Soft luggage

Dahoum

Dahoum

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So - as I repair body and prepare mind for the move to an 800GS let me have the collectives views on the best soft luggage.

What frames do you use? Bags?

Pro's and cons.

And yes I'm open to discussion re hard v soft but I'm strongly leaning towards soft at the moment.

Cheers.
 
A little different but the Giant Loop Coyote is brilliant for longer trips. I use it on the X-Challenge. It also has the advantage of no frame on the bike for everyday riding.
 
I tried a pair of Makadans Mk2 on my xChallange - I sold them with the bike. I could not get along with the "untidiness" which is part of soft luggage. I find that the Magadans (my utterly personal opinion) are way to overrated for the price they charge for them. But unfortunately they are probably the best on the market.

But one thing I found during my endeavour into softbags, is that the framers should have some back kind of mesh so that the bags lean against something solid - that makes them easier to live with.

I also have a pair of wolfmans teton , but the are hardly ever used, and they are terrible small.

I would say that you have to expect that the bags are never really waterproof, and they are smaller than you think.
 
I think a lot depends on what you want them for... Hard boxes are great for things like shopping and being able to secure things on your bike at your destination. But soft is much better for playing off road...

So, what do you want to do with the luggage chap?
 
I use a Jofama sling over saddlebag which is much like the aforementioned giant loop except it makes no claim to being waterproof and comes with waterproof inner bags (these have been replaced with the excellent LOMO drybags and the main of the saddlebag Nikwaxed for good measure) Security-wise i did buy a PacSafe mesh for it but never got round to using it.

Very happy with it. Doesn't interfere with fuel cap and plenty of space and pockets. It's a few years old now and has stood up to a few (99% tarmac) tours. Still as good as new.

I also have the Metal Mule frame that are the balanced type. Not been used in anger as yet but will have Peli cases loaded for a tour this summer. They are not the strongest (apparently due to folding of metal in manufacturing) but will do me just fine as i like the bike to be slimmer.

Best,

S
 
There's a thread on this that I started in the off road section earlier this year - whilst aimed more towards off road bikes you'll find some useful info there Dahoum

Andres
 
My problem with soft luggage is poor security and not feeling able to leave the bike with them on.

After a lot of research a couple of years ago I bought and fitted a pair of ARD cases with Touartech frames, when it comes time to sell the F800GS, I will keep them for the replacement bike.

I have nothing to do with Roger, but I am happy to recommend him. http://ardcases.co.uk
 
I use the Kriega luggage and find it really well made. The bum bag is my every day man bag (folded up and lobbed in a pannier at work, back seat of a car ...) and I've got a selection of us 20 / 10 bags that I strap on the back of the bike. They seem really tough and built to last. They can be a bit fiddly to get quick access to, but the tough build quality has won me over. I also like the variations kreiga give you in strapping it to the bike ; under seat loops, frame loops, even the rack loops that can be drilled into fairings and look pretty smart ...

:thumb2

http://www.kriega.com/categories/bike-packs/
 
+1 for Andy Strapz! Had mine for 5 years now,
and still going strong and looking good.
Very tough and Andy supplies very handy waterproof
inner bags too. Really like his gear- you can now buy
Andy Strapz stuff via Zen Overland in the UK.
 
Yes .... I've even slung it down the road when I left a pannier lid open, but you wouldn't know. very well made ....

(You could have edited my quote a little better ..... it all reads a bit .... :ymca ..... :D)
 
Giles said:
Yes .... I've even slung it down the road when I left a pannier lid open, but you wouldn't know. very well made ....

(You could have edited my quote a little better ..... it all reads a bit .... :ymca ..... :D)
Click to expand...

Yeah sorry about missing the 'bag' bit of 'man-bag' - woulda read a whole lot more butch then :rolleyes:
 
Mav said:
I think a lot depends on what you want them for... Hard boxes are great for things like shopping and being able to secure things on your bike at your destination. But soft is much better for playing off road...

So, what do you want to do with the luggage chap?
Click to expand...

Sir makes a very good point Sir does.

Essentially - I don't know :D

I had Varios on the 1200 but they were bulky and used mainly to store my helmet at the ride end and a big fuck-off Lahndan chain.

I will get the 800 because it's so well spoken of and lighter and I don't really want to pack on a load of steel & plastic which will not be used as it was designed for. If and when I do some longer trips the soft stuff seems like a cleverer option as the long stuff will probably for the time being be not much more than long w/ends away.

So keep the soft option recommendations coming chaps :thumb
 
Humvee has some ace stuff on his WC
I think it's SW Motech & they may make it for the 800
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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