Giant Loop Panniers

[clankymike]

Hi All
Has anyone used Giant Loop Basin pannier bags, as I am thinking of getting some soon for a trip but I would like know your thoughts on them.
Thanks
Mike

[Jake]

I have no experience of these giant loop bags - but have a lot of experience of hard and soft pannier systems used in various types of travel from long to short distance, in seriously bad weather to hot climates and on both tarmac and gravel/ dirt roads. So maybe my experience counts a little. That said I think luggage is a very personal choice but this particular system - I honestly can not see anything other than a novelty type of credence to it, by that I would suggest a good pair of panniers and a good roll bag would give similar carrying capacity with more versatility. i do not like the thought of all my gear,food wet gear etc etc in one mixed up bag, Panniers and roll bags are available that are completely waterproof - not just water resistant (as is the giant loop which they even advertise giving you seam sealant to help make the bag more water resistant - nor do they use waterproof zips or closure) and should the worst happen and you take a fall or otherwise damage one of your bags your still left with two other bags of use, if you split the loop all you luggage system is compromised. If at any point you need to pick up a passenger even for a short distance the loop would hinder this, a roll bag could be moved back or slung over the tank, and if you were off road and needed to move weight forward a pair of panniers could be thus moved leaving only a roll bag behind you, infact if i were to spend more than a few moments thinking about it I think I could come up with endless points against it and none or very few for it - the more I think about it I really can not see any reason for this loop design - maybe others have a different view but for me I would not go near it.

[realmc26]

I have been researching the giant loop bags for a while now and have pm'd quite a few guys who have used them.
While adventure950 makes some valid points for consideration the feedback I have received from actual users has been pretty much 100% positive.
The leaking happening through the zipper with the older models seems to have been fixed with the new storm flap and magnet.

Most say you hardly notice the bag at all and have read a few reports of minimal to no damage in a slide. The lower panier sections are cordura.

The reason Im probably going to go with the Giant Loop great basin is that I am going to fly in to Chile and buy my bike. I dont want to mess around getting racks made and like the fact I can just throw it on the back and go and is easily interchangeable with most bikes.

Comes off quick into your hotel/tent with great attachment straps for rear tent roll/dry bag.

I personally want to travel light and you can still get the heavier items like tools etc down relatively low in the pannier sections. You can compartmentalise (I think thats a word!) with stuff sacks and such though many seem to ditch the sacks provided and use compression sacks.

I'm guessing it comes down to personal prefernece and the sort of trip your doing.

troy from texas(currently posting regular ride reports) who is currently in S.A and using Giant loop would be a good good guy to ask about performance as well.

The guys at Giant loop have been great with info when I have emailed them a few times with questions.

Hope that helps.

Cheers,

James

[clankymike]

They do seem to have their draw backs, I see you are in Northumberland, where abouts as I'm just over the border from Berwick.

[clankymike]

Thanks James

[Jake]

Pm sent

[Jake]

Hi james, I can also see your points and I think a lot depends on where you ride as well, I tend to ride North often above the arctic circle so cold, wet, snow etc are very much a part of that environment, and this really sets my view that I like gear very waterproof.I also like to be able to move stuff around and sort it out into different bags, My bike has no racks for the panniers and that is fine but unlike you I am not buying a machine that I do not know and having to set it up for luggage - so I take your point the loop may simplify things for you. Like I say the way we travel, what we travel on and the way and amount of gear we carry is individual choice - everyone to there own - enjoy Chile - never been there but would love to go - maybe one day.

[chris]

A couple of previous discussions:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...panniers-42447

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...-luggage-53591

I like my Great Basin. A lot.

[spooky]

in 2010 another HU member "Buebo" and I made a few weeks trip around Poland and he had the giant-loop thing on his KTM-LC4-690R.. I only use to strap a 75Lt Karrimor SF rucksack incl. the side packs which add another 28lt., strapped it all flat on to my rack and seat on an old KTM LC4 640 ADV-hybrid. both packs weight roughly around 25kg fully loaded.

on the trip we where actually comparing the plus and minus on the two packing styles... now while I was able to take all my gear off the bike with no effort taking it with me in to my tent, Buebo was complaining that he had to pack his gear in the rain on the bike to make it all fit well.

