panniers or tail pack

i got panniers, the oxford sport basic ones, they do the job good with their little waterproof covers. Must be able to fit more in them than in one tailpack

never had any troubles with them in cornering or blowing off (as i often feel they should be falling off at over 70)

never had any problem with filtering either, although i dont do it as much as some, and this is mainly because i forget theyre there and happen to luckily fit through down the line!

having said that, i always ride with a massive backpack aswell when i need to carry gear from wolves to cardiff or vice versa

<shameless plug>

http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=111602

I drove down to the South of France a few years ago, two up on a curvy and used Oxford sport panniers and a tank bag (can't remember the make of tank bag but it was squarer than the humpback Oxford one) I prefer the larger squarer tank bags as they are better to lean on.

I tend to avoid tail packs as they make getting on on and off a pain.

I sat the panniers pretty high and tight as they always sag a little and then I bungied and strapped them firm, they never moved and I never found any added width a problem.

Originally Posted by Cam_73

I'll look at getting the Kreiga US20 or the Oxford Humpback.

Just noticed that M & P are knocking out the Oxford Humpbacks with either tank or tail fitting for less than 40 notes.

See here: http://www.mandp.co.uk/productInfo.aspx?catRef=901935

Get 'em while you can.

nice one VP thanks for the heads up.

[glang]

Bit late I know but for me theres no doubt on this one - tank bag cos I support my chest on it and can ride for hours n hours. Without it the wrists go n my back kills me but maybe Im just getting old.

I have nothing to add to the tailpack vs panniers debate - I own both (M&P offer) but have used neither. I would recommend some bin liners and a roll of Gaffa\Duck tape if you have space. For my trip to last years AR the combination was awesome for additional waterproofing and fixing of random kit to bike. Try to avoid actually sticking the gaffa to the paintwork though. A bungy net and or cords are also very useful.

[Zokambaa]

You've done the trip now but I'll add for anyone else interested...
I really like the Nelson Rigg gear... that and tourmaster's Cortech

I'm not sure if they are available all over the place in Europe but you can order them from NewEnough.com (great customer service and if you review your product they give you a $10 gift certificate too and no I don't work for them, they are just a good company out of Texas)

I got a full set of saddle bags and a trunk bag... I don't often use the saddle bags but they are great when I need a lot of luggage but most times it is enough to just go with the trunk bag.. and this system will work alone or in conjunction with the trunk bag... or other Nelson Rigg bag sets if you add others later

The ones I goe were the CL-950 deluxe expandable saddle bag and the CL-150 Expandable Sport Tail Pack they are super easy to get on and off and have straps for carrying when you are off the bike

Even before I expand the trunk bag I can fit a helmet inside.. they are great because they are sporty, aerodynamic, and expandable.. and as they join together you can have any one on its own, or join them all, or if you have the high mount pipe, just mount one side bag and the trunk bag.. they are water resistant but they also have waterproof covers you can slap over them to keep them dry...

Here is what got and the price was right.

Originally Posted by Cam_73

off to france towards end of July.

Will try to travel as light as possible.

So now I need to get some soft luggage, so my question is what do people prefer?

Been looking at the Oxford humpack tail pack or some oxford throw over panniers.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Cheers

Originally Posted by neio79

Tail pack, if you can afford it Kriega US-40 ( a US-20 with two US-10's attached to it.)

see here:
http://www.kriega.com/pages_uk/us20/...pframeset.html

I have the US-20, brilliant bit of kit!!

+1 (although I only have the US-10).
Like someone else mentioned, I don't really like panniers as they restrict the spaces you can filter into. Of course, it's all a matter of preference

My advice with soft luggage is this: Borrow a complete set of luggage from someone (or alternatively buy a comprehensive kit of cheap stuff like the oxford "first time") and also use a smallish rucsac. Try out the various bits and work out which type of luggage strikes the best balance between:
What interferes with your riding the least,
What is easiest/quickest for you to fit/remove,
What's easiest to carry,
How much they can carry (capacity).

Rank the various bits in order of how good for you they are for you. You can then buy a good quality "best" bit for you and add others over time as the cheaper stuff wears out/you find yourself using it.

EDIT:
As Zokambaa says, the Nelson Rigg stuff is well built and little know/often overlooked in the UK. You can occassionally pick it up very cheap indeed.