Tail Pack vs panniers for two week trip

Basically off round europe for two weeks, last time (1 week) I took panniers and a small tank bag. This time I'm thinking of trying to get all my stuff in an extended Oxford tail pack instead (which I got today and appears to sticks up quite high).

The question is which will handle better? Taking into account both alpine twisties and high speed autobahns, all on the SV of course.

I found with the panniers on I feel a little restricted wrt moving about on the bike, but the tailpack seems to leave me room for my gangly legs.

Any advice/experience welcome, and note I won't be buying a Top box before I head off in 8 days time.

everytime i have been away (which is only 3 times) i have put everything in panniers, only to take them back off & use my tailpack.

i managed to get a weekends stuff inc tent etc into the same tailpack i took to germany

You can filter better with a tailpack

I found the tail pack was quicker handling than panniers. I read something last week on the new Kwak tourer - something about the excess weight being higher and central meant when the bike is moving it turns quicker - although top heavy. Thought its probably the same with panniers vs tail packs.

[dizzyblonde]

after following the advice of the guys on here I decided i'd take a tailpack to France. Wouldn't have got panniers over that xhaust afterall. It were fine and fit everything and the kitchen sink in it....no problem with handling, although I did find it a bit of squash between tailpack and tankbag, there was almost no room for the skinny blonde bird, but if you've got longer legs than me( bearing in mind mine are quite long) you should have no problem getting in and out of the saddle...

Dizzy, were there any problems with high speed weave when on auto routes with the tailpack?

[Luckypants]

I have used both. I prefer panniers as this keeps the weight closer to the ground, thus lowering the center of gravity of the loaded bike. This makes those low speed hairpins of the Alps easier to handle.

i've had a huge tailpack at 140 (indicated) and it was fine
God I love those touring trackdays...

I've done tailpacks at sustained 100mph and it was fine. Didn't notice at all.

Had a fully extended tailpack at 140+ in germany was fine and wasnt even bungy on very tight. If you want to add some extra capacity use a small tankbag thought I'm not sure how well they fit the sv with its forward position.

As for the weight travel as light as possible, when you think about it you dont need much stuff, on my last two week trip I could have got away with a 3/4 filled tailpack and thats it.