Luggage options for long weekends
Discussion
Hi, looking for advice for the best option to carry gear for a few nights touring? I’m a new biker and there appears to be loads of options! Planning on hotels/B&Bs so basically just clothes, shoes and a few bits and bobs.
I like the look of the SW Motech Blaze panniers, secure fitting, look ok and easy to remove but they are £300 and maybe overkill for space? (28-42L). Are saddle packs or tank bags a decent option with enough space and also secure? My bikes only a 2011 Hornet, but it’s immaculate so I don’t want anything that’s going to rub the bodywork/paint etc. Grateful for any input
I like the look of the SW Motech Blaze panniers, secure fitting, look ok and easy to remove but they are £300 and maybe overkill for space? (28-42L). Are saddle packs or tank bags a decent option with enough space and also secure? My bikes only a 2011 Hornet, but it’s immaculate so I don’t want anything that’s going to rub the bodywork/paint etc. Grateful for any input
+100 for kreiga. You can start with a US20 or US30 and go from there.
You get 4 straps which you attach onto the subframe under the rear seat so they just poke out, the bags then have straps with alloy hooks which hook onto the loops on your bike. Once you know what you're doing it's quick, the top 2 set ups I can get onto the bike ready to go in 20 minutes, there's 3x Kriega bags, 2x rok straps, a tent and waterproofs and a luggage net.
Apart from being 100% waterproof, the best thing is that it's a half hour job to transfer to a new bike. Get hard luggage, it's not so easy. And a US20 will fit onto the rear seat of even the smallest sportbike with the tiniest seat.
You get 4 straps which you attach onto the subframe under the rear seat so they just poke out, the bags then have straps with alloy hooks which hook onto the loops on your bike. Once you know what you're doing it's quick, the top 2 set ups I can get onto the bike ready to go in 20 minutes, there's 3x Kriega bags, 2x rok straps, a tent and waterproofs and a luggage net.
Apart from being 100% waterproof, the best thing is that it's a half hour job to transfer to a new bike. Get hard luggage, it's not so easy. And a US20 will fit onto the rear seat of even the smallest sportbike with the tiniest seat.
Small magnetic tank bag - no more than 5 or 6" high and then buy a cheapy rucksack from the market, cut all the straps off it and then cargo net it to the back of the bike. Couple of rubble sacks inside if it rains. Less than 50 quid the lot.
Good enough for a week away, Doesn't get in the way of top speed runs or hurtling around corners.
Good enough for a week away, Doesn't get in the way of top speed runs or hurtling around corners.
My 2p worth.
Do get a tank bag, even if it's just a small one as having storage space in front of you can be very useful. Fit a power take off point on or near the handlebars and you can easily charge items in the tank bag. Use either a a bag mounted onto the tank filler ring or the likes of a Baglux that's onto a harness. Neither will do any damage to the tank where, in my experience, magnetic tank bags ALWAYS end up marking the paint.
Don't get a top box. They put the weight in the worst possible position on a bike. Get a seat pack such as the Kriega US20s already mentioned or the Bags Connection tail pack which has more space if that's needed.
No soft luggage is really secure. That said, I have never had any issues with the luggage in soft bags at any point, touring or commuting, on any bike. Keep your valuables in the tank bag and take that with you. No one is interested in your change of clothes in the tail pack. 36 years of touring has told me that. I have, for the last 5 years, been parking my bike in central London with a US20 on the pillion seat holding my waterproofs. (It's also used for the locks when the bike is not parked.) No one has touched the US20 or it's contents.
Regardless of the claims of being waterproof, I don't trust any luggage (hard or soft) to keep the contents completely dry. You only have to not quite close a zip correctly or get something jammed where it shouldn't be and the rain will get in. I always put everything in a black bin bag inside the luggage. Just occasionally, the outside of the bin bag has been wet but the contents have never been wet.
Whatever you choose for your luggage, enjoy your trip(s).
Do get a tank bag, even if it's just a small one as having storage space in front of you can be very useful. Fit a power take off point on or near the handlebars and you can easily charge items in the tank bag. Use either a a bag mounted onto the tank filler ring or the likes of a Baglux that's onto a harness. Neither will do any damage to the tank where, in my experience, magnetic tank bags ALWAYS end up marking the paint.
Don't get a top box. They put the weight in the worst possible position on a bike. Get a seat pack such as the Kriega US20s already mentioned or the Bags Connection tail pack which has more space if that's needed.
