Ok, so the multi is my first v-twin, first non-sports bike and certainly the first with hard panniers. I've been commuting a lot on it recently and use a Kriega R25 rucksack for all my kit. On some days the rucksack isn't being enough. So I tried using the panniers. I have a couple of questions if you don't mind. 1) I was riding it like my ZX-10 to be honest so fuel economy wasn't great but the day I put on the panniers consumption went up considerably. Is that normal? I know I can't expect much if I ride it like a tool but it seems to quite like it. 2) so I get to work and only have several 'bags for life' to cart my crap from bike to office. This is seriously uncool and a bit of a farf to be honest. How do you folks manage your pannier contents? I see there are pannier liners that have handles but certainly the ducati ones are very expensive. In the end the panniers are overkill for my commute anyway so I was thinking of a Kriega US-20 for the rack/pillion seat. It just seems a shame given the panniers I already have. Any advice for an idiot would be gratefully received. Stoob
Try these..... Wiggle | Osprey Ultralight DrySack 30 | Travel Bags Water proof and the 30L fits the pannier perfectly
If you want inner bags specifically made for the bike you could try motorbike-passion.eu in Italy. Not bargain basement price-wise but from what I've read elsewhere they're good quality. They are currently making me a set for my MV Agusta TV, should be shipping next week. There are also some eBay inners that are apparently a close match.
Thanks for the links. Hmm a us-20 would be a lot cheaper... Anyone else noticed higher mpg with the panniers on?
Try just using one pannier? They do effect your fuel consumption which is why you must say within resonable speeds whilst using them.
:Banghead: didn't check the cost of the Ducati ones first, IMHO not unreasonable given that they are an OEM item, i.e. usually utterly silly money. Mine will cost me £115 including shipping, so the same as Ducati ones. MV don't even bother to list any.
Why not try aftermarket ones for less money? I have these here: D12KTB Koffer Innentaschen Ducati Multistrada 1200 ab 2015 KofferInnentaschen | eBay I only made a dry test with a pillow inside, as my first trip with panniers will be end of May. I found also an offer from UK. But there is only one picture, which doesn't show much about their shape or fitting: PANNIER LINER BAGS FOR 2015 Ducati Multistrada 1200 | eBay
I used to commute with an Alpinestars rucksack. I have the panniers but not great for commuting as don't want to make the bike wider. I have a big tour coming up so just bought the Ducati top box weeke before last to use with the panniers on the tour, and now use that for the daily commute. Really glad I bought it as riding without a rucksack on the back feels much better. I just put the same rucksack in the top box. I thought it would look crap, but it actually looks quite good. Bit pricey though but it goes well with the bike. Also bought the Ducati inner bags for touring.
Thanks everyone for your input. So pannier liner bags seem the way to go if I use the panniers. The ones on eBay seem very reasonable. Similar to the price of a us-20 so a reasonable alternative. Stuart
Wouldn't a top box be much better than panniers which make the bike wider and difficult to squeeze thru the traffic?
I've not noticed any worse consumption with the panniers, but like others I did ultimately go and buy the top-box as it's ultimately more convenient for a regular commute and doesn't look too bad either. The bike definitely handles better with the panniers than just the top-box, as the weight is lower and the overall profile isn't so high so you don't get high-speed wobbles quite so much. I'm off the Germany on Friday and currently debating weather to take the top-box AND panniers, or just panniers. I'm going to take a bit of camera equipment so I'll probably put my grundies in one pannier, camera gear in the other, and keep the top-box free so I can just put my lid in it - which is another great reason for the top-box when you ride regularly. On my Germany tour this weekend, we're staying at one place for the time we're away and going out each day to visit different places, and so all the luggage will stay at our hotel once I'm there until we leave for home again, so I might as well take the lot, and probably take my tank bag too. Total overkill, but again I could throw the tank-bag in the top-box if I starts to pee me off too much.
Would a 20l roll top bag fit in? About £10-15 from Aldi or camping shops.... Has a built in carry handle too....you could strap it on to back of bike and not even use the panniers
