Silly Baggage!

[Nick Calne]

This is the thread that picks up on the MCL 2021 disucssion about disappointing baggages.  No, not the girl off the Ducati stand, but the luggage that attaches to your motorbike.

To recap, I wanted to see if the Mosko Moto baggage system fitted my africa twin.  It is this stuff... https://moskomoto.eu/products/reckless-80l on this bike  https://www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-reviews/honda/crf1000l-africa-twin/2016/.  I don't really take anything anywhere on my tiger any more so it is solely for this bike.

The reason I was interested in this system is a prolongation of the long running 'what is the best luggage system' argument following various off-road type trips Mat-tiger1 and I have made.  My observations being....

Metal or plastic type panniers are great at carrying stuff securely until the going gets narrow and then their width and inflexibility can be difficult.  You can get stuck between stuff or 'turned around' if you hit an obstacle.  Me being me, I have done this a few times.  Hard luggage is ideal of course for our recent trip to the Isle of Man, not so good doing the TET in Sussex.

Fabric type panniers on racks are a considerable improvement in a tight environment and offer provide some 'give' in situations where contact is made.  The rack does make them very wide though, wider than your legs, and you can suffer similar problems as with the above type.  Mat-Tiger1 has this sought of luggage, which I have to say is great, but still too wide.

In either case, you don't often need both panniers worth of space and a smaller system might be better so as a makeshift solution I have been riding with a lomo dry bag (Thanks Sin, it is still going strong) lashed longitudinally to the pillion seat and rack.  Narrow, doesn't catch on anything but a bit difficult to get things in and out of without unlashing everything.  So how about a narrow, rackless system that allows you to carry only what you need to ride a trail...

Which brings us back to Mosko Moto.  The Mosko Moto guy at MCL 2021 noted that the pillion seat handles on the africa twin (and indeed some tigers) need to have a slot cut into them to allow the fixing baseplate of the bags to fit.  This is a straight no go for me, so I'm looking for alternatives.

Any other suggestions?

[London_Phil]

Is a topbox a nope for you?

[ghulst]

I find that a top case is awesome to keep stuff locked up and dry. Which is why I almost always use one. Though I have not found one that I like for the KTM and I am not sure I would want to put one on there. But it really is convenient and it remains behind your back, so none of the troubles of hard cases.

For soft luggage, I have been eying the giant loop idea. Also, there are lots of other bags that you can attach to pannier frames. Those should work as well.

[Nick Calne]

Phil, jumping off (in extremis) whilst off road is hard with a top box!  They are urban and touring things.  One can easily injure one's 'nads.

I am drifting towards giant loop too, Ghulst.

[London_Phil]

Had to google that. Makes lots of sense now...

[ghulst]

I couldn't really think of another rackless system that you can actually carry some stuff in.

[Sin_Tiger]

I understand what you're trying to achieve now and I'd completely agree with you're rational. What's the problem with the AT, seat width, exhaust position?

This "Horse Collar" design is made by quite a few companies, SW Motech springs to mind and one of the older US makers that I can't immediately recall.

There are quite a few advantages, apart from ease of de/mounting, they tend to move around less at speed or rough corners, being able to throw the whole lot over your shoulder if stopping in proper accommodation, being able to compartmentalise your kit, cinching in the sides or the top separately depending on loading or terrain.

Downsides are that if it gets damaged beyond repair, the whole thing can be compromised / has to be replaced and a fully loaded bag would give your chiropractor nightmares. I'm sure I've seen a modular version but can't help you with a make.

[Sin_Tiger]

Might be worth taking another look at Lomo, I see they now do a 15L tail bag that has direct fastening straps. Quite a few years ago I cobbled together a system for a Honda XR 125 for a friend to do the Mongol Rally and they lasted all the way there and back via Russia. Not taking any credit but it wasn't long after I showed the photos to Lomo they started producing pannier bags. It might be worth the lower investment to muck around with some budget gear before shelling out for the eye watering prices of the adventure specialist offerings.

https://www.lomo.co.uk/acatalog/dry-bike-tail-bag.html#SID=118

https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/363449?glCountry=GB

https://www.lomo.co.uk/acatalog/waterproof-motorcycle-soft-panniers-set.html#SID=118

[Nick Calne]

Good shout.  Lomo's prices are ultra good too!

[ghulst]

Great setup there. Though I would think those white Lomo side panniers are probably bigger than just mounting Touratech Zega's.

[Nick Calne]

They are huge and probably in the wrong place.  What I was hoping for is something that goes roughly where the pillion legs would go.

[London_Phil]

Did you ever do the swimming lifesaving thing at school with the pyjama bottoms? I think that's where your heading....

[Sin_Tiger]

Great setup there. Though I would think those white Lomo side panniers are probably bigger than just mounting Touratech Zega's.

In those days Lomo didn't make panniers, the next best thing was 2 x inexpensive backpacks (15 litres) which I adapted the shoulder straps to link together as a throw over. The aim was to keep them as low as possible given the other stuff that would be mounted higher and also as sacrificial protection for the rear running gear. It was intended to last from UK to Mongolia, I was somewhat surprised when they came back largely unscathed 

Nick, the "Giant Loop" style might be the solution you're talking yourself towards, it's just finding the design and size that works best for you. Have you considered removing the stock pillion seat grab handles (to refit in the future) and replacing them with a custom fabrication that would allow more mounting flexibility? I know a man who does these things 

Did you ever do the swimming lifesaving thing at school with the pyjama bottoms? I think that's where your heading....

[Nick Calne]

Did you ever do the swimming lifesaving thing at school with the pyjama bottoms? I think that's where your heading....

Yes, that's exactly what I want. Maybe I should cut a wetsuit in half at the waist.  Instantly the right shape and has the lomo waterproof look and feel. Philip you are a genius.

[Nick Calne]

Sin, i have thought about removing the handles and replacing with a fabric strap type. Ivor, I think mentioned this to me. It remains an option but does mean losing the rear rack too, which would be a pain when I want to go into touring mode.