No soft luggage is really secure. That said, I have never had any issues with the luggage in soft bags at any point, touring or commuting, on any bike. Keep your valuables in the tank bag and take that with you. No one is interested in your change of clothes in the tail pack. 36 years of touring has told me that. I have, for the last 5 years, been parking my bike in central London with a US20 on the pillion seat holding my waterproofs. (It's also used for the locks when the bike is not parked.) No one has touched the US20 or it's contents.
Regardless of the claims of being waterproof, I don't trust any luggage (hard or soft) to keep the contents completely dry. You only have to not quite close a zip correctly or get something jammed where it shouldn't be and the rain will get in. I always put everything in a black bin bag inside the luggage. Just occasionally, the outside of the bin bag has been wet but the contents have never been wet.
Whatever you choose for your luggage, enjoy your trip(s).
Edited by black-k1 on Wednesday 24th January 08:12
For odd occasions, you don't need to go to the expense of Kriega, I've used a non-make tail pack for many years without damage to any of the bikes it's been on.
Like someone said, get a tank bag too, for documents, Peage tickets & valuables - doesn't need to be too big as it'll be the thing you take off the bike when you get somewhere - mine's big enough for overnight clothes/trainers for a ferry crossing, leaving the tail pack on the bike with a cable lock (actually the tank bag alone is big enough for a couple of nights away quite easily - the below pic is for 2 weeks in the sun(!) waterproofs just being put on).
Certainly not knocking Kriega kit, it looks very versatile, good quality etc, just can't justify the cost personally.
Another option is the Ventura rack & bag, works well either solo or 2-up as the bag can sit forward or rearward of the mount.
eta - real cheap-ass option that worked when I needed something short notice for the S1000R - Waterproof roll-top bag for a tenner from a surf shop, enough for a weekend away, held on with a couple of bungees and a carry handle if required. Small or large as it needs to be, worked fine & still there if I need it.
Like someone said, get a tank bag too, for documents, Peage tickets & valuables - doesn't need to be too big as it'll be the thing you take off the bike when you get somewhere - mine's big enough for overnight clothes/trainers for a ferry crossing, leaving the tail pack on the bike with a cable lock (actually the tank bag alone is big enough for a couple of nights away quite easily - the below pic is for 2 weeks in the sun(!) waterproofs just being put on).
Certainly not knocking Kriega kit, it looks very versatile, good quality etc, just can't justify the cost personally.
Another option is the Ventura rack & bag, works well either solo or 2-up as the bag can sit forward or rearward of the mount.
eta - real cheap-ass option that worked when I needed something short notice for the S1000R - Waterproof roll-top bag for a tenner from a surf shop, enough for a weekend away, held on with a couple of bungees and a carry handle if required. Small or large as it needs to be, worked fine & still there if I need it.
Edited by graham22 on Wednesday 24th January 10:13
black-k1 said:
My 2p worth.
Do get a tank bag, even if it's just a small one as having storage space in front of you can be very useful. Fit a power take off point on or near the handlebars and you can easily charge items in the tank bag. Use either a a bag mounted onto the tank filler ring or the likes of a Baglux that's onto a harness. Neither will do any damage to the tank where, in my experience, magnetic tank bags ALWAYS end up marking the paint.
Don't get a top box. They put the weight in the worst possible position on a bike. Get a seat pack such as the Kriega US20s already mentioned or the Bags Connection tail pack which has more space if that's needed.
No soft luggage is really secure. That said, I have never had any issues with the luggage in soft bags at any point, touring or commuting, on any bike. Keep your valuables in the tank bag and take that with you. No one is interested in your change of clothes in the tail pack. 36 years of touring has told me that. I have, for the last 5 years, been parking my bike in central London with a US20 on the pillion seat holding my waterproofs. (It's also used for the locks when the bike is not parked.) No one has touched the US20 or it's contents.
Regardless of the claims of being waterproof, I don't trust any luggage (hard or soft) to keep the contents completely dry. You only have to not quite close a zip correctly or get something jammed where it shouldn't be and the rain will get in. I always put everything in a black bin bag inside the luggage. Just occasionally, the outside of the bin bag has been wet but the contents have never been wet.
Whatever you choose for your luggage, enjoy your trip(s).
Thanks that’s a really useful post, I’ve ordered the Kreiga but will look at a small tank bag and power outlet to go with it. Thanks for all other input and suggestions too Do get a tank bag, even if it's just a small one as having storage space in front of you can be very useful. Fit a power take off point on or near the handlebars and you can easily charge items in the tank bag. Use either a a bag mounted onto the tank filler ring or the likes of a Baglux that's onto a harness. Neither will do any damage to the tank where, in my experience, magnetic tank bags ALWAYS end up marking the paint.
