I'm looking to add storage capacity for future touring and looking for recommendations. I have hard panniers, top box, tank bag and a waterproof bag for the pillion seat but now that I'm adding camping gear I'd find even more storage really useful. I have HEED crash bars on the bike which could take small waterproof bags, something like the Kriega OS6 Adventure packs ... but maybe you have other options that I should consider? Maybe you'd recommend the Kriega packs having used them yourself?
So, you're riding without a pillion if you have a bag on there already... and you still don't have enough room!? Might make for a better tour if you rationalised your kit. Thinned it out, surprising how little you can make do with, or buy more compact camping gear. I'm provisionally planning a trip to Spain for later this year and can get all my camping kit into the top case (tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, blanket, stove and compact cooking kit for a brew or emergency meal). Panniers are for almost everything else (including a small laptop for work) with a small tank bag for every day essentials like phone, visor cleaner, documents etc. Maybe you need to admit defeat and buy a GS
Hi mate....... Im currently on my travels at the moment,and using the 30Ltr Kriega solely for my camping gear...... I've used this luggage system many times before,and this item has seriously been tried and tested through absolute torrential rain,and not once has it failed me....... Also with the Kriega system,you can piggy back smaller Kriega bags off the main bag that is affixed to your bike..... Not cheap,but worth every penny !!!!
I did ask but you're answering a question that I didn't ask. You don't know anything about my gear or my packing list to be fair. I didn't ask for comments about my choice of tent, sleeping bag or how many pairs of socks. My question was specifically about the Kriega or alternative packs for the crash bars. After doing a trial load, it's clear to me that moving items to more accessible storage will be a lot better than rooting about for it amongst stuff in larger packs. Other people like to load up their top box, I prefer to keep it relatively empty on tour so I can lock away my helmet, gloves etc whilst strolling around sights, stores and cafes.
Fancy asking for opinions and commenting that you’re not happy about it on an internet forum. He made pertinent and valid points that make a lot of sense to most. “You don’t know anything about my gear and packing list “…………..really.? by the way you’re probably taking too much stuff
As a newish member I don’t want to get involved in a spat. But, I too like to keep my top box clear when touring for just the reasons above. I also try to keep the overall weight as lowdown as possible, not stored high in a top box. Seems to me everyone’s requirements are different. “Share the knowledge” has to be the motto of all the best bike forums.
I always think it’s hard to decide what to take and what to leave out when touring. I never camp but I still probably take too much riding gear with me. This year (setting off this evening) I have a top box bag and panniers and I’ve tried to reduce the amount of ‘stuff’ fairly successfully. However given the weather forecasts I’m still debating adding a roll bag so I can switch between my Rukka suit and my hot weather Klim Zephyr and jeans. Last year I just took the hot weather gear and Scot waterproofs but still ended up with wet feet and jeans. Plus stopping and putting it on and taking it off is a PIA. Lots of people will have an opinion about this but as the original poster said it’s your own choice. Sorry I can’t add a sensible answer to the original question though!
There's no chance of a spat from me. We are a friendly bunch, known to be helpful but to enjoy a little banter too. If you stick around for a while -I hope you do- you will see these points proved over and over.
The rationalisation phase of packing is crucial IMHO. Having too much weight on board kills the pleasure of touring for me. The top case is handy, though I did manage without when I had the MV Tourismo. Having that extra space on the Multi is a luxury for solo trips, essential when two up. My partner got the bigger pannier on a 2 week trip to Corsica and she managed OK after the initial shock. I find that the Scott over trousers ride up no matter what you do. Not ideal, especially with shorter boots. I've added elastic retaining straps to mine that go between heel and forefoot of my Daytona boots to try a solve this issue. I agree that stopping to put on waterproofs far from ideal. Especially when riding as a group as you're dictating a stop for all, where some may not need, or want, to. Have a great EMM!
I used the word spat very tongue in cheek. I’m a novice member, but been on long enough to appreciate a good forum with great helpful advice. No need to say more. I’m pleased to be onboard.
Can't help with your question..... But......waterproof over suits.....pffffffftttttt. They're crap ain't they. Should I put it on.....no it won't rain.....wrong! Should I put it on.....yes.....no rain all day, boil in the bag. The Mondial Jacket and Weise waterproof leather pants solved that dilemma. Like all packing, pack once, remove again and put half back into wardrobe. Then pack remaining half, remove again and repeat. Just don't leave your tent at home! Or ride with a pillion, camping kit dilemma solved and hotel comfort guaranteed. Upt.
Back in the eighties as a courier in London the Rukka oversuit was king, the only really properly waterproof option. Sweaty, and as you say, boil in the bag. Truly awful but better than cold and wet when you're on the bike all day. Modern motorcycle oversuits have come a long way. I've used Held Wet Tour kit and now Scott and both were pretty well sweat-free due to breathable, yet waterproof, fabrics. Something of a revelation, albeit at a higher cost. What price comfrort though... No doubt budget oversuits retain the boil in the bag problem. I did look into leathers with waterproof options this year, tried a few on. Too bulky, not enough ventilation and impractical compromises left right and centre. To clarify; I prefer to tour in counties where it can get quite warm so ventilation is vital for me. However, mountain riding can get quite cold and yes, it still rains sometimes. Not to mention getting there and back. The compromise is layering, the downside being you have to stop and add or remove layers accordingly. For me that's a price I'm willing to pay. To keep this post reasonably on-thread; an oversuit such as the Scott packs neatly, taking very little space. After trying the leathers with waterproof layers mentioned above I wound up buying Knox kit that offers good protection, subscribes to the layering principal for warmth and windproofing. My existing Scoot rain gear goes over the top of that if needed. The leathers I tried were essentially layering systems anyway. Obviously 'your mileage may vary'.
The answer is not more luggage, it’s less stuff. If you can’t manage with two decent sized panniers and a duffle for camping gear (no top box) then you have too much. Admittedly with no camping gear, I have ridden London-Beijing, Nairobi-Cape Town and Bogotá-Ushuaia with just two panniers (36l and 31l) a 4l tail pack for rain gear and a 4l tank bag for bits and bobs. If I had more luggage, I have no idea what I would put in it…
It's far from my first rodeo, so I get the less is more principle, believe me, particularly in regards to weight. Every hiker and motocamper treads a path between minimalism and comfort, priorities differ so once size certainly does not fit all. Extra capacity needn't mean extra load, it's about not filling every bit of space to the gunnels which means you have to unpack half of it before getting to what you want. My packing list for two weeks in Sardinia is not too different to three weeks in Norway ... no camping involved in either but different weather and terrain. Five or six weeks in a Balkans trip including camping changes quite a bit ... and I want to enjoy it not endure it.
I get what you mean about enjoy v endure. IME though, too much stuff leads to endurance, especially if you’re travelling a lot and unpacking/packing most days. I’m currently prepping for eight weeks Trans-Canada (again, no camping). Usual routine - two panniers, small tail pack, small tanks bag. Second pannier is half-empty and I have no idea what else I could conceivably pack. Different strokes
