Roll bag v panniers
Discussion
Got another euro trip coming up for about 10 days.
I previously used a 70ltr Q Bag which was a massive pain to strap down.
In almost 20 years riding I've never used panniers before.
I'd like to be able to easily stuff water bottles/food etc in which was difficult with the normal roll bag.
I can't stand top boxes due to the weight being so high up and far back. I'm no Racer but I just hate the feel of them on the back.
I can't quite decide between something like the sw motech tail bag
https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/...
Or the Rhinowalk panniers and possibly bracket.
https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&...
Any other recommendations? Ideally up to £150 max.....
I previously used a 70ltr Q Bag which was a massive pain to strap down.
In almost 20 years riding I've never used panniers before.
I'd like to be able to easily stuff water bottles/food etc in which was difficult with the normal roll bag.
I can't stand top boxes due to the weight being so high up and far back. I'm no Racer but I just hate the feel of them on the back.
I can't quite decide between something like the sw motech tail bag
https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/...
Or the Rhinowalk panniers and possibly bracket.
https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&...
Any other recommendations? Ideally up to £150 max.....
I have an SW Motech roll bag (plain cylindrical holdall, not the profiled one you're looking at) which goes on the rear rack.
I also have one of these where I store waterproofs and bottles (thermos, water and a 2L jerrycan of fuel):
https://www.escape-watersports.co.uk/equipment/dry...
Which neatly fits on the pillion seat forward of the Motech and is secured by the straps onto the rails. Its top opening and side straps mean I can access it without taking it off the bike. These bags have been through some horrendous weather on very long motorway trips and held up perfectly.
I also have one of these where I store waterproofs and bottles (thermos, water and a 2L jerrycan of fuel):
https://www.escape-watersports.co.uk/equipment/dry...
Which neatly fits on the pillion seat forward of the Motech and is secured by the straps onto the rails. Its top opening and side straps mean I can access it without taking it off the bike. These bags have been through some horrendous weather on very long motorway trips and held up perfectly.
I bought a pair of Kriega OS 18’s to mount to the pannier frames and a roll bag. In the end I have never used the Kriega’s as for me the roll bag with a couple of Rox straps was fine. It depends obviously on how long you are going for bit a decent roll bag will easily carry enough for a week away.
After around 15 long tours throughout Europe my mantra is “Don’t take anything more than you are prepared to carry from the bike to your lodging”
On my GS I have a top box that remains mostly empty and is used to securely store my helmet and gloves at food stops.
My current choices are US20 liter Kriega for up to 7 days and SW Motech 35 liter roll bag for longer tours.
Choose clothing carefully. 3 sets of wicking base layers, 2 mid layers, spare gloves, wicking under crackers , 3 pairs of biking socks. Goretex riding gear. Then you need to decide if you need a Dinner Jacket or Lounge Suit or if 4 T Shirts or Polo Shirts and 2 pairs Chinos. Pack light and sensibly.
I have a separate tool box that has essential bits in it.
I have the option of a tank ring mounted tank bag if I need this.
Experience has made us arrive at this after running 3 panniers etc.
On my GS I have a top box that remains mostly empty and is used to securely store my helmet and gloves at food stops.
My current choices are US20 liter Kriega for up to 7 days and SW Motech 35 liter roll bag for longer tours.
Choose clothing carefully. 3 sets of wicking base layers, 2 mid layers, spare gloves, wicking under crackers , 3 pairs of biking socks. Goretex riding gear. Then you need to decide if you need a Dinner Jacket or Lounge Suit or if 4 T Shirts or Polo Shirts and 2 pairs Chinos. Pack light and sensibly.
I have a separate tool box that has essential bits in it.
I have the option of a tank ring mounted tank bag if I need this.
Experience has made us arrive at this after running 3 panniers etc.
Rhinowalk also do some really quite nice tail bags which are expandable.
Very nice quality with handy pockets etc. That one pictured 45l expanded was more than enough for the Stella Alpina this year and had extra stuff like my drone, spare tubes, compressor etc.
Top tip - if you’ve got time to wait a week get Rhinowalk from AliExpress - much cheaper.
Very nice quality with handy pockets etc. That one pictured 45l expanded was more than enough for the Stella Alpina this year and had extra stuff like my drone, spare tubes, compressor etc.
Top tip - if you’ve got time to wait a week get Rhinowalk from AliExpress - much cheaper.
https://www.oxfordproducts.com/motorcycle/brands/o...
I’ve used the 70L dry bag in India, brilliant, tough, strap fits under rear seat to keep it from sliding off. I used tie down straps, long cam buckle type from eBay cut to length.
The Oxford products are always cheaper and tougher than most other similar kit, usually on offer, just search.
I’ve used the 70L dry bag in India, brilliant, tough, strap fits under rear seat to keep it from sliding off. I used tie down straps, long cam buckle type from eBay cut to length.
The Oxford products are always cheaper and tougher than most other similar kit, usually on offer, just search.
Thanks.
