which soft panniers
 

hi all, can anyone recommend soft panniers which are a good size ,waterproof at the right price.thanks :helpsmilie:

look at enduristan monsoon excellent kit - I did a review on them here last week. Zen Overland are the uk dealers

Wolfman pannier are waterproof and really well made. Had a look at a pair at my mates and was impressed. Off course after a couple of good crashes I wouldn't expect it to be waterproof any more. Dunno why people are so concerned with that either. Not everything has to be waterproof. They need racks as well which I find annoying.

They also have that new Giant Loop rip off system which is waterproof. But it doesn't yield as much space for the size. Again, wouldn't expect it to be WP forever either depending on your riding.

Big fan of GL Coyote myself. Sturdy, light, convenient and doesn't need a rack. Put stuff that needs to stay dry in WP roll closure bags and you keep your pack organised and easy to use.

Andy Strapz have been excellent to me

Ben,

I would highly recommend the Andystrapz aswell and have written up a lot on another post including a bespoke pannier rack which was made by Zenoverland to fit the soft panniers.

Check it out- http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...apz-soft-58152

Chris & Chloe
WordPress.com

There appear to be quite a few negative reports on Andy Strapz regarding the stitching. Some info here

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Steel Pony bags are pretty sturdy and a similar design.

Another big thumps up for the Steel Pony panniers. Have done some 6000km in all conditions with them and even dropped the bike onto them a few times. No issues with them Steel Ponies at all. They are also bigger than the AndyStrapz.
Just be aware that both, Steel Pony and AndyStrapz are made of canvas which makes them not perfectly waterproof in big downpours. However, only things which touch the sidewalls of the panniers will soak up some of the moisture. I just put everything in a big plactic bag inside the panniers and that solves the problem.

Dropped my DRZ on my wolfman (front and rear) panniers a couple of times so far (in 15000 miles from UK to mongolia). Still completely waterproof and no sign of any damage after the drops (low speed, off road).

The Giant Loop coyote is a great bit of kit (my travel buddy edteamslr is using that set up on his WR250R for this trip) but not completely waterproof.

I like waterproof myself as it makes life easier not having to bugger about with waterproof bags inside...

True.
 

True, the original coyote is NOT WATERPROOF. Giantloop know this and hence the new coyote has a stormzip. I hoped the one I ordered would be the new one but sadly I was sent an old one. Don't be fobbed-off - the stormzip is all you need to get the bags to resit water ingress in a mega-downpour. Or just put up with some wet kit and/or using waterproof bags inside. No big deal.

If you want a no-rack, no-compromise, tight-as-a-drum luggage solution for those who are sure that light-weight-is-the-way-forward then the Giantloop is the only way.

Everything else is metal racks or dangly-bags. And that's just not cool. Stick a 'Loop on it.

Write this down. " Note to self. Need to try harder.' beer bier:Beach:

Pretty jealous. Would love to roam through Mongolia on my 400.

That's not entirely true. The seams aren't sealed. It comes with seam sealer though, but I know I couldn't be bothered cause I'd use internal roll closure bags anyway. Other than that, completely agree.

That's another thing I didn't get sent when I bought it from AdventureSpec! Interestingly, it wasn't until the mega-downpour in Barnaul the other day that I was even aware that the whole bag wasn't waterproof. I'd had no noticeable ingress at all in the other rain storms. When I took the contents out in Barnaul a couple of hours after the storm each side contained 1/2ltr of water happily sitting in the bottom and going nowhere. I still suspect the zip is the prime suspect.

This is one of my prime irritations with all soft motorcycling gear I've used--including panniers, clothing and some random other stuff. If water can get in, you ought to design a way for water to get back out again, right? If I pay US$600 for a top-of-the-line riding jacket, I don't expect the pockets to fill up with water until they overflow out the top zippers when I ride in the rain; same with expensive roll-top panniers.

Other outdoor gear manufacturers know about this stuff. If I buy a bathing suit at Wal-mart or a pair of tacky zip-off convertible trekking pants at REI, each pocket will have a little grommet hole in the bottom to let water out. So why can't my $600 motorcycling jacket manufacturer do this? It's not like they're trying to maintain the waterproof integrity of their pockets: remember, these fill up with rainwater until they overflow out the top closures. And I've had soft panniers from a highly-respected manufacturer which fill with water 6 inches deep; a wee metal grommet would limit that to a fraction of an inch. Likewise my MX boots, which seem to start filling with water even before it starts raining.

Any explanations out there? Are we motorcyclists just so accustomed to acting like doormats that manufacturers know they can get away with it?

