Luggage / Tailpacks etc

[Ditchfinder]

So whilst thinking about what trips are on the cards this year my thoughts turned to luggage. Now neither of my bikes has a rack and I don't really want to fit one to either of them either cos aesthetics and shit.

I struggle with tank bags as I'm short armed (and the griso is a plastic tank anyway so would involve harnesses and shit), possibly from being in Yorkshire too long.

So had a look at the Kriega stuff and that looks like it would work for me but blimey it's a bit spendy isn't it

But by chance those cheeky Amazon knock-off merchants who can always be relied upon to nick other peoples ideas and punt out similar for less than half price have come up trumps

So I'm ordering one of these https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rhinowalk-Pann ... to_dp&th=1 to have a look to see if it will explode into flames or be able to carry some spare pants and a toothbrush down to Wales

What could possibly go wrong eh

[Yorick]

I've got a rack on the GSXR. Looks OK.

But before we came here I gave my Oxford Sports panniers away. Now silly prices and big postage. But taking the missus touring in March so need to bite the bullet.

[KungFooBob]

I've got an Oxford Sports one (in blue), that I bought when I went away on my R6, twenty years ago. It's still in the loft in the garage.

Looks just like this...



It's still in good nick, only used to go to Fronch twice.

If I had to buy new today, then everyone always recommends the Kriega stuff.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

I've got a pair of Frank Thomas throw over panniers that I must have bought in the early 90s for a trip to the Peak District on a Slingshot GSXR750, still got them and they're fine.

Ordered some of these https://bikeluggage.co.uk/products/suzu ... t-s0gr77se from Amazon for the GSX for a lot less than they are on that website.

I don't like tail packs because they make getting on and off the bike difficult

[Yorick]

I've got an Oxford Sports one (in blue), that I bought when I went away on my R6, twenty years ago. It's still in the loft in the garage.

Looks just like this...



It's still in good nick, only used to go to Fronch twice.

If I had to buy new today, then everyone always recommends the Kriega stuff.

They were infamous for sliding off and getting trapped in rear wheel. I had a lucky escape before I found a better way of securing it.

[KungFooBob]

It stayed attached.

Can't say the same for my sleeping blag, blatting it back to Calais for the ferry.

[Horse]

I've got an Oxford Sports

They were infamous for sliding off and getting trapped in rear wheel.

Including one fatality.

[PitaNaanRoti]

If its a sports bike/sports tourer then the Bags Connection Cargobag is the best there is.
I have Kriega too but on a sports bike they become difficult to keep stable when fully loaded - even worse partially full.
The Cargobag will literally go on anything with 4 straps in seconds and even the other side of 180mph in Germany - never moved.
Bought this when they first appeared in the UK and its at least 12yrs old and other than being a bit grimy has never leaked, split or otherwise.
https://sw-motech.co.uk/collections/tai ... black-grey

[dern]

If you really want to go cheap then you could look at the uglybros bags on aliexpress... https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3305709 ... mainSearch

Obviously there's an element of risk that the ones I ordered and got will be completely different to what you get but it all adds to the excitement. I got two of the 20l bags and strapped them to my drz for a couple of days camping and mud and they were in exactly the same state when I got home as when I left and feel really good.

[Ditchfinder]

Those Uglybros ones look identical to the one I've ordered - I'll take some pics when it lands so you can compare

[gremlin]

They were infamous for sliding off and getting trapped in rear wheel. I had a lucky escape before I found a better way of securing it.

I know somebody who came a-cropper with one of those things. One-size-fits-none.

[Supermofo]

I bit the bullet fitted a topbox and just didn't look at the bike much to hide the ugly

[Dodgy69]

You can fix a tankbag with a ring that fits to petrol filler cap. Handy for quick access stuff, water etc.

[Druid]

I've got a pair of Frank Thomas throw over panniers that I must have bought in the early 90s for a trip to the Peak District on a Slingshot GSXR750, still got them and they're fine.

I have a pair of those too, I bought them about 15 years ago. They're no good if you have high level exhausts though, which is pretty much every bike I've had in the last 10 years

[PitaNaanRoti]

I've got a pair of Frank Thomas throw over panniers that I must have bought in the early 90s for a trip to the Peak District on a Slingshot GSXR750, still got them and they're fine.

I have a pair of those too, I bought them about 15 years ago. They're no good if you have high level exhausts though, which is pretty much every bike I've had in the last 10 years

Fitted a set of those fine to the ZX10r for a tour of Germany and numerous uk journeys until the Cargobag was released.
Never an issue.
Still have a set in the container somewhere gathering dust to pass on at some point

[GuzziPaul]

Planning a trip on the Le Mans this year, not decided where yet. When I went to France a couple of years ago I used some cheap throw over panniers. Worked ok and didn't letw water in especially after I'd sprayed them with tent waterproofer, but they did rub the paint off bits of the frame and indicators. I've also got 30 and 40lt Oxford roll to[ dry bags which I have used individually on the pillon seat of the Tuono, I bolt a grab rail on and use ROK straps.
I might be taking a tent (which I will need to buy) for this years trip, so I've been up in the loft and dragged out a Rickman rack I used on my first Le Mans on a camping trip down to the south of France in 1985. I've made up some proper spacers and brackets using some thick walled aluminium tube and did a trial fit at the weekend. Takes about 20mins to fit or remove using the top rear shock mounts and the rear seat mount/hinge bolts. So now got the choice of using both bags and the panniers. Not sure if I'm prepared to fit a top box yet, I've still got the original one from the 80s but might buy one for the security if a wanted to be away from the bike for a bit.

[asmethurst99]

I’m going to buy an Oxford dry bag to strap to my rack .Tail-pack makes it hard to get on .
I’ve got a kriega rucksack but I can,t look over my shoulder enough if I’m on the CBR.
I had the Oxford tailback - endless paranoia.

[wheelnut]

Dry bag and rok straps

[Ditchfinder]

So quick review of the tailpack I bought having used a few times this week.

I had been using my laptop bag on my commute but it annoys me how it moves about so knowing I needed to pick a couple of things up on way to work earlier in the week I pulled my finger out and fitted the tailpack.

Quality of stitching is spot on and all the clips and brackets are of normal decent rucksack quality.

Took 5 mins to 'install' the permanent straps as I tried to get them as far back as possible.

With laptop, some waterproof trousers and a few bits of shopping it strapped down solid and stable.

Getting on and off needs a little more flexibility at the knee with the trailing leg but manageable. I'm not sure it would be so easy with stuff strapped to the top of it.

It would be better if it could be a little further back on the pillion seat - this will be different on different bikes I suppose - as although it doesn't push me forward into the tank i'm aware that it's there.

The shoulder strap is rubbish and it would be good if you could buy the straps that stay fitted to the bike as a separate item so you can switch it between bikes.

No word on waterproofness yet - it's been dry here for a fortnight!

Going to use it daily on the commute to see how it holds up so will let you know if it turns to shit

Oh and it's so much nicer than the laptop bag or rucksack

[Dodgy69]

I also bin the shoulder straps, never used them. But ye, there's lots of choice out there and most do a decent enough job. I use Givi or Lomo waterproof roll bags straped to pillion seat, works a treat.

If I need to carry extra fuel, then the dreaded top box comes out. 10L fits nicely in a 39L box.