Luggage options

[John I. Stephen]

I have a lovely Givi top box on my “R” and I was wondering how to extend the luggage capacity for a weekend break away. I could either :-

a) buy some expensive matching panniers
b) buy a pair of throw-over (soft) panniers
c) use a regular (hiking) ruck-sack (cheapest)

What do you reckon ?

[REDSTAN]

I have a lovely Givi top box on my “R” and I was wondering how to extend the luggage capacity for a weekend break away. I could either :-

a) buy some expensive matching panniers
b) buy a pair of throw-over (soft) panniers
c) use a regular (hiking) ruck-sack (cheapest)

What do you reckon ?

john look on eBay for pannier rails and boxes try rockster or gs fittings

[mnnden]

John, These are not real fancy, but they are reasonably priced and come in different sizes, and what I really like is the fact that they are completely waterproof, brand names include Strada, Sealine, Ortlieb, and many others, I use the zippered duffle, Good Luck Den

[RForestR]

I've used all three, and all have their ups and downs as you can imagine. A rucksack is certainly the cheapest but it can move more than you'd want on certain roads, no matter how well it is tied down. I tend to agree with Den, the seal-line bag is a great option, especially if you are going to get wet, and they are pretty reasonable as far as cost goes. They are also great for 'compression' packing, you can get a ton of stuff into a smallish bag if you need to, and they make a good back rest.

The soft panniers are also a good option, a bit more expensive, but they keep the load lower on the rear of the bike which better for handling characteristics.

Guess it's all about the usual...budget and type of usage isn't it?

Cheers,
Chris

[triggerfish]

I have a lovely Givi top box on my “R” and I was wondering how to extend the luggage capacity for a weekend break away. I could either :-

a) buy some expensive matching panniers
b) buy a pair of throw-over (soft) panniers
c) use a regular (hiking) ruck-sack (cheapest)

What do you reckon ?

d) Go get yourself a bigger GIVI case which would fit in the same rack as your original one. GIVI boxes are not expensive, are secure and generally waterproof. You now have a choice, depending on how much you need to carry on a particular trip.

[John I. Stephen]

I don't think I'd go for a bigger Givi 'monokey' box; mine is already pretty large. Option d) is not one I'd consider; but thanks for the suggestion !

[stig]

I have used the Givi sports throw over panniers for a couple of years now and found them very good....so long as you pack your things in water proof plastic bags. reasonable price, reasonable performance. Last month I got a Givi 460 Top box...brilliant!

I was unable to get a set of Givi hard panniers to fit the R because I used the BMW side rails to mount the top box, which led me to get system cases.

It's the expensive option but I don't think I'll have any regrets.

happy shopping

[hirsty]

I posted this in another thread yesterday - I'm thinking about buying one of these for my next trip instead of using my OEM panniers:



That's from Bags Connection, a German firm, and their Distributors are here:
http://www.bags-connection.com/oxid.php ... porter.tpl

I have also just ordered a Pacsafe bag today to stash my riding gear at client meetings - I wear my business suit under an Aerostich & sometimes need somewhere dry & safe to stash it when I can't take it into a building - it's too big for a pannier though:

http://www.pac-safe.com/www/index.php?_ ... tail&id=42

[hirsty]

I also love Andy Strapz stuff - their Flat Strapz will grab anything and hold it on the back seat & won't try & take your eye out like a bungee:

http://www.andystrapz.com/flatstrapz.htm

[Just-Beeming]

John
I have the larger Givi monokey v46. I have not used it on a touring trip yet but plan to very soon.

When I first started touing I tried to get off cheap. I messed around with a few vinyl lined tote bags that one of the drug reps at work had given me. I lashed them down criss cross with some standard wimpy bungies.

Imagine my surprise when I felt the tiniest little bump while traveling down a quiet Utah road. I looked in my mirror and saw one of my totes bouncing toward the ditch behind me. YIKES...Had I not felt the bump or been on the interstate I could have arrived without my clothes...(I hate when that happens )

I can only imagine what would have happened if I had lost my second bag which had my sleeping bag and thermorest in it.
It was rather 'dangle-ing' when I stopped to rescue my bag.

I have since purchase Helen 2 wheels bags and her nice flat straps. http://www.helen2wheels.com/

My advice John, Make sure whatever you get gives you PEACE OF MIND. After all you cannot really see what is happening back there.

Just Beeming

[Boxerjonny]

Hi John,

How does the Givi top box fit, does it extend from the bmw system case rails?

A friend of mine, who owned for a short time a Roadster, has a pair of BMW System cases that he's thinking of selling. I don't think he's looking for a lot of money.

I have BMW System cases on mine, their great. These in addition to the top box would be a lot of kit for a weekend.

KAMG meet next week, I fully intend on going. If you not sure what kit you bike has, we could look at it and discuss options.

Cheers

John

[John I. Stephen]

Hello John; I think it's a GIVI mounting bracket into which the Givi top box slots. You obviously know me but "boxer Johnny" means little to me I'm afraid. Yes I'll be at the KAMG and yes, in principal I would like genuine BMW panniers. But, as you say the mounting is likely to be the problem.

See you next Thursday (whoever you are ?!! )

[Boxerjonny]

Sorry,

We had a discussion about Remus Exhausts, and where planning on meeting at the last months KAMG meeting..

John Coster aka Boxerjonny

I have no idea where Boxerjonny came from, I'm not a fighter!! Its just a bike thing, and I was stuggling with a userid for another forum, and its stuck from their.

[drpickett]

I have a friend with a Givi hardshell top box, and he loves it on his VFR - I like the Givi solution, and want it for my R1150RA

Those of you with the Givi top box:

What model did you use, and what parts were needed? I've googled for the answer in the past, and always got these vague "well, you need this BWW part, and this Givi part, and make this mod...." - Is there a staightforward answer like: Get A, B, C, works fine for me....

Thanks!

dp

[riceburner]

I also love Andy Strapz stuff - their Flat Strapz will grab anything and hold it on the back seat & won't try & take your eye out like a bungee:

http://www.andystrapz.com/flatstrapz.htm

They look handy - how do they fiz together?? Velcro???? Not sure I'd be "totally" trusting of that.


John - if you don't like bungees or bungee nets, get some 1" buckle straps* from an auto-factors. I find them BRILLIANT for tying bags down - you can actually get the strap tight, rather than relying on elastic stretch for your security.

* do NOT get the ratchet version - just the regular "thru and back" buckles are more than enough.

[Jonny_L]

*cough* Click here *cough*

[John I. Stephen]

John - if you don't like bungees or bungee nets, get some 1" buckle straps* from an auto-factors

Hello riceburner; tried looking up "buckle straps auto-factors" but failed to find anything on Google. Is the name correct?