Duffel/Dry bag vs. top case

[Kurgan]

I used to run the Ventura bike-pack system on my sport / sport touring bikes as a top box would just look too bulky / out of place. For me, the main disadvantage was no real security. Park the bike during a lunch or tourist stop and wonder if anyone was going to unzip the bag and go through my stuff.



For me, there's no camping gear involved, it's hotel stays, and my 52 liter Givi Trekker top case provides lockable security, for my helmet in particular, throughout the day.

 

[Drif10]

I use the cases for my riding stuff, and a 35L duffle for my clothes. That way, at a hotel, it's just pop it off the bike, and carry in. It only has the tent poles from the camping stuff (they don't fit in the cases very well), otherwise it's the street clothes, shoes, and shaving gear.

Check in, grab the bag and the GPS off the dash, in I go. Easy.

 

[s.ga.rider]

I keep both. I have 35l saddlebags and a 22l mosko moto stinger that I use on solo trips but I have a givi 46l also that I will use on a 2 up trip.

 

[spinalator]

I have a few, from Cheapola kayak bags to a Gigi, and a First Gear (40L? Can’t recall) like this:
First Gear DryBag

 

[Lstayner]

Whatever dry bag you decide on, forget the straps that come with the bag. Get yourself a set of Rok straps and you can use any dry bag on the market. Rok straps are the best invention since sliced bread.

I have 2 Wolfman fry bags. I think a 30L and a 46Lmodel. Great bags.

 

[LJM]

What no one has commented on is top box and wind. I use a Holan alum top box for security due to leaving bike parked at work in SF Ca. my only complaint on the box is in windy conditions it catches the wind and will move the bike around a bit nothing too bad but it is noticeable not bad enoughf or me to give up the security of locking box. I'm wondering for guys using soft luggage/duffel's do you notice any difference in handling in the wind ? My wife hates the wind and Her Tiger 800 has a large alum top box thinking ditching that and replace with a duffel.
Thanks

 

[Lstayner]

What no one has commented on is top box and wind. I use a Holan alum top box for security due to leaving bike parked at work in SF Ca. my only complaint on the box is in windy conditions it catches the wind and will move the bike around a bit nothing too bad but it is noticeable not bad enoughf or me to give up the security of locking box. I'm wondering for guys using soft luggage/duffel's do you notice any difference in handling in the wind ? My wife hates the wind and Her Tiger 800 has a large alum top box thinking ditching that and replace with a duffel.
Thanks

You make a good point. A square box would catch a lot more wind than a rounded bag. I have a 56L Givi top box (not square) and I really can't tell it is on the bike.

 

[roddesu]

I use this 40L bag that I thought was a great deal at $60. It comes in 60L as well for $70. If I remember correctly, they shipped from China, but came very quickly.

 

[U.P.rider]

You make a good point. A square box would catch a lot more wind than a rounded bag. I have a 56L Givi top box (not square) and I really can't tell it is on the bike.

I too have a Givi top box (46L) although I haven't really run without it yet so not sure how it would compare to a square box. I have a set of Bumot soft bags and do not notice any change in wind resistance with or without them on.

 

[Lstayner]

I too have a Givi top box (46L) although I haven't really run without it yet so not sure how it would compare to a square box. I have a set of Bumot soft bags and do not notice any change in wind resistance with or without them on.

I just finished mounting a set of 48L Givi side boxes and my 56L Givi top case. It is windy today so it will be a good trial run. Stand by for news!

 

[Lstayner]

I just finished mounting a set of 48L Givi side boxes and my 56L Givi top case. It is windy today so it will be a good trial run. Stand by for news!

Well the side boxes and top box didn't really cause any issues in the wind. Rode 280 miles in 20 - 25MPH winds. Everything was just fine.

 

[regder]

My Tenere is so thicc that it doesn't get disturbed by the wind no matter what I do. I posted my setup above, three Trekker Outback hard cases, plus a 30L dry bag on top of each pannier. So much flat surface area to catch the wind, never an issue.

 

[DamMechanic]

I’m not a big fan of top cases. When off-road all your items bounce around inside like bingo balls. I use the Mosko duffel bag. I like the beaver feature for stashing my jacket on hot days and I like that you can open the bag from each end.

 

[Fish Taco]

Thanks to all for your input. I ended up with both a top case and a duffel. The former due to the generosity of forum member Super Ten, who gave me the OEM top case from his totaled bike. For the latter, I went with the SW Motech 35L in high vis yellow. I’m thinking I will use the side cases for camping and fishing gear, duffel for clothes and gear, and top case for misc items/camping and fishing overflow. Pumped to try it all out on a trip in a few weeks.

 

[Scoop47501]

Thanks to all for your input. I ended up with both a top case and a duffel. The former due to the generosity of forum member Super Ten, who gave me the OEM top case from his totaled bike. For the latter, I went with the SW Motech 35L in high vis yellow. I’m thinking I will use the side cases for camping and fishing gear, duffel for clothes and gear, and top case for misc items/camping and fishing overflow. Pumped to try it all out on a trip in a few weeks.

Good choice. I too use both. I have a cheap Coo Case for trips as it has a small additional brake light and I can lock my helmet in it if needed. I also use a Wolfman dry bag as I too ride this bike solo so strapping it on the rear seat is a breeze. The top case if usually off until I take a trip. My side cases are Caribou Cases and are mounted at all times.

 

[moto.monk]

I went from full oem cases and oem tank bag to one 42L bag, with a 10L tank bag best decision ever. Its superior in almost every way.

 

[RonH]

Duffel for me always. You can stack duffels if you have good straps. I rode the USA four corners tour twice on an old Kawasaki KZ1000 and weighed what I had in duffels and it was 140lb of stuff tied on. I guess I don't travel light.

 

[Steel_Gin]

What no one has commented on is top box and wind. I use a Holan alum top box for security due to leaving bike parked at work in SF Ca. my only complaint on the box is in windy conditions it catches the wind and will move the bike around a bit nothing too bad but it is noticeable not bad enoughf or me to give up the security of locking box. I'm wondering for guys using soft luggage/duffel's do you notice any difference in handling in the wind ? My wife hates the wind and Her Tiger 800 has a large alum top box thinking ditching that and replace with a duffel.
Thanks

I am currently a FJR guy and hope to be a FJR & S10 guy in the not too distant future. Good point on the wind, I have Yamaha's OEM top case (36L I believe) on windy days it is noticeable how the bike shifts around just a little bit. It's not bad if you are expecting it, when you're not it caught me a bit off guard the first time. Interesting the Givi users from what I have read on this post haven't seen/felt that issue. Givi will be on my radar for cases once I have a S10 in my garage.

 

[gapmtn1]

... Good point on the wind, I have Yamaha's OEM top case (36L I believe) on windy days it is noticeable how the bike shifts around just a little bit.

Wind aside, I wonder how much the OEM top box hurts fuel mileage. Was a little disappointed with MPG on a recent flatlands interstate burn. This is the biggest top box I've owned; I was pretty pleased with it until I realized my helmet doesn't fit inside. I may swap it out for a lower profile Pelican and/or a spot for a duffel in conjunction with rear seat area.

Lots of good info in this thread. Need to learn how to pack lighter, especially when camping.

 

[Steel_Gin]

Wind aside, I wonder how much the OEM top box hurts fuel mileage. Was a little disappointed with MPG on a recent flatlands interstate burn. This is the biggest top box I've owned; I was pretty pleased with it until I realized my helmet doesn't fit inside. I may swap it out for a lower profile Pelican and/or a spot for a duffel in conjunction with rear seat area.

Lots of good info in this thread. Need to learn how to pack lighter, especially when camping.

Not wanting to hijack the thread. My full-face helmet just fits, almost wish I spent the extra money and bought the Yamaha 50L or a Givi. I haven't run with the top case on a lot but enough to know it didn't affect the MPG much at all if any. I log my mileage at every fillup and the numbers didn't change enough to cause any kind of alarm.

Agreed, lots of good info here. There is an S10 in my near future!!