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Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? Anything to do with the bikes equipment, saddlebags, etc. Questions on repairs and maintenance of the bike itself belong in the Brand Specific Tech Forums.
Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



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  #31  
Old 1 Apr 2014
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check this
ORTLIEB Produkt-Details
But it's expensive too.

English: http://www.ortlieb.com/_prod.php?lan...=moto_rackpack

Last edited by microth; 1 Apr 2014 at 20:27. Reason: link goes to german site. added the english one
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  #32  
Old 1 Apr 2014
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Quote:
Originally Posted by microth View Post
check this
ORTLIEB Produkt-Details
But it's expensive too.

English: ORTLIEB Produkt-Details
I see no prices on the site.
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  #33  
Old 16 Apr 2014
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A top box to me is the worst form of luggage. It puts the weight high up, at the worst place for stress on the sub-frame, and it is not flexible for luggage size.

A dry bag tied on with a cargo net and straps is better, mounted on pillion seat behind you, with another non-waterproof bag to hold things you may need to access on the road, like tubes, small compressor, tyre levers etc. The dry bag rolls closed, becoming smaller with less luggage and forming a handle. it just gets in the way if you swing a leg over the bike, but if you are fit and flexible it is possible without standing on the pegs. Be careful your boot or sharp objects dont catch and make holes in it. Also, invariable you have to unpack the whole thing each night as something is always at the bottom.

Recently Ive gone over to panniers. I don't like that rattle on gravel roads, but since I sometimes take my son pillion the dry bag option is not possible. It looks neater but gives you that awful C&E look They also reduce your ability to filter. But they do distribute the weight low down and allow easier access to your stuff. Also, all your stuff is safe and locked up

Riding solo Im still tempted to go with my old dry roll bag and the hobo look.

Dry bag and net, hard or soft panniers, each has advantages and disadvantages. I cant see any advantage from a top box, especially on gravel and rough roads.
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  #34  
Old 25 May 2015
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I have the 40 litre LOMO dry bag. For 20 quid it's a no brainer..... Delivered to my door in two days. Excellent performance and robust to boot.
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  #35  
Old 26 May 2015
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Soft Luggage

Soft Luggage......It works.....

Eat , Drink and Stay Dry or Wet

xfiltrate
Attached Thumbnails
Dry duffel bag instead of top case-dsc00342.jpg  

Dry duffel bag instead of top case-dsc00373.jpg  

Dry duffel bag instead of top case-dsc00615.jpg  

Dry duffel bag instead of top case-dsc01130-1.jpg  

Dry duffel bag instead of top case-dsc01290.jpg  

Dry duffel bag instead of top case-dsc01883.jpg  

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  #36  
Old 5 Jun 2015
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I've done multiple tours with the Lidl and Aldi 40l dry bags. Never had a problem with them wearing or getting damaged and of course my gear always stayed dry.

I now need something larger and was considering the 60l Lomo, but they only do it Yellow (eugh), so as much I'd love to support Lomo, I'm now looking at the 70l Q-bag. A buddy of mine took a 40l one of these around Morocco and it served him well.

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  #37  
Old 18 Oct 2015
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Your choice?

What would your choice be?

The ortlieb 85 liter duffle. I have some doubts about the zipper but it has a ip67 qualification and cordura bottom.or the 90 liter waterproof overboard (or any other suggestions)? IP 66 and I like the roll closing system. It's heavier but I have some doubt about the durability compared to the ortlieb material wise.

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  #38  
Old 18 Oct 2015
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90L is huge... Orlieb do a 55L which when full is already very big. Think of the weight distribution. The big 90l bags will also be hard to store on the bike. They are too wide and sag a lot.
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  #39  
Old 18 Oct 2015
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Hey Ted!

Iagree, 90 or 85 liter is huge. If it will be to huge, that's the question.

I'm planning a trip to kenia and find it hard to estimate how much room I need. With only 2x10 liter as sidebags, a 11 liter tankbag I think I will need it. My thought is that I rather have to much bag than to much luggage. I'm trying to go minimalistic (that's more difficult than packing everything that I can think of).

But apart from the size, what do you think quality or up to the job wise?

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  #40  
Old 18 Oct 2015
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Ortlieb and equivalents are tough bags. Up to the job for sure. But my point was that they don't like to be bent and creased. That's when they could let you down. Where are you planning on on putting the dry bag ?

And why such small side bags ?
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  #41  
Old 18 Oct 2015
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IMO, Ted's got it right. Both 85 or 90 liter Duffel bags are H U G E!

My advice would be to fill up the 90 ltr. bag ... now attach to your bike and see how you like it. Too heavy?

If your top bag is ONLY bag you carry .. maybe it is OK for you? If you have room on your rear rack. No way to fit that monster duffel bag on my DR650.

I have a 35 ltr. Roll Top Wolfman bag. It's good but a PITA to get see what is at bottom of the bag. Holds A TON of stuff!
I use with panniers, never fill it. 50 liters more than enough for me, always room to spare, but I work hard to pack light.

I prefer ZIPPER top bag. Easier to find things quickly in your duffel bag. No digging around. I would go with Zipper bag ... but a smaller size bag. I'm sure Ortleib zipper will not leak ... no need for roll top type. A pain. (IMO!)


My Wolfman Duffel bag (less than half full) used with 35 liter panniers.


Here is a 65 liter bag I used on one ride. TOO BIG! Look how ridiculous it looks on my DR650. (black bike) Bad choice.

Last edited by mollydog; 19 Oct 2015 at 03:07.
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  #42  
Old 18 Oct 2015
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I agree that 90L is twice as big as practical, even alongside the bike.
A typical travel bike's entire baggage needs would cover that volume.

I'd go for roll-top not that Tizip. I have one on a drysuit. It works but is overkill for a moto bag (as opposed to rafting) and needs greasing, cleaning and careful use. And when it jams or breaks you're stuck.

Roll top is maintenance-free, can't break and can adjust for volume changes.

Overboard feels like cheaper, heavier PVC than Ortlieb TPU.
I'd go for full PVC/TPU shell - easier to repair than a Cordura panel.
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  #43  
Old 18 Oct 2015
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Tnx guys, that's useful info. I will get a smaller bag.

My preferred setup on my 2011 650 vstrom is the altrider hempishere saddelbag (without the original innerbag) and put 2 drybags in it. Only problem is that it will be sticking out to much if I go over 10 liter. Putting a duffle bag on top of it will be difficult:



I like the concept of not needing any sideracks and go as minimal as possible, in theory. In real life I find it hard to estimate if I will have enough space to carry all my essentials. That's where your expertise comes in.

I would like to put the dufflebag just behind the saddlebag and build my own luggagerack (a bit like mollydogs!)

Which full PVC/TPU shell duffle/bag would you recommend?
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  #44  
Old 18 Oct 2015
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The 55L Ortlieb rackpack is a very good bag. The best in my opinion .
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  #45  
Old 19 Oct 2015
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I have got the 89ltr Ortlieb Rack Pack and yes it is big....but I have all my camping gear in it, tent and footprint, sleeping bag, roll mat, walking boots and cold weather gear and it is working great. It has all stayed bone dry. I do not find it a problem on the bike nor the length an issue.

Untitled by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_1149 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

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