what are the best waterproof soft panniers ???

Have a look at Kriega - Select your region Their stuff is excellent. The US10,US20,US Combo30 and US Combo40 are all modular and come with various straps and clips to fasten the different ones together. I use a US20 as a tailpack with 2 US10's strapped either side. Unless I'm camping I can carry enough stuff for a weekend in that set-up. Hein-Gericke sell it so you might get some in the sale at the moment. The US10's also fit on top of my Vario panniers and strap to the bicycle rack too. Useful kit indeed.

wolfman has a WP range as well.

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Tacos Tyring Travels.com

Although I use hard cases. I've seen a lot of people using Giant Loop luggage on their travels and they really seem to rate it, I met the guys who run the company and they seemed nice guys as well as genuine bike riders/travellers themselves. Definitely worth looking at
Giant Loop™ Moto: Saddlebags for Motorcycles | Welcome

Good luck with your search.

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Tiffany
On the road from...I'm not sure any more
http://www.tiffanystravels.co.uk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAUhV1r-kUo

Yeah, they're brilliant. Went roaming through SE Queensland for it for a week. Stayed in hotels so no camping gear, but one between the Mrs and I was heaps of room. Single trails and didn't really notice it once you get used to the different balance. On a 650 or larger you probably won't notice it at all. I went with soft saddle bags at first because it has a lower COG, but I reckon that the added weight of the required luggage frame off sets the benifit of this lower COG.

Easier to get it on and off as well. It's a single unit so you fling it over your shoulder and walk into the hotel.

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Tacos Tyring Travels.com

I'm still loving my 75$ MEC bicycle saddlebags, mounted in reverse from normal(wrong side) to keep the weight farther forward but not get too close to the exhaust.
EDIT: here's a link, they are normally 99$ but I waited till some came up that were returned.
MEC World Tour 56L Cycling Panniers - Mountain Equipment Co-op. Free Shipping Available

They are:
-mostly waterproof by themselves
designed very thoughtfully, every strap ha a keeper, even the drawstring has a bit of velcro to keep it from flapping.
-have a hard back, are designed to snap together for carrying by hand
-light as they are designed for bikes
-efficient to organize, the pockets are excellent for a motorbike, and the bottom pockets have a second zip to allow access to the bottom of the main compartment.
-lifetime warranty
-sensible quick release that isn't easy to figure out, so they stay locked when someone tries to grab them, but with a few seconds I can trip the quick release strap, and going over bumps they stay tightly locked to the rack.
-lightweight to mount, my rack weighs under 1lb and cost about 2$.
Durable, I've already had a few low speed falls with them, spilled gasoline on them etc.
One went up in flames fairly recently when my muffler came loose, but despite the burning clothes and epoxy glue etc from my tool bag, the pack itself only sustained a small hole.
-Easily replaceable around the world the rack fits basically any bike pannier that mounts to a standard bike rack.
-have proper rain covers that work excellently.

Here's a picture of them mounted on my '79 CX500, I'm currently in the Yucatan, back on the road tomorrow, they've seen a lot of abuse and I honestly expected them to fail with all the weight and bumping over bad roads, they don't show any signs of problems, other than the now patched hole from my fire.

As you can see, they are almost a full foot forward of where the rear rack is, they basically sit an inch below a pillions leg, and parallel to the leg. IMO this is much better for balance than hanging way out on the back.





Http://JGBlog.ca

Vancouver to Argentina, 2010-?

R-Jays (Australian brand) make a great soft pannier. I purchased a set for $220 AUD. Have waterproof covers which are great! 3 strong velcro straps (although no locking options - try pacsafe though). They are expandable also.

RJays Super Sport Panniers

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'10 Suzuki DR650. 2011-12 Sth-Nth Chile-Alaska. Currently in Cairns, Australia. www.followtheakubra.com.au

Then there are Andystapz and Steel Pony. Which are also both Australian.
They are a very similar in design, well thought out, with roll over tops.
I've had a pair of Andystrapz on my bike, in daily use as well as trips for about 4 years, and they've stood up well.
I'm now giving Steel Pony a try. Early days yet but I think they are just a bit more ruggedly made. But S.P. have no UK agent. Just watch out for the import taxes when they arrive on your doorstep.

I have the Ortlieb panniers and they are verry good.
3 years on the bike now and still doing well.
They are expensive ( about 160 euro), but i think that the quality
makes up for it.
These panniers are simple , good made and waterproof,
that is what i like about them.
Saludos.

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I had a Kriega US20 for about a year, mine leaked (eventually) at the foot end in heavy rains but otherwise was a good bag. Durable, decently sized, easy to secure to the bike.

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2008 Yamaha WR250R

I also have to have a big thumbs up for steel pony panniers. 25,000 km on they just starting to break in. The best feature is to be able to carry 4 L of water in the side pockets.

My Andy Strapz have always been good to me, and my advice is to buy something without zips, as zips are a royal pain in the ass (for most outdoors stuff actually).

To add one more to the list:
Wolfman Expedition Dry Panniers

I have them for my upcoming trip. So no experience yet, but the quality looks very good. They should defenitly be waterproof.
They arent the biggest bags, but it will prevent me from carrying unneeded sh*t around

The reason why i didnt opt for the Giant Loop is that I want the rear seat to be free for a passenger, otherwise it would have been a great option.

The Steel Pony lookt nice aswell, especially the bottle holders (although, you can buy those seperatly for the Wolfman...). But shipping and import cost to europe made it a nogo. Also shipping can take some time, because they seem to be made on order. A very small company.

Wolfman could be ordered from the UK and had it delivered in just a week. Cant wait to try them out on my Africa Twin

I have the Steelponies for over 2 years now and did more than 50tkm.
Steel Pony Luggage Home

Great panniers!

Now I do like the look of those

Wonder if I could use them as a guide for some DIY and make some myself