Thinking of Soft Luggage

[crazyhorse]

Hello Fellow Rascals,

I have been using a Givi 52L or a Givi 58L top box, over the last five years on my 650 L2.

Now that I am getting up there in years, when riding the bike on a few days away, I feel the top box with all my gear aboard, is getting a bit much for me, weight in the wrong place etc.

My question is this, I would like to change to soft panniers, with the same amount of carrying space, and would like your opinions on which way to jump.

Any other suggestions (on luggage), would also be appreciated.

Thanks for your help.

[porter]

I always toured two up with a big top box and a tankbag on all my bikes before the vstrom,  but they where sport tourers etc. Like you found the strom to top heavy with a big 58ltre box. So changed to soft panniers (givi) and a small 26ltre box more for the wife to lean on than anything else. Bike feels better now say turning, parking etc.
Only trouble for you will be the high exhaust.  The Veek has a low exhaust can and I was able to make up a frame to support the panniers from good old b&q.

[Tusker]

Before getting the Tiger with full luggage I had soft luggage on a 650 Strom,,, do not do it. by the time you have secured them and then put the waterproof covers and found how difficult they are to pack anyway !!!just forget it.. I had similar problems to you on the tiger, enormous topbox ,, tall bike ,,, short legs etc,, I now just pack less and stick to side panniers and I have had the bike lowered,, job done

[UK_Vstrom650]

Hard Givi/Kappa side panniers would be better or a roll bag on the pillion seat if it's free.

[Mark Shelley]

Had all sorts of luggage options over the years and nothing beats ally box panniers with top loading. I also have a massive Givi topbox which contains very little but houses bike kit when on walkabout therefore no top heavy issues.

[mr_diver]

Soft luggage panniers are always a PITA.
It's never waterproof, never secure (theft), never a 10 second job to fit and nothing ever fits in it unless you get the massive ones that sag and just look nasty.

Roll bags on the back seat are no so bad, but won't help the top heaviness and make it harder to get on and off.

A decent sized pair of hard panniers are going to lower the centre of gravity and not be that in the way when it comes to getting you leg over the seat.
Some do get in the way. Best to look at the fitment of various options against the bike. The NEC bike show may be a good place to look at options and talk to various manufacturers.
Generally GIVI do the least intrusive pannier set ups, but I'd avoid the V35's with PLX racks as the boxes are a weird shape and you can fit sod all in them.

SW Motech come second imho.
Shad are generally flimsy with crap locks that break.
Kruser and Hepco & Becker are good but come with some odd fitting options.

[crazyhorse]

Hello Rascals

Thanks for all of your replies, and I can understand all views stated.

Mark Shelley,
I have the exact same Givi topbox at 58 litres, and this is what is making the bike feel unmanageable at low speeds (ie top top heavy), and this is why I was thinking of soft luggage, to save my knee when swinging my arthritic leg over the saddle, and not clouting any hard panniers fitted on the RH side.

Can anyone remember the name of the Eastern European firm, beginning with a 'B', who made reasonable panniers?

Thank you all for your thoughts and advice, and I will do lots more research.

Cheers
Crazyhorse

[Domenico]

hello!
I bought GIVI T450 - Trolley Bag, very good choice, easy to handle!

[Dave L]

Hi,

I went with a top box and soft bags, GIVI 25 litre capacity water proof bags - tested in a heavy down pour - that were not expensive. They are easy to put on and take off. I also fitted a set of Shad brackets just to keep the bags off the bike and the exhaust. I tend not to pack the hard case too much and leave it on the bike when I park up for the night.

I have used this set up for 3 trips now and no issues.

[tdo]

...
Can anyone remember the name of the Eastern European firm, beginning with a 'B', who made reasonable panniers?
..

You might think of "Bumot", http://shop.bumot.eu/en/home.html

No experience with that company by myself, there  was some mentioning of Bumot in the German V-Strom forum recently.

[wurzel]

I have two sets of Oxford soft panniers,no worries after several long hauls, though I do carry light waterproof inner bags just in case.
Mine are just thrown over the seat, and tied down with a couple of straps, with a little care setting then up they have never caused a problem on my Veek exhaust.

[Ridaz]

I have some soft Oxford bags and have also used an Aldi dry roll bag in the past but as good as these are, they are no substitute for hard cases in my opinion. The ability to unlock and remove quickly is such a bonus after a long day in the saddle or the pishing down rain!

If you are anywhere near York you are welcome to come borrow the Oxford bags for a bit to load them up and get a feel for them. Not sure how they will work on your bike and I don't have a frame for them but happy to loan them out if it helps.

[TLPower]

The same offer from me as well, I'm slightly South of Ridaz. I used mine yesterday with the flappy rain covers on, coupled with a flappy over jacket (sail)I reckon it cost me 5mpg.

[UK_Vstrom650]

And I could let you have a go with hard side panniers for comparison 

[Tigerjohn]

It's soft panniers for me every time, combined with a smallish (30l) top case and tank bag. The top case gives secure and waterproof storage and the soft panniers give worry-free filtering, lightness and tuck in close to the bike. Best of both worlds! I run a wire and padlock through the pannier straps on tour, so the bags can't be pinched (the bags are worth more than their contents!). The hard vs soft debate will always be there - at the end of the day, what feels right for you is your best solution!