Soft Luggage Question

[Steve.w]

Can anyone oblige?
Need a set of panniers for 03 GS1150. Considering Oxford Sports or Oxford First Timers or maybe Oxford Humpbacks.
Has anyone any experience with any of these or other soft panniers options.
Or should I bite the bullet and save up for the hard stuff?

 

[Mucky Helmet]

Steve

I used a set of Oxford soft panniers on my 03 1150GS for a trip through France - bloody nightmare. Bungeed OK but turned out wider than BM panniers when fully packed. Not waterproof and the covers take up valuable space even though they're in a compartment of their own.

Hacked me off so much I bought the hard luggage when I got back and sold the soft ones to a crotch rocket mate. I also got the city lids which make them a bit slimmer but cut down on space. I swore I'd never buy hard luggage and now wonder why I never did it before. Mind you, I also swore I'd never buy a BMV. Kinda ate my hat that day!

Bite the bullet and get the hard stuff. Nought wrong with using a humpback or tail pack with panniers - extra space

 

[wessie]

I'm the opposite pole to Mucky Helmet

I had GIVI hard panniers fitted to a VFR750.

I found them very limiting when filtering.

I bought a pair of cheap M&P soft panniers in 1999 to use with a CBR600. Did the job on a trip to Slovenia.

I've since used them on the GS for a trip to Italy. Excellent again.
They need a couple of extra bungee cords to stop them billowing but that's no problem. Handlebars remain the widest part of the bike. They expand to about twice the width of the smallest size by uncoiling the zips. I've never done that as they would be too wide for comfort then.

These panniers cost 40 quid plus 2 quid for the 4x bungees. I was expecting to throw them away after the Slovenia trip.

I also use a GIVI topbox fitted to a Monorack which provides a bit of security for valuables.

Sound Distribution are selling the Oxford Humpbacks for 70 quid which seems a bargain to me.

Or BigBikebook are knocking out the old Oxford Sports jobbies for 57 quid

 

[mike6631]

Soft Luggage

If you dont carry a pillion very often then have a look at the Ventura System It avoids the width problem, has a variety of bags to suit your needs and keeps the weight over the wheels. Only downside, as with most soft luggage is that it is not waterproof. Showerproof yes, but if its a problem then just use to good old black bin liner inside. I dont have a direct link but if you type Ventura luggage into google etc it will give you several suppliers

Mike

 

[oblertone]

Oxford Sovereign

I've got a pair of expandable Oxford Sovereign throw over panniers I was going to put on eBay, if you want to try them out make me an offer. They are Black, in good nick, all zips and fasteners work. However I would have thought they would foul the exhaust on a GS unless you have the low pipe option fitted ?