Soft bag or panniers? Best bag system for XT 600 E ? !
 

Hi All,

I bought a 2003 mod. XT600 E and I will need a bag system.
Panniers don't look nice and I think panniers looks and fits better for XT.

* What do you recommend soft bags or panniers, which is better for XT?
* About soft one, which brand is good?

Thanks for contributions.

There doesn't seem to be a right answer.

I prefer soft luggage (Wolfman) b/c of weight, size, and cost. You may be sacrificing some security, I more proscribe to the fact that if someone wants your stuff bad enough soft or hard bags won't matter. Hell, they might even take the entire bike!

TT Panniers
 

You might want to look at this video of me in the Congo bashing the heck out of my TT panniers on my XT, sorry about the expletives on it but it goes to show I'm having soft panniers next time I buy!!

YouTube - ‪Lovely Day in the Congo‬‎

I chuckle every time I watch it!!

I had a 2003 XT600E. Used it for South America..

If you want the advice of someone who bought hard panniers for this bike then swapped them to softbags as soon as he could, i'd say keep the bike as light as possible by using soft bags. That way you also don't need a heavier pannier frame too.

Big heavy panniers belong on big heavy bikes. It's as simple as that !! :thumbup1:

Its not the type of bike that takes heavy panniers well. The suspension and brakes are crap as it is...

Theres some further XT mods on my website if you're interested.

Regards, Ted

Also -- if you moved back a couple of yards, you'd of been in the shade of that tree :smartass:

I have never used these but the look like a neat idea...

Giant Loop™ Moto: Saddlebags for Motorcycles | Giant Loop™ Performance Motorcycle Gear

John

AHHH Geoff ! Your XT was the clone of mine.... Even down to the bash plate and white tank..

I kept the standard shock though.:innocent:


Sorry to hear your woes with the boxes. Same thing happened to me with my Metal Mules. Alwasy breaking, bending etc !!

I guess your a soft bag convert now ?? ? lol

made me ROTF Hehe only problem now got to look at all the others .

I quite agree i would suggest soft panners as lighter

* * *

Are they really crap? Does it need to be changed/modified?

Ok soft bags but which brand especially?

Don't get me wrong.. The suspension is adequate. It is budget though. It's non adjustable but it will get your through and do the job as long as you don't expect it to be a desert racer.

You can stiffen up the front with different progressive springs or oil weight

Just promise me you will keep the weight down.. lol.

ANY quality softbags will do. I'm currently using a set of £30 pattern 58 Army canvas bags on my DRZ..

You will probably need to buy/build an exhaust shield for the bags but it will cost a fraction of the price of hard luggage.

So you are using what 2 back packs, one either side?
Vince recommend them as well, my comment would be to remind that 58 pattern is not & never was waterproof once wet stays wet for ages & shrinks once dry and slowly stretch back to size.

Not sure if they're backpacks. I'm not familiar with the 58 gear. I've just posted a pic on the other "silvermans" thread.

http://www.touringted.com/_gallery_/...serialNumber=2

Can you identify them for me Sealous ????? (or anyone)


I knew they wern't waterproof so I've sealed them with multipurpose waterproofer (£15 for 4L but only needed 1.5L for a dousing), using a £2 spray gun.

I tested them with the hose and the water beads off... Still, all my gear is kept in waterproof roll bags anyway. I can recommend these to anyone if they're looking for a cheap, waterproof softbag "inner bag"

http://www.drapertools.com/products/...0_DB10_10L.jpg

They cost about £5 each. I bought 4 on ebay. When full, each 58 pannier fits 2.

I also love the side pockets, straps, and hangers on my 58 stuff. :thumbup1:

Large Packs.
 

Hi Ted, they look like "Large Packs", that's large compared to their sister "Small Packs". The '58 webbing consisted of a web belt onto which a shoulder yoke clipped. Two ammo pouches clipped to the front waist and one large pack was hung from the yoke and could be removed quickly. They're not battery acid proof either. Lindsay.

Hi Ted, yep the 1 on the right as we can see it is a 58 back pack.
On the other side (of the pack) you would have 2 metal hooks one on either side & 2 clips these would go over the yoke on to D rings just at tit level the hooks round the side the yoke was worn with a belt & 2 ammo pouches in front 2 kidney pouches a water bottle pouch as well and a poncho roll just below your bum! if like me you where 5 ft 5 lol. on the yoke as on the back pack as a small bit of webbing that is for a entrenching tool (pitch fork or spade) clip on there.

FYI I still have my 58 belt order, with yoke we would then remove the kidney pouches and put more pouches instead & in certain, operations we would just have belt order minus yoke as well

you missed out kidney pouches water bottle and poncho roll.