I use clear plastic bags to organize stuff. But stow it all within removable inner bags (grocery bags), which slip nicely into soft pannier.

Some Zip-Loc type sandwich bags used for small items, but prefer clear plastic bags (pillows, comforters and such come stored in. FREE) Nice, clear, zippered, but don't last long. Good for one or two trips only, due to compressing. This makes them very SMALL, but hard on bag and cheap zippers. Even when broken, they still work fine and allow organization and compressing of items.

Pannier #1
Clear plastic bags makes identify/sorting quick & easy:
#1 Bag (small) - underwear, socks, neck warmer, silk glove liners
#2 Bag (medium) T-Shirts, misc.
#3 Bag (medium) Non wrinkle pants, shorts, dress shirt, swim trunks, misc.

Camera bag. sits on its own.

All above fits into one inner bag, then inner bag fits into pannier #1, room to spare. Light.

Pannier #2 - This pannier contains items mostly stored in large Zip-Loc bags:
Chain lube & rags (Zip-Loc bag), fuel additives, Spare nut/bolt kit (Zip-Loc bag), a few tools, Paper work (zip-loc bag), disc lock, C clamp (used as bead breaker), extra water, snacks, hat. Gerbing electric jacket (zip loc bag)
Toiletries kit. Room to spare.

I use my Wolfman Dry top Bag, small size) for:
Spare inner tubes (2), Dirt Bike pants (or leather riding pants when very HOT), Mesh jacket (for HOT weather), sandals, Rain jacket, Rain pants, Merino Wool Sweater, Winter gloves, Balaclava.
Wolfman less than 3/4 full.

All up weight of both panniers and top bag, including bags themselves, about 50 lbs.

Does not include separate tool kit stored elsewhere on bike or cable lock.


Starting out ... nice and clean. $100 usd Nelson-Rigg bags. Are they as good as Magadan? Probably not, but these stay on the bike ALL THE TIME. No fiddling them on and off. I grab inner bag and go into Hotel or camp, leave panniers on bike.
Easy Peasy. Pretty good so far ... but zippers are stubborn when dirty.

+1


That's more or less what I do. The only problem I do have. Is where to carry my map's, that are easy to get hold of for a quick check to see if I'm on the right road. But kind of got that half sorted now.
John933

__________________
To buy petrol in Europe. Pull up at station. Wait. Get out a 20 Euro note, then ask someone to fill up the bike. Give person money. Ride away. Simple.

WHAT! ??? You use maps? Yea, me too.

Seems everyone is on GPS units now. I'm learning about them ... but haven't bought one yet. My smart phone does a pretty good job for this actually ... for basic "show me where I am" type stuff. Really handy getting through an Urban area. But for planning and thinking ... still prefer paper maps.

Storing paper maps is a tough one with some luggage set ups. Luckily my Nelson-Rigg panniers have nice inner pouch pockets inside the outside cover or "door". Maps slip into the pouch and stay in good condition.

I don't use a tank bag, but many do. A good tank bag works well for maps.
I use a Camel Back type pack. 2 liters of water and much more. Holds lots of odds and ends in various compartments and zip pouches ... and has a pretty good compartment for maps.

The Camel Back is very handy, adds protection if you land on your back!
(sort of a spine protector ... especially if full of water) I wear high quality memory foam back armor too (From Aerostitch), but a bladder full of water
provides a great cushion ... crash tested by me!

Ok may be I cheat. Got a GPS as well. In fact I've got two.


Why do I still use map's if I've got GPS. GPS is great to get you to the door of a house in a street, in a city. A map woun't do that. But on the other hand a GPS will take you through a town or city. When there is a ring road round. A map will tell you that. Map case's are a good idea. It's get the right size not paper to fit the case. Well my one any way. Have to cut down A4 size to get it in with the paper crumpling up. A great big felt tip black marker to write on the paper. Three bit's of information per sheet. You know the idea, next city, road number's and distance. When I get 20 miles from the last bit. Stop take that sheet out. Use the next one under. Then when I get to where I am going. Use the GPS. So far it's worked OK. GPS is only a guide. It's not the law on the way to get there.




One other thing. You've got a mobile phone???? Shock horrors. Don't own one. Well that's not exactly true. As when I tell friends I don't have one. Usually with in a week they turn up saying I can have there old one. So sitting in one of the back room's is about four or five mobile phone's. Never use them, or more to the point never find the need to use one. Hell tell me............ What pay a sack full of money for some one to pester the poo out of you.
John933






VV

__________________
To buy petrol in Europe. Pull up at station. Wait. Get out a 20 Euro note, then ask someone to fill up the bike. Give person money. Ride away. Simple.

New smart phones have a thousand features ... most of which I neither use or understand. But making progress, slowly learning my Samsung Android Smart Phone. Kids pick all this up by osmosis, I feel retarded every time I ask for help.

A Smart Phone is quite handy for a lot of things ... and cost's me almost nothing. I use TracFone, a "Pay As You Go" company here in the USA. The Phone was $100 usd, came with 500 minutes Plus data ... and every time I buy minutes they are tripled. Never use them all up. Every 90 days you must buy more minutes, and get 90 days more. Time, minutes and data are ALL carried over month to month. Costs $20 every 90 days. Not bad.

Data comes when you buy minutes ... but I do use my Data up, so that does add to expense. Works out to about $10 USD per month (includes buying extra data) Most everyone I know spends about $100 usd a month on their Phone. Absurd. Not me!

A Smart Phone with Data lets you go on internet, listen to FM radio world wide, and much much more. (TuneIn Radio app) Using good quality "Ear Buds" a must!

I also put ALL my own music (about 1200 songs) into my phone, and I can listen FREE anytime. Same with Photos. About 300 pics in my phone to share with people on the road. Nice!

All this took me time to learn and sort out ... and I've just scratched the surface in terms of all Smart Phones can do. Most of it is stupid crap for the kids.

But some of the "Apps" are useful to travelers. I hardly ever talk on my Cell phone, got over 1100 minutes now, same in text (which I don't ever do).

I mentioned the GPS function. Handy. There are better "Apps" for GPS stuff, so far I've not got there. So, for me, baby steps and keeps the brain cells working a bit. If you can afford it, get an iPhone. I could not, so went with the $100 Samsung phone. Only problem is short battery life. But if you turn off Mobil Data and some other functions, it's much better. Charges up in an hour or less. Handy ... and now ...??? Can't live without it! BUGGER !!*#@