Discussion
Hello,
Planning to do a tour of Scotland in March. Panniers seem to be expensive - like 500+ quid for the frame and storage. Seems a bit much, plus bulky. So I'm trying to go with a more ad hoc, troggy solution. Basically, I need room for a small tent and sleeping bag, plus a very small camping stove set and some other necessities, like cans of Guinness, sardines, and tins of soup. And me Swiss army knife. Oh, and bike lock, plus some clothes and a tooth brush... Eh, but I'd like to do some hiking as well... Argh, so need to store my helmet and gear as well. Bloody hell!
So... I want the solution to be safe and water proof.
A) a sausage shaped bag wrapped in tarp and tied to the passenger seat using the mud guard area, with string or cords. I'd want the bag to be in line with the bike so aero dynamic.
B) The Oxford roll bag. These seem to be waterproof and well regarded. Also decent attachment system and can be fluorescent colored for obvious reasons. However, I don't like that they go perpendicular to the line of the bike. May also look big and ridiculous on my bike? I was thinking 30 litre.
C) combo of the above and a back pack which is designed to sit on the bike seat behind one's back, and maybe even attach to the bike a bit. I want minimal interference with my riding and discomfort. Maybe 20L so I get 50 in total.
Bike is XJ6 S.
Any thoughts welcome. Many thanks in advance.
Planning to do a tour of Scotland in March. Panniers seem to be expensive - like 500+ quid for the frame and storage. Seems a bit much, plus bulky. So I'm trying to go with a more ad hoc, troggy solution. Basically, I need room for a small tent and sleeping bag, plus a very small camping stove set and some other necessities, like cans of Guinness, sardines, and tins of soup. And me Swiss army knife. Oh, and bike lock, plus some clothes and a tooth brush... Eh, but I'd like to do some hiking as well... Argh, so need to store my helmet and gear as well. Bloody hell!
So... I want the solution to be safe and water proof.
A) a sausage shaped bag wrapped in tarp and tied to the passenger seat using the mud guard area, with string or cords. I'd want the bag to be in line with the bike so aero dynamic.
B) The Oxford roll bag. These seem to be waterproof and well regarded. Also decent attachment system and can be fluorescent colored for obvious reasons. However, I don't like that they go perpendicular to the line of the bike. May also look big and ridiculous on my bike? I was thinking 30 litre.
C) combo of the above and a back pack which is designed to sit on the bike seat behind one's back, and maybe even attach to the bike a bit. I want minimal interference with my riding and discomfort. Maybe 20L so I get 50 in total.
Bike is XJ6 S.
Any thoughts welcome. Many thanks in advance.
With a tent, Guinness, sleeping bag, Guinness, cooking stuff, Guinness, maybe a foam mat, Guinness etc I think you need a hard point to strap it to. Have a butchers at the Ventura site.
It’s a lot of gear to have strapped to the seat and I wouldn’t want to think about it sliding off to one side when at speed.
It’s a lot of gear to have strapped to the seat and I wouldn’t want to think about it sliding off to one side when at speed.
Unbusy said:
With a tent, Guinness, sleeping bag, Guinness, cooking stuff, Guinness, maybe a foam mat, Guinness etc I think you need a hard point to strap it to. Have a butchers at the Ventura site.
It’s a lot of gear to have strapped to the seat and I wouldn’t want to think about it sliding off to one side when at speed.
Good point. An extra 4 stone in Guinness and fish adding to me counter steer. Ooohh It’s a lot of gear to have strapped to the seat and I wouldn’t want to think about it sliding off to one side when at speed.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
This. I've done many, many thousands of miles with mine, they just do the job brilliantly.
You might struggle to get a tent/sleeping bag and all your stuff in them if it's a long trip, the top 2 pics were for a 2 week long Alps trip with the tent on top (the other bag was waterproofs).
I’m a Kriega fan too! As already said it is top notch kit that’s built to last. In comparison the Oxford stuff looks a bit flaky. Yes it’s cheaper but you can see why.
One question for you. Do you definitely want to camp? Fair enough if you do, but if you opted to stay in a b&b that’s a whole load of clobber you could leave at home which makes packing a whole lot easier and your bike will handle a much better on those lovely Scottish roads.
If you are camping, are you planning on staying on one campsite for the duration or moving on each day? If it’s the former could you get your camping gear posted/couriered to the campsite so it’s ready for your arrival?😀
Each to their own but i’ve always taken the hotel/b&b option. With a bit of prior planning you can find some great places to stay without breaking the bank.
If you do want to take tent and all your other gubbins than I would looking at something with solid mounts, whether traditional panniers and top box or Ventura kit. A couple of my mates have used the latter and again it’s good quality kit. You’ll need a fitting kit that’s specific to your bike but the bags are universal. Trawling eBay might save a you a few quid.
