NorthernBoy
Guest
I am heading off for a week's adventure in a couple of weeks, and need to work out what luggage to use on the R1200GS. I am hoping that there is plenty of experience here so people can tell me any problemms, pleasant experiences, with each choice.
I already have a BMW topbox, but do not want to have all the weight back there, and that high, so am thinking about options to add to it.
One choice (assuming they are in stock) is just to buy the panniers from BMW. However, they are quite a lot of money, and I do not fancy trying to lug three big bxes into the hotel each night. I suppose that I could buy inner bags, but, again, that adds to the cost. So, maybe there are some cheap bags that fit just right, such as ski-boot bags, or something?
Second option is a tail-bag, like they tested in Ride this month. Something that properly attaches to the passenger seat, tends to be pretty square-ish in construction, has pockets and so on, and is a decent size (similar capacity to the top box). The advantage of this is that it will be very well fastened down, and it is only about £90 for a good one.
Third option is something like Oxford sports panniers. Soft panniers, that I can throw over my shoulder and carry when I get off. About £100, and carry the weight nice and low.
Final choice is a duffel-bag. Probably a drybag, most likely from Ortlieb. It will bungie very well behind me, and in front of the top box, and will fit a decent amount of kit, and be easy to carry when I park up. They are also completely waterproof, and come in a nice yellow to match the bike.
I assume most people here have just shelled out the full amount for the proper pannier set, but can anyone offer any thoughts for me?
I am not planning to tour 2-up (half the reason for going is just to have me, on my own, far from the crowds), and I am not going to be doing 20,000 miles around the world. This trip is me, going to maybe Corsica, the alps, or the pyrennes, for a week or so, staying in hotels. Paying £500 for the BMW kit, and never again using it, seems a bit excessive.
Thanks.
I already have a BMW topbox, but do not want to have all the weight back there, and that high, so am thinking about options to add to it.
One choice (assuming they are in stock) is just to buy the panniers from BMW. However, they are quite a lot of money, and I do not fancy trying to lug three big bxes into the hotel each night. I suppose that I could buy inner bags, but, again, that adds to the cost. So, maybe there are some cheap bags that fit just right, such as ski-boot bags, or something?
Second option is a tail-bag, like they tested in Ride this month. Something that properly attaches to the passenger seat, tends to be pretty square-ish in construction, has pockets and so on, and is a decent size (similar capacity to the top box). The advantage of this is that it will be very well fastened down, and it is only about £90 for a good one.
Third option is something like Oxford sports panniers. Soft panniers, that I can throw over my shoulder and carry when I get off. About £100, and carry the weight nice and low.
Final choice is a duffel-bag. Probably a drybag, most likely from Ortlieb. It will bungie very well behind me, and in front of the top box, and will fit a decent amount of kit, and be easy to carry when I park up. They are also completely waterproof, and come in a nice yellow to match the bike.
I assume most people here have just shelled out the full amount for the proper pannier set, but can anyone offer any thoughts for me?
I am not planning to tour 2-up (half the reason for going is just to have me, on my own, far from the crowds), and I am not going to be doing 20,000 miles around the world. This trip is me, going to maybe Corsica, the alps, or the pyrennes, for a week or so, staying in hotels. Paying £500 for the BMW kit, and never again using it, seems a bit excessive.
Thanks.
, and a pair of Oxford 1st time throwovers (£40) for my jolly up in Scotland & they were great 
