How to Choose Luggage for Your Adventure Bike

[@BigRockMoto]

-BEST SOFT PANNIERS: ⚡Mosko Moto Backcountry: bit.ly/3Q4PEgc ⚡Outback Motortek Racks: bit.ly/3Cwa65E ⚡Tusk Olympus: bit.ly/3lLUHVG ⚡Tusk Pannier Racks: bit.ly/3rObMCi ⚡Lone Rider: bit.ly/3QRVPo3 -BEST RACKLESS SYSTEMS: ⚡Tusk Highland X2: bit.ly/31FVUXN ⚡Mosko Moto Reckless: bit.ly/3AebeIc -BEST HARD PANNIERS: ⚡ Tusk: bit.ly/3R5JtbM ⚡ Givi: imp.i104546.net/2rN4W0 ⚡ BMW: imp.i104546.net/4eN4W0

[@mabecka]

Thank's, this was helpful! An alternative to rackless bags is the Givi Canyon GRT721, mounting base. Cheers from Sweden!

[@dmitrio.193]

A configuration worth mentioning, in my opinion, is a hard top case and soft side panniers. Ease of access to day gear and won’t crush your legs or get bent up in a mild tip over.

[@Yourdadsbestfriend]

Good for tech storage, such as moto pump or comms gear. This is what i’ll be doing.

[@Jack-yl7cc]

This is the setup I prefer although I mostly use the top case to store my helmet and other gear I want to take off whenever I stop.

[@shaundisch2020]

You mean the pokey tire tools in your soft luggage become safe when they go through your leg? I think nice, flat hard luggage is better in some ways.

[@Jack-yl7cc]

​@@shaundisch2020 I have the Slime "Pro-Series" metal handled tire plug kit and I haven't had any problems with them poking things they shouldn't(they are kept in a faux leather pouch that some of the cheaper sets come in). The key is that the soft luggage for ADV bikes is actually surprisingly rugged and it takes a lot to accidentally damage them. Hard luggage on the other hand is actually very easy to damage, it's like the difference between a plastic soda bottle and an aluminum soda can.

[@shaundisch2020]

@@Jack-yl7cc I have dropped my hard luggage a million times, makes the bike easier to pick up. Dents all over but still keep my stuff locked up and easy to access.

[@SocalRider1754]

I've tried a bunch and IMO the best setup: offroad = rackless soft bags onroad = hard panniers

[@bfyrth]

rackless soft bags for both

[@atarijam]

Rackless look ugly, tacky and most importantly impractical for day to day on road rides. I agree with SocalRider. Rackless makes sense for off road only

[@timothydubber549]

Have had BMW and SW Motech hard panniers and top box. Now exclusively use Kriega luggage and a dry bag with Rok straps. Cheaper, can move from bike to bike and a lot less weight.

[@RamblingRuters]

I agree, I love my Kreiga system, had them in 3 bikes and only thing needed was some new mounting straps, great system and well thought out

[@williammahaffy4642]

Also have Kreiga. Brilliant system! I wish they made a proper tanklok bag but I use a 20L up front and a 20/10/10 combo on the tail and it has worked great for multiweek trips.

[@alpsalish]

Fuck yeah!

[@astronautonroad1]

I was waiting for someone to mention Kriega. I just ordered the OS 36 system. Can't wait to put it to use.

[@moorepower13]

My kriega setup has served me really well. I now consider them my camping luggage and take them on any trip, dirtbike/adv, crusers and an occasional sportbike overnighter. They latch onto any of the bikes in my garage.

[@manybikes]

Love it Ian! You missed one… soft luggage that straps to a rack. Way less expensive than quick release rack mounted options.

[@MeerkatADV]

It's still a rack mounted soft pannier. The points are basically identical.

[@dmitrio.193]

@@MeerkatADV sort of....My SW Motech strap on bags are half the weight of Mosco system. And take way longer to attach.

[@MeerkatADV]

@@dmitrio.193 yeah, the Kriegas are about the same. But what he says about rack mounted soft luggage is still accurate.

[@ridenm7748]

Usually more appropriate for us play riders. I normally don't need more than 20l worth of stuff.

[@dominikgeisler2926]

Hi Ian, nice overview. I used the Reckless Revolver on a 5500 km trip, also based on your review back then. I found it doesn't touch my plastic parts at all. I don't put it on the pillion seat but on my topcase base plate since I use a topcase for day to day pyrpose. So at least for those with a similar rack sticking out anyway, the plastic scratching topic may not apply.

[@rinna88]

Dear Ian. You rock. As an aspiring Adventure rider I am using all of your videos to prepare myself for picking the right gear / bike. Your content is so comprehensive and presented in a very laid back way. Keep up the great work, your viewers really appreciate what you do! Kind regards from the Netherlands.

