soft or hard

[GreatScott]

riding without a pillion I don't need much more than a top box (so camera etc can be locked away) and an ortileb bag (for the shreddies) strapped onto the rear seat. You can lean back on it too. A good rule of thumb - don't take what you don't need. Saving the price of a pair of good boxes will go along way to financing a good trip

 

[OldCroc]

I use the GS hard boxes - just the job to lay my inflatable kayak over!
OldCroc

 

[Beangreen]

the woes of soft luggage

This is what happens when soft luggage comes loose!
nearly new tyre relegated to the bin after bag came loose and got sucked into the wheel.
luckily this was on a big long straight, but the 80m skid was impressive!
a slow 'limp' into Oban and new tyre meant we could carry on!

if you're really interested, i'll tell you what happened next!!

 

[Wapping]

cheers for the thoughts.think i'll try the cheaper soft option 1st and see how it goes,before going mad and spending a shed load of cash.

Step one on the road to self-confidence

A momentous and grand day. Treasure the moment and record it for posterity.

 

[drinkingparrot]

This is what happens when soft luggage comes loose!
nearly new tyre relegated to the bin after bag came loose and got sucked into the wheel.
luckily this was on a big long straight, but the 80m skid was impressive!
a slow 'limp' into Oban and new tyre meant we could carry on!

if you're really interested, i'll tell you what happened next!!

I'm glad it only cost you a tyre, I heard of a similar incident with soft luggage that ended up in the back wheel and the lad paid with his life.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Hard lugguage is great, once you try it you won't go back.

Don't make a generalisation

I've got both BMW panniers - alloy & plastic and now generally use a roll bag now

Far easier, less weight on bike & disciplines you to only pack what you need

Boxes reduce mpg too

 

[APE]

Sure you can save that 30Kg if you are happy to wear just your bike kit for two weeks night and day, just hope I never end up sat near you in a restaurant.

Hard lugguage is great, once you try it you won't go back.

It tends to be quicker to fit, more waterproof, highly unlikely to fall off, is far more secure (both from theft and getting wrapped in your wheels or burned by the exhaust).

You'd be surprised how much stuff you can get into a 50 litre roll bag. I don't worry about security for the laptop and camera as I get by with the iPhone.

Did actually have the System Cases on my 1150 but I find the bag works just as well with some careful planning. Takes less that a minute to strap on and is secure on the bike.

I moved away from hard luggage due to the weight and effect on handling and realised that most of the time you just don't need it.