Hello, I don't tour much (at all to be honest). In the past, I may have done 500 miles in a day occasionally, but normally from home. I have taken the bike when away for work, but that tends to be overnight so I just used a backpack (or rarely a tank bag). I am thinking of going away for a few days (maybe two nights) in a few weeks, and so considering something that I can throw on the bike without it costing an arm and a leg. So are these kinds of things any good? http://www.frank-thomas.co.uk/index.php/collection/cargo-luggage/frank-thomas-ft13-saddle-bag.html I assume they won't be waterproof (not really an issue), and I don't need to be too big, but I am thinking I can chuck some essentials in, and maybe get away with my Kriega R-35 being practically empty. The other option is to use my US-10 on the tail with the R-35, but the US-10 seems a tad small. Or just order a US-20 and chain it?
What bike will it go on? Those panniers look horrible in my opinion. I have the 20ltr Kreiga tailpack and I think that’s big enough for a weekend away. I like to travel light though. If I was going for longer I’d add 2x 10 ltr Kreiga add ons plus maybe a small bum bag for personal stuff.
It is on a Street Twin, so those might kind of fit in with the retro-style. Good to know the US-20 works for you. I found a place with what looks like a great price, so will see if my order is accepted this morning. If so, will go with that, and use the US-10 on top if required. If I have the backpack and the US-10 already, it probably makes the most sense. Now I can't find my gortex trousers damn it, so might need to buy a pair of those. I think my wife has tidied them away somewhere..
Ah ok well yes they would probably look ok on a street twin but if you change bikes in the future they may not. The kreiga will look good on anything. I rode with a backpack and tailpack and want to get away from that because when sat upright the bottom of the backpack would catch on the tailpack. I only did it as I had some papers in a folder but if push came to shove I’d fold em up now. When I next tour it will be purely kreiga tailpack with a personal bum bag to keep valuables on me. I suppose those panniers are a bit more secure than the tailpack cos someone could just cut the kreiga off if they wanted to.
Ha that’s wives for you!! Again when I last toured I had cheap waterproofs which took up space. I’m gonna bit the bullet at some stage and get a textile waterproof touring kit as I hate putting on and taking off waterproofs or even liners, does my head in!
Got a great deal on the US-20, so that will do fine I hope! Problem now is finding the time to go, it might just have to be for one night, but then the US-20 (or even the US-10) should definitely be fine with that.
Kriega is fantastic gear, well made waterproof, comfy to wear. I have three different types of Kriega bags, no problems with any of them. Excellent kit!!
Kriega if you want quality kit but pay through the nose for it, throw overs if you want to carry luggage at a reasonable price.....
It's a Krieger underneath with the Oxford waterproof inner for the tank bag strapped to it, I can confirm that without the waterproof inner that Oxford Tankbag is NOT waterproof!
Kriega, US20 & 2* US10's. Always waterproof and tested up to ###mph Lived out of these for a week. Expensive but they do work very well. Only downside is the clipping on and off for an overnight stop, OK if staying several nights, but does get tiresome after 5th night in a row
Original price of the panniers was nearly half the new price of the Kriega 10L I bought.... (Ignore the top box, that's there purely for enhancing the looks.....)
When away in Spain recently, my mate on his B*W S1000R set fire to his brand new Givi soft throw over panniers, he didn't realise that when using the quick shifter the Akra pipe was spitting a flame out each time which over time caused his right pannier to catch fire! It wasn't funny at the time, but after the event he did take a major amount of stick from the rest of the lads. He ended up binning the throw overs (and half his kit) and buying a new tail pack in Andorra.
Depends a lot on which bike your putting it on. Any sports / naked with rear fairings and/or high pipes is a no-no for throw over luggage, too much damage caused and chance of melting on hot pipes. Classic/retro bikes look ace with saddle bags, loved them on the America, but that had frames to keep away from any parts of the bike