[@InTheGarageDIY]

Great video Ian! I have the Reckless 40 on my 300 Rally and agree with the pros/cons you mentioned. One thing I did to prevent damage to the plastics is that I added 3M clear vinyl to all the contact points. Seems to work really well and nearly invisible without the luggage mounted.

[@uncommonsense5876]

Smart man ☝️😎, 3M shielding... perfect.

[@domenik8339]

After way too much thinking, my friend and I came up with the solution that we would run soft side bags and a smallish locking top box. Definitely not the most aesthetically pleasing, but it allows you to lock valuables like gear and helmet and money and etc to the bike without all the weight of two metal hard panniers, and your soft storage can just be your camping supplies or whatever else that isn't as valuable.

[@heddshot87]

screw it, when you're on the road on long trips all that matters is comfort and safety

[@domenik8339]

@@heddshot87 Exactly.

[@bearvonsteuben9675]

Nice job, sir, showing the +/- of each style. After 22 yrs on my beloved ‘20 R1150 GS, I just switched over to a ‘23 Triumph Tiger Rally Explorer. I went with the factory hard panniers only because I’m in my late 60s, don’t do much off-road beyond forest roads, and my past experience with Jesse cases on the GS showed me that they will hold up just fine on the occasional tip-over. I only hope that Triumph aluminum can take a punch as well as the Jesse cases did. 🙄 I’m not a fan of lane-splitting, so the width shouldn’t be an issue. I had contemplated soft bags in prepping for a South American trip in the 90s, but decided that the steel was less prone to invasion than soft bags. I was proved correct in my belief. Thank you for your review.

[@elgringoec]

22 years on a '20 R1150 GS... 🤔 It's not the years in your life, but the life in your years!

[@bearvonsteuben9675]

@@elgringoec Indeed!👍

[@standupmoto]

Well done Ian, I’ve ridden adventure bikes for 40 years. You’ve nailed it with explaining the differences here, hard boxes are super convenient but can be very dangerous to your legs off rd. 👍

[@elgringoec]

Not just off-road. I was doing a quick u-turn on a primary road and damn near lodged my boot between the case and roadway!

[@justsomedude445]

@@elgringoec yikes ! hope your ok , yeah ive never had a bike with hard bags , always been more off road focused , so i am quite happy with the newest soft bag set up ive got , tusk olympus , for the $$ i dont think it can be beat

[@elgringoec]

@@justsomedude445 Sounds good. I'm looking to get a mid sized adventure bike and I'll probably go with tusk or mosko. I was lucky enough to react quickly as my leg started to be pulled under and straighten the bike before getting injured. It gave me a scare, though! I got overconfident and kinda forgot to consider I was on a 700# street bike.

[@justsomedude445]

@@elgringoec i thought since i already have spent a bunch more $ than i intended to on this 901 build what the heck id go with those sexy looking Mosko Moto bags but when i went to price them out they sell the bags , the rack and all the attaching plates and hardware all separately like a la cart' so when i priced it out it came to $1800 U.S.D. or so , where the Tusk Olympus for $575 comes with everything and i mean everything even a dozen extra washers and fasteners = complete kit + i ran their bags before and they turned out to be tough stuff maybe just a little heavier and not nearly as good looking but .......

[@elgringoec]

@@justsomedude445 Oh my that's a huge difference, I can definitely see going with the Tusk! That 901 is sweet! I've been trying to get my eyeballs on a T7 since they were released, so far no luck. I really want to ride before committing to buy, but the market isn't there yet. I keep saying maybe soon. At some point dealers will be looking for buyers instead of vice-versa. In the meantime Honda might release the rumored new Transalp and that might catch my fancy. Time will tell...

[@thehighwaychild]

Great video. Another benefit of soft panniers/bags is the ability to cram odd shaped items in. Hard panniers don’t give so if you have some cooking equipment that is a fraction too big, it won’t fit in a hard pannier, but you could shove it into the soft bag. It’s a small win but worth mentioning. I prefer to go without anything with a frame because of the weight saving. Great video. Keep up the good work!

[@mirekkudzia7052]

Thank you for your video. I have soft rackless panniers (LOMO) and to keep them not flat I use inflatable-China-made cheap travel pillows, one for each panier. It is easy to pump them up with your mouth or remover the air by squeezing it with your hands and then to keep them in the panier with your language. And when you have no lagguage the inflated pillows keep your paniers in their designed shape. Works perfectly for me.

[@Yowzoe]

I was thinking something like that while watching, and you provided the specifics! Thank you

[@deepakshirali]

Superb Ian. Neatly side-stepping the soft v/s hard debate and full of facts. I bought my bike from the fact-filled comparisons you do, especially the one about comparative ease of picking up a fallen bike. Now I know what to keep in mind when I go for luggage.

