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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 13 Sep 2007
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what size panniers would you recommend?

I've just bought a DL650 which are coming with a free set of givi panniers and top box which i intend to use next jan, trvelling through South America and beyond..

I'm supposed to receive a set of E41 panniers (41L each) and a E390 (39L) top box BUT I've just been told there seems to be a bit of a back log (funny that..) and so I could be waiting a few months.

I have been offered a set of E21 panniers (21L) with a E450 (45L) top box which would be available *soon*.

Question: I like the idea of having narrower panniers hanging off the bike but - will I have enough room??? (that's 34L less - 121 to 87)

I'm wondering what luggage carrying capacity others have?

Note: I am travelling solo for 6-8 months. I would rather travel light and skimp a bit rather than carry 'the kitchen sink'. I plan not to have things hanging off the bike... (other than the panniers...) and I haven't gone through the fun part of working out all the gear i need to take and having to cut it down to half... (yet).

I know you can get away with carrying next to no gear but, in reality, how much DO people take??
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Old 13 Sep 2007
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70l of pannier space, a tank bag & a canoe bag for camping gear - and we're riding two-up !
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Old 13 Sep 2007
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Wink 21's

Just done a trip to India and I have 41litre boxes. Will make them half that size next time. If you don't have the room you cant take it. The amount of crap that just sat in the panniers there and back.

As for top boxes. I wouldn't give one house room but that's just me - hate the things... all that weight just where you don't want it. Canoe bag on the saddle for me.

John
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Old 13 Sep 2007
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My DIY panniers are 25L each and that's as much as I'd want for solo use
on a 600 single. Add in the bags on the front and rear racks together with a full tank of fuel and the bike is starting to get difficult to control.

The temptation with more space is to take more stuff, the bike becomes even more overloaded and overstressed.
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Old 17 Sep 2007
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Thumbs up Simplw way to work out what you will need to carry.....

DO LOTS OF SMALL TRIPS....a few days to a few weeks..

ANYTHING YOU DON'T USE, DON'T TAKE!

with the exception of, medical kits, puncture kits, toolkit (small one)

but dont take your shed contents with you, dont laugh, I met a swiss chap with a toolbox, metal cantilever type strapped on his bike, it was so heavy he could hardly lift it! it must have contained every tool he owned, including a lump hammer and a big engineers hammer, i know this as he stopped to help me strip a carb on my BMW and i was amazed at the toolbox he was carrying!, I was grateful of course, but thought he was a bit insane..... he had ridden from switzerland to UK with it strapped to his bike.
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Old 18 Sep 2007
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I think those 21 litre givi's are the cruiser type top loaders. They may look a bit odd on a wee strom. I agree about keeping it to a minimum. I've got 2 E36 panniers and a E52 topbox a tankbag and I put a 70 litre roll bag on the seat too with my sleeping mat and clothes in. It's starting to look embarasing. When I go camping in the car in the winter I don't take anymore kit. I've got to lighten it up for next year. I've just come back from a Scandinavian trip and carried 2 sleeping bags ! one for cabins and my arctic bag for in the tent. I'm out of control !
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Old 18 Sep 2007
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Thanks for the info,

I've decided to go for the E21s which were offered to me. I agree that they will probably look a bit 'odd' on the DL but I decided that function was going to be more imprtant that looks on this trip (the DL isn't going to win any beauty contests anyway is it?? ). From my own experience (limited compared to to a lot of people on this forum which is why I like asking questions here...), in motorcyle travel and backpacking/hiking, I have learnt that small and simple is good. I now just have to decide/work out how small/simple I want to go.
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