Soft Panniers: What to look for

[Niklas974]

Hi there,

I am in need of soft panniers for a 5 month trip to mongolia on my F650GS Dakar (I do have a luggage rack). There seem to be an awful lot of them and I'm not quite sure which parameters I should look for. Obviously important are:

• price
• volume
• width
• side pockets

I have identified a few options that might suit:

Kriega Overlander:
2x OS32, 2x Mounting Platform
Price: 700 € + international Shipping
Volume: 64 L
width: 19cm
no side pockets

Mosko Moto Backcountry 35L (kit):
Price: 610 € (incl. shipping)
Volume: 70 L
width: 20cm
one dry side pocket each side

Adventure Spec Magadan
Price: 430 € + international shipping + additional straps
Volume: 68 L
width: 18cm
2 side pockets each (not water proof)

Wolfman Rocky Mountain
Price: 430 € + international shipping
Volume: 72 L
width: 20cm
no side pockets

Enduristan Monsoon 3
Price: 275 € + national shipping (Germany)
Volume: 60 L
width: 25cm
no side pockets


I did read this post but still don't really see which parameters indicate that the Kriega setup costs nearly 3 times the amount of the Enduristan.
I would like some side pockets, but I'm not sure if they are worth 150 € (For that price I could probably find some add-on)

Which other parameters should I look for when deciding?
Also: did I miss an important option?

[dubber68]

When I was in a similar position I went with the magadans purely as they are slash proof and offer better security than the others in my opinion. This is a bonus as I travel solo mainly. Also they have 2 pockets at the front and 2 at the rear that take a 2L petrol container should you wish. I use mine most of the time despite having several other options both hard and soft.

[ThirtyOne]

I rode from Connecticut, USA to Guatemala and back with a pair of Wolfman expedition saddlebags. They're much smaller than those listed, but I can say that I have some first hand experience living off my bike with soft panniers for a few months.

First, I love that the Expeditions are waterproof, but if you have any road rash on the bags then you rip through them and you are forced to use drybags. (I didn't and I never dropped my bike so I was fortunate).

Looking at soft bags for the future, I would go with the Adventure Spec bags. I like the outer bag that carries one big dry bag liner for the whole pannier side. I don't think I'd want multiple small drybags inside of a porous outer pannier bag.

I also like the outer pockets of the Magadan panniers.

What I don't like about the AS system is that many people secure horizontal straps on this system and they have to put a vertical strap to secure the pannier. My Wolfman system didn't need that and they never came loose. They had 4 hooks that went out at each corner, and it was fantastic to get on off the bike every day. That way I didn't need to loosen anything to access the bag. Just unsnap the roll top part.

I would avoid the Mosko system because of the hard plastic mounting system. I don't care for that one bit.

Hope this helps.

[GenXrider]

Buy the Mosko's. Just about everyone else is these days and for good reason. The only people I know that don't love them are people that don't own them :-)

[ThirtyOne]

Originally Posted by robdr1

Buy the Mosko's. Just about everyone else is these days and for good reason. The only people I know that don't love them are people that don't own them :-)

I just watched two videos on their website about the bags, construction and mounting system. I still don’t feel completely confident with the plastic “wedge” mounting system, although it looks ridiculously convenient for mounting and removing the bags.

[mollydog]

Take a look at Nelson-Rigg panniers linked below.
This company has been making motorcycle luggage longer than many of the companies you're looking at. In recent years quality and design has improved a lot.

Many think because the price is low that these are NO GOOD. Not true. I've used 3 previous Nelson-Rigg pannier set ups and the new Adventure ones shown below are the best yet, IMHO.

I've not traveled with these but did see a fellow rider with a set on their Suzuki DR650.

If you camp and cook every night then you may need more capacity.

I would go with what you know. If you don't mind spending $400 to $900 USD on panniers ... then go ahead. The Nelson-Rigg ones may surprise.

https://www.bikebandit.com/nelson-ri...8aAm9dEALw_wcB

[mollydog]

Originally Posted by ThirtyOne

I just watched two videos on their website about the bags, construction and mounting system. I still don’t feel completely confident with the plastic “wedge” mounting system, although it looks ridiculously convenient for mounting and removing the bags.

I agree, would never use that system. Seen too many racks crack and break in Baja.

That sort of system puts stress onto your steel rack ... not to mention those "Wedge" mounts and plastic plates.