Ok, I feel better now. [/rant]

Mark

In my humble opinion, compared to say 30-40 years ago when motorbike stuff was universally functional (although limited by materials available at the time), today, buyers of motorbike stuff have become dedicated followers of fashion. Whether a doormat can be considered thus I don't know - maybe.

When new materials started to become available to manufacturers they had a choice to make stuff better suited to its purposes, or to bring in cosmetic designers to use the new materials to make products 'attractive' instead. It didn't take much research to decide which was the most lucrative path to follow.
And the incessant lifestyle and fashion marketing since, aimed at bikers, put the boot in.

I'm stunned now at the stuff that gets sold, and the prices, and have over the years stopped buying motorbike stuff and looked to other industries instead. Boots - military. Jacket/trousers - sailing/industrial. Farkles - Meccano (or similar). Luggage hardware including the old chestnut of protection from silencers - plumbing. None has failed me so far, particularly London-Cape Town.

All we need now is for governments to make certain items of clothing compulsory (already generally the case of course for helmets) and the end of 'ordinary' riding won't be far away.

The example I think is compulsory bicycle helmets in Australia, resulting in the collapse (so I've read) of cycling as a pastime. Maybe the fashion industry over there isn't quite so well marketed.
Perversely, I also use cycling stuff now as well (bracketry, pump, luggage), much more functional, which considering how fashion-conscious that industry is maybe destroys a big chunk of my argument.......

Talking of helmets, do they have drain holes in them now? In Paris once, years ago, I parked on a convenient pavement near Les Halles to use the swimming pools there. Like all other riders I left my crash helmet hanging by the strap on the handlebars. It was sunny at the time.
Returning over an hour later there had been a downpour. My helmet was full right up to the face opening. I wished at that moment I had a drill to make a hole in the top, so it wouldn't happen again.....

bags
 

I have used for 20000 miles the ortlieb and they were perfect , I used the wolfman but for way less miles and they are superb too , the wolfman do hold close to the bike and stay in better position than the ortlieb .

good luck

hendi

I have Ortlieb panniers. They've done the job for more than ten years......

soft panniers security
 

I am about to buy an AT and am looking into travelling gear too. How do you guys deal with safety/security issues like leaving the bike when site seeing with soft panniers?

Cheers,
Noel
www.toyotaoffthemap.blogspot.com

Stay the night or park at a good hotel or similar with security parking. It sucks walking around in the heat with your gear (long pants) on, so I wouldn't be surprised if you end up choosing option 1. I believe it's about the ride to find place you can't do backpacking more than the sightseeing, but this is a personal decision.

There is a review in here somewhere about using stainless steel thin wire netting - probably in the equipment reviews forum.
What I do is park the bike in very public areas with lots of people passing by continuously. An alternative is to park in an entrance to somewhere, like a museum and ask the people working there to keep an eye on the bike + you could take the luggage inside and dump it with the attendants at the entrance.
Some people use a bike cover so that the whole bike is covered over.

I use a set of Crampster throw overs. The good thing is that shock loads are absorbed by the seat. anything I don't want to get wet I put in a plastic bag inside the pannier. Although I have yet to see any dampness on the plastic bags so they have been waterproof thus far.

I'll add another recommendation for Wolfman Expedition Saddle Bags.

25k miles through North, Central, and South America. Multiple lay downs. Bags are still in great shape and fully waterproof.

Never had an issue with security.

I have some Steel Ponies and was happy with them. Unfornately when I lent a friend my bike someone cut one of the panniers overnight in some podunk town in eastern Siberia. That's not the bag's fault though.

Also, IIRC Colebatch was developing some super-duper soft panniers, although I don't know if they being produced.

tmr

I saw the prototype when with him in London over Christmas.

Although still with some small modifications, they were very, very purposeful.

Smart looking too. Well, they were clean and new.
That will be changing, pretty soon!

My name is down for a set when (if?) further ones are produced.

Wolfman expedition work well, water proof and fix onto a rack well.
Angie has been over a few times and the bags toughed it out.

Welcome to Two Bikes Running

I've owned Andy Strapz and recently purchased some Wolfmans. Andy strapz are good because they're easy to remove and you can chuck them over just about any bike, the Wolfman's are good because they work as a complete kit and are very securely attached.

If you do go the Wolfman route, avoid the black version as it is extremely difficult to find anything in there. Don't ask me how I know.

Hi

I have a Giant Loop Coyote too - and already think its brill though I've not had it too long. I like the Kriega bags too - especially the way they are modular so up to a point you can pick what you need for different outings. At the NEC in Birmingham last year Kriega were showcasing a prototype of what they were calling an "Overlander" - this consisted of their larger (2 x 30L) packs with the option of bolting onto a frame pannier-style on the rear of the bike. The system was being developed either with or for use with the Rotopax fuel / water reservoirs to clip on beside them - looked very good, but I have been looking at their website and they're not offering them yet. The chap on the stand thought they'd be available around about March / April this year. May be worth checking out?

