Cheap touring luggage advice

[jtw000]

I want to take my GS travelling but it came with no luggage capacity, actually that's a lie, it had the option for a pair of Vario panniers but the guy I bought it from wanted £500 for them and they were battered so I politely declined except without the polite.
I'm leaning towards getting a set of Varios for her because they don't need a scafold frame bolted to my rear end and also are cheaper and just plain easier. I also though about throwover soft luggage but am worried about security when you stop anywhere, I doubt that bags would dissuade anyone from helping themselves to my stuff. I've seen varios on ebay going secondhand for more than dealers want for them which is pretty sad so can anyone offer suggestions of what to try?

 

[John Armstrong]

How much capacity do you need?

Will the be a pillion who wants to take stuff with them?

What sort of money do you want to pay?

Seen how subdude the TT etc pannier rails are compared to BM's GSA rails and other non oem racks?

 

[ronnie69]

stick up a wanted thread.

Or have a good deek aboot (GL) the gaffe:

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=200098

nowt to do with me, just remembered seeing 'em !

My terms are v reasonable for introductions - 10% each from buyer and seller.

Seller sells his kit
You get yer kit
I get some moolah for me trouble

Everyone's a winner, baby.

 

[Wapping]

I want to take my GS travelling but it came with no luggage capacity, actually that's a lie, it had the option for a pair of Vario panniers but the guy I bought it from wanted £500 for them and they were battered so I politely declined except without the polite.
I'm leaning towards getting a set of Varios for her because they don't need a scafold frame bolted to my rear end and also are cheaper and just plain easier. I also though about throwover soft luggage but am worried about security when you stop anywhere, I doubt that bags would dissuade anyone from helping themselves to my stuff. I've seen varios on ebay going secondhand for more than dealers want for them which is pretty sad so can anyone offer suggestions of what to try?

Why the endless worry about security once leaving Blighty?

Hundreds, if not tens of thousands, of bods go touring - or more importantly live - across the narrow strip of water that keeps us safe from nasty foreigners. I cannot recall ever seeing any reports of soft luggage of any sort being tampered with, yet most sports bikes and many touring bikes use it day-in-day-out.

In thousands of miles, I know someone who had their bike nicked, when she left her key in the ignition on a motorway forecourt in Holland, when going to pay for fuel. I know someone who had their jacket pinched in a motorway cafe in France (along with his only set of bike keys and house keys) and a bod who had a helmet nicked, which he had abandoned on his wing mirror. I also know someone who dropped his only set of keys down a gorge, along with a glove.... but no luggage problem. Doesn't mean it can't happen, of course, but please don't think it will every time you step off the ferry, it will ruin your holiday. Just be sensible.

PS. If the dealers are cheaper than Ebay, buy from a dealer. Or become a site sponsor (£12) so you can scour the For Sale section of UKGSer for a bargain... but be quick, as they are a canny lot

PPS If you are really worried about soft luggage, PacSafe do a cargonet.

 

[tallthinhack]

softly softly

Definite yes for soft luggage here as well -

I use a cheap Givi top box for anything vaguely valuable (tools, spare gloves, torch etc), then use a NorthFace waterproof bungeed to the back seat full of clothes - if anyone wants half a dozen pairs of knickers, some socks, manky running shoes, a fleece and a toothbrush etc, they are welcome to them.

Anything really valuable is also small - passport, wallet, mobile and camera, which goes in the tankbag and comes with me when I leave the bike -

I take a big padlock and a long cable so I can pass it through leg and sleeve of riding kit, put the helmet on the same chain as goes through the wheel, and you're done.

Never had anything knicked or damaged - and there are shops where you are going if stuff does go walkies. Plus you're not hauling about 40kilos of metalwork and boxes around - and that's before you put anything in them.

Tallthinhack

 

[Janie]

i use bmw soft luggage.....its a large bag that sits on the pillion seat and is strapped to the same place that the hard luggage would click into...it holds more than enough for a week or so...is totally waterproof and the added bonus is u can lean on it on long runs...........cost me just over 100 quid...........

 

[Wapping]

i use bmw soft luggage........it holds more than enough for a week or so..............

