Luggage ideas?
- Thread starter Rob c
- Start date
It’s not just about the lock though. Yes the hard luggage locks are easy to break but the luggage is hard and that is a deterrent in its own right. A determined thief will take your stuff (or more likely the whole bike). An opportunist will always go after the softest target they can find.
Not really. The comment on flat-blade screwdriver is spot on for many aftermarket panniers.
So you honestly think soft fabric luggage is as secure as hard luggage? Any blade be it scissors, knife etc a quick slash and the whole side is ripped out of the sift luggage. This could be done whilst simply walking past. Everything falls out on the floor and in seconds it’s gone. I’ve seen kids in Africa undoing the straps on soft motorcycle luggage.
I personally have not had any bother at all where ever I’ve left the bike. I think I’ve only used a chain and lock once, usually just turn it off, steering lock and walk away. I have only been touring on bikes including small 125s since around 1983 though. So fairly new to it.
I guess you also think a fabric bike cover is as secure as a locked garage?
Was the plug for plugging , where immodium failed ?
Victor c
Registered user
This also applies for the BMW alloy pannier locks. The lock barrel and wafers may be metal, but they secure into plastic. Quick twist with a screwdriver and they’ll be open without the slightest hint of damage from the outside.
I have a large Sw- motech roll bag I am about to post in the forsale section
Dont know the size but its pretty big and great quality
Dont know the size but its pretty big and great quality
If they see you turn up on an old bike with grotty soft luggage and you look like a fuckin paraffin lamp i would imagine they would move onto the nice shiney things for the better stuff; 
My default setting is look like you've got nowt worth nicking; it's kept me theft free for years;
My default setting is look like you've got nowt worth nicking; it's kept me theft free for years;
All I’m saying is that the security of hard luggage is largely illusory. The main risk with high-quality soft luggage isn’t really slashing - most good stuff is tough enough to withstand that - its removal. A decent steel cable resolves that.
I’m not arguing for one over the other, just that the risks are broadly the same. As has been said, don’t leave valuable or important stuff on the bike overnight full stop…
I can’t see the issue with a quick release tank bag like my SW Motech “City”?
Handy to have all your valuables and paperwork in front of you and to hand in one place. Somewhere to put gloves when you stop. Leave keys in there for keyless ride, no fear of losing them.
Unclip from the locking ring and take it with you for a wander, cafe stop, photo stop or whatever. Clip back in and ride away when ready.
Handy to have all your valuables and paperwork in front of you and to hand in one place. Somewhere to put gloves when you stop. Leave keys in there for keyless ride, no fear of losing them.
Unclip from the locking ring and take it with you for a wander, cafe stop, photo stop or whatever. Clip back in and ride away when ready.
The issue for me would be having to carry a bag around. The only time I ever carry a bag is a rucksack.
I don’t own enough stuff to put in a tank bag. Keys, phone, wallet and passport in pockets. I don’t tend to have any paperwork and leave my gloves in the top box along with my helmet if I’ve left enough room.
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Such a chore carrying a hand bag around and taking it off to refuel.
It’s on a quick release mount. Takes me about five seconds longer to refuel than if it wasn’t fitted. I can cope with that
and without a tank bag, where would a bod put a bod’s map??
In a bods pocket. It’s what bods pockets are for, bods stuff.
I had BMW hard panniers, Bumot soft panniers, Lone Rider soft bags and then the Lone Rider hard panniers. The LR hard panniers were my favourite.
I tour solo so trying to go just topbox and bag on the pillow seat (unless I'm camping then panniers)
I tour solo so trying to go just topbox and bag on the pillow seat (unless I'm camping then panniers)
Hard to read a map that’s in a pocket…
Ha damn autocorrect
I prefer a roll bag to be honest but visual security is an issue. I don’t see the difference in security between hard and soft luggage (with locking cable) except most thieves are opportunists and if there are 4 bikes parked and 3 have hard luggage and 1 has soft I would imagine the soft luggage gets approached first. Be interesting to see if all four bikes had hard luggage would the thief whip out a screwdriver and start on the nearest one, or go looking for soft luggage?
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