[@RayzGarage]

I prefer Nelson Rigg, "Rigg Gear". An inexpensive alternative to hard bags and ugly support rack systems. I think buying the complete hard bag system is a commitment to more on road traveling then off-road Adventures. Kyle Bradshaw is the Nelson rig ambassador

[@eriknash8783]

In order to protect the finish of your bodywork when using soft luggage like the "Reckless 80", you can always apply protective film to the body panels which can be peeled off when you sell your bike later on.

[@buddyringo21]

My Guzzi V85tt came with hard large panniers and I got a crash course literally last Sunday! Turning into a long dirt driveway I encountered soft sand( I had loaded my panniers fairly heavy with groceries from shopping) and as the bike started fishtailing the front tire burrows so I put my foot out to help keep bike upright then BAMMM! My heel locked under the left pannier and down the bike came! I never realized this could be an issue but now after posting a photo and details on a FB ADV group page I’ve had 100’s of comments on the dangers of hard panniers in off road situations. My bike seems to have the factory panniers forward and low as compared to say the Triumph tiger . I have had to rethink my whole approach to riding this bike in any off road terrain. Thank God I didn’t break my ankle or foot thought it felt like I did also my knee suffered some strain. 7 days later I’m walking ok and even took a ride yesterday but still sore . My Guzzi panniers state “ do not exceed 6.1 Kg “ I thought surely they can hold more but I never thought it would make the bike so top heavy especially in sand. Lesson learned! Now I took the top box off to keep my temptations of loading heavy again and soon I will invest in soft panniers for my off road riding. Great video as always! Thanks!😁✌️

[@a-10warthog72]

Thanks for mentioning the money/weight relation between hard and soft panniers. It's a detail that I've never seen anyone mention before.

[@marksmanAlex]

Well simply because it’s not very true. Yes top class soft luggage will cost similar money as hard panniers. Yet spucken get overall way cheaper soft luggage aswell! Same goes for weight. The Mosko moto system for example is quite heavy being the sturdiest most robust soft pannier I’ve ever seen and tired (including hard heavy back plate, metal fixings etc) yet you can get other luggage which might not share some of Moskos benefits but in return will be much lighter. For example giantloop mototrekk or wolfman Rocky Mountain…

[@tangoreal9098]

This is an easy choice. Having tried just about every product on the market. Mosco is the clear winner. A little more expensive but worth the money imho. I run the scout panniers and love them. I do not run hard panniers on the trail. This is due to potential leg damage and lack of cushion during a fall. Yes I admit it I still drop on occasion. Besides all of that the stickers on my hard pans are far more valuable than the cost of Mosco scout.

[@ivansostarec2564]

This channel has been killing it lately. Thanks Big Rock Moto, great content!!

[@kee7678]

Thanks Ian. I'm a huge fan of Mosko Moto. They're gear is super well thought out, great guys at the company and CEO and they all ride all the time and use their stuff 100% of the time so I trust their advice on tips and techniqes etc etc. Great video.

[@mikesnodgrass1450]

Great review on showcasing the different styles and options!! One thing that stuck out for me I wanted to mention having experience with both soft panniers and a rack less system. You talk about it being more commitment with the reckless to get it strapped onto the bike vs the click on/off of the panniers however I would argue that strapping the reckless 80 to the bike as the backbone of the system is only comparable to adding the luggage rack the panniers mount to and that pulling the dry bags of the reckless on/off is pretty close to the same effort it takes to dismount a pannier bag although I would give he edge to the panniers. I think initial set up / mounting of the reckless systems takes more effort and attention but I think day to day ease of use vs soft panniers is very close to the same. That being said though all these choices and debate about what works best and what’s right for who is half the fun so again great review ! I enjoy he content and look forward to more in the future!

[@mikec1254]

i always love honest reviews with pros and cons. I have a 2017 KTM 1290 The hard bags are ok if you never go off road or over pack them. The stock mounting system is the weak link of the bags. I bought some soft bags won't name the brand but not a good option they had a good price point but not good for a long trip of 50/50 with camping. So I ponied up for Lone Rider semi-rigid motobags. I already had the racks. I would have to say a great bag easy to mount and locks to the rack also the bag has a lock. I can fit my camping gear in the 31L bags and the rest of my clothes and gear/tools in the 38L bag. For important valuables, I kept the hard top box on my KTM. So this combination works for me. On long trips i like to camp 75% of the time and hotel a few nights. Plus i don't care about lane filtering since i don't live in or near California. Once it becomes nationwide i might be dead . When i did ride in CA a few times I loved it. Thanks for a great review and info

[@X-7-JAMES]

Really fantastic comparison, especially for first time buyers. I’ve chosen to go with the best of both worlds….the mounting racks with soft luggage.

