Is motorcycling allowed?

[mazambaan]

Lekker Gnarly, Bolt seems like quite a character.

[sawystertrance]

Valid question.

 

Lighter than it looked. I am getting racks put on the bike now (while in service) for soft bags. I will discontinue using the top box. In its place will be the ATG bag that is in the pic. It has excellent securing straps and is waterproof. I will use this together with soft bags (ATG again). I will carry the spares and tools low in the panniers split between them.

The get up in the pic was more necessity than ideal packing. I needed to get to Scottburgh for a Memorial service ( my Mum) and felt that a long bike ride would give me time to think.......mmmmm.

On return I was carrying new suspension for my ZRX (delivered from Josie by my brother) which made the ATG bag a bit high so I strapped my back pack on top. That only had iPad and work phone so did not make it too heavy.

Gee, sorry to hear about Mum and condolences. Hope the ride cleared the head. Don't wish to meddle in your plans but thought I would give you an idea of another perspective.

I have a GS Avd and while i like the idea of the pannier racks acting as crashbars, they are a bit unsightly.

 

I watch a Bulgarian guy on Youtube who does adventure riding. He used and recommended this product (maybe he's sponsored by them although he says not ) by an outfit called 21Brothers. Seems pretty good and similar to GiantLoop product. Only possible issue would be protection from melting on the exhaust. I thought if you are over in Dubai you could order them. Just an idea. Perhaps after all that, you prefer pannier racks.

 

Here's the one I mean:

 

http://www.21brothers.eu/21brothers.eu/Rogal_30L.html

 

 

and here's the link to his video on it:

 

 

 

or

 

 

https://rtw-adventures.com/motorcycle-saddlebag-1.html

Here are some opinions:

 

https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/equipment-reviews/21brothers-sawky-30l-soft-bags-83685

 

Edit: Multiple spelling mistakes

Edited November 19, 2020 by sawystertrance

[BenReaper]

Valid question.

 

Lighter than it looked. I am getting racks put on the bike now (while in service) for soft bags. I will discontinue using the top box. In its place will be the ATG bag that is in the pic. It has excellent securing straps and is waterproof. I will use this together with soft bags (ATG again). I will carry the spares and tools low in the panniers split between them.

The get up in the pic was more necessity than ideal packing. I needed to get to Scottburgh for a Memorial service ( my Mum) and felt that a long bike ride would give me time to think.......mmmmm.

On return I was carrying new suspension for my ZRX (delivered from Josie by my brother) which made the ATG bag a bit high so I strapped my back pack on top. That only had iPad and work phone so did not make it too heavy.

If I'm reading correctly, sorry to hear about the reason for your trip.

[Spokey]

Gee, sorry to hear about Mum and condolences. Hope the ride cleared the head. Don't wish to meddle in your plans but thought I would give you an idea of another perspective.

I have a GS Avd and while i like the idea of the pannier racks acting as crashbars, they are a bit unsightly.

 

I watch a Bulgarian guy on Youtube who does adventure riding. He used and recommended this product (maybe he's sponsored by them although he says not ) by an outfit called 21Brothers. Seems pretty good and similar to GiantLoop product. Only possible issue would be protection from melting on the exhaust. I thought if you are over in Dubai you could order them. Just an idea. Perhaps after all that, you prefer pannier racks.

 

Here's the one I mean:

 

http://www.21brothers.eu/21brothers.eu/Rogal_30L.html

 

 

and here's the link to his video on it:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKHWEuMGmcU

 

 

or

 

 

https://rtw-adventures.com/motorcycle-saddlebag-1.html

Here are some opinions:

 

https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/equipment-reviews/21brothers-sawky-30l-soft-bags-83685

 

Edit: Multiple spelling mistakes

Yeah, thanks, a tough trip, but life goes on. It was good to travel on the bike although I am rapidly becoming a wet weather specialist. I seem to get rained on a lot when I ride long distance.........nevermind, I prefer it to the heat.

The Giant Loop bags are great. I have a small throwover set on my KLR. Just 12 litres but enough space for my tools and spares for a a day or two.

On the Katoom I am not fussed about the look of the racks, gonna stick with my plan. I like the look of that bag but seems it will be harder for the pillion to be comfortable. Definitely lekker if on my own. I think the soft panniers will suite riding with the Missus a little better.

Edited November 19, 2020 by Spokey

[Spokey]

If I'm reading correctly, sorry to hear about the reason for your trip.

Indeed, thank you!

[BSG]

Indeed, thank you!

Sorry to hear about your mom. Condolences, a mom is one's best friend.

 

Just my 2 cents as I've had Gs 1150, 650, Kawasaki's, Honda's etc and I still want one, any adventure bike again. Because of this reason I've read up quite a bit lately and many adventure riders says that hard panniers not only protect the bike when falling over, it also helps quite a lot to lift the bike again as it won't be that low to the ground which kind of makes sense to me?

[Steven Knoetze (sk27)]

Sorry to hear about your mom. Condolences, a mom is one's best friend.

 

Just my 2 cents as I've had Gs 1150, 650, Kawasaki's, Honda's etc and I still want one, any adventure bike again. Because of this reason I've read up quite a bit lately and many adventure riders says that hard panniers not only protect the bike when falling over, it also helps quite a lot to lift the bike again as it won't be that low to the ground which kind of makes sense to me?

