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Dry duffel bag instead of top case Dry duffel bag instead of top case
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Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? Anything to do with the bikes equipment, saddlebags, etc. Questions on repairs and maintenance of the bike itself belong in the Brand Specific Tech Forums.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 21 Oct 2013
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Question Dry duffel bag instead of top case
Hey!

As I am riding more and more gravel and light off-road, I need to change my Givi Maxia 52l top box for a soft dry bag. Here is my criteria: needs to be top loading, at least 50cm wide, quality product not some Chinese knock-off. There are a lot of options out there, so I narrowed it down to these 3:

1. SW-Motech Tailbag Drybag Medium 35L


Size: 55x30 cm
Capacity: 38,811L (Calculated)

Pros:
- Hi-Viz yellow

Cons:
- Possible flapping of carry handles in the wind while riding

Price: 60€ (66€ delivered)

2. Enduristan Tornado M 32L


Size: 53x27cm
Capacity: 30,345 (Calculated)

Pros:
- No flapping handle

Cons:
- No reviews of the bag, like no one is using them
- Smaller size than advertised

Price: 65€ (77€ delivered)

3. Wolfman Expedition Dry Duffel - Small 33L


Size: 51x29cm
Capacity: 33,687L (Calculated)

Pros:
- A lot of happy users
- A lot of add-on parts
- Repair kit available

Cons:
- Possible flapping of carry handles in the wind while riding
- Price

Price: 99€ (112€ delivered)
--------------------------------------

In this bag I will have my camping gear: tent, ground sheet, sleeping bag and mat,...

Is anyone using any of these bags and can comment on them? If you had to chose one, which one would it be and why.

I will buying one as soon as I sell my Givi case.

Thanks for your help!
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Old 21 Oct 2013
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They all look good. I always stick to the original, and often the best...

Ortlieb Motorcycle rackpack.

Lots of colours and sizes available.

Ortlieb Rack Pack - 49 Litre


I think they are even doing one with a one way compression valve to get it really small too.
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Old 22 Oct 2013
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I've got the enduristan I chose it because it matched vmy panniers. But as far as a dry bag goes having ridden in torrential rain a few times with it it works, which is the main thing. and design means it straps down easily. Really as long as a dry bag keeps your gear dry what more do you worry about.

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Old 22 Oct 2013
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I have used the XL Ortlieb one for my trip around the world where as now I use the smaller Enduristan one.

The fabric is more less the same but the Ortlieb one seems a bit thicker. Nevertheless, both bags are very good.

Have used both, I would advice to buy the Enduristan one. Reason being, it only has one handle to carry which makes it easier to handle. Plus it has incorporated a lot of gear loops which the Ortlieb is missing. These are good for fixing it to the bike or fix additional gear to the bag. And all the buckles are the same and they seem to be stronger than the ones on the Ortlieb.

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Old 22 Oct 2013
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You might want to check out Lomo. This 40 litre version is a mere £21.



bag dimensions:-*59 cm*x 29cm x 32 cm

Their biker's rucksack was voted a best buy by Ride magazine and every owner I've ever met says they are the best bit of kit. They're cheap because they're sold to divers who good cheap kit and won't pay the premium that adventure motorcycling seems to attract.
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Old 22 Oct 2013
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My ortbieb has a handle...
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Old 22 Oct 2013
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Wink
Actually... it has two Ted.. ahem.......

Ghostie- might be worth remembering that yellow attracts insects.
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Old 23 Oct 2013
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I spotted this today which I thought was quite a good idea, it's a double ended dry bag so that you can get to the stuff at the bottom HERE

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Old 23 Oct 2013
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The cheaper ones do work well. I've got a few of them.

However, the Ortlieb ones are about twice as thick and made of a thick almost Vinyl material where the cheaper ones are not. They all keep the water out just the same but I've found the cheaper ones tend to wear thin and start failing where your straps are or where they're dragged along the floor etc.
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Old 23 Oct 2013
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I use a 65L Caribee Kakoda. Brilliant bag, cheap, tough, waterproof, and zips open. fits my tent, pillow, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, gas cooker and a bunch of co2 canisters.
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Old 23 Oct 2013
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Thanks for all the useful information. I guess enduristan is in the lead at the moment and those double sided dry bags look practical for my non-waterprof paniers
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Old 23 Oct 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by *Touring Ted* View Post
The cheaper ones do work well. I've got a few of them.

However, the Ortlieb ones are about twice as thick and made of a thick almost Vinyl material where the cheaper ones are not. They all keep the water out just the same but I've found the cheaper ones tend to wear thin and start failing where your straps are or where they're dragged along the floor etc.
To an extent I'd agree but it does seem that bags marketed at bikers has a premium slapped on them compared bags aimed at the watersports community like Lomo or Overboard. I've got both and the fabric used is thicker than that used for my Enduristan panniers.

A way to tell is to compare weights if possible obviously heavier = thicker (usually). Watch out too for the much thinner bags which are designed to go inside other bags. Very useful in their own right but far flimsier.
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Old 24 Oct 2013
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I have an overboard! Well i think that is what they are called and it is brilliant.

RRP is around 60-70

I got it from a company off ebay for 33 inc postage. Brand new. Its ace!
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Old 6 Nov 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alexlebrit View Post
You might want to check out Lomo. This 40 litre version is a mere £21.



bag dimensions:-*59 cm*x 29cm x 32 cm

Their biker's rucksack was voted a best buy by Ride magazine and every owner I've ever met says they are the best bit of kit. They're cheap because they're sold to divers who good cheap kit and won't pay the premium that adventure motorcycling seems to attract.
I took one of these to Europe this year, it pissed down nearly every day, by day 3 no one apart from me had dry anything, they are very well built,(the company make all there products for water based sports so what do you expect).
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Old 6 Nov 2013
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louis 1

louis 2

I have the louis 1 and its bombproof...
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