[@AayushPriyam]

Hard metal panniers are definitely not good for off-roading but for usual long journey touring the biggest benefit is that incase of a fall the panniers take the hit, the bike doesn't suffer the damage.

[@drewb.9301]

I think something important to note is that while functionally hard luggage may or may not not be all that much harder to take than soft luggage (I think in most cases it's much harder, especially if you don't show up prepared which many thieves don't), perceived security is very important. Theft is generally a crime of opportunity, and the more something looks like it would be a pain in the ass to do (Fussing with the latches on hard luggage vs cutting or just straight up taking soft luggage) the less likely it is to happen to a significant degree. I wouldn't downplay the security of hard luggage, especially when it can be the difference between someone even thinking of stealing it or not bothering.

[@johncoleman1935]

07 KLR - Went with Tusk rack and large hard panniers. Wanted good protection for camera gear and easy access. Ride to places for pictures and then usually gravel or two track. With the thought of possible injury bought decent boots. On a recent trip 1K miles, Bike fell over at a gas station with only a slight dent on the pannier where it was attached to the rack. Didn't see the dent until I took it off. Long day, tired and late. 😎. Good video Ian, thanks as always. Also have a soft duffel and tried the camera in there (dry run for access), hard pannier access wins hands down. Always trade offs.

[@mahadevovnl]

Cool video! I got hard luggage (Honda brand) for my Africa Twin 1100 (2022): Aluminum top, and the plastic side-cases. The reason is simple: I want them for the daily commute and I want them to be sturdy. I got the plastic side-cases because they don't need additional mounts. The aluminum top case is just perfect for the sizes; the plastic alternative was way too large. For offroad riding I would never drive with luggage. I ride offroad for fun, not to go camping or something. Whatever I need would be a bottle of water and some soft gear that would fit into my backpack.

[@josephgeorgeejr7039]

With the rackless soft bags, definitely get some vinyl wrap for your side panels on your bike, vinyl wrap can be easily put on and taken off and wrap is very cheap, i keep vinyl wrap for all kinds of reasons, i think vinyl wrap is very underutilized for motorcycles for lot reasons, even cosmetic reasons

[@mrgrumble072]

Very good un-biased view on the various styles of luggage systems, most reviews are generally tilted in one particular direction. I personally don't gel with hard panniers, one drop and there's a good chance you'll be replacing bits or the entire box itself, which is why I went with the backcounty 35 system for my 1100 AT. Credit where its due, rapidly, you are becoming a top-tier creator for your videos Ian. Honest, well thoughout content are your trademarks. Your dry sense of humour gets a chuckle from time to time too. Keep up the great work !

[@BigRockMoto]

thank you!

[@benwells2338]

I don’t have many years of touring under my belt but so far I’ve really grown to like plastic saddlebags or the rigid “soft bag” look sort of bags. I ride a BMW F900R and just came back from a ~2500 mile camping trip on it and use the BMW accessory saddlebags for the bike. They have a sort of canvas exterior I guess, but they’re totally rigid with plastic inserts on all sides. I love these bags because they hold their shape whether something is in them or not, I can lock them with a small padlock to keep the zippers closed and are locked to the bike’s saddlebag mount, and best of all, unlike aluminum cases, they offer some give if they get hit or the bike tops over. Not as secure as aluminum cases for security of course, but I’ve really appreciated the setup I currently have thus far 😊

[@chrisd4283]

Great and honest review as always. I have both BMW hard and the Mosko soft bags for my RS1200GSA. All the pros and cons you mentioned were spot on. I bought the soft luggage for my impending Alaska trip for the primary reason of crash resistance and injury as compared to hard bags. What I wasn't prepared for and somewhat disappointed with was the storage capacity of the soft bags even though I went to 35L on both sides. While limiting space can be a pro or con, I will attest that Mosko makes an excellent system that is well thought out. Keep up the great work!

[@christofonobrown3659]

Reckless 80 guy here. Just love the compactness of it. Going to try soft panniers and see what I think.

[@Ahduciekwndnbbbsvvvghhhyyyyy]

I initially got the reckless 80, but I do prefer lockable Alu panniers for on-road trips. Off-road the reckless is great, but travelling solo im so nervous leaving the bike, even for 5-10 min, which limits me quite a bit more than I thought. Simple hings like checking out a sight or going to a grocery store becomes a stress. When I looked it up on KZbin before buying, I learned hard cases were heavy, dangerous, and bulky - but that’s mostly an issue for off-road riders. for on-road trips, thats been an easy trade-off for the convenience I get with the alu cases.

