Soft luggage?

[colm_c]

Looking at getting some soft luggage for doing a bit of touring during the summer.

Came across these:
http://highriders.co.uk/Touring-Panniers-pr-51.html

and these:
http://highriders.co.uk/Spinex-Panniers-with-Wheels-pr-1109.html

They seem to have decent capacity.

Any thoughts or experiences?

 

[Deleted account 210609001]

My thoughts and experiences of soft panniers is that they're a distant second to hard luggage in every respect apart from price. They're not secure from theft so you can't leave them on the bike overnight. They're likely to flap around a bit unless you spend ages strapping them to the bike, they don't hold too much and waterproofing is an issue.

If you do use them, I'd be inclined to use non-stretchy straps rather than bungees. And there aren't too many places to strap soft luggage on a 12GS.

Sorry I can't be more positive.

 

[Garryc]

...you should look at Ventura luggage, just fitted it to my K12R.

Only took me 10mins to bolt it on

Bag is quick and easy to fit/secure and can be locked on.

The bag I got hold 50 ltrs, almost as much as a Givi E52 case

but it looks much better.

Not cheap but you might be lucky and find some stuff on flea bay.

 

[the civil one]

1200 GS and Soft luggage

I make soft bags , www.cajasahel.com
When i was evaluating the product , i found they sat beautifully on the
R100GS , with TT racks. I couldnt get them comfortable with the seat on
but with the seat removed they were a dream on the 1200 . but i did melt a bag on the 1200 .
Theses are the only two bikes i have personal experiance of.
They remained waterproof in showers , which i was surprised at , but after
Leaving them out overnight , one pannier and liner leaked.
The security issue is not really an issue , i took them off , when the bike was outa sight , and put them on on return. I fit , inertia reel , and clips , which was fine tootleing about , i would maybe look at a steel /brass buckle , if i were
going on a trip with them.
to sum up
They Worked , they held luggage .
They did leak. but the bags are only very lightly waxed .
In a fall , they would offer you absolutely no protection .
for me it would have to be Caja Sahel Adventure aluminium Luggage every time ,
but its your call

 

[Big Lee]

I agree about thge big metal boxes being best but if you don`t need them for 99% of the time why have them on? I bought some £40 Oxford throwovers & used an Ortlieb bag strapped behind me and a BMW tankbag for any of my jollies away camping. OK it`s not perfect but paying £500+ for boxes I can`t justify. I suppose if you were going on a big euro trip get the boxes then sell them on afterwards.

Here`s my 12 loaded

 

[GS TRV]

How can you look like a Dakar legend with soft panniers?

 

[luckylucian]

I found I couldn't justify the cost of hard luggage for the odd tour so found one of these.

http://www.chaseharper.com/BBags/BBags.htm

Click on the Speedpack link. Better even than my old swagman panniers (eaten through by a mouse!!), make sure you specify 1200GS when ordering

 

[Big Lee]

How can you look like a Dakar legend with soft panniers?

Why carry round 30kg`s of metal with only your lunch & todays paper in?

 

[Wapping]

...you should look at Ventura luggage, just fitted it to my K12R.

Only took me 10mins to bolt it on

Bag is quick and easy to fit/secure and can be locked on.

The bag I got hold 50 ltrs, almost as much as a Givi E52 case

but it looks much better.

Not cheap but you might be lucky and find some stuff on flea bay.

Good kit.

 

[the civil one]

How can you look like a Dakar legend with soft panniers?

I could do you a set of Canvas bags , with RIVETs in em , then you
would probably sing their praises.