Didn't think about plastic luggage actualy. Thought that it would break easily... Pelican cases are an option too...

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For security the hard boxes will keep out the the honest people. The reason I have them. (and well I got the on an old bike for free)
I have not seen a light box made that can keep someone out that wants in. most will pop open with little more than the use of a hammer. So there is some limitations right there. Add to that you can not gust pull them off the bike like soft bags.

In the end if some one cuts open your soft bag you will think you need a hard box if you brake your leg or foot on your hard box you will think you need a soft bag.
You may want to look at packsafe Pacsafe Anti-Theft Bags & Travel Security Products
not side a side bag option but there may be something you can work around.

I had plastic givi boxes on all of my Africa Twins. I dropped the bikes countless times and they never once broke, cracked or deformed. They can take a hell of abuse.

Compared to my uber expensive metal mules which were out of shape after a 2mph sand topple...

I would think its actually harder to break into plastic boxes than aluminium. The plastic flexes where you would use a tool. In the dealership I worked in, we had to break into a set because the owner lost their keys. It wasn't as easy as we expected.

The only thing is, they look look at "cool" and "overland" as the other options...

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Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

My Cagiva Elefant came with plastic cases (H&B Gobi enduro). They were massively over-filled with ducati spares but stayed intact despite many many trips into the sand/mud/tarmac. the racks on the other hand disentegrated completely.

Also they don't look like they cost an arm and a leg which has got to be an advantage.

Although we had hard boxes for our UK to Cape Town trip we also had other stuff strapped onto the rack but kept all the valuables/essentials in the tank bag that always came with us whenever we left the bike even for 5 minutes.

Before we left I rigged up a simple alarm comprising a coil of wire with a croc clip on one end (stored under the seat). This was connected to a relay and a small activation switch under the tank. We used to wrap the wire all around the luggage then earth the croc clip. If the circuit was broken it sets the horn off. Most locals who studied it were convinced they would get an electric shock if they touched the bike. We used this alarm all the time even leaving the bike fully loaded outside a hotel in central Cairo. We also left the bike for several days in Arusha and Dar es Salaam with just this alarm and the steering lock on. We also left it parked in downtown Jerusalem all wired up and when we came back we found the street was closed and the bomb squad were considering blowing it up!

Times move on and maybe the Africans wouldn't be deterred by such a simple device these days but it worked well for us.

Look at it this way, are you going for a ride or a back packing trip?? Security is a myth. The most important items are your travel documents, cash and your bike, not you jocks. What else it so important it's worth risking getting stuck under it in the middle of nowhere?

You don't take a samsonite hard case when you travel because of security issues? Those hard cased are super simple to get into. Weigh a ton and cost a large part of you trip expenses. Plus they ruin an awesome dirt ride. Get a Giant Loop Coyote, strap it on and plan to stay overnight at an hotel wherever you want to have a looky around. Cities in Africa are nothing to look at anyway for an afternoon, and it's a bad idea to leave your bike parked for hours out of sight away from a hotel. Other than that you're probably always within eyesight cause it sucks getting in and out of your riding gear all the time.

Enjoy the ride.

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Tacos Tyring Travels.com

thnaks for the valuable info folks, helps alot! Impulsive as I am, I just came up with the idea of not taking any panniers/sidebags at all. Just sticking all my stuff on the back of my xt. Maybe a giantloop with some kind of tailbag or case... Has anybody done this?

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I'd love to ride like this.....

The giant loops look a pain to pack/unpack for longer trips and i'm sure people say they leak quite a bit ???

Just one 40L Ortlieb rack pack on the back would be great. But, it's not big enough if you want to take camping gear. A large tankbag would be good to spread the weight too.

Maybe two roll bags stacked up ??


What's worth considering about the panniers is that they keep the weight lower which keep handling as it should be.

I don't know what all the debate and stress is about anyway. Just buy some cheap ones like I did.. £20 quid !!




Pack LIGHT LIGHT LIGHT LIGHT... Take half what you think you'l need then send the rest home

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Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Agree there. Light is key. Packing more crap at home might make you feel like you're up for a good comfortable time, but most of the time is spent on the bike with the gear just coming along for the ride. And then you have to pack and unpack all that crap multiple times for days on end. And it gets pretty old pretty quick. If breaking down camp take more than 20min I get the shits with it pretty quick. It's usually when the sun is baking down on you. And you haven't even put on all the riding gear yet. 1 of a few types of clothes, 2 tshirts few pieces of underwear and just wash frequently. I usually bring enough clothes to allow for me to have something to wear while the main set is drying from a wash. Keep camping gear to the absolute min and workout how to minimise the tools and parts and you're on to a winner.

Do this and you should be able to keep the lot to only needing 35-40l for the main stuff. Sleeping bag and mat can go in a rolls bag on the back of the seat. Wet weather gear can got in a kriega style bag or one of those headlight wolfman bags. Done.

I like the giantloops because they come off easy. Throw it over your shoulder and walk into the hotel room for some laundry in the shower. No racks keeps the weight down and the heavy parts are behind you legs nice a forward. More forward than soft panniers. They are a little more fiddly to get into, but you shouldn't need to get into your gear that frequent or at all. That's what a small tank bag is for (camera etc). Or camelbak. Basically there are enough systems out there than don't need any racks what so ever. This keeps bike prep to a minimum.

Never mind that PVC bag over the seat. It's only half fully, but bulky. Waterproof fabrics and electrics from the inside. Don't rely on any exterior bags for this.

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Tacos Tyring Travels.com

Nice setup! Exactly what I was thinking about! Travelling ultra light is a main issue for me. I travelled before and I know that weight can make or brake my trip. Although the giant loop is pretty expensive, it will still be cheaper than buying a rack and panniers. A kriega bag is pricy too, but I am a big fan, they're really indestructable.

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Not once you see them in the flesh. You can actually see where the money goes. It's a pretty elaborate construction. Not a simple pattern to sew. Excellent service and product backing. These guys are the real deal that really use the product and pretty much try to destroy it. They do cool ride reports on ADVrider. Not like Touratech. Often I wonder what these guys are thinking with some of their stuff.

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Tacos Tyring Travels.com

TMotten.......I also have the Giantloop and have recently purchased an Ortlieb duffelbag to carry the tent, matress, possibly food and other bits and pieces.

How do you go about attaching extra fuel and water ? - low down or just strap it to the seat ?

Also, your bike appears extremely lightly packed - is that all you would take on a 5 month trip ?

Cheers