[@zzxx33mh]

You nail it..you summarise the content..much thnk

[@SimonfromAus]

Love your videos Ian. They have been really, really helpful to me as a relatively new (and older) rider. Cheers

[@justsomedude445]

Tusk Olympus for the cost is by a HUGE margin the best bang vs $ i found , just got back from a smoky week on parts of the WABDR with my son 2 low speed tip overs plenty of scraping on bushes & the like , with the duffle of course i carried twice as much gear as i used or needed as usual but very happy with that and this was my first trip with the new 'Tractive Extreme suspension at both ends and that is a total game changer holey crap that bike is sooooo damn good now

[@Hihellohihellogoodbye]

My ideal, solution would be soft panniers on racks with a hard top box

[@michaelfraley4901]

Great video. You confirmed my thoughts on the hard cases, while convenient might hurt if they fall on you off-road. But probably best on street bikes. The rack less system is what I'd use on my 790 R. They'd be perfect on dirt adventures and would hold up much better when you fall over. And the bonus, much narrower, tighter to the bike so improved handling with less chance a 'pucker bush' will snag you and tip you over.

[@onelostmoto]

Great video Ian. Very informative. A little tip on those Reckless bags: that bottom strap that you have going around the holster, those are actually meant to come up and clip into the dry bag. Unclip the roll top from itself and clip into those longer straps - that will allow you to cinch everything down even tighter. Cheers! Love your channel.

[@jake-px9ue]

I watch a lot of motorcycle videos, mostly for entertainment. Just wanted to say your videos are great and you do an awesome job. Keep up the good work. Thank you

[@WoodlandsArchive]

Stellar performance, as usual! For my T7 I listend to your earlier advice on this. I got the racked soft panniers. My own safety and the rack protects the exhaust hanger, was what tipped the scale. I got the OEM Yamaha panniers, like them. Thanks for your hard work!

[@elgringoec]

The OEM Yamaha panniers are soft panniers?

[@ericschellenberger612]

Thanks for trying to takle this subject. I am finding this the most difficult choice for my new T7 of all of them. Great info.

[@ownyourworld]

I have a givi rack on my old gs and lomo waterproof panniers , they don’t move at stupid speeds and I have brushed them off road with no damage or problems . I know if I had hard metal panniers i would have been off. Easy isn’t always best.

[@bwnco]

I love the conversation an real time experience his videos start. Excellent always reviews of the review. Nothing beats real time experience. I do not buy anything until coming you tube it first!

[@andrewtreloar7389]

Well done Ian, another informative video helping the adventure riders out there to make key decisions with meaningful content!

[@MichaelWilliams-jc2ui]

Great review but for solo riding I have a tank bag for valuables, a seat mounted roll bag for everything else. A nearly empty top box for helmet and jacket when I want to leave the bike and go off and explore on foot.

[@RUJedi]

I cannot speak to the dis/advantage of the hard side cases for off-road, but I had a pair of Moose Racing Expedition cases on a VTX 1300 that took the brunt of the impact (instead of me), leading the bike to change angles and slide when someone hit me while turning at a stoplight. Maybe I just got lucky with those side cases-- in addition to being able to walk away from the accident. PROS: The large, flat side cases made it VERY easy to add extra reflective stickers, lights, and other fun, safety stuff. Plus, the storage organizers in the top of each side case was awesome! I also liked the Moose cases specifically because the tops had locks on the front and back, allowing it to open from either side or come completely off, and had good mount points at the top and bottom for additional luggage, straps, and bungies. CONS: The Moose cases were HUGE (although I did intentionally by the giant 46 liter cases), so things like lane splitting were hard to do. Mounts were available for adventure bikes, but not cruisers, so my local bike shop fabricated custom mounts. I would get these cases again in a heartbeat, but looks like they were discontinued.

[@uncommonsense5876]

Top notch. Thank you for good pros and cons on each. Agree on all points. I have the hard case panniers. The biggest con for me with the panniers on my Super Tenere is they're the most difficult (of the 3 setups) to get on & off the bike. As they're so bulky. But they are very convenient and roomy.

[@human1513]

Excellent video. Love the pros and cons of each. This helped me to decide on which type to get.

[@jamesfairmind2247]

Excellent and very thought-provoking useful video. I personally like rackless for the handling benefits you mention. You could also have covered the Giant Loop Coyote. Anyway, I always like you presentation so much Sir, very calm and considered, you remind me (voice wise) of a much younger Christopher Walken, LOL!

[@brucewilliams6604]

Hard lockable panniers are a Must when crossing state lines as a secure spot to park the .45 ...and .... they make picking up the bike So much easier each time you drop it.

[@PetterIvarsson]

I use rackless because I tend to change bikes often. I also have innerbags in them so it will only be a minute job to take out the things.

[@JohannesDalenMC]

Protip: run the straps connecting to the bike on the rackless systems through a cut up bicycle tube so your mx boots don't wear through the straps. Great video Ian, as always!

