My friends used them on a 10 month trip through the heart of Africa, and when they came back I was amazed they were still in mint condition, these bags are realy tough. They realy liked them, but as for me, I didn't think they were practical, too heavy for carrying into hotels, for piste driving though, it's the perfect solution.

I agree they seem expensive for what they are - and I have told the guys at Adventure Spec as much. But I feel drawn to them.

We have got 2 x660R's as we wanted a lightish bike my wife could more easily manage than her former Transalp and that was still good to tour on. What I dont want to do is go round adding yet more weight with luggage racks and so on. A luggage system that doesnt require racks is therefore attractive. The enduristan panniers are second on my list and are around £100 cheaper per set.

I'm surprised you think they would be too heavy to carry into a hotel. They actually look like they would fit nice and snuggly over a shoulder (and thats what I have read from other users) and couldn't see them being any more unwieldy than a large dry bag. I would have thought portability off the bike and into accommodation would be its strong suit, not a liability?

Another message from a first hand user: The bag is very easy to carry over your shoulder. Assuming you're carrying normal stuff (I've got tools, sleep bag, thermarest, clothes, a few small spares etc) so the bag incl contents weighs maybe 15kg. Here's a pic from yesterday on the back of my rented dirtbike on the Burma/Thai border.

http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p.../thailand2.jpg

If you manage to get 30 or 40kg (and why would you?) into it, sure it'll be more difficult to carry, but any bag would be.

cheers
C

Non-waterproof
 

Hey,

I rather liked the bag and certainly enjoyed its stability when riding. It was borrowed from a riding buddy of mine and I really enjoyed it. However... The zipper to enclose everything can be fiddly as the bag cannot lie flat due to it being banana shaped and it's certainly not waterproof!! He'd hammered the bag for a good year and it was in very good nick although the strapping will melt if near the exhaust.

The zipper lets it down, shame as it's such a good bag..! Chucking it on your shoulder (15kgs ish) isn't a problem and a lot easier than unhitching panniers.

I probably will buy one ready for next summer and use small dry bag inserts for my gear.

Here's a pic of me in Lesotho, South Africa, less than a month ago

I'm arriving very late to this thread, but I thought that I might be able to add some perspective for those still considering the GL Great Basin bag.

I've used a Giant Loop Great Basin bag and tank bag on my year long trip around latin america.

In terms of performance the gear works great. It hugs the bike (I have a Suzuki DR650) and stays put.

It terms of durability, it is durable. Although I don't like to admit it, I've dropped my bike a few times and the bag has held up. It has actually protected my bike from damage.

It is weatherproof. The bags come with seam sealer, but I didn't bother applying it. The bags still held up in heavy rain. I think the only time I did get some moisture in the bag was when I did not close the zipper all the way.

It is convenient. It is very easy to take on and off and carry inside to a hotel. I've not had any security issues on my trip. I think that most people do not recognize the bag as a bag, it looks so different from anything else. I use a little combination lock to secure the zipper.

It has decent capacity. It does hold a decent amount of things, but it still was not enough space for me. It has the capacity of a legal carry on bag for airlines. If you can fit all your gear in a legal carry on, you can fit all your gear in a GL. I have an additional Pelican hard case on my bike for items that I definitely did not want to lose like tools and some electronics.

The downside. It is a little small for long term adventure motorcycle trips. I've overstuffed my bags at time and put too much pressure on the zipper. The stitching started to separate a little. I simply sewed it back up and it has been fine. (This might be considered a plus, the fact that it can be repaired easily).

It is a little awkward to pack, but I've figured out a system. I place the stuff I use less often (spare parts) in the lower sections and I put the things I use often (clothes) in the upper section. It is easy to strap down a tent or jacket with the included external straps It has become easier to pack and unpack once I figured out a system.

Expensive? Well, the initial cost is a little high. But, you don't need to invest in mounting brackets and repairs to mounting brackets when you go sideways. I compared the costs to some other systems and it actually worked out about the same or less.

Unusual benefits. The bag offers great lower back support, it is in the perfect position. When tired of sitting and tired of standing, I can sit on top of my bag and rest with my legs extended, but without standing up. It has a very low profile and it fits through most doorways and between traffic. ha ha

Having said all this, I may be selling my used bag at the end of my trip. Hit me up if you need a bag for November 2012.

Cheers for this info Troy.

I'm leaning towards these, mainly I'm shying away at the thought, weight and hassle of adding more metal work to my bike. Do you have any pics with your bike fully loaded?

I need to take a laptop, so that the first thing that stumped me looking at these bags. But sounds like you managed to run a top box with it.

