recently the HUMM without any issues that a bit of a stitch didn't fix.

 

[Richard P]

Excuses for the cheap luggage ? well, after I had paid for the GS, didn't want any more grief from her indoors on the computer

Yellow Oxfords - £13 from e-bay, top box £40 from internet ( fits on the Givi mounting bracket) and tank bag courtesy of Aldi £15 ( it would have been rude not to buy it)

There should be a picture - first time that I have tried to attach

 

[Richard P]

Well that didn't work, anyway, having used the soft luggage around europe this year, I can't say that it was as good as the hard luggage on my K75C from a security point of view (I threaded a padlock and wire through the pannier handles and frame) and didn't look as cool but from a practical point of view the clip on carrying straps that are on the oxfords meant that I could unload to the hotels in one trip ( priceless in the being smug stakes )

 

[Fanum]

Every time I've been into a dealer, my eye has been caught by one of these thingies.....

Sport Softbag Large
Ideal dimensions for big tours

With waterproof main compartment and a specially shaped base for mounting on the seat. The ideal companion on big tours. Can be used with all motorcycles.

- Colour: grey/black
- Volume approx. 51 litres
- Length 55 cm, height 38 cm, width 43 cm
- Two outer pockets
- Compression function for optimum volume adaptation
- Waterproof due to taped, closable inner bag
- Various universal attachment options
- Highly dimensionally stable, solidly finished for a secure hold even when travelling fast
- Including 3 sets of attachment belts

£139.

Not tried one, but seems very well made and rather neat......

I reckon if you put those together with a pair of the Aerostich tank panniers, you'd have as much carrying capacity as a decent set of panniers

$117

These tough, semi-rigid containers keep your load low and secure. Extremely handy for day-to-day use with or without a tank bag, these fit a variety of unfaired motorcycles. Detailed for a sleek look and functional design, and a great value for the price. Constructed of tough, water resistant urethane coated 1000 Denier Cordura nylon with an adjustable mounting system: two padded, two-inch wide, hook & loop closed webbing straps plus two adjustable bungee shock cords. Hook & loop attached neoprene tank pads protect your paint and eliminate slippage. Removable plastic inserts shape and define both of the bags. The panniers also feature two pockets along the rear panels for small items like pencils and a tire gage, several 1” web straps for attaching additional items, and 3M Scotchlite reflective material on the front and outside panels. Specify Black or Hi-Viz. Standard (9"×12"×5", 8.8 Liter) or Competition (7.5"x12"×2.5", 6.6 Liter, each).