When riding 100's km on bad wash board road, most racks will crack and fall apart. Lots of wasted time getting things welded up. Been there, witnessed this several times.

I prefer old school "throw over" soft bag system where straps go OVER seat or frame, which takes 90% of the shock from rough road. You only need keep the bag off the exhaust.

You can still crack a rear sub frame if you over load your tail bag or box however.

With straps over the seat you have built in shock absorber system (soft seat) and on some bikes, you can go with NO RACK at all, just a heat shield for pipe.

I'm curious if you removed ALL the luggage off your KTM every night?
To me, that is A LOT of extra work. I've traveled with guys using Wolfman ... and getting it all off and back on is a bit of a job, IIRC.

I prefer INNER bags (the Nelson-Rigg panniers shown above come with inner bags)

All my stuff goes in inner bags. At Hotel, grab inner bag from panniers and go. Panniers stay put. Of course I take my top dry bag in as well. I use no tank bag, only Camel Back.

So only one trip from bike to room. And less than one minute putting inner bags back into panniers. About two minutes to strap on tail bag next morning.

I've seen guys struggle removing and remounting panniers onto their bikes with racks. Some use a lot of extra straps, hooks and such. With Inner bags, my panniers stay put on the bike. Always. I don't worry about theft of bags themselves. Secure parking a priority.

[Nuff Said]

All the bags look great IMO.

But the only advice I can give is like mention by Mollydog
Whatever bags you pick, make sure there can be ON & OF in 5 mins

[mollydog]

Originally Posted by Nuff Said

All the bags look great IMO.

But the only advice I can give is like mention by Mollydog
Whatever bags you pick, make sure there can be ON & OF in 5 mins

If you use "inner bags", then NO NEED to remove panniers themselves every night!

[Niklas974]

Originally Posted by mollydog

Take a look at Nelson-Rigg panniers linked below.
This company has been making motorcycle luggage longer than many of the companies you're looking at. In recent years quality and design has improved a lot.

Thank you for your suggestion. The website does not mention anything about the abrasion resistance of the panniers. Can you share your experience with that? I expect to fall quite a few times on my trip and the panniers should not break or leak from minor falls…

[Nuff Said]

Originally Posted by mollydog

If you use "inner bags", then NO NEED to remove panniers themselves every night!

With hard case panniers? yes I do that now but with soft bags, no just hook them of, because no locks .

[ThirtyOne]

Originally Posted by mollydog

I agree, would never use that system. Seen too many racks crack and break in Baja.

That sort of system puts stress onto your steel rack ... not to mention those "Wedge" mounts and plastic plates.

When riding 100's km on bad wash board road, most racks will crack and fall apart. Lots of wasted time getting things welded up. Been there, witnessed this several times.

I prefer old school "throw over" soft bag system where straps go OVER seat or frame, which takes 90% of the shock from rough road. You only need keep the bag off the exhaust.

You can still crack a rear sub frame if you over load your tail bag or box however.

With straps over the seat you have built in shock absorber system (soft seat) and on some bikes, you can go with NO RACK at all, just a heat shield for pipe.

I'm curious if you removed ALL the luggage off your KTM every night?
To me, that is A LOT of extra work. I've traveled with guys using Wolfman ... and getting it all off and back on is a bit of a job, IIRC.

I prefer INNER bags (the Nelson-Rigg panniers shown above come with inner bags)

All my stuff goes in inner bags. At Hotel, grab inner bag from panniers and go. Panniers stay put. Of course I take my top dry bag in as well. I use no tank bag, only Camel Back.

So only one trip from bike to room. And less than one minute putting inner bags back into panniers. About two minutes to strap on tail bag next morning.

I've seen guys struggle removing and remounting panniers onto their bikes with racks. Some use a lot of extra straps, hooks and such. With Inner bags, my panniers stay put on the bike. Always. I don't worry about theft of bags themselves. Secure parking a priority.

This was my first go at any long distance touring and I actually had to build the racks from my KTM, so I bought the Wolfman Expedition bags because of their price and volume limit (to keep my kit light). My subframe was aluminum and it's a motocross bike, so I was in a unique situation. That's a bit off topic.

So I've lived in Latin America for a long enough time to have learned the unfortunate consequences of theft. If it's not nailed down, there's a high chance it'll disappear. Additionally, the Expedition bags do not have liners or inner bags that can be slipped out with the bag's contents. I had to take the panniers off. There wasn't any other option. I will say that there's a quick learning curve with the Expeditions and the system is masterfully simple. No exaggeration, I could have my saddlebags and duffle off in under 45 seconds. It's really that simple. I kept the seat straps connected and therefore could sling the panniers over one shoulder and then simply carry the duffle in the opposite hand. Literally all my luggage in one easy trip.