[@kawabungah20]

Great suggestion! Thanks.

[@richardahola692]

I was riding through north east Argentina on a popular riding route. Lots of ADV bokes on the road. Almost every one I saw had hard boxes. Very nice. One thing that struck me was how wide the bikes were with big side boxes. They should have a wide load sign.

[@lloyddsouza4544]

This is top notch quality content with great information. Subscribed Ian Cheers!

[@drumsnbass]

As a “Starbucks” touring guy, I love the hard cases. BTW, you left out the option you can strap stuff to the tops of the cases.

[@gerdmueller4095]

great video! I have all three systems. hard boxes from Touratech (for my GS1250ADV) rackless from Mosko (Husky 701) and soft panniers (Monsoon Evo/ Enduristan (Tenere700) ... all have the advantages/disadvantages.. the hard boxes never for tough offroad...only street and light gravel.... Enduristan for longdistance trip with medium offroad and Mosko for much offroad and hardly any camping.....and never a top case for offroad: the risk, that this runs into your back is too high, when going downhill and fall..

[@Driftuner]

Imo the best combo is a hard topcase with soft rackless sidebags. The topcase being lockable can give you that extra bit of security when parking and leaving the bike and also act as a backrest should you ride 2 up. The softbags i see them as "optional", just install them if you need, otherwise just rock the topcase and youre fine...

[@rayfriedman9625]

Hard case fan here: as mentioned below (but not so much in your video) most, if not all hard case setups include nylon or cordura iner soft bags to make your load easier to pack and haul up to your hotel or campsite. My Bumont cases are weathertite and easy to mount (and remove if necessary). Most importantly, they mount to the existing racks on my R1250 GSA. And nearly as importantly, they do not extend beyond my handlebars. Of course I'm seldom if ever going to spend time on serious off-road trails; my GSA is a STREET bike, so not as worried about dropping it on some lonely BDR trail as you might be ;- )

[@dbbang1]

I’m a non-rider and I have to say that your presentation is excellent and extremely informative. I’ve viewed three or four videos and have enjoyed each one. I hope you enjoy great success.

[@wine_country_moto]

Since I had to sell one of my kidneys to purchase my BMW GSA, I’ll use the hard boxes it came with for now. I’ll have plenty of time to shop around for soft luggage while I’m on crutches. Great video.

[@chewylandlive]

Love you, Ian. On my 310 I bought a Givi rack and ended up using Thule panniers. Weird, I know, but the setup works great. I will add a 40L metal top case next week. Cheers from Bulgaria.

[@mikeyfrompiha]

Kriega OS system for me, clear vinyl wraps to protect the plastics 🙂

[@mike1967sam]

Secured leather Saddle bags. They had them in the early 90's and no problem.

[@xer0piggy]

If the bike has any daily rider/commuter usage (not the occasional off-road camp trip), hard boxes are a must. Try stopping by the store on the way home and picking up a couple gallons of milk and a case or soda/beer, some potato chips bags, cereal boxes, etc and stuffing that into any soft bag. You end up with stinky from leaked-milk bags, crushed chips, and a bunch of loose cans of beer/soda and spilled cereal. Plus, sitting in the sun all day while you're at work really ruins soft luggage from the UV exposure.

[@scottfhscottfh]

So, what is conspicuously missing is the semi rigid LONERIDER Luggage. Their system is by far the best I’ve used. I was a MOSKO MOTO fan, having used their Backcountry set for a 10,500 km trip. They worked great, but the Semi Rigid wins, providing the safety benefits of soft luggage and the shape and form of hard panniers! Also, I disagree with your comment about no straps on the hard panniers, if you strap items to the top, now you must do strap management.

[@shaundisch2020]

The soft bags are safe until your tire tools go through your leg in a wreck.

[@lifesjourneyat50]

Hey nice review as usual - I would say...if you are really doing ADV riding...like BDR's etc...Soft is best way to go...if you're touring the hard cases are probably better....I know it seems simplistic but it's all based on what you laid out in the video...I've just defaulted to the MOSKO Panniers Racked...I ride with some that like the Lone Rider as well which seem to be nice.....keep them coming...great content!!!!

[@robertrognstad3449]

Well done video. Definitely going soft luggage on next purchase and will most likely go Mosco.

[@Seektruth-59]

For either soft or hard luggage, I only choose the narrowest ones with frames tight to the bike and total width of bags are no wider than width of the handlebars. If the manufacturer can’t accomplish that, I don’t want it. PHD Performance makes hard bags that hug the Pan America frame and are as wide as the handlebars. SW Motech makes waterproof WP soft panniers that are narrow in width. Mosko is great but the cages/frames are too wide and I would suggest for people is to bet the narrowest frame possible.