PacSafe do the steel mesh covers for bags / kit - but while they are a good deterrent, if anyone had bolt croppers or 5 minutes to work on it the mesh isn't 100% secure so yup - park in view!

I have used Andy Strapz for over 8 years, only on my second set as I set fire to the first set (long story). Strong, cheap, waterproof, repairable, and soft on you when you drop the bike on yourself. Of course, no security, but only take what you can afford to lose!

Ortleib rat pack + Magadans + 'pelican' cheapo copy as top box.
Best combi which works really well for me.
I've yet to see anything that remotely comes close.
But then it's horses for courses!

Here are many cheap options
Build your own panniers made easy

Hands down the winner is Wolfman!

Ive been on the road for nearly 3 years now and in those three years, Ive only had to replace one buckle that got sun damage on my Wolfman bags (and a couple i broke by squeezing through things!). However, I love them. I have the roll bag, expedition pannier bags and the tank bag.

Go Wolfman!

On my first trip, I used AndyStraps but they didnt last more than 6 months. They came apart at the stitching, I was forced to sew it up every second day.

I've just purchased a set of Ortlieb Moto soft panniers and will be using a pacsafe steel net normally intended for use with rucksacks to secure to the bike, when I need to leave it unattended. I will report how the panniers work out following my upcoming trip.

Tom

Andy Strapz got flamed a bit on the weak seam issues.

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Keen to see how those Ortlieb bags work out. I can't find much info on abrasion resistance with PVC coated nylon fabrics. Have read a report or 2 where they got burned through sliding down a gravel road. But the only bag that would not have that issue is likely the Magadan's. But then again, it's not like there 's heaps of images of torn up saddle bags I think.

I am currently using these however i found out all the screws are plastic which hold the straps !
I took out all the screws and fitted metal screws with large flat washers as i am sure with weight off roading the plastic screws would break.

Also not sure how the Velcro strap would hold up as the main connecting point?!?!

I just took all the connecting straps off and brought some heavy buckle fastening straps from a DIY shop and with a hot screw driver burnt a nice round hole into the straps to screw to the bags. seem to be holding up well but as standard i think there are more like pushbike bags rather than motorbike bags.

With a bit of work as i did above they are fine

Unassisted Simpson Desert Crossing - KTM 690 Enduro
 

Ortleib- I have used mine for 8 years and it is still OK. If you want some tough panniers then look up the ones called Magadans. Top kit.

Lc4e
 

Not to open a new thread I will just ask here. I have a 2003 KTM 640 LC4 Enduro and am in the need of a pannier bags. I do pack as little as possible, here is the weight of my setup on previous bike and a packing list is here. With the panniers I will also use a duffel bag to store the tent and sleeping pad.

Here is my criteria:
-Rackless
-Waterproof
-Easy mounting

Budget is up to a 250€, give or take a bit.

After looking far and wide I have somehow narrowed it down to those 2:

1. Kriega Overlander 30
http://cdn2.bigcommerce.com/server40...09.439.539.jpg
Pros:
-Tight to the bike
-Great quality(already own some of the Kriega gear)
-Simple on/off
Cons:
-Read about some straps loosening
-Third corner flop

2. Enduristan Monsoon 2 or 3
http://www.enduristan.com/uploads/pi...005_001_03.jpg
Pros:
-A bit more space for hauling stuff from shops to campsite at the end of the day
-Compartmentalization
-Enormous opening
Cons:
-To big? Tempted to pack too much stuff
-Quality, haven't seen in person but read something about frayed stitching
-Rear rack required for 640
-Plastic frame, how leg friendly in get-off

I have also looked at GiantLoop(too expensive), Wolfman Rollie series(too small), and some others. I would like them to be available in EU to avoid import charges.

All the suggestions are appreciated.

ADVENTURE DRY SADDLEBAGS

At US $135 a good deal, if you can get them to Slovenia.

I think they can work either as cross seat throw overs or attach to racks
or sub-frame. I have not used these panniers but have used several other
Nelson-Rigg products over last 20 years. Very good, lifetime no hassle warranty.

Why should any of this stuff cost over $150?

Have a read of this thread. This is some real world testing. He's tested pretty much everything rackless out there.

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Thanks for the suggestion, but shipping and taxes are unfortunately a deal killer for us in EU.

I have read that review thanks. It is here I found out about straps slipping on OL30.

I use a set of nylon saddlebags from a horsey site. Well made, thick ballistic nylon. Fit the bike well, AND COST $36 DELIVERED.
Pack the things inside in plastic ziplock bags