 

A rider training course might help them to stop falling.......

[sawystertrance]

There are mixed views on this and it boils down to personal choice. "Some say" that hard panniers are more likely to break - particularly at mounting point - on a fall whereas soft luggage won't and even if it does, it's easier to make a workaround solution. I've seen this happen as well as covers bending at the hinges, making them impossible to open or close.

Another factor mentioned is that hard luggage is more likely to cause injury if it falls on you, with all those sharp edges and being unyielding.

In favour of hard luggage is the fact that it is lockable and you can remove and sit on it out in the bush.

 

I think soft luggage will also protect the bike when falling and stop it from falling entirely flat, depending of course on which soft luggage one uses.

 

All in all, I don't think there's a right or wrong, it's a personal choice informed mainly by the type of riding one does.

[Steven Knoetze (sk27)]

There are mixed views on this and it boils down to personal choice. "Some say" that hard panniers are more likely to break - particularly at mounting point - on a fall whereas soft luggage won't and even if it does, it's easier to make a workaround solution. I've seen this happen as well as covers bending at the hinges, making them impossible to open or close.

Another factor mentioned is that hard luggage is more likely to cause injury if it falls on you, with all those sharp edges and being unyielding.

In favour of hard luggage is the fact that it is lockable and you can remove and sit on it out in the bush.

 

I think soft luggage will also protect the bike when falling and stop it from falling entirely flat, depending of course on which soft luggage one uses.

 

All in all, I don't think there's a right or wrong, it's a personal choice informed mainly by the type of riding one does.

 

When I bought my Tiger 800 XC I was not able to get the soft pannier bags as agreed upon as the previous owner, in hast, did not strap it on properly. This caused them to slide over and burn against the exhaust, beyond use.

I bought a big Givi bag and just strapped that down, never needed more packing space for what I did.

I do think I would use soft bags if ever needed.

The hard luggage would be for cross continental rides, IMO anyway.

[Spokey]

There are mixed views on this and it boils down to personal choice. "Some say" that hard panniers are more likely to break - particularly at mounting point - on a fall whereas soft luggage won't and even if it does, it's easier to make a workaround solution. I've seen this happen as well as covers bending at the hinges, making them impossible to open or close.

Another factor mentioned is that hard luggage is more likely to cause injury if it falls on you, with all those sharp edges and being unyielding.

In favour of hard luggage is the fact that it is lockable and you can remove and sit on it out in the bush.

 

I think soft luggage will also protect the bike when falling and stop it from falling entirely flat, depending of course on which soft luggage one uses.

 

All in all, I don't think there's a right or wrong, it's a personal choice informed mainly by the type of riding one does.

I just like the soft bags all around. I like that one can roll the bags down and keep things small when traveling light on a short trip. Rereading your post there certainly are strong points for hard boxes. I think on a long trip I would go that route, being able to lock them on the bike. To be honest, more than a week on a two up trip I think I would take my bakkie ha ha! At the moment I am not carrying camping or cooking gear either. Trips are max a week and at self catering venues.

[BSG]

https://www.advpulse.com/adv-news/dual-sport-tire-questions/

 

Nice article regarding Adventure tyres.

[IceCreamMan]

After a few months of searching and scouring ebay and the likes i have acquired an RG 250 Gamma. should be delivered in the next week or 2 if all goes well.

 

1983 model, 11900 kilometers on it , japanese import in the last 2 years. In excellent condition according to the fotos and i paid a little over the odds for it due ot its condition. 

 

Back in the 80's i was mates with Gavin Ramsey and he used to race these. Always said i would have one and now hopefully i will. Its just to potter around on an look at myself in the shop windows as i ride through town. Physically quite small bikes so look more like a gorilla on a football. 

 

Parts are quite tricky to source and expensive so heres hoping rarely needed. Serviceable items however are avaialble and normaly priced. 

 

Will post pics once i get it

[Hairy]

[Kranswurm]

After a few months of searching and scouring ebay and the likes i have acquired an RG 250 Gamma. should be delivered in the next week or 2 if all goes well.

 

1983 model, 11900 kilometers on it , japanese import in the last 2 years. In excellent condition according to the fotos and i paid a little over the odds for it due ot its condition.

 

Back in the 80's i was mates with Gavin Ramsey and he used to race these. Always said i would have one and now hopefully i will. Its just to potter around on an look at myself in the shop windows as i ride through town. Physically quite small bikes so look more like a gorilla on a football.

 

Parts are quite tricky to source and expensive so heres hoping rarely needed. Serviceable items however are avaialble and normaly priced.

 

Will post pics once i get it

A bit small but good luck and enjoy

[patches]

I've been using Kriega soft luggage on my Huskies. I like the system and the flexibility it offers.

On short overnight trips where a tent isn't required, I'll just run a 10L tail pack. For 2-3 day trips (where the tent is needed) I'll run 2x 18L panniers. And for longer adventures I'll run the 2x 18L panniers and the 10L.

 

All waterproof, tough, and individually detachable.

 

I use the OS-Base harness on the Huskies as they have no composite sub-frames with no load capacity for luggage racks.

 

 

 

 

 

The OS Base harness is heat resistant so protects the luggage from the exhaust.

[WrightJnr]

 

Got to see Toby and Sam heading off to the dunes this morning. AlQudra Road while I was doing the school run. My day off to a good start!!