[@motorcyclistfromholland8856]

On my GS I’ve got hard panniers and on my wife’s vstrom we’ve got soft panniers. Mine takes wind on speeds above 120km. with the softpanniers you don’t notice then. Also a lot lighter. Also filtering is easier because the bike is just smaller with soft panniers.

[@ssmith278]

Nice video, Ian. I was thinking about getting a Mosko Moto Reckless 80 or a Tusk Highland X2 for my KTM 890 Adventure. I believe that if I take off the side panels and install Perunmoto luggage rails and a tube on each side, I'll be able to carry extra fuel and/or tools under the saddle of the luggage. I am not sure if anyone has tried this, but I think it will work.

[@adr2567]

I’ve been riding 2 years with a tail bag which works fantastically well if you’re solo and don’t mind spending 10 mins a day tying, don’t have to worry about exhaust heat as well. Downside is I can’t store anything valuable and I can’t take a passenger. Now I’m considering a new bike to take my wife on, I’m considering what setup to get. A hard pannier at the back which can double as back support is easy pick. After that it’s a bit complicated, I don’t like the bike being large, wide and heavy so hard side panniers are out. I don’t want to put the pannier holders either but can’t think of how I can use a tail-bag which only has side pods that don’t touch the exhaust.

[@dartagnand4479]

Hello Big Rock Moto! I’ve been enjoying your content for a long time now, great stuff! Please add the Shad TR40 and the Givi softbags as well; Shad has a cool locking system and the quality is really good for the price point. All the best!

[@marksmanAlex]

Overall great video! Yet I feel like you haven’t done mosko moto enough justice! Some of the features you showed and presented as overall features for the category (like moskos quick release on the back country or the seperate dry bag and harness on the Rackless) are pretty much unique to Mosko moto and not to other brands. I am personally a fan of Mosko moto and would have liked to see credit for the features that convinced me and many others of the brand

[@ShaftDrive]

I ran the back country for a few years. They are great. Next set will be the reckless 80.

[@kawabungah20]

I'll go with your suggestion to save weight and promote flexibility with the simple, strap-on bag system. I never would have foreseen the safety risk caused by hard bags during probable tip overs in off-pavement adventures. Thanks for that!!

[@kymstock1852]

By accident, rather than by design, I have the MM Reckless80 system (used on my Tiger 800) on my DRZ400 now that I had fitted pannier frames and a rear rack to years earlier. The R80 has insufficient room for everything I wanted to carry, so I bought a 20 L duffle for my spare clothes and walking shoes that fits on the rear rack ( 6 kg load) . By only packing light items on the rear rack the handling is not adversely affected.

[@timsilva1944]

I agree. The center dry bag that Mosko includes is overkill in terms of abrasion resistance, which leads to less potential capacity. The ability to attach additional molle bags on the beaver tail can supply additional space for smaller items is great.

[@allans7281]

Fun video! Great discussion!! Personally I like the soft ones Always take your bags off the bike or keep your bike in sight when parked

[@Oscar240z]

Good review covers the main points so much appreciated.

[@Opposable_Thumb]

Great video. Informative and succinct. Thanks. Keep up the great work. ✌🏾

[@TANGORACING]

I am also currently researching into luggage systems for my KTM 890 SMT. I need a min. of 40-60 lt. of capacity in total, with something small and easily accessible for rough day-trips on the top/back. And most importantly it has to be more narrow than the handle bar! Other than that I'd consider anything. Currently I am using a hard top case for easy throughout the day access and a large soft bag strapped before it going from site to site. But I want to get rid of the top case, especially for more off-road oriented day trips. With Mosko I am concerned that getting those dry bags in and out could bother me, as well as I guess they still get dirty when I bring them into a hotel and don't camp.. With Kriega reckless I am afraid I won't like taking the bags on and off (too much dealing with straps too I guess) and also I have to bring them into hotel rooms when they are messed up and dirty, which I think I really don't like. Maybe Kriega bags and using some generic inner bag? Another option might be using a rack with very narrow paniers like Kriega's OS-22s / 32s? I also couldn't find any comparison video in all of youtube comparing Kriega's OS-BASE kits with the Mosko reckless kits - which I was very surprised to find out... Any recommendations for me please?

[@BARS113113]

On my drz400 got Chinese 'amphibious' 60L pants and 40L top waterproof duffle 2nd season in the city and trips with no damage Not very comfortable to put and get the stuff out but lanefiltering is as easy as it is without them Also I move pants little bit forward and don't get exhaust damage+ my S is very thankful)) Everything costed around 100$

[@themosaito]

Hi Ian, Great review, as always! For soft panniers, I use the Magadan Panniers from Adventure Spec. They are considerably lighter and way cheaper than the Mosko Moto panniers, which I always consider to be over-designed, although they are very sexy. The Magadans don't slip on and off as easily as the Mosko Moto, which is a downside. I pair them with the Steelcore locking straps which make them pretty burglar-proof. I think you'd have to be pretty determined to cut thro' cordura panniers with a knife. I think the Magadan's are a perfect blend of price, capacity and weight.