One last suggestion would be this http://chainspeed.co.uk/brands/BAGS-CONNECTION.htm... . No personal experience with SW Motech stuff but that does give you 50l capacity.
One question for you. Do you definitely want to camp? Fair enough if you do, but if you opted to stay in a b&b that’s a whole load of clobber you could leave at home which makes packing a whole lot easier and your bike will handle a much better on those lovely Scottish roads.
If you are camping, are you planning on staying on one campsite for the duration or moving on each day? If it’s the former could you get your camping gear posted/couriered to the campsite so it’s ready for your arrival?😀
Each to their own but i’ve always taken the hotel/b&b option. With a bit of prior planning you can find some great places to stay without breaking the bank.
If you do want to take tent and all your other gubbins than I would looking at something with solid mounts, whether traditional panniers and top box or Ventura kit. A couple of my mates have used the latter and again it’s good quality kit. You’ll need a fitting kit that’s specific to your bike but the bags are universal. Trawling eBay might save a you a few quid.
One last suggestion would be this http://chainspeed.co.uk/brands/BAGS-CONNECTION.htm... . No personal experience with SW Motech stuff but that does give you 50l capacity.
Ive been using a Wolfman beta plus tail bag for last 5 years, its essentially a large holdall with tunnel for rear seat. Never managed to fill it up yet even on a 10 day trip. Very convenient and proved waterproof (with the cover on) in 5 days of rain last year in Scotland
https://www.windingroads.co.uk/brand/wolfman-motor...
https://www.windingroads.co.uk/brand/wolfman-motor...
Greggy69 said:
I’m a Kriega fan too! As already said it is top notch kit that’s built to last. In comparison the Oxford stuff looks a bit flaky. Yes it’s cheaper but you can see why.
One question for you. Do you definitely want to camp? Fair enough if you do, but if you opted to stay in a b&b that’s a whole load of clobber you could leave at home which makes packing a whole lot easier and your bike will handle a much better on those lovely Scottish roads.
If you are camping, are you planning on staying on one campsite for the duration or moving on each day? If it’s the former could you get your camping gear posted/couriered to the campsite so it’s ready for your arrival???
Each to their own but i’ve always taken the hotel/b&b option. With a bit of prior planning you can find some great places to stay without breaking the bank.
If you do want to take tent and all your other gubbins than I would looking at something with solid mounts, whether traditional panniers and top box or Ventura kit. A couple of my mates have used the latter and again it’s good quality kit. You’ll need a fitting kit that’s specific to your bike but the bags are universal. Trawling eBay might save a you a few quid.
One last suggestion would be this http://chainspeed.co.uk/brands/BAGS-CONNECTION.htm... . No personal experience with SW Motech stuff but that does give you 50l capacity.
It's a good point about accommodation. I thought it would be cool to camp as you can free camp in Scotland in nice places. But as you say, it means carrying a lot more, and if I get rained on, which I probably will, then drying my stuff out would be a pain. B&B means I can leave all my gear securely and in a dry place, and go off hiking without needing to worry about my stuff being left by a road, plus I wouldn't have capacity to hold all my biking clothes and everything else without shelling out and needing huge additions to the bike. I assumed B&Bs would be expensive though... But in March, maybe not, plus if it makes the trip more enjoyable then probably worth it. One question for you. Do you definitely want to camp? Fair enough if you do, but if you opted to stay in a b&b that’s a whole load of clobber you could leave at home which makes packing a whole lot easier and your bike will handle a much better on those lovely Scottish roads.
If you are camping, are you planning on staying on one campsite for the duration or moving on each day? If it’s the former could you get your camping gear posted/couriered to the campsite so it’s ready for your arrival???
Each to their own but i’ve always taken the hotel/b&b option. With a bit of prior planning you can find some great places to stay without breaking the bank.
If you do want to take tent and all your other gubbins than I would looking at something with solid mounts, whether traditional panniers and top box or Ventura kit. A couple of my mates have used the latter and again it’s good quality kit. You’ll need a fitting kit that’s specific to your bike but the bags are universal. Trawling eBay might save a you a few quid.
One last suggestion would be this http://chainspeed.co.uk/brands/BAGS-CONNECTION.htm... . No personal experience with SW Motech stuff but that does give you 50l capacity.
I have used kreiga and whilst they are good, they are bit of a pain to strap particularly if they aren't full. I've since changed to a bmw softbag 3.
You don't need a bmw, they fit anything and the logo is very small! I don't use mine on a bmw.
They have a firm base so are a doddle to fix on, waterproof with several pockets.
You don't need a bmw, they fit anything and the logo is very small! I don't use mine on a bmw.
They have a firm base so are a doddle to fix on, waterproof with several pockets.
