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5 Nov 2010
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Cape Town / South Africa
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I can highly recommend these;
Great Basin Saddlebag from Giant Loop.
Giant Loop™ Moto: Saddlebags for Motorcycles | Welcome
Last edited by gsworkshop; 8 Nov 2010 at 18:15.
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19 Sep 2007
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Saudi Arabia
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Pacsafe
Have a look at the Pacsafe range-- tank bag, tail bag, stuff sack all bags have an integrated steel mesh that locks and steel cables to lock to your bike and steel mesh covers for odd shaped articles. These are going to be my next purchase-- soft luggage that you can lock up to your bike.
Cheers
Ian 
Last edited by Dessertstrom; 19 Sep 2007 at 19:20.
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19 Dec 2007
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Mr. Marx,
With soft bags, it's pretty easy to fabricate something to keep them off the back wheel. A bar around the back to connect both side frames is very important for strength without lots of weight. I have plans to get a long "tube" of material stitched to the back of each bag, so a steel rod can be slid though to steel eyes each end and a small padlock used to secure to the frame. This will stop them moving around too. PM me if you want more details.
Just curious to see if you had further details on the above info.
Best,
Erek
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19 Dec 2007
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Sorry, didn't quote that correctly.
Erek
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29 May 2008
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I went the metal mules as well on the previous trip, but didn't really like the brackets very well. The locking bit couldn't be tightened enough to stop them coming off in even minor spills.
I still prefere hard luggage, but really skinny ones with a 45 degree chamfer on the bottom and the front like Jessy has.
Haven't really gotten under the mules though. We take it pretty easy, as nothing would last if you'd go trail riding with all that crap, but we had the habit to pull the legs up to the chest. Mind you, we didn't have much dirt experience back than, so not sure what instinct would tell us now. Find out I suppose.
2cm cuts are enough to ruin down gear and clothes. Plus they might go at it hard with the knife because of the mesh in an attempt to cut it leaving the fabric all slashed any you ending up with a mesh only.
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4 Nov 2007
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Location: Des Moines
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Currently in Manauga, Nicaragua and am making my way to Tierra del Fuego. My advice is not to go cheap on panniers. Buy Happy Trails or Jesse bags and you will thank yourself so many times on the trip. I left with the stock bmw plastic side cases and I can not tell you how bad they suck. Trying to close them is such a challenge and you always have to worry about them popping open as you ride. The plastic tabs that hold them on break off and there is not much you can do.
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19 Nov 2007
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: albury nsw australia
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i have had both
did europe and aussie with soft bags ,they split ,but i guess just get better ones ,like andys ,did canada to colombia with ali boxes ,happy trails rack fell to bits ,too much off road ,they are farcking dangerous if you do mad shit off road like i like to do, i still have a hole in my leg after 4 month,and i also got pinned under my bike wrenched my knee , but they do offer security for your goodies ,one thing is if you use any sort of hard panniers in my opinion ,wear motocross boots ,end of story .if i didnt i would have no legs left by now i think ,they bite and they bite hard
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19 Dec 2007
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Fastrax Dowco Bags - Soft
Check out this link:
http://www.partsmag.com/0702/pdf-070..._040_Dowco.pdf
My wife and I both have a set of these bags. They are awesome. They zip open and expand, have a ton of compartments and have hoods zipped in to the back of each piece to make them water proof.
Just curious to see others oppinions on this luggage. May use these on our rtw trip.
Best 
Erek & Candice
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19 Dec 2007
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Hi,
I personally prefer hard boxes, they tend to hold more and as previously mentioned, are a bit more secure (although probably not much).
I once made smallish panniers for my enfield out of 1mm mild steel, which I then had powder coated. They didn't rust at all, were quite strong and not ridiculously heavy. Instead of welding (which I can't do) I pop riveted them together, which forms a very strong join and also helps to stiffen up the box as the joins are double thickness. Surprisingly, getting things caught on the sticking out rivet ends was never a problem.
Matt
__________________
http://adventure-writing.blogspot.com
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*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such! 
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5 Nov 2010
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Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: manila philipphines,
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panniers soft vs hard
i went down west africa for 7 months last year swear by soft panniers lighter safer no leg breaking Its not uk but ive never never had anything stolen I leave again on sun 14th nov with what i consider the best panniers made in the usa agent at melbourne derbyshire Wolfman panniers BAH People are obsessed by alloy panniers WHy Oh dont say im just lucky spent god part of my working life in developing countries
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7 Nov 2010
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the exped woolfman's ssaddle bags are great kit _ the top roll-
and a mesh- it works
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8 Jan 2011
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What about plastic? I have had my eye on Give BT21 plastic panniers for some time. They're small but they lock so anything important can go in there and the rest gets strapped on, if somebody wants to steal my old socks they're welcome to them. Kappa make licensed copies or a different badge on the same thing (depends who you talk to) and you can pic them up in the UK for less than £100. They're tough, lightweight ABS and seem plenty durable enough without being totally solid. I'm still scratching my head what's best for me but my bike is small and I don't want to overload or spend all my money on expensive kit.
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8 Jan 2011
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I've gone to the dark side of soft luggage. Those skinny panniers worked brilliantly, but the weight got to me the more interested in riding dirt I became.
I'm using Giant Loop Coyote bags now with the sleeping bag and mat strapped behind it through the big straps they provide. Weighs next to nothing and doesn't hurt when it lands on you. Actually makes it better.
Security is a myth. A fully loaded bike covered in muck is a people magnet everywhere. For that reason I know I don't like keeping it parked out of sight. This is easier and less hindrance than it sounds. If you want to look at a town just stay the night and park is securely. Soft luggage (in particular the coyote) is very easily removed and carried to the room. Job done. So I end up enjoying the ride more, can go over more difficult terrain with ease and are easier and safer to use.
Those plastic cases may look good but you can't repair them. Some have had issues with cracks from vibration. They're really more designed for road riding. Pelican cases are a lot stronger and quite popular.
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26 Feb 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tmotten
I've gone to the dark side of soft luggage. Those skinny panniers worked brilliantly, but the weight got to me the more interested in riding dirt I became.
I'm using Giant Loop Coyote bags now with the sleeping bag and mat strapped behind it through the big straps they provide. Weighs next to nothing and doesn't hurt when it lands on you. Actually makes it better.
Security is a myth. A fully loaded bike covered in muck is a people magnet everywhere. For that reason I know I don't like keeping it parked out of sight. This is easier and less hindrance than it sounds. If you want to look at a town just stay the night and park is securely. Soft luggage (in particular the coyote) is very easily removed and carried to the room. Job done. So I end up enjoying the ride more, can go over more difficult terrain with ease and are easier and safer to use.
Those plastic cases may look good but you can't repair them. Some have had issues with cracks from vibration. They're really more designed for road riding. Pelican cases are a lot stronger and quite popular.
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Just wondering did you a do a big trip with the giant loop bags?
What were you on and did you need any rack etc to attach the straps to or keep it off the exhaust?
cheers,
James
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Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
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helps answer the question - Why Go? Inspirational stories by veteran travellers Greg Frazier (5 times RTW), Peter and Kay Forwood (193 countries), Tiffany Coates (Mongolia Mayhem) and Rene Cormier (University of Gravel Roads).
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