Top box vs Softbag 2 or other tail-pack ?

Flipper_Man

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Ok, R1200GSA 2014 w/c query...

BMW Top Box and inner back for nearly £400-ish or the "Softbag 2" for £135-ish ?
http://www.bmw-motorrad-store.co.uk/review/product/list/id/38146/category/2276/
http://www.bmw-motorrad-store.co.uk/bmw-aluminium-top-case-for-r1200gs-adventure-2014-k51.html


I need the bag/box for 1 or 2 night stay each week for work (staying in B&B etc - not camping in the wild...) Plus I've got a little trip up to Scotland in August. I like the look of the top-box but feck me its a lot of money !

I've got the £170 tank-bag....and wish I'd not bothered......I can't even fit my running shoes in there (Size 13...). Its really well made but just doesnt have the usable capacity the previous version had.

Any recommendations for non-BMW tail-pack ? I'm not really interested in non-BMW top-box to be honest but would be willing to check out tail-packs if they're as good quality as BMW.

Suggestions/piss taking welcome :)
 
Softbag 2 is a brilliant bit of kit (The large one) . Top box with an inner can be just as convenient and offer a little extra security, but at over 3 times the price. For what you are describing I would go for the Softbag 2. BMW Also used to make a "Drybag" with a 50L Capacity which is what I use on my TC GSA for work, it has straps that attach to the rack, 100% waterproof, and 4 clips later, sling it over the shoulder and you are done. I get the suit, shirts and laptop in, more than enough for a week away at work. You can find them kicking around still

http://www.bmw-motorrad-store.co.uk/bmw-baggage-roll-2-stuff-bag-waterproof-50-liter.html
 
" I can't even fit my running shoes in there (Size 13...)"

Just pack the shoes, shoukd be enough for a weekend :eek: :D
 
I use the small softbag 2, and it actually offers more room than the two vario panniers, once they've got the inner bags fitted. It was big enough for a 9 day trip round Europe, so I'm debating getting rid of the panniers.
 
The Nutty GSER said:
I use the small softbag 2, and it actually offers more room than the two vario panniers, once they've got the inner bags fitted. It was big enough for a 9 day trip round Europe, so I'm debating getting rid of the panniers.
Click to expand...

How did you secure the bag when it was unattended?
 
Hamslay said:
How did you secure the bag when it was unattended?
Click to expand...

I didn't leave the bike unattended, out of sight, for more than about half an hour, and when I did, we were in remote places with not many passers by. We generally stayed out of big towns and cities, so there were no issues. I guess if you're planning to leave the bike unattended where there are lots of people, something lockable would be better.
 
I went for a GIVI Trekker total £280:cool:
 
mrtee43 said:
I've got a Ventura luggage system on mine as I am not a fan of panniers and think they are way overpriced. Although the carrier system is Ventura, the bag was from Hein Gericke, cost £50 and is expandable in height. Holds enough luggage for a touring holiday easily and fits on and off in a jiffy. It can sit on the pillion seat of facing backwards.


http://www.ventura-bike.com/images/models/1527.jpg

http://www.ventura-bike.com/images/models/1526.jpg
Click to expand...


The Ventura looks great
 

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  • Ventura 1527.jpg
    Ventura 1527.jpg
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Personal opinion having owned both - Bmw softbag is a better bet than ventura, no ugly frames to install, and the bmw bag is much better quality with waterproof zips etc. (bad experience with ventura in a major downpour) softbags are fantastic if you dont need the security of locking luggage.
 
As I said, my bag was from Hein Gericke and used previously on many Scotland trips through heavy rain, trips to Germany, France, Italy and never had any trouble with stuff getting wet. I also use those plastic bag things that you roll up to expel any air that then compresses your clothing which means that you can fit more in the bag.

The good thing about the Ventura kit is that there is no chance of it falling off at high speeds(140 on a Fazer 1000 in Germany) you just forget it's even there. As for the framework, when it's not in use a simple grab handle slots in place and looks quite unobtrusive. I will take some pictures at the weekend for anybody who is interested.
 
mrtee43 said:
As I said, my bag was from Hein Gericke and used previously on many Scotland trips through heavy rain, trips to Germany, France, Italy and never had any trouble with stuff getting wet. I also use those plastic bag things that you roll up to expel any air that then compresses your clothing which means that you can fit more in the bag.

The good thing about the Ventura kit is that there is no chance of it falling off at high speeds(140 on a Fazer 1000 in Germany) you just forget it's even there. As for the framework, when it's not in use a simple grab handle slots in place and looks quite unobtrusive. I will take some pictures at the weekend for anybody who is interested.
Click to expand...

Please do
 
The Nutty GSER said:
I didn't leave the bike unattended, out of sight, for more than about half an hour, but when I did I was confident that no fucker would nick it because I've painted it in such a girls powder blue colour that no one in their right mind would want to nick it .... .
Click to expand...

.
.
. :thumb2
 
(as it happens I'm seriously considering getting tunneruk to play colour with my bike .... :D)
 
The Nutty GSER said:
I use the small softbag 2, and it actually offers more room than the two vario panniers, once they've got the inner bags fitted. It was big enough for a 9 day trip round Europe, so I'm debating getting rid of the panniers.
Click to expand...

I would really appreciate a PM if you were to get rid of the panniers. Sooner rather than later too please :thumb2
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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