Berty3000 said:
Greggy69 said:
I’m a Kriega fan too! As already said it is top notch kit that’s built to last. In comparison the Oxford stuff looks a bit flaky. Yes it’s cheaper but you can see why.
One question for you. Do you definitely want to camp? Fair enough if you do, but if you opted to stay in a b&b that’s a whole load of clobber you could leave at home which makes packing a whole lot easier and your bike will handle a much better on those lovely Scottish roads.
If you are camping, are you planning on staying on one campsite for the duration or moving on each day? If it’s the former could you get your camping gear posted/couriered to the campsite so it’s ready for your arrival???
Each to their own but i’ve always taken the hotel/b&b option. With a bit of prior planning you can find some great places to stay without breaking the bank.
If you do want to take tent and all your other gubbins than I would looking at something with solid mounts, whether traditional panniers and top box or Ventura kit. A couple of my mates have used the latter and again it’s good quality kit. You’ll need a fitting kit that’s specific to your bike but the bags are universal. Trawling eBay might save a you a few quid.
One last suggestion would be this http://chainspeed.co.uk/brands/BAGS-CONNECTION.htm... . No personal experience with SW Motech stuff but that does give you 50l capacity.
It's a good point about accommodation. I thought it would be cool to camp as you can free camp in Scotland in nice places. But as you say, it means carrying a lot more, and if I get rained on, which I probably will, then drying my stuff out would be a pain. B&B means I can leave all my gear securely and in a dry place, and go off hiking without needing to worry about my stuff being left by a road, plus I wouldn't have capacity to hold all my biking clothes and everything else without shelling out and needing huge additions to the bike. I assumed B&Bs would be expensive though... But in March, maybe not, plus if it makes the trip more enjoyable then probably worth it. One question for you. Do you definitely want to camp? Fair enough if you do, but if you opted to stay in a b&b that’s a whole load of clobber you could leave at home which makes packing a whole lot easier and your bike will handle a much better on those lovely Scottish roads.
If you are camping, are you planning on staying on one campsite for the duration or moving on each day? If it’s the former could you get your camping gear posted/couriered to the campsite so it’s ready for your arrival???
Each to their own but i’ve always taken the hotel/b&b option. With a bit of prior planning you can find some great places to stay without breaking the bank.
If you do want to take tent and all your other gubbins than I would looking at something with solid mounts, whether traditional panniers and top box or Ventura kit. A couple of my mates have used the latter and again it’s good quality kit. You’ll need a fitting kit that’s specific to your bike but the bags are universal. Trawling eBay might save a you a few quid.
One last suggestion would be this http://chainspeed.co.uk/brands/BAGS-CONNECTION.htm... . No personal experience with SW Motech stuff but that does give you 50l capacity.
If you can get away with not camping it makes life a lot easier, especially if you're moving locations every day. The hassle of pitching tent and then packing it all away again and then repeating the next day can get tiresome.
I try to stay a couple of days at one place if camping, I camped in the Alps this year for the first week, I needed a US30 and 2x US20's with the tent on top and a 20l tank bag, but next year I'll be using hotels for a bit of a shorter stay, Kriega R30 on my back and a small tank bag, get down there on the autoroutes in a day, same hotel for a few days at a time and I'll enjoy riding the bike with no luggage.
I try to stay a couple of days at one place if camping, I camped in the Alps this year for the first week, I needed a US30 and 2x US20's with the tent on top and a 20l tank bag, but next year I'll be using hotels for a bit of a shorter stay, Kriega R30 on my back and a small tank bag, get down there on the autoroutes in a day, same hotel for a few days at a time and I'll enjoy riding the bike with no luggage.
If you want safety , security , you cant beat a rack and a box, so much better, quicker and easier than pissing around with soft luggage, ive been using them since 2010 after trying every option over the years, ecept Ventura which also looks a quality product but is a lot more expensive.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RENNTEC-BLACK-RACK-CARR...
Same set up on my Firestorm.
Racks and boxes do come up secondhand , I paid £50 in total for a rack and Givi box some years back for my GSXRs
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RENNTEC-BLACK-RACK-CARR...
Same set up on my Firestorm.
Racks and boxes do come up secondhand , I paid £50 in total for a rack and Givi box some years back for my GSXRs
podman said:
If you want safety , security , you cant beat a rack and a box, so much better, quicker and easier than pissing around with soft luggage, ive been using them since 2010 after trying every option over the years, ecept Ventura which also looks a quality product but is a lot more expensive.
Does put the weight in an awkward place though.Dr Jekyll said:
podman said:
If you want safety , security , you cant beat a rack and a box, so much better, quicker and easier than pissing around with soft luggage, ive been using them since 2010 after trying every option over the years, ecept Ventura which also looks a quality product but is a lot more expensive.
Does put the weight in an awkward place though.Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff