One thing to add regarding my cans and rack they are engineered to pop off on impacts. Additionally the rack is removable. Have some of GL gear and is top notch. Tkz Ben😎
Good overview. Honestly, I think the security factor of hard boxes is overrated and overemphasized (and I do own a set, for extended highway touring). They all have fairly cheesy locks that are picked easily enough, but Mr. Thief is bringing a big pry-bar and popping the latches off anyway. I consider them secure _enough_ to walk away for lunch or a hike, but I don't ever leave stuff in them overnight. In fact, I leave the latches *open* at night because I don't want someone prying them open just to have a peek (and destroying them in the process). I recommend that practice if you leave luggage of any kind mounted on the bike. It's similar to the San Francisco strategy of leaving your trunk open, to avoid having your window smashed. Sad state of affairs, but what can you do but take reasonable precautions?
Totally agree with you. I've travelled all over the world with my soft panniers and I never had a problem. I actually got my motorcycle stolen in Milan, Italy so...there it goes.
@@GiantLoopMoto Bummer! I had one stolen from my house last year, which sucked, but better than being stranded somewhere and derailing a trip! Also a good reminder that no matter how secure your luggage, the bike itself is liable to walk away...
Would be cool if soft luggage manufactures added spots for putting velcro patches (since you can't put decals on). Also, please stop making soft luggage look like a rubber overshoe (hint hint Giant Loop). Add some colors in the styling other than just the manufacturer logo. I realize that adds seams and makes waterproofing more complex, but.....we like our flair too over just a plain black or grey bag.
I prefer hard panniers for road trips & soft for gravel roads & trails. I broke my leg yesterday & had to ride 2.5 hours home, after getting my leg caught under my aluminum pannier on a forest road. Hit a sand pocket, no different from the other ones I had previously run through without issue. I don’t even know what went wrong. I was down instantly. It only takes once. I wish I would have put my soft luggage on. 🙄
You forgot a big some. You can attach things to the hard cases, extra fuel, tent.... not the case with soft luggage. The things you carry in hard cases is better protected, you are less likely to break your camera in hard luggage than in soft luggage. If you tip your bike over with soft luggage anything breakable will probably break.
As someone who owns a nice set of aluminum panniers and various soft luggage, I have to respectfully disagree on all counts. You can *absolutely* strap extra stuff onto soft luggage. Every piece of soft M/C luggage I have used or seen has provisions for just that-whether MOLLE webbing, extra nylon loops, beavertail, or some combination thereof. If anything, soft bags are much more flexible in that regard. Given a couple sets of Rok straps and some creativity, the possibilities far exceed any sensible load. On the subject of fragile stuff: OK, so you put _that_ stuff in a fitted hard case, which you in turn surround with socks and tents and everything else that isn't at all fragile. You're probably doing that anyway...I assume you don't have your nice DSLR and lenses bouncing around inside your aluminum boxes...so what's the difference? For the record, I've crashed with my laptop and assorted electronics in a GL Great Basin, and it was all just fine. A neoprene sleeve and strategic placement of socks and underwear were plenty of protection.
