I've been planning a bit of a trip for later this year to do another trip around the alps and one thing that keeps coming into mind is the standard top box, it's HUGE. Great for rider & pillion trips, but I think for a solo trip, both the side panniers are more than enough. Maybe even too much. What rear top bags have people used and had success with? It's just me going and it will be for around 5-7 days, staying in hotels. So frankly, I could probably get away with a dinner set of clothes and basic toiletries. So if I can fit all of that in a decent sized top back and not have to worry about side panniers, then that's a winner. EDIT: When I mention top bag, I mean a bag to strap to the top box mount, not a tank bag.
2019 I spent a month around France dropping into a couple of friends houses and just used a 30 litre aquabag - roll top on the back rack and a small daypack with essentials. It was perfect for about a weeks worth of clothes and then do a wash. I find taking the right shoes is the trick as they take up space.
Brilliant, I did something very similar on my last big trip, just with side panniers and top box, and a much larger dry bag. Mind you, I camped 8 out of 10 nights.
From your post it sounds like you already have a Ducati top case? If so why not use that as it has the added benefit of security when parked up. For convenience you can put a soft bag inside to lift out and take into hotels etc. I use one of these. Inexpensive but well made, should last for many years.
Kriega. Every time. I’ve got the US10, 20 and 30. You can connect them all together for big trips, but for a week away, the US30 has been fine for me. I used the panniers on my last trip, only because the bike came with them, but the Kriega stuff is all you’ll ever need, in reality.
It's a fair ask, It's a bit big and cumbersome, I might look into the idea of a bag for the inside. Loveeeee my Kriega R20, best bag company for motorcyclists in my opinion.
Just get a smaller top box if you already have the rack fitted, any Givi Monokey box will fit, less hassle than strapping down a dry sack every morning and as mentioned, better security + get an inner bag to suit.
I like to wander off away from the bike and do a little sight seeing on foot. I'd be more confident of my gear in a locked box, than a strapped on bag anyone can wander off with. Just my 2p worth.
For the last 15 trips I have used a Lomo 60litre roll bag and a little tank bag. Valuables go in tank bag and can easily be taken with you for cafe stop etc. The roll bag is fine for shorter trips to with less luggage, you just fold it more. Totally waterproof in monsoon rain, very cheap and no one has ever touched it. If they do there is nothing of value in it, and most supermarkets sell pants socks t shirts for any emergency replacement clothing. Plan what you want to take then halve it, I swear I never ever wear all I take!
I've got Kriega stuff, as well as a few Lomo bags. You can't beat the Lomo stuff for inexpensive, robust, thoroughly waterproof bags. I initally bought a 60L one, which was way too big. I've now got a 30L (i think), which is a much better size. However, I love the way the Kriega stuff attaches to the bike, and it's handy that you can strap the bags together in a modular fashion to add more capacity. I have a US30 and two US20s, which ought to give me plenty of capacity for most situations. That said, I hear what you say about the topbox, but if it was me I would keep it. I had one on my 2013 1200S and used it as a "boot" for putting in a big lock, and for crash helmet storage when not on the bike. It's been really useful when going to things like MotoGP, when you want to ditch the helmet and jacket, and change into normal clothes. Also handy if you want to stop and buy some food etc - gives you extra storage to stash stuff.
Thanks I designed the graphics and got evoboy to do them. It's a church in Firminy in France designed by architect le corbusier..... the inside ian amazing, one face of the sloped concrete roof has small circular glass lenses in the pattern of one of the star constellations and when the sun shines through its magic!
Thank you, that's really cool. I'll add it to be "places to go" on Google Maps. Sorry for thread diversion, as you were!
When I've had the chance to tour a little more maybe, I'll think soft bags are better. Ask me again in a few years Looking to the future, Id like to have a go at camping away too. Bought my daughter some expensive camping stuff when she did the Duke of Edinburgh course. Only used it twice ! Maybe soft luggage is better for camping than staying in hotels ?
A combination of both can work. It's the perennial adventure bike argument - soft vs hard luggage. Since I've had the Enduro I've been using soft panniers, but I've just bought some DVT plastic panniers, so I'll be using those for a while now. I've refined my packing over the years to put things into bags, so my stove and coffee paraphernalia goes in a bag, and my cook set in another, sleeping stuff in another etc etc... so everything is easy to grab, as and when I need it. Some would say soft luggage is better if you tip off - if you're going off-road. Whereas hard luggage means you can lock stuff away.
Lomo is your value for money friend. https://www.lomo.co.uk/acatalog/Motorcycle-Motorbike-Dry-bags-Accessories.html
You can buy lockable straps for soft bags these days. https://kriega.com/adventure/steelcore-security-strap
