Panniers, soft or hard?

[Big Lee]

Hi folks,

I know the preference for panniers on here is for the oe or aftermarket hard stuff but does anyone use the soft throwovers on their GS? I`m looking at going camping for a few days in Scotland & have a BM tankbag, Ortlieb drybag for strapping onto the pillion seat & am looking at some Oxford 1st throwover panniers for the tidy sum of £35
I really can`t justify paying £100`s for BM`s own panniers

So who else won`t pay & manages perfectly well with cheapy throwovers

 

[Shep]

Up untill the last three GS years, I used various soft panniers, all of which have failed in some way or another

Mostly water leaks, but have also had one set burn, going down the M3 a car flagged me down, when we stopped he lept out of the car with a fire extinguisher, put the flames out and drove off, nice guy

Lost one set on dual carraigeway just outside Belfast (give em back yer fekkers )

Not had any real problems with the BMW panniers

Shep

 

[Mutley]

Score some cheapy second hand system panniers off e-bay - it's an investment you'll be thankfull for in the long run. There's nothing like the security of knowing your kit is safe and dry in locked panniers, plus the added convenience once you've got them for shopping etc.

Worth it just to lock your helmet away when you go anywhere

 

[wessie]

I compromise with a Givi topbox and soft panniers for long trips where I need to carry more stuff. The soft panniers, as long as they are not expanded, do not add any extra width to the bike so the ability to filter is maintained.

The 46 litre topbox is fitted via Monorack rails rather than bolted to the luggage rack. The monorack uses the same mounting points as the pannier rails. This means I can load the topbox without worrying about excess weight cracking the luggae rack or subframe. The topbox and a tank bag hold enough stuff for a week away, solo.

The soft panniers are cheapy jobs. They never carry anything of great value: an old pair of trainers to wear in the evenings, litre of oil, bottle of water and plenty of soiled clothing. Any nice souvenirs that you pick up along the way can go into the topbox as space becomes available when clothing is used and finds its way into the throwovers.

They cost about £40 from M&P in 1999. They have done several continental trips on a CBR600 and the GS. Very easy to fit: literally throwovers which I secure with 4 bungee cords to stop them sliding forwards and slipping onto the exhaust. Takes a couple of minutes and they've remained in place whilst cruising at 120 on the CBR6. They will expand to twice the volume but become too floppy and heavy making them difficult to keep in place.

 

[The Foolish Fellow]

soft panniers

soft panniers are mickey mouse , the poor mans luggage system.poor security, poor wateresistance,
Only for those who cannot afford a set of boxes. Even ted simon if he had been at himself i'm sure would have went for a decent set.

 

[Demongroover]

I have hard panniers but have mates that use soft Oxford type thowovers all the time. The main thing is making sure they are secure and don't shift or sag when on the move. On the GS fit the velcro straps under the rear seat to keep them secure. But wrap your gear in bin liners in the throwovers even if you use the rain covers. Downside is taking them with you when you ghet off the bike for a meal or drink, as they are not secure from thieves.

 

[wessie]

I have hard panniers but have mates that use soft Oxford type thowovers all the time. The main thing is making sure they are secure and don't shift or sag when on the move. On the GS fit the velcro straps under the rear seat to keep them secure. But wrap your gear in bin liners in the throwovers even if you use the rain covers. Downside is taking them with you when you ghet off the bike for a meal or drink, as they are not secure from thieves.

As I said up there, the security issue does not worry me. If someone is so desperate they want to steal my laundry, a pair of shagged trainers, half a litre of Castrol GTX and various other bits of low value tat then so be it.

I wouldn't leave anything of high value in my Givi topbox either. If you think hard luggage is secure then you are deluded. Items such as documents, phone, camera etc always stay with me as they tend to live in the Baglux bag.

 

[ovenpaa]

As I said up there, the security issue does not worry me. If someone is so desperate they want to steal my laundry, a pair of shagged trainers, half a litre of Castrol GTX and various other bits of low value tat then so be it.

I wouldn't leave anything of high value in my Givi topbox either. If you think hard luggage is secure then you are deluded. Items such as documents, phone, camera etc always stay with me as they tend to live in the Baglux bag.

100% agree here, never trust any pannier system when it comes to valuables, my important/expensive stuff stops in a baglux or my breast pocket.

Anyway not everyone wants the hassle/cost of running full pannier racks and hard luggage - I have ridden thousands of miles with cheap pikey throwover soft luggage that came from Busters, the only addition was dustbin bags inside, they did me proud, and are still used to this day on my other bikes.

The advantage of hard luggage is it does protect your bike if it falls over, the downside is it tends to break your wifes leg when she is unlucky enough to get her foot caught under a BM OE pannier.

DAMHIK-IJK

 

[Stujw70]

Soft panniers

Got some with my last bike, held onto them for a while. Then whilst commuting to work one morning a sports bike with throw over panniers overtook me. As soon as he came back in he disappeared in a cloud of smoke.

By the time he had skidded and wobbled to a stop, it turned out his panniers has slipped off and got themselves wrapped around his chain and rear wheel.

Sold mine straight away after that. Now have a set of hard luggage.

Stu

 

[Wizard]

I like them, but they don't make me hard.

 

[Mzokk]

I've used soft luggage for years. Its OK as long as you don't mind faffing about with bungie's and tape/mesh to protect the bike. Hard Luggage is just a lot more convenient. But don't let having only soft luggage stop you going on your trip. The sort of luggage you had isn't what you'll remember..... Unless it falls off

 

[Flipfly]

I've used Hard and soft luggage and hard is best from an ease point of view. Buy a cheap set of second hand Givis. I got a top box and 2 36 litre side cases for £70. Good soft luggage will cost you that or more. Hammer ebay cause there's good deals if ya don't mind ugly boxes with stickers from all over the world on em.