So should do the average bloke for over a month, then

 

[Aggy]

Ive always used soft luggage. I can honestly say I have never had a problem and Ive covered most of Europe and Scandinavia. But, as previous said, put your valuables in an easy to remove tank bag.

I'm not saying I never get worried that my luggage might go walkies but if your luggage can go walkies then so can your bike and I can live without the luggage.

If you want to worry about something then you are far more likely have your credit card cloned or stolen than your luggage nicked

 

[karlp]

More likely to get stuff nicked in the UK. I have never had anything stolen or my bike tampered with when touring.

Just do not leave the Rolex on the handlebars

 

[Deleted Member I]

I know a tankbag was stolen in Piza last year when left on the bike

It's dangerous out there. Worry, it's the only safe thing to do

 

[Deleted Member I]

Buy some metal boxes from one of the many sellers on here. You can lock them and they look cool.

 

[Janie]

infact my old feller got rid of his metal mule boxes, and uses a bmw roll bag, which sit on the pillion seat.....he says its far easy to have that...than tryin to hump the boxes about.....and it cuts the weight down as well..........that and a tankbag is all u need....

 

[Janie]

infact my old feller got rid of his metal mule boxes, and uses a bmw roll bag, which sit on the pillion seat.....he says its far easy to have that...than tryin to hump the boxes about.....and it cuts the weight down as well..........that and a tankbag is all u need....

the bags hold 50Litres

 

[John Armstrong]

infact my old feller got rid of his metal mule boxes, and uses a bmw roll bag, which sit on the pillion seat.....he says its far easy to have that...than tryin to hump the boxes about.....and it cuts the weight down as well..........that and a tankbag is all u need....

They do make bags to go inside the tin pizza boxes

 

[Janie]

i know we sold them with the boxes....if your missus is ya pillion then yes the boxes are good..........but me and the old feller like to kick on abit, on our bikes and the soft luggage suits us..........not to say that it would everyone.....its saves the messin of takin the inner bags out..u just unclip the soft luggage carry it to ya digs... i ridden my bike with both the metal mule and roll bay and i know which one i like....the metal luggage its like ridin a large truck...pain to filter and bloody heavy to move about..

 

[Wapping]

Buy some metal boxes from one of the many sellers on here. You can lock them and they look like sewing machine cases.

Is what you meant.

 

[Deleted Member I]

Is what you meant.

That's why they look cool

 

[minkyhead]

I want to take my GS travelling but it came with no luggage capacity, actually that's a lie, it had the option for a pair of Vario panniers but the guy I bought it from wanted £500 for them and they were battered so I politely declined except without the polite.
I'm leaning towards getting a set of Varios for her because they don't need a scafold frame bolted to my rear end and also are cheaper and just plain easier. I also though about throwover soft luggage but am worried about security when you stop anywhere, I doubt that bags would dissuade anyone from helping themselves to my stuff. I've seen varios on ebay going secondhand for more than dealers want for them which is pretty sad so can anyone offer suggestions of what to try?

theres a german guy on e bay who sells boxes for 103 quid a pair

i came across some 2nd hand on ebay with sw motech racks..and won them for a rather weird 129.76 off ebay
i only use them for camping so the motech quick detach system is ideal for me
30 seconds and the whole lot are off for strage .. u can get lockable bolts i believe
they need a bit of beefing up on the mounting side ... ..they are not
as robust as hepco ect ect ..but if you mount them well they are fit for purpose ..
i have had no problems ..but they have not had heavy use ..mostly clothes and tent stuff
put alluminium panniers on ebay ...the link seems to break

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Alukoffer-Alu...2BIA&itu=SI%2BLM%2BLA%2BUCI%2BUCC&otn=3&ps=33
you did say cheap cant argue for 50 quid each really

By minkyhead at 2009-08-21

By minkyhead, shot with Canon PowerShot SX200 IS at 2009-08-24

 

[Wapping]

That's why they look cool

As your fellow members of the sewing circle confirmed:

 

[cdo1uk]

As JTW000 hasnt answered i will answer for him.... (Lazy sod)

He is not taking a pillion so that isnt a problem, he is also i tight arse so thats why he wants cheap.... I will have my GSA with the metal panniers too so i can carry the essensials (tv, hair dryer, umberella, cattle prod) i think the Vario's would be best.... and there is a set on this very forum for £290.... come on... send spend spend