When you figure out panniers/luggage is actually awesome | Page 4 | GTAMotorcycle.com

When you figure out panniers/luggage is actually awesome

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I used to use soft bags until I bought a set of Krauser bags for my GS1150EF back in 2006.

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The side cases that came on my ST1100 rarely come off the bike because my rain gear is in them and the bike looks better with them on. When I got the ST there was no top case. I added that within a year and use it mostly to lock away my helmet when not riding. A little extra storage capacity while out for a ride is a good thing as well.
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Feel like this realization is part of maturing as a rider.
My bike is too old so racks were hard to find and the one on the market cracks subframes.
Forced to weld together a bolt-on rack to mount a GIVI
Still think they ruin the look of the bike but the versatility trumps it.
I mostly commute on my bike but even when I am not it's nice to be able to grab stuff like takeout or groceries and not carry an annoying backpack around. Handles way better with load in the topcase vs. on your back.
Mine fits my laptopbag and a hardhat/vest daily to work.
Will never go back, next bikes will always have storage.
 
One thing that’s pretty good with a full bag set up is that I’ve ridden to the beach before ATGATT (which is what I always ride anyway), stowed all my riding gear in the bags, stripped down to my swim shorts under riding pants, chucked the boots and socks and helmet into a topcase and grabbed some flip flops and a towel out the case. Hey presto...ATGATT to beach bum mode in 5 mins with everything securely locked away. Need to have big bags to fit everything in though to be sure. Actually, my helmet goes in with my jacket in the top case, boots in one of the side bags.
 
Here is my touring set up taken on route this week. (Red bike)
The BMW Side Cases (35 Ltr.) are only used for touring. The 30 litre BMW Softbag 3 with integrated dry bag is used for all other day trips etc.

The side cases fit as closely to the bike as possible, but the overall width is still quite wide for every day use.
They can be quickly added or removed with a turn of the key.


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jc100 said:
One thing that’s pretty good with a full bag set up is that I’ve ridden to the beach before ATGATT (which is what I always ride anyway), stowed all my riding gear in the bags, stripped down to my swim shorts under riding pants, chucked the boots and socks and helmet into a topcase and grabbed some flip flops and a towel out the case. Hey presto...ATGATT to beach bum mode in 5 mins with everything securely locked away. Need to have big bags to fit everything in though to be sure. Actually, my helmet goes in with my jacket in the top case, boots in one of the side bags.
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If stashing bulky items like riding pants/jacket/boots while you go hiking/swimming is an issue, then try carrying a PacSafe mesh net.

Here I'm wrapping the net around a 45L dry bag, but it's large enough to accommodate jacket, pants and boots as well when opened up.

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This is the smallest net at 55L, they also sell larger ones 85L and 120L. I can't imagine you'll need anything larger than 55L for motorcycle use.

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It comes with a lock and can be secured to the frame. Probably won't withstand wire cutters, but will deter the opportunistic smash-and-grabbers.

Best of all, it folds up to about the size of 3-4 stacked smartphones. Very compact and can fit in the corner of your tankbag until you need to pull it out.

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Lightcycle said:
If stashing bulky items like riding pants/jacket/boots while you go hiking/swimming is an issue, then try carrying a PacSafe mesh net.

Here I'm wrapping the net around a 45L dry bag, but it's large enough to accommodate jacket, pants and boots as well when opened up.

DSC_5477-XL.jpg


This is the smallest net at 55L, they also sell larger ones 85L and 120L. I can't imagine you'll need anything larger than 55L for motorcycle use.

81brhDVcM5L._AC_SX425_.jpg


It comes with a lock and can be secured to the frame. Probably won't withstand wire cutters, but will deter the opportunistic smash-and-grabbers.

Best of all, it folds up to about the size of 3-4 stacked smartphones. Very compact and can fit in the corner of your tankbag until you need to pull it out.

91Evvz1UahL._AC_UY445_.jpg
Click to expand...

That's a great idea actually. I like pacsafe products, I have a pacsafe portable safe that I’ve used before which is like the nets but covered in a beefy material and with a stronger cable and large padlock and a backpack with no slash construction and you can lock it to a tree or chair etc. I think I’ll order the small net.
 
I always want to ask people with trunks and panniers what the gross vehicle weight ratio and wet weight of their bikes are.
The numbers are hard to find in the wild.
For the 650 VStrom I found GVWR was 925 pounds, and 2008 wet weight in the U.S. was 471.5 pounds.
That lets you load 453.5 pounds, including yourself.
v-strom max cargo weight
Maximum weight allowed on the strom - I met a chunky girl.
vstrom gvwr

I was shocked to find that many sport touring bikes were lower than this at the time.
 
We always tour with a coiled cable bicycle lock. Pass it thru the arms of jackets and thru full face lids to lock stuff on the bike while checking out the sites. My riding boots get placed under the bike. Who is hard up enough to steal stinky old boots?
 
timtune said:
We always tour with a coiled cable bicycle lock. Pass it thru the arms of jackets and thru full face lids to lock stuff on the bike while checking out the sites. My riding boots get placed under the bike. Who is hard up enough to steal stinky old boots?
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Someone stole my trainers years ago while I was drying them on a line outside as they were so stinky they offended me.
 
jc100 said:
Someone stole my trainers years ago while I was drying them on a line outside as they were so stinky they offended me.
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I had a locked cable, coiled up and strapped down to the back of my bike. Someone stole it.

It was locked but not attached to anything, and they didn't have the key. They basically stole a closed loop of cable.

When I found out, I was more puzzled than angry. Like, WTF are you going to do with a loop of cable?!?
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