How to buy soft luggage
The soft stuff is versatile – there’s extra carrying capacity when you need it, waterproofing if you care for it, and it locks to the bike without a big ugly frame…
HOW IT ATTACHES TO THE BIKE...
The more you pay the easier and more securely the luggage attaches to the bike. Low-cost roll bags often don’t come with straps so you’ll have to buy some, and your bike will need bungee points. Givi’s Tanklock bags, on the other hand, require a mount that bolts over the tank filler cap. Mounts are between £12 (for a Triumph Sprint ST) and £35 (BMW F800GS).
MORE SPACE WHEN YOU NEED IT
Extra carrying capacity is always useful, especially if you tend to accumulate stuff on your travels, such as the odd bottle of duty-free. Givi tank bags (like the ST603) employ a zip which, when deployed, increases usable space by up to 50%. Any more, and the bulk could hinder bike control. Sw-motech’s £160 Rackpack expands from 36 to 45 litres, which is enough to stash a helmet.
KEEP DRY IN THE RAIN
Waterproofing either means a fully-sealed roll-top bag, or a waterproof cover. Waterproof covers require you to stop and whip them out in a shower. Roll-tops are a faff to open and close, but provide the best waterproofing. Check out the good value £39 Held Roll Bag, or the £177 zip-top Givi UT805 with a roll-top waterproof inner.
OFF THE BIKE
Hard luggage can be awkward and heavy to carry while soft luggage often includes shoulder straps to make off bike relocation easier. Kriega sell a range of rucksacks (which cost about £30 more than similar capacity Drypacks), and their US-20S and -30s come with shoulder straps. Oxford’s £80 First Time Panniers come with carry handles and a shoulder strap.
IT’S MODULAR!
A big advantage of soft luggage is that you can combine different brands and models. For example, you can run Kriega panniers with an Sw-motech tail pack, or strap roll bags to the top of hard panniers. Kriega have taken modularity a step further by creating Drypacks that attach together securely using an alloy clip system. Need 40 litres of capacity? Buy a £119 US-30 and strap a £69 US-10 atop, or go for a £99 US-20 and two US-10S strapped to each side. It’s all about options.
SECURING YOUR STUFF
Soft luggage is cheaper than hard luggage, but is much less secure. Givi are introducing a lockable tank bag mount called the Tanklocked. A key stops the bag being unclipped by thieves. That’s great, but the bag can still be cut open with a knife. Concerned about knife crime? Line your bag with a Pacsafe soft portable safe. The 5-litre GII starts at £65.
‘Concerned about knife crime? Line your bag with a £65 Pacsafe soft portable safe’