Before we go any further, I am a confirmed fanny, so take that into account when replying Had the Multi a year or so and have been away the odd weekend etc. I have a cracking little Mosko rear seat bag and it's been a great solution, but at the end of the month I'm doing ten days in Spain. As soon as I got the bike, I whipped off the pannier brackets because I wanted to look cool innit. I have them together with a brand spanking new set of OEM colour coded panniers. I've bought a new rear bag which will be big enough for all I need to take. Yes, I know I can throw away my undies etc., so no 'take less' advice. I'm stylish and like several outfits for my evenings Anyway, I see loads of photos with the panniers installed and well, they look ok. Please note the rest of the group ride GS's and will have a million metal boxes, extenders, tank bags and rucksacks. A bag will add to the top heavy element of the bike I guess and I'm not a beefy chap, so can struggle with the weight. Panniers obviously carry the weight lower down, but also add weight themselves. Not sure where we are going the filtering argument is valid either. One bag is simple to whip off and on. Panniers have bags, so is that a big deal? Panniers are more secure for town visits etc. For all you seasoned travellers, what do you think? NB: Told you I was a fanny!
It's a simple choice, how much do you want to bring? If you have the panniers, get aftermarket insert bags as they make use of the off shape. I put on a tank bag, panniers and top box. Although the latter is starting to iritate me that it's just so large and obnoxious but it fits 2 lids in it so it has its uses.
It depends 2 - 3 Nights away top box and maybe a Kriega US20 on the pillion as well for the heavy stuff - I take a bag of puncture kits, pump etc tools etc and that goes on the pillion seat to keep the weight lower down. More than 3 or 4 nights away its the panniers and a small top box with no Kriega bag. Better for security and have bags inside the panniers so tend to leave them on the bike unless staying at the same location for several days.
I have the inner bags and he seat bag will take the same as the panniers. That is the dilemma - it's either or...
How little the bag though? kriega Ruksack or a tank bag if you don’t want wider? If you’re parking in town and worried by theft hard panniers, I’m not sure a thief would want my dirty washing. However if you already have the panniers you’d probably be wiser to use those?
The bag isn't wide and it's on and off, but always on and off if that makes sense. I think the Multi panniers look decent, just never used them, but splitting the load left and right to fisrt half, last half half means just one bag out at a time etc. This is a one only choice for me - no tank bag - no seat bag if panniers - no panniers if seat bag. I do overthink
For simplicity I’d use just the panniers TBH given you already have a set. All this talk of touring is making me consider buying a hyperstrada. Lol
Personally, I think the panniers are the more flexible solution. Filtering is a much overrated past time and 10 days is a long time to wear the same kit, especially if you don’t want be sitting on your own in the restaurant Andy
To be fair Andy, the bag I have is 32l expandable to 42l and both panniers at 26l and 30l, so yes more room, but not massively. Plus, I am a world champion packer and the hotel cleaners are always treated as I chuck my boxers away after use on trips
You can wear boxers for a long time without washing them, 10 days is more than enough time to send them a Yellow/Black combination. Or just go full blown commando…..
Panniers all the way IMHO. Secure when you're parked up. Arrive at hotel and whip out inner bags to carry in, far neater/cleaner and panniers stay on bike. You can even put your jacket, gloves and lid in them to reduce what you need to carry. On a ferry, pack one inner with what you need onboard. Stuff jacket and gloves into the empty pannier (you'll probably want to charge BT headset in the cabin). I also use a small tankbag for items I need to have to hand; such as phone, glasses, shades, visor cleaning stuff. Top box when touring with partner, added support for her plus room for the inevitable shoe collection, waterproofs, her handbag etc.
Thanks all. Ex GS, so know the benefits of panniers, just got used to leaking them off and travelling light. But for ten days, the lump of a seat bag is probably too big, whereas the panniers do blend well on the Multi, plus carry more. Think I’ll pack all the ‘only if necessary’ stuff in the right and dirty clothes, leaving just one bag to carry in and out.
This is very similar to my approach. I use a large (15 - 20 litre) tank bag most of the time (as @Bumpkin plus spare gloves & neck tube, maps, etc. ), use the panniers for solo tours and add the top box for two up touring (all with liners). If I'm on a long solo tour, I'll add the top box but attempt to keep it half empty so I can quickly stash water proof liner/over jacket, mid layer fleece and/or hydration backpack as required. Good advice from @Bumpkin on packing for ferry crossings, definitely worth keeping what you have to carry to minimum as you usually have to climb 5 or 6 flights of stairs from the lowest deck where they seem to always put the bikes.
I thought you bought that SW Motech bag? Just use that and some packing cubes, jobs a goodun. And if you stay in decent hotels, just get the hotel laundry to take care of that for you, which is what I’ll be doing this year.
I did buy the bag and it’s big enough, but one side of me just wants to try the panniers only, with no lump on the rack and that’s where I am…
To be fair, I don’t see much filtering going on this trip. Never been away with more than 4 of us and this time there’s 11 of all abilities. I was and have always been seat bag only, but I’m just tempted to try the panniers. Not convinced yet.
Top loading panniers can be quite handy, the side ones are a bit of a pain. This is my 1260 on a 10 day trip to France/ Italy a few years ago, panniers are quite neat, I’ll give them that.
