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The dangers of soft luggage The dangers of soft luggage
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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.
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  #1  
Old 8 Jun 2009
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I won't add to the hard vs soft debate..
But it sounds like these danger stories all have a common thread - negligent use of soft bags vs the safe complacency of hard luggage.
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  #2  
Old 8 Jun 2009
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In my experience its how you set them up. soft panniers work great if you take care putting them onto the bike, tying up/cutting down loose webbing/strapping, maybe even using a few bent coat hangers to keet the fabric from the bikes heat sources.

Be extra vigilant when using. Only prob is security; in that dept. there s***e
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  #3  
Old 8 Jun 2009
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Remember that a lot of 'grey-beards' purpose in life is to tut-tut and exhale noisily and tell you you are doing it all wrong. And a lot of them talk s***e.

If the system works for you stick with it. There are up and down sides to both types of luggage and as mentioned above, dangers inherent in both types too.

Matt
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  #4  
Old 8 Jun 2009
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As posted by dbg:
Quote:
hint: buy a soldering protector pad from B&Q (or similar) and fix it on your rack by the exhaust, hey presto, no scorch marks and your panniers are fully protected
- could you expand on this, i can't really visualise one of these even from my school soldering days. Perplexed, Dave.:confused1:
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  #5  
Old 9 Jun 2009
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Originally Posted by edteamslr View Post
But it sounds like these danger stories all have a common thread - negligent use of soft bags vs the safe complacency of hard luggage.
couldnt agree more, soft bags are fine, but if you put them on touching or near the exhausts, with loose straps hanging all over the place, and not strapped down tightly so they move all over the place, then you are asking for trouble.
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Old 9 Jun 2009
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Hey Pottsy,
For the soldering mat -
B&Q Soldering Mat, 0000003276334

(cripes, I reckon THAT link won't work!) anyhooo, £4.98 from B&Q, we just fixed it to the side of the rack next to the exhaust.

Hope that helps!
Im
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Last edited by dbg; 9 Jun 2009 at 12:08. Reason: thought I'd add his name!
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Old 9 Jun 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by edteamslr View Post
But it sounds like these danger stories all have a common thread - negligent use of soft bags vs the safe complacency of hard luggage.
I totally agree... If you don't bother to heat shield your exhaust (How obvious can you get) or secure them properly, you get what you deserve. I used soft bags through most of south America with no issues. I swapped my
Metal Mules for them and I had a much better time.

Hard boxes have their own pocket full of cons too. Price, difficult to repair, weight, bulk etc.

For road touring, I like plastic E36 Givi boxes and for more hardcore overlanding, softbags are my firm favourite.

I maybe tempted with Pelican Cases.. £40 each and more durable than Aluminium.

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Old 9 Jun 2009
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Originally Posted by tedmagnum View Post
I totally agree... If you don't bother to heat shield your exhaust (How obvious can you get) or secure them properly, you get what you deserve.
Indeed.

As well as some sort of heat shield, consider wrapping your exhaust from the headers to the end with exhaust wrap. It's not that expensive on eBay and can also save you from a nasty burn or singed trouser leg one day.

You also get that professional, rally-prepped look...

Here's one I made earlier...



Stephan
PS As another DIY mod, I picked out the best-looking finned computer heat sink from work and I think it would work pretty well jammed between the exhaust and the plastic. I've got adhesive insulating material on the underside of the plastic which is much thicker than the thin stuff that Honda glue on at the factory.
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Old 9 Jun 2009
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Originally Posted by Stephano View Post
Indeed.

As well as some sort of heat shield, consider wrapping your exhaust from the headers to the end with exhaust wrap. It's not that expensive on eBay and can also save you from a nasty burn or singed trouser leg one day.

You also get that professional, rally-prepped look...

Here's one I made earlier...



Stephan
PS As another DIY mod, I picked out the best-looking finned computer heat sink from work and I think it would work pretty well jammed between the exhaust and the plastic. I've got adhesive insulating material on the underside of the plastic which is much thicker than the thin stuff that Honda glue on at the factory.
That XR makes me feel all warm inside......

I miss mine... I hope my new DRZ fill the hole a little.

A quick note on the exhaust wrap though... Keep a very close eye on it.

Exhaust wrap

If you get holes, it superheats it and causes FIRE !!!!!!!!
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  #10  
Old 9 Jun 2009
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Originally Posted by tedmagnum View Post
That XR makes me feel all warm inside.....
Look a bit closer, Ted. It's a CRF 450X.

I've had no problems at all with the exhaust wrap so far and I've never heard of these issues before. I'll keep an eye on it and promise to repost if there's a conflagration or the header cracks.

Anyway, to keep on topic, if you use soft luggage make sure it's secure and kept away from the exhaust pipe.

Stephan
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  #11  
Old 9 Jun 2009
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Originally Posted by Stephano View Post
Look a bit closer, Ted. It's a CRF 450X.

I've had no problems at all with the exhaust wrap so far and I've never heard of these issues before. I'll keep an eye on it and promise to repost if there's a conflagration or the header cracks.

Anyway, to keep on topic, if you use soft luggage make sure it's secure and kept away from the exhaust pipe.

Stephan
So it is.. Shame on me.. (especially as I used to have a CRF450R lol)...

I just saw the tank and got all excited thinking about my BRP.

The exhaust on my DRZ is looking very rotten so im going to sand it down, coat it with exhaust paint then use heat wrap on it.... I like the look of it and have never used it myself.. Looks cool
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