X COUNTRY ACCESSORIES

[Micky]

Sorry JTW but I'm not prepared to wade through all that, seems very interesting, but far too heavy without some paragraphs in there. D'ya know about paragraphs?

Otherwise many thanks .... totally agree about the Wilbur's though

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Sorry JTW but I'm not prepared to wade through all that, seems very interesting, but far too heavy without some paragraphs in there. D'ya know about paragraphs?

Otherwise many thanks .... totally agree about the Wilbur's though

Only takes a few mins Mick

Some good tips in there

 

[Micky]

Only takes a few mins Mick

Some good tips in there

Ha ... yes, probably JB

Maybe later .... just hard work for these ancient eyes at this time in a morning

 

[stevemersey]

JTW,
a good read. I bought the XCountry as a lighter alternative for my wife to get her riding again after she broke her ankle in an accident, but so far I have done more miles on it than her. She will be using it for some touring in the UK, and Ireland, and I have been using it for some light off-roading. So one way or another most of your experience is helpful.

 

[Micky]

Only takes a few mins Mick

Some good tips in there

Agree with the Dirtbagz too

Sue's faired much better than the cheap Trax panniers that Wunderlich gave me for our second 'Long Way Home trip! The Dirtbaz were waterproof and sandproof .... more than I can say for the Trax. They also survived 'crash damage' better than the Trax

 

[jtw000]

Agree with the Dirtbagz too

Sue's faired much better than the cheap Trax panniers that Wunderlich gave me for our second 'Long Way Home trip! The Dirtbaz were waterproof and sandproof .... more than I can say for the Trax. They also survived 'crash damage' better than the Trax

The Dirtbagz are ok. I wouldn't buy them again, i don't think they're tough enough. Next time I'm going to fabricate a set of plates for the sides and just bungie on my choice of camping bags, kind of like having a top rack that folds right around and goes down the sides.
Wilburs are good, i did my homework on that one. Ohlins are sportbike shocks, they're not built for a life of abuse and everything else is just not quite as good.
Sadly she's taken a nasty turn. My friend borrowed her, he fitted his own Garmin, shorted the wiring and burned out the whole loom. Added to that, the engine sprung a major oil leak and she's one step up from being a wreck. She's currently in line for a major refit.

 

[Micky]

The Dirtbagz are ok. I wouldn't buy them again, i don't think they're tough enough. Next time I'm going to fabricate a set of plates for the sides and just bungie on my choice of camping bags, kind of like having a top rack that folds right around and goes down the sides.

Wilburs are good, i did my homework on that one. Ohlins are sportbike shocks, they're not built for a life of abuse and everything else is just not quite as good.
Sadly she's taken a nasty turn. My friend borrowed her, he fitted his own Garmin, shorted the wiring and burned out the whole loom. Added to that, the engine sprung a major oil leak and she's one step up from being a wreck. She's currently in line for a major refit.

Totally agree about the Wilber's v Öhlins

I made some good frames up for girlfriend Sue's 250 TTR (Gracie on here) and the Dirtbagz faired very well, but we're not hard riders in the dirt

Ahhhh penny just dropped ... she was using the Australian AndyStrapz I think
They were very tough .... apologies for the mistake.

Kreiga are now available as soft luggage ...

 

[jtw000]

I really like Wolfman but they're too expensive and the panniers don't even come with the racking which is apparently not even available yet. Self-fabrication is the answer.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I really like Wolfman but they're too expensive and the panniers don't even come with the racking which is apparently not even available yet. Self-fabrication is the answer.

I am using Wolfman Panniers and HB Racks

 

[jtw000]

I am using Wolfman Panniers and HB Racks

So? Tell me more. They look very impressive but are they really worth the price-tag?

 

[Losttheplot]

soft luggage

If you haven't already, check out the Magadan Panniers from Adventure spec.

Pinkytiff took a pair on his trans-american trail trip, and they faired very well, despite the odd crash and constantly being battered by gorse and scrub bushes for many miles across Nevada...

I'm so taken with them i'll be ditching the Giant loop coyote and getting a pair

 

[jtw000]

If you haven't already, check out the Magadan Panniers from Adventure spec.

Pinkytiff took a pair on his trans-american trail trip, and they faired very well, despite the odd crash and constantly being battered by gorse and scrub bushes for many miles across Nevada...

I'm so taken with them i'll be ditching the Giant loop coyote and getting a pair

I've seen these before and really don't like them. I don't trust any advertising that says they're better than their competitors and offer no proof whatsoever. They're over-stuffed and make too many promises. From your bags what you really need is for them to be bags. Once they've got to that price level they're effectively useless anyway. I can buy 10 sets of excellent waterproof camping bags for that price and they will all do the job. This is why I say i'm going to fabricate my own loading plates and strap on bags.
I've literally written a book on this subject and a very important chapter is about over-working things. If you buy into that then you might as well buy a 1200gs adventure... or a car.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

So? Tell me more. They look very impressive but are they really worth the price-tag?