Pics of the GL in "action" x2

http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...1/DSCN5434.jpg
On a DRZ in France: It didn't rain much


http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...milinggirl.jpg
On Transalp in Cental Asia and Mongolia: It rained quite a bit, it also snowed and there were rivers to cross

The pic of the xr in Thailand is mine too. No rain either.

The following is copied from a post I made at http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...adv-spec-65899

I've used a GL Great Basin this summer on my trip to Central Asia, Russia and Mongolia. It sits well on the back seat of my Transalp and behaves very well in terms of balance and weight distribution. I put my sleep bag/thermarest/clothes at the top and heavier stuff like tools/spares/oil down the sides. It is really strong and the long zipper is also very sturdy. Don't have a rack either.

Next year I'm returning to Mong to continue my trip towards Siberia. Today, I'm writing a list of stuff I need to buy in the UK and bring next year: Top of this list is more lightweight drybags. Why? The GL, despite having the seams sealed, leaks like fcuk! I've had to cross quite a few rivers on the trip and had my fair share of rain/ hail/ snow in the mountains. Siberia won't be any dryer. The dry bags will keep the contents of my wetbag GL dry.

Another "disadvantage" of the GL is that you can't "sit" on it like you could traditional soft bags. I've found it nice to be able to spread the weight of my butt over a wider area than just the narrow seat found on most smaller enduro bikes.

I've also met Dave Wachs and he and his wife are super people. GL does however need to make their bags waterproof.

PS. Small 9inch netbook wrapped in clothes in yellow gear-roll on Trannie

GL have just released a set of dedicated dry bags to fit the compartments of the great basin so that might fix the issue. BTW it only takes about an hour to seal the seams. Just bought mine, have not used it yet.

One quick question, do you still have much space on the seat? I have one bad knee and quite like to sit pretty far back on the seat to stretch it out a bit. One thing I'm wary of is being pushed right up to the tank like goon rider ;)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sow...eature=related

GLM Great Basin
 

I've been using one for 3 years. Fairly certain Dave Wachs will admit I'm the guy who convinced him to make one in the "new black" (ORANGE). Most recently used it from Frankfurt to Ulaan Bator via the 'Stans (18,000km) on my KTM 950.

What I like:

1. - TOUGH
   - No rack required and in getoffs it rarely if ever touches ground ! (A front flat prompted a nice slide on the Trasfargassan.)
   - Compact and tight to bike. (Take huge jumps, ride boulder fields, it doesn't move.)
   - Fast on/off, easy to carry (though could get you dirty !)

What I don't like:

1. - Not waterproof, though riding in deluges for 6-10 hours was not a problem. (I use lightweight waterproof stuff sacks for 'dry stuff'.)
   - Takes up a bit of saddle space - I'm long legged AND this prevents getting back on trickier terrain.
   - Need to pack carefully to get weight low.
   - A little small for long trips. I use a cheap bag for extras.

I'm intrigued by the Magadan Panniers and the Enduristan Monsoon bags. But I'd really like to avoid racks. Seems Colebatch knows every welder in Siberia due to their fragility and/or vulnerability. :)

For a light bike without pannier frames nothing comes close in functionality to the Giant Loop Coyote (maybe the Great Basin if it's a bigger bike) + a small dry bag behind (for long stuff like tent poles). Waterproof-ness is an issue as others have noted, although easy to solve with the new dry pods/inner bags they now offer.

http://sphotos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphoto...74786901_n.jpg


Apparently they are also going to come out with a set of side mounted bags soon. Here is the prototype, saw it posted over on ADV:

http://i968.photobucket.com/albums/a...s/IMG_7541.jpg

Im fairly certain I'm going for these in the next couple of weeks. Would love to check them out in real life but don't think there are any dealers close to london? Like genghis Im a bit worried about leg space, I have long legs and generally like to sit quite far back on the seat.

Anyone have the Great Basin set up on their XT?

I just posted a backdated blog post with pictures of how I built my stock DR650 into an adventure DR650. It also includes the costs. It has photos which shows how I carry all my stuff. My essential tools and computer fit in the lockable Pelican hard case.

The Adventure Begins: 2011 Suzuki DR650 Adventure Motorcycle

When traveling my bike looks like photo 3. When dual sport day tripping my bike looks like photo 2.

I hope that this answers your questions or helps in our decision.

Troy

Giant Loop Q&A
 

Hello HUBBsters!

Just started a new Giant Loop company thread:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ferrerid=42131

Please feel free to post your questions, comments, feedback and photos there. We'll do our best to respond quickly, honestly and completely.

Ride while you can,
Harold
owner, co-founder
Giant Loop LLC