On the other hand the Giant-loop, while riding is a treat, sitting very close to the bike and the weight point is sort of perfect, while my Karrimor SF was sitting higher on the rack which wasn't bad either not on tarmac nor on gravel. Both packs are narrow, light and fit the needs.

but now the conclusion in difference is that I was able to fit everything in to my Karrimor without problems, had everything covered from rain and dust, bubo instead was sort of limited to the space to be able to actually cramp all his gear in and close the zip, some times a pain, he had to strap his tent and other gear on top of the Giantloop so he needed additional bags.. and yes the price is quite steep too.. while the Giantloop cost well above £350 quit, the Karrimor SF 75 settling by half of that and has the benefit of being able to be carried like a rucksack over longer periods very easy... (if needed, like on ships where you don't want you gear left on the bike, carry your gear up on stairways in hostels or Hotels or else)

now the Giantloop is a good choice for what it is, a no hassle solution on slim dirt bikes for shorter trips with less gear very well balanced on narrow dirt tracks, but is limited if you need extensive equipment for longer trips.

any packing solution has its advantage and drawbacks... is all depending on the style and needs you want to travel.

[Grant Johnson]

Note that the new sponsor for this forum has a contest to WIN Giant Loop and other gear, BUT it's USA residents only. So if you're in the USA, go for it! And either way, check out 1off Motorsports catalog, you might like the prices!

[realmc26]

Originally Posted by adventure950

Hi james, I can also see your points and I think a lot depends on where you ride as well, I tend to ride North often above the arctic circle so cold, wet, snow etc are very much a part of that environment, and this really sets my view that I like gear very waterproof.I also like to be able to move stuff around and sort it out into different bags, My bike has no racks for the panniers and that is fine but unlike you I am not buying a machine that I do not know and having to set it up for luggage - so I take your point the loop may simplify things for you. Like I say the way we travel, what we travel on and the way and amount of gear we carry is individual choice - everyone to there own - enjoy Chile - never been there but would love to go - maybe one day.

Yeh fair comment. I guess the giant loop appeals to a certain type of rider and conditions your going into. I hope to test the giant loop in S.A and maybe do a RTW on multiple small bikes so being able to change easily from bike to bike appeals.
One of the criticisms some make is the of cost as it seems pricey for what it is but if your using something like wolffman panniers once you add the pannier frame the cost is similar.

[Jake]

Hi James I use Enduristan luggage (panniers) Monsoon bags - upto 30 litres per bag no racks needed for many bikes, excellent tie on type rockstrap set up, waterproof, triple skin very tough, with inner dividers to sort luggage - tie on loops for addition gear on top - check them out - www.enduristan.com a Swiss company there gear is second to none. cheers. Jake.

[realmc26]

Originally Posted by adventure950

Hi James I use Enduristan luggage (panniers) Monsoon bags - upto 30 litres per bag no racks needed for many bikes, excellent tie on type rockstrap set up, waterproof, triple skin very tough, with inner dividers to sort luggage - tie on loops for addition gear on top - check them out - Enduristan: Wherever you ride a Swiss company there gear is second to none. cheers. Jake.

I have to agree, looks well made and nice and simple on and off.
Will definitely consider them. Thanks for that.

Cheers,

James

[Austin]

Originally Posted by spooky

on the trip we where actually comparing the plus and minus on the two packing styles... now while I was able to take all my gear off the bike with no effort taking it with me in to my tent, Buebo was complaining that he had to pack his gear in the rain on the bike to make it all fit well.

I have been thinking about getting the giant loop great basin for our XT660R's. I am interested in the feedback. Why did your mate have to pack the Great Basin on the bike? Although I have yet to see one for real from what I have seen of them on youtube they look to be packable just as easy on or off the bike. In fact it looks to me that it would be easier to mount the GB on the bike packed as it will have a bit more structure.

Also interested in how easy to mount, how much gear they can really hold, and how easy to carry from bike to hotel say - it looks to be more manageable than a pair of of Enduristan or Wolfman panniers.

cheers

A

[Dazzerrtw]

They look like a good idea if your wanting to travel light ,But what put's me off is that there far to expensive.

I use a 90 lt dry bag and it cost me £40 and is 100% waterproof.

The Loop is made of the same material, as a few straps and is a different shape and cost's £250 more.

There out of my price range ,