I went with the Wolfman Tetron ballistic nylon ones, in black (which are a similar material to the Dirtbagz, only thicker dernier) and are the same size and shape to the yellow Expedition panniers

They were £130 IIRC and although not waterproof they will be once the Exped drybag liners are used too

THE HB frames are sturdier and although it's a more expensive set up than the Dirtbagz (which I had - but sold) they seem a better option

 

[Micky]

..... and a very important chapter is about over-working things. If you buy into that then you might as well buy a 1200gs adventure... or a car.

Now that I completely endorse

 

[IJGser]

So by having Magadan bags i may as well get a 1200 or a car Hmmm....

Ive had 1200 and have a car but don't think either would do the things my Xch does.

So i respectfully disagree

Have you thought about writing a book on how to make stupid statements

 

[jtw000]

So by having Magadan bags i may as well get a 1200 or a car Hmmm....

Ive had 1200 and have a car but don't think either would do the things my Xch does.

So i respectfully disagree

Have you thought about writing a book on how to make stupid statements

Perhaps you can give me some tips? You're clearly very well qualified.
So you have these bags? Ever used them? Have you ever done anything that really pushed a limit of yours, the bike or the equipment? No? Then you might as well ride a 1200 to the coffee shop, or your car if it's really raining. I've met people doing amazing things like a RTW on a Honda C90 or a cross-Russia on a clapped out Suzuki Bandit with luggage made from ASDA baskets held on with bungies. If you think you need $500 bags then you're a part of the problem that leaves people sitting on their couch instead of seeing the world. In 3 months I'm taking a summer break which will take me across 5 countries and will cover at least 500 miles without tarmac. I'll have two camping bags bungied on. Grow up.

 

[Losttheplot]

I've seen these before and really don't like them. I don't trust any advertising that says they're better than their competitors and offer no proof whatsoever. They're over-stuffed and make too many promises. From your bags what you really need is for them to be bags. Once they've got to that price level they're effectively useless anyway. I can buy 10 sets of excellent waterproof camping bags for that price and they will all do the job. This is why I say i'm going to fabricate my own loading plates and strap on bags.
I've literally written a book on this subject and a very important chapter is about over-working things. If you buy into that then you might as well buy a 1200gs adventure... or a car.

Sorry, but i hadn't seen any marketing blurb, the only impression i had gained from them was seeing them in daily action on my mates bike last summer, during trip to Port Orford for fish 'n chips.

I choose my kit on the basis that i don't carry much, so what i do take has to do it's job and be totally reliable. If it doesn't do it's job, then it doesn't go on the bike. simple.

Nothing more irritating than having something fail that shouldn't, which then leaves you stranded in the middle of no-where.

Good luck with the self fabrication route, it's great if you have the time to devote to generating a quality solution.


That said, after reading your "book" as you put it, I'm clearly not worthy to even exist, let alone comment on the same forum as your good self.

Good luck with your trip- sounds like it will be a cracker.

 

[IJGser]

Sorry, but i hadn't seen any marketing blurb, the only impression i had gained from them was seeing them in daily action on my mates bike last summer, during trip to Port Orford for fish 'n chips.

I choose my kit on the basis that i don't carry much, so what i do take has to do it's job and be totally reliable. If it doesn't do it's job, then it doesn't go on the bike. simple.

Nothing more irritating than having something fail that shouldn't, which then leaves you stranded in the middle of no-where.

Good luck with the self fabrication route, it's great if you have the time to devote to generating a quality solution.


That said, after reading your "book" as you put it, I'm clearly not worthy to even exist, let alone comment on the same forum as your good self.

Good luck with your trip- sounds like it will be a cracker.

Well said Nathan, i did respond less eloquently but a mod (i assume) deleted it, i was in a bad mood at the time and being patronised didn't go down well.

The magadan bags are great I'm not going to wave my willy about telling you what I've used them for i will leave that to the new god of motorcycle travel, rest assured IMO worth the money and look Fab.

You could of course hunt and kill a wild animal on-route, gut it and use its inners as panniers all after sustaining yourself on the flesh. All depends how much of a self righteous twat you want to sound when boasting your accomplishments to strangers on the internet.

 

[IJGser]

Some pics from my last trip to the coffee shop.

Picture's are to help people visualise Magadans on a X, I am at best a Adventure Riding fantasist

 

[casperghst42]

I've seen these before and really don't like them. I don't trust any advertising that says they're better than their competitors and offer no proof whatsoever. They're over-stuffed and make too many promises. From your bags what you really need is for them to be bags. Once they've got to that price level they're effectively useless anyway. I can buy 10 sets of excellent waterproof camping bags for that price and they will all do the job. This is why I say i'm going to fabricate my own loading plates and strap on bags.
I've literally written a book on this subject and a very important chapter is about over-working things. If you buy into that then you might as well buy a 1200gs adventure... or a car.

I had the same feeling about them (not saying bad things about Walter, but the "they are perfect" does not really do it for me), so I was a bit lucky last friday and had a closer look at a set of Magadans. From what I can see they are the real stuff, well done, but even then they are very pricy.

There is a quite interesting thread on Horizonunlimited regarding the different soft bags: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/equipment-reviews/comparison-adv-spec-magadan-enduristan-65899


Casper