I timed myself putting the bags back on, and that is a 3 minute process, and that's not racing. So, yeah, it's not slip on, slip off like the Moskos, but it's definitely a lighter system and I would guess that it's much more durable.

But, as I said earlier, I probably wouldn't use the Expedition bags again for international travel. I probably would't use soft bags at all. I was traveling solo and sometimes I wanted to stop at a park or Maya ruins site. You could ask a guard to keep an eye on your bike if it's a big open parking lot, but that's not always an option, and guards can't always be trusted. If you want to park your bike in a town or small city and explore for a few hours, hard lockable panniers is the best option in my opinion...at least in Central America.

[shu...]

Inner bags for me, too: open the muddy, filthy pannier, lift out the nice clean inner bag and take it into the hotel, tent, etc. I always use an inner waterproof bag- whether with soft panniers or hard.

I've used both the Magadans and the Mosko 35 L bags and liked them both.

Magadans on a Yamaha 600 in Tajikistan...



The Magadans are capacious and easily expand to swallow some extra water bottles, food, liters of oil etc when you need it. The pockets on the outside were useful for water and oil, and handy to keep your heavier gloves and balaclava in reach. The only thing I didn't like about them was they were kind of floppy and needed another strap vertically around the center to keep them quiet.

Mosko in Ecuador on G650GS BMW...



The Mosko were great bags, plenty of space, again with an inner bag to lift out. No complaints about them, though they are pricey. I wouldn't worry about the mount breaking, or breaking the rack in a fall. It's a soft bag and lots of the the force of a fall would be sucked up by the bag itself. As far as breaking from washboard, I can't see that as a problem either. I've seen racks bend or break in falls but never have had a problem with extensive washboard breaking them. Depends on your rack, I suppose.




.............shu

[mollydog]

Originally Posted by ThirtyOne

So I've lived in Latin America for a long enough time to have learned the unfortunate consequences of theft. If it's not nailed down, there's a high chance it'll disappear. Additionally, the Expedition bags do not have liners or inner bags that can be slipped out with the bag's contents. I had to take the panniers off. There wasn't any other option.

Yea, my house was robbed twice living in Guatemala and Van broke into once.
No other option for inner bag? Any common re-usable grocery or ice cooler carry bag will work perfectly as inner bag ... one of my pannier sets uses them now! But if your Wolfman's are that easy to go ON/OFF then no need. The guys I traveled with took about 30 minutes to load up in the morning ... everyday. (two panniers and Top duffel bag) But to be fair, it was their FIRST trip using the Wolfman's. Learning curve.

Originally Posted by ThirtyOne

But, as I said earlier, I probably wouldn't use the Expedition bags again for international travel. I probably would't use soft bags at all. I was traveling solo and sometimes I wanted to stop at a park or Maya ruins site. You could ask a guard to keep an eye on your bike if it's a big open parking lot, but that's not always an option, and guards can't always be trusted. If you want to park your bike in a town or small city and explore for a few hours, hard lockable panniers is the best option in my opinion...at least in Central America.

This is always the challenge using soft luggage and leaving the bike to go for hike, visit a ruin or shop around town. But if you think hard panniers are more secure ... well ... you may be living in a fools paradise! Any hard pannier can be cracked into in less than 5 minutes by a kid with a screw driver and hammer. Witnessed this in Mexico!

So not an easy thing to overcome, often you just have to look around and ask, try to find a trustworthy person to keep any eye on your bike(S) usually money helps. I generally find kids. Pay half up front, half when I get back. And I always mention Policia.

[mollydog]

Originally Posted by shu...

As far as breaking from washboard, I can't see that as a problem either. I've seen racks bend or break in falls but never have had a problem with extensive washboard breaking them. Depends on your rack, I suppose..............shu

Yes, it does depend on the rack ... and your suspension, load and speed too.

In Baja I've seen many racks and sub frames break ... mostly on BMW GS, a few XR650L Hondas, KLR's and KTM's. And these broke with just a week or two of Washboard abuse. We know every welder in Baja!

Also, we've all read dozens of ride reports where broken luggage racks happen, often from riding Washboard roads.