Hey guys I searched google and on here but didn't punch in the right thing I guess. I've been in between bikes all fall and winter and I just sold my car and plan on buying the local dealers last new 2018 Tiger 800 XRt. My question is should I take them up on their 20% off all accessories with purchase of new bike and get the Triumph Aluminum Panniers or get it bare and go for Givi or SW Motech which I really like the looks of.
Honestly not really. Their Expedition Panniers are $1000+$400 installation kit. The SW Motech or Givi equivalent is about the same. But take 20% off the Triumph ones because $800 and $320 for the installation kit. So are aftermarket ones better or am I missing something?
Might be worth throwing this into the Tiger section too mate, hopefully you'll get some good feedback from those with the experience of it all
Just a thought but you could look second hand - I'm sure I've seen an 800 Tiger with full luggage and 46 miles on the clock with a HUGE saving over new. No joke 46 miles. Who buys a bike and puts 46 miles on it before selling it...? Great tip about the soft luggage. Funny enough I'm looking for an XRX (latest models are too rich for me) with full hard luggage but maybe I should think again....???
I’ve had 2 Tigger 800’s. The first one was a 1st generation and part of the deal was that the dealer fitted Triumph panniers and top box free of charge. They were heavy and had small capacity. My latest Tigger 800 is the 3rd generation, latest model, and I’ve fitted a Givi top box fitting kit and fitted a Givi 47 litre top box that I had spare. If I need any extra luggage capacity I use a tail pack or roll bag strapped to the pillion seat. With no panniers I find it easier to filter through stationary or slow moving traffic.
I got my XRx in February 2016 and had the Expedition panniers fitted as an extra. They cost £541 for the pair and the mounting kit was £208. They are easy to remove and refit (I have to take them off to get the bike in the garage). Dropped the bike at a standstill not long after I got it - no damage thanks to the RH pannier. If you're not taking camping gear you can get a load of stuff in them - plenty for two or three weeks away without the need to resort to a hideous topbox!
Pros and cons to both. Soft luggage doesn't break as easy if you drop the bike but security is more of an issue. You might consider size as well. What do you want to put in the luggage and how often. How easy is it to remove from the bike when not in use. So many things to take into consideration. However, it's your bike and therefore your choice.
Plus soft luggage you need to consider the indicators, exhaust hot gas flow and anything else relevant. I personally had a near miss with a stove gas canister getting overheated inside a melted soft pannier due to the exhaust flame on over run. Be careful!
I've always had hard luggage on most of my bikes and never had any issues. Last year, 2018, I toured France on a Bonnie with 4 piece soft luggage. What a pain in the proverbial. Removing all the bungee and buckles every night as I didn't want to leave the luggage on board. Putting it all back the next morning. Stuff not in a dry sac, i.e. tank bag and tail pack, got soaked in admittedly some awful wet weather. Bonnies now gone replaced with a tiger xrt. It has a full set of metal expedition panniers and top box fitted. Back to stress less touring this summer.
I have had the Tiger XC 800 2016 and 2017 Explorer and had the Aluminium Top Box and 40Litre roll bag on both you can still filter easily and fit way more stuff in the bag than the panniers the Triumph top box uses the ignition key to lock and unlock which is a benefit and the roll bag just clips off leaving the fasteners in place for easy re connection. As long as your not two up that's the way to go! GH
Hi there, with the 40l roll bag, how do you cope with the exaust side? do you need the metal rack? any recommendations on the roll bags and top box? i bought the tiger 800xc with already the givi monokey plate, but i am now looking also for a top box, still deciding whether to go for a trekker (square shape) or round shape ... thanks for any advise.
I Yup! These choices are inherently personal. I have always favoured hard panniers with soft rack and tank bags to encourage travelling light while avoiding hot exhausts and oscillating suspension......but each to their own.