Soft panniers, how do they work?

[someone]

It suddenly occurred to me that me that I could use my bike to visit my parents, about 165 miles away, but that would mean needing luggage.

When I go on the train I normally take a big camping rucksack and a messenger bag. With the small tank bag and backpack I currently have, something like the Oxford First Time panniers or similar should be enough. I have been searching to find out information but I still have a couple of questions unanswered, probably because they are too dumb for anyone else to ask.

Soft bags are obviously secure enough to leave unattended, so are they easy to detach, carry, and reattach if necessary when stopping off somewhere?

And can you just leave the strap(s) that go under the seat attached to the bike without the panniers? Presumably if they would dangle dangerously you could at least strap them together over the seat?

Thanks.

[onesea]

Listening with interest I bought some soft throw over panniers.

I put the velcro straps under my seat, when I stop I just rely on the seat lock. When I arrive I take them off. When I go and see my mum I will just ensure its my dirty laundry on the top of the bags not any electronics. If someone decides to investigate the contents at a services as they cannot be easily locked.

THen maybe I am to trusting...

[al_stu]

As the seat on mine is a bugger to remove and replace...I cut the straps and put a plastic zip on the end of each one. The straps stay under the seat permanently and I just have a zip to remove/attach the bags.

[Glorian]

I think stu would be a good source of knowledge I think he used to have a pair of soft panniers.

[oldie59]

Soft Panniers........used them for years

They come in different shapes, sizes, styles and materials to suit different styles of bike, be it sports bikes or cruisers. They also vary in cost, some cheap and cheerful, some bl**dy expensive! BUT they are not generally waterproof and are normally supplied with plastic covers.

Main thing to be wary of is burning/melting them on the exhaust and/or silencer by buying some that are too large for your bike (it does happen). Also don't overload them and try to even out anything you put in them.

Fitting them:

They are held in place by a strap with velcro that goes under the seat and (usually) 2 straps that fit over the pillion seat again by velcro which are adjustable to some degree. the bottoms of them are held in place by a strap that either fits to the pillion footpeg mount (might need bungees as well?) or round the twin rear shox (if you have got them). It is I believe possible to use padlocks on the zips of some to stop theft, but probably wiser to take them with you when you leave the bike.

They are easy to attach and to remove should you want to, as they are held in place by velcro straps, you will though also have to remove the seat to get at the strap underneath it.

[someone]

So it sounds like the straps would need to be removed when not attaching the bags, as even adding zips there would be nowhere for them to go. The seat is fixed and though not difficult to remove, you have to take off the side panels to get to the bolts. Which is fine before and after a trip, but a bit of an annoyance if I just want to explore the area whilst visiting.

My tank bag is only a small cheap Aldi one with a rain cover, but I went out in what became a heavy downpour recently without using it and it somehow remained completely dry inside. It confirmed my opinion they are not worth the bother as I always wrap anything that needs protecting inside carrier/bin bags as a precaution anyway, regardless of how I travel.

I am not tied to any particular sort though, the Oxford First Time ones just seem to be the highly recommended "budget" option and suitable for small bikes. And, at least for now, I only need to get between London and Lincolnshire so something basic should be able to protect my pants from the wilds of the Fens!

[soll]

So it sounds like the straps would need to be removed when not attaching the bags, as even adding zips there would be nowhere for them to go. The seat is fixed and though not difficult to remove, you have to take off the side panels to get to the bolts. Which is fine before and after a trip, but a bit of an annoyance if I just want to explore the area whilst visiting.

My tank bag is only a small cheap Aldi one with a rain cover, but I went out in what became a heavy downpour recently without using it and it somehow remained completely dry inside. It confirmed my opinion they are not worth the bother as I always wrap anything that needs protecting inside carrier/bin bags as a precaution anyway, regardless of how I travel.

I am not tied to any particular sort though, the Oxford First Time ones just seem to be the highly recommended "budget" option and suitable for small bikes. And, at least for now, I only need to get between London and Lincolnshire so something basic should be able to protect my pants from the wilds of the Fens!

 

Look at the Kreiga stuff. straps go under the eat and then you mount the bag on the pillion seat. you can have multiple bags attached to each other, and only have one set of fixings to the bike.

prices arnt too bad, and they are totally waterproof..... used my smaller one and everyting is always dry inside.

just another option

[GaryJM]

I used to use the Oxford 1st time ones worked well but security is the main down side as very easy to get what ever is inside them.

They come with bungees and straps for attaching to the bike.

Just make sure they don't foul the exhaust.

As to capacity they were able to carry a long week ends gear for the missus and I.

Only reason I no longer have them my bike has hard luggage.

[Cpt_Tact]

Soft panniers and a tank bag work great, but spent a week away last week and just took a Held duffle back strapped down with 6 bungies across the rear seat. Didn't move even with chucking it around. Nothing expensive in there, only clothes, tooth brush etc.

If you are taking a pad or laptop then get a little rucksack and put them in a dry bag in there, they then come with you everywhere

First aid kit, waterproof over trousers, spare cable tyres, bungies, cheap nasty sun glasses etc go in the tank bag for easy access.

[Throttled]

I gave up on soft panniers and went for a big dry bag bungeed onto the bike. Dry bags are cheaper, more waterproof and easier to take on and off.

[someone]

It is so obvious, but it never even occurred to me I could just take my usual bag and strap it to the seat! Would like some proper luggage as I would feel more comfortable with it, but maybe for the first time I should just do that and see how it goes.

For my laptop, I would feel more comfortable with it wrapped in the middle of my clothes than in a backpack. In an accident it should protect both it and me better! Obviously though then you definitely cannot leave it unattended, where with just clothes I may take the risk where it does not seem too high.

Helpful suggestion for the tank bag too, thanks. I probably need a bigger one though. Currently I just keep my chain, DSLR camera (which is the main reason I wanted the bag), some wipes, and bottle of water in it. And at this time of year whichever of my winter or summer gloves I am not currently wearing. Too easy to go out and get frozen finger in the morning and sweating ones in the afternoon if you get them the wrong way around!