[@vanbrudenrijden5932]

Another downside of soft rack panniers is the straps or rather the beaver tail can get caught on trees, downed logs, etc. I tore both my Mosko Moto backcountry bags to pieces riding hard on tight jeep trails. They did replace at a discount and are coming out with brush covers so might be less of an issue next year when they come out. Thank God the inner bags held and i was able to cobble together for the rest of the trip

[@user-hb6ms3mb4t]

Wow! I learnt a lot there. In a very short time. Thank you sir. G.

[@8andsk835]

Mosko reckless 80 for the win.

[@ChooseBrian]

Solid vid. Great info. I love my Mosko Backcountry 35’s

[@Moto.roller.]

The best configuration for urban to back country switching is a removable large top case(givi style) for urban and removable soft side dry bags(giant loop style) for back country. Easy to switch between and totally strip for fun riding 😊

[@manuelbritorides]

I have The Reckless 80 3.0 on my T7 and the magnificent GIVI GRT721 on the 300L. For 100€ plus 30€ for 2 20L drybags, it's unbeatable 👌👌!

[@nuur2825]

I'd be interested in your take on a budget adv setup. I decided on using Andyz strapz with my hiking bag with a rain cover instead of buying panniers just cause I couldn't personally justify how insanely expensive luggage systems were.

[@fallinginthed33p]

A large dry bag with bungee or compression straps would also work. I prefer carrying stuff on top instead of on the sides in case you need to do lane filtering or tackle narrow trails.

[@charleswidmore5458]

That would be a cool project. Not just a budget adv bag setup, but an entire bike and bags setup. I am looking for a really cheap adv bike right now and have been thinking of going with an older KLR because I need a larger bike. Doing a $3,000 or $4,000 complete rig build would be a few episodes I imagine.

[@alelectric2767]

Tusk brand is fair inexpensive compared to other brands.

[@realzeti]

Sometimes, I feel that your "honest" reviews are now so honest. The gear your presenting is in mint condition, so I'm taking your approach with a grain of salt. This revie is seam to me like a good comparison between options. I do want to acknowledge that your value and the videos you provide are important to my decision making. I can definitely tell you put a tremendous amount of effort into your videos, and I'm grateful for it. If I had one suggestion is to (perhaps) omit "the honest" verbiage, because it instantly has a bias approach.

[@baldknobby]

Just want to say how good your videos look. The color, contrast, focus all look so good. What cameras and editing software do you use? Or do you "have a guy" that does your video's?

[@er404]

I use soft luggage with saddle stay/racks and a tail bag which is soft too. I travel with a pillion, so they are useful. But every break I take I have to check if they are properly fitted or loose! and for inbetween stays in hotel, the unmounting and mounting takes a lot time. but I am also very fearful of if I have hard setup and I crash or the boxes take damage, there will be nothing to fix them, but for soft ones, I can easily just tie them up using the loops 😅 Travelling in bike for 2 3 years, never had any accident thank to god.

[@dalehunt1383]

I've been contemplating soft panniers but not convinced yet. It would make me carry less since the hard panniers allow you to strap suff on top. The lone rider seem to be closet to retaining shape which would make for easier loading and unloading in my opinion. Great overall review.

[@marksmanAlex]

Carrying less is a benefit though

[@Gasanwu]

A hard metal top box and Kriega side panniers make the best combination.

[@migo33]

Thanks for the sum up. Overall, I think mounted soft panniers are the best of both worlds and even better if you have the option to add a rack mounting plate. However, there are many soft panniers that are far less cumbersome to mount and manage. Enduristan Monsoon 3, andystrapz etc.

[@elgringoec]

Hi Ian, I would have liked to see you address riding two-up with the different styles.

[@fabienpics]

Very good review. With the year I use hard panniers..soft panniers and now ... ( before I have ktm1290 adv. 2015, R1200GS 2019, ) rackless with the ktm 790 adv 2024( suppose to receive soon) . I use mosko moto on the R1200GS, 35L panniers and the tank bag. Mosko Moto are probably the top on the market... but for the rackless I m gonna use Kriega OS ... just because this is smaller... not because is better..but this Kriega OS system are very well made.. the side bag have 3 choice...18,12, or 6 Litres....

[@deltabravo1257]

6:37 That's a hilarious display of the suspension... which is pretty bad suspension.. LOL. Every test video I watch has the same theme about the 300L - mushy suspension.