Don't get a top box. They put the weight in the worst possible position on a bike. Get a seat pack such as the Kriega US20s already mentioned or the Bags Connection tail pack which has more space if that's needed.
No soft luggage is really secure. That said, I have never had any issues with the luggage in soft bags at any point, touring or commuting, on any bike. Keep your valuables in the tank bag and take that with you. No one is interested in your change of clothes in the tail pack. 36 years of touring has told me that. I have, for the last 5 years, been parking my bike in central London with a US20 on the pillion seat holding my waterproofs. (It's also used for the locks when the bike is not parked.) No one has touched the US20 or it's contents.
Regardless of the claims of being waterproof, I don't trust any luggage (hard or soft) to keep the contents completely dry. You only have to not quite close a zip correctly or get something jammed where it shouldn't be and the rain will get in. I always put everything in a black bin bag inside the luggage. Just occasionally, the outside of the bin bag has been wet but the contents have never been wet.
Whatever you choose for your luggage, enjoy your trip(s).
Edited by black-k1 on Wednesday 24th January 08:12
Any thoughts on this sw motech luggage? I can't find cheap enough panniers and don't want a top box. Would like to utilise the pillion seat. This seems like just the trick, but is maybe suspiciously cheap?
https://www.customcruisers.com/contents/en-uk/p126...
I'm contracting in a different part of the country soon and will rely on the bike for my sole transport. Just need room for some casual and work clothes, trainers, work shoes, toothbrush. Happy to travel light. 50L probably enough, especially if I get a c.20L back pack and maybe a small tank bag.
Thanks
Edit: just noticed I could pick up the kriega us30 for around 120 beans. Nice and neat, and I know well regarded around here... Would it be difficult to wear a back pack and have the seat luggage?
https://www.customcruisers.com/contents/en-uk/p126...
I'm contracting in a different part of the country soon and will rely on the bike for my sole transport. Just need room for some casual and work clothes, trainers, work shoes, toothbrush. Happy to travel light. 50L probably enough, especially if I get a c.20L back pack and maybe a small tank bag.
Thanks
Edit: just noticed I could pick up the kriega us30 for around 120 beans. Nice and neat, and I know well regarded around here... Would it be difficult to wear a back pack and have the seat luggage?
Edited by Berty3000 on Friday 9th March 04:21
Rubin215 said:
Get on gumtree or ebay and buy someone else's barely used panniers for tuppence.
So many people buy luggage, use it once or twice then get fed up with it lying around for a couple of years and sell it for buttons.
I would never buy brand new.
Really? From what I've seen used luggage, be it Kriega rucksacks or Givi boxes certainly does not go for tuppence, it's very sought after and I've always made really good money on Givi boxes in the past. However I don't sell them on anymore as they're bloody dear.So many people buy luggage, use it once or twice then get fed up with it lying around for a couple of years and sell it for buttons.
I would never buy brand new.
As to the main topic I've been using a US10 and an R30 Kriega on my R1, but I've just fitted a Ventura rack system, and I've got two different racks, a Givi topbox plate and an "evo" rack if I just want to use a drybag or Kriega bag. It's all really adaptable.
Berty3000 said:
don't want a top box. Would like to utilise the pillion seat.
When I last toured europe I wanted a) Car park security so I could hop off and nip into supermarches
b) Something totally waterproof
c) Keep the bike thin for filtering and fuel usage
So I ended up with a 40 litre topbox (and wired 12V into it for tablet/phone) and on the way back uses a water-resistant holdall on pillion seat for the wine and port.
Under the seat I kept odd more valuable thing.
I know you said no top box, but mine was only about £35 from eBay, easily detachable and still working strong today - the reason I mention it is because it gives you the convenience of a car boot when travelling. I also attached hooks and bungie to the top so I could dry towels as I rode along which worked well.
Otherwise/and a Lomo drybag strapped onto the pillion seat works well, I'd take a spare hook-bike-net though as travelling tended to shred them a bit so having a new one to hand is useful.
Rsdop said:
Thanks for the suggestions, tbh a top box is the one possibility I discounted. Don’t really want a permanent fixing on the bike as will doing more day trips than touring.
Kriega thing looks a good possibility. Do they just attach with straps under the tail?
Even if a top box is a permanent fit is it really a problem? I find it useful to have just to put bike gear in when I stop. Gloves and boots in the box, get a pair of shoes out, and walk around looking like a normal person.Kriega thing looks a good possibility. Do they just attach with straps under the tail?
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