I think you'd be surprised at what utter crap I can manage to accumulate though......
I know the last euro one I did was about 5 or 6 days I think?
I've done maybe 7 or 8 tours with the Q Bag setup and found the single bag thing to be a pain when I want to stuff water bottles/crisps etc in as well
I've got a 20 ltr tankbag that'll be for gloves, water, throw over waterproofs etc and multiple passports.
Guess I'm mainly thinking along which will annoy me less/make it feel less top heavy (will probably end up using it for various shop runs as well)?
I think you'd be surprised at what utter crap I can manage to accumulate though......
I know the last euro one I did was about 5 or 6 days I think?
I've done maybe 7 or 8 tours with the Q Bag setup and found the single bag thing to be a pain when I want to stuff water bottles/crisps etc in as well
I've got a 20 ltr tankbag that'll be for gloves, water, throw over waterproofs etc and multiple passports.
Guess I'm mainly thinking along which will annoy me less/make it feel less top heavy (will probably end up using it for various shop runs as well)?
The weight / size has to go somewhere I guess - how much and where is up to you (although I'm surprised you like to stick 70l in a tail bag if you hate the feel of a top box).
This is what works for me:
Soft Bumot panniers (yes they add width to the rear, but I think the handlebars / mirrors are still pretty much the widest part of the bike). They can be secured using some steelcore straps if you're leaving stuff in them when you're away from the bike. Really easy to store water bottles etc in the external pockets on both panniers. Internal removeable dry bags which are really easy to just lift out if you want to take everything out of the panniers. 40 litres + 35 litres - no, I don't tend to use the full capacity.
+ 30l Mosko Moto duffel (seems to take alot more than 30l worth of stuff & extra bits can be stashed in the 'beaver tail' bit - easy enough to take off the bike and use as a carry bag when you get to the ferry / campsite / hotel whatever. It has hidden rucksack straps so you can turn it into a rucksack in a couple of seconds if you want to have you hands free to carry your other bit and pieces away from the bike.
+ micro SW Motech tank bag (maybe 3 litres?) for passport / tickets / documents / wallet etc.
It's a bit of a fudge as I'm increasing both width and centre of gravity, but hopefully not too much of either.
This is what works for me:
Soft Bumot panniers (yes they add width to the rear, but I think the handlebars / mirrors are still pretty much the widest part of the bike). They can be secured using some steelcore straps if you're leaving stuff in them when you're away from the bike. Really easy to store water bottles etc in the external pockets on both panniers. Internal removeable dry bags which are really easy to just lift out if you want to take everything out of the panniers. 40 litres + 35 litres - no, I don't tend to use the full capacity.
+ 30l Mosko Moto duffel (seems to take alot more than 30l worth of stuff & extra bits can be stashed in the 'beaver tail' bit - easy enough to take off the bike and use as a carry bag when you get to the ferry / campsite / hotel whatever. It has hidden rucksack straps so you can turn it into a rucksack in a couple of seconds if you want to have you hands free to carry your other bit and pieces away from the bike.
+ micro SW Motech tank bag (maybe 3 litres?) for passport / tickets / documents / wallet etc.
It's a bit of a fudge as I'm increasing both width and centre of gravity, but hopefully not too much of either.
Triaguar said:
£290 for two small bags, 40L total, that are only held on under the rear seat ? This is the problem with Kriega, totally unjustified cost, suspect fitting and they age, the plastic gets brittle. I agree, when they came out they were the best available, but Kriega haven't been able to keep up, still stuck with what they originally came up with.SteveKTMer said:
Triaguar said:
£290 for two small bags, 40L total, that are only held on under the rear seat ? This is the problem with Kriega, totally unjustified cost, suspect fitting and they age, the plastic gets brittle. I agree, when they came out they were the best available, but Kriega haven't been able to keep up, still stuck with what they originally came up with.Suppose that's why there are different products on the market so people can make their choice and get what suits them, but some of those observations I just don't recognise. 'Just fastens under the seat' that's the joy they are so easy to fit and remove . Mine actually fits on a purpose made platform (Hepco and Becker). I have done thousands of miles with mine and they have never moved even once. 'Brittle plastic' my bottom one is 10 years old still like new. Only 40 litres, that little pile is for 2 weeks motoring and trust me I don't dress like a tramp. But I do respect the fact that others don't fancy them, just suits me perfectly fine.
I haven't used them but have seen the various Lomo bags recommended
https://www.lomo.co.uk/products/dry-bag-motorcycle...
I like their simple website and the excellent videos showing exactly what you're buying
https://www.lomo.co.uk/products/dry-bag-motorcycle...
I like their simple website and the excellent videos showing exactly what you're buying
SteveKTMer said:
Triaguar said:
£290 for two small bags, 40L total, that are only held on under the rear seat ? This is the problem with Kriega, totally unjustified cost, suspect fitting and they age, the plastic gets brittle. I agree, when they came out they were the best available, but Kriega haven't been able to keep up, still stuck with what they originally came up with.
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