Luggage?

[peterb]

Come down on the side of soft luggage. I am a newbie to this and seen a set at www.getgeared.co.uk, side bags and top bag, £95. 82L capacity. Question is , is this a good price and is the capacity enough (Camping ) Will get a tank bag as well. Also any suggestions advice on such luggage welcome ?

[icenian]

side bags and top bag, £95. 82L capacity

Look OK, but rather expensive. The Oxford "Humpback" panniers are similar and can usually be found cheap on ebay [quick look...] 55 quid, item 130008802794. I have the predecessor to these, and they're good.

There are often secondhand Oxford panniers on ebay too, but be certain that you get ones that are held together with the two fat velcro straps. Older versions have plastic buckles; these can break, sending a pannier into your rear wheel...

If you want a top bag, why not buy a "dry sack" of some sort - roll-down top rather bthan a zip, 100% waterproof. These are cheap, cheaper still if you buy from our very own Caveman: http://www.xrv.org.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1573

[Dee Duble Yuh]

£95 sounds medium to expensive; you can certainly get some good bargains if you look hard enough - new as well as used. Try
www.mandp.co.uk and http://www.busters-accessories.co.uk/

Regardig capacity, it's very dependent on what you want to take. For example my tent might be only a few litres but is too long to fit ordinary motorcycle gear. Also I prefer to carry it in a permeable bag so it can dry out if packed in the rain.

If you want some reassurance before you buy, lay your gear out and try packing it in appropriate-shaped containers and see how it would fit. If you're planning to take a pillion, allow for his/her luggage and plan to keep the rear seat empty!!

[Rubberchicken]

Also, be creative. ;-)

If you have a big self-inflatable mat that doesn't fold in half, it works well to roll it up tight and then unroll it around the inside of a dry-bag. That leaves a slightly narrower hole in the middle to stuff (in my case) a sleeping bag some clothes and a tent into.

On the other paw, there's something to be said for keeping the tent in a separate bag away from your sleeping bag.

[icenian]

If you have a big self-inflatable mat that doesn't fold in half, it works well to roll it up tight and then unroll it around the inside of a dry-bag


:notworthy:

[peterb]

Thanks i will have a look about. Always intended to keep tent and bedding seperate , luggage just for things i will discover i didnt need ! Thats 41 big pop bottles which if you look at it that way is a LOT of space, thats without a tank bag.