I'm Going Crazy (Kriega decisions...)

Cykel

Member
Joined
Apr 30, 2012
Messages
137
Location
Seattle, WA
Does anyone have any experience with the Kriega US line of bags? I need some simple camping luggage and can't decide between:

US-30 alone
UScombo30 (US-20 and US-10)
US-20 alone

The combo seems appealing because it could take clothes and other at-the-site stuff in the bottom bag, and tools/quick access items in the top. I'd stack the bags on the passenger cargo area, which (based on measurements) seems that it would leave room to strap the tent/sleeping pad behind the bag stack.

Thoughts or experiences? Am I over or underestimating the amount of space I have?

I looked at the Giant Loop, but I like the modular ability of the Kriega line. No money for hard bags atm.
 

fredz43

Well-Known Member
Founding Member
2011 Site Supporter
2012 Site Supporter
2013 Site Supporter
2014 Site Supporter
Joined
Sep 1, 2010
Messages
3,297
Location
IL, the land of straight, flat, boring roads
Here is another Kreiga product that has just been announced by the US distributor:


Think Outside The Box With Kriega’s Overlander
by Motor Sports Newswire


British Bike Luggage Specialists Bring A New Approach To Dual Sport Panniers

NEW ORLEANS, LA - August 14, 2012 - (Motor Sports Newswire) - Kriega -- Europe's most respected maker of motorcycle backpacks and universal-fit luggage systems -- has applied its trademark innovative thinking and premium build quality to a groundbreaking range of Adventure Touring panniers.

The British company's flagship Overlander 60 pannier system has been developed to provide the cargo hauling capacity of traditional hard luggage, while also offering the adaptability and weight-saving advantages of soft bags. Significantly, it also manages to include a number of highly practical features previously unheard of in either style of motorcycle luggage. "The Overlander systems took Dom (Kriega owner/partner and chief product designer) two years of hard thinking and even harder crashing to perfect," says U.S. distributor, Michael Walshaw. "It is without a doubt the toughest stuff Kriega has ever made... and solves problems which many of us wouldn't even know existed until it was too late.


"Like all Kriega gear, the Overlander line is designed and built without compromise. The primary function of this new equipment is to lighten the rider's load in various ways during serious off-road travel. But it is equally effective in more road-based missions. Plus, in terms of investment, it compares very favorably with the other options out there. Better still, it is guaranteed for 10 years," adds Walshaw.

Comprised of four fully water- and dust-proof, 15-liter Drypacks, which fasten to a pair of high-tech platforms, the Overlander 60 is built specifically to deal with the roughest of riding conditions, where falling off is pretty much inevitable. Key in this ability are the CNC-milled LDPE platforms, which, despite weighing in at just 2.5 lbs per side, are essentially impervious to damage from impact or torsion. The 1000 denier Dupont Cordura bags not only minimize bulk, but also absorb energy in the case of an "off". This means that there is considerably less chance of the rider, bike or bags sustaining damage than there would be with aluminum cases.

The four separate Drypacks offer maximum capacity, flexibility and compartmentalization, based on military packing principles. They also increase the owners' chances of still being able to carry the majority of their cargo, should one of the bags somehow be compromised out on the trail. On top of that, the versatile Overlander 60 platforms can easily integrate RotopaX auxiliary gas/water canisters.


However, it is actually the way in which the platforms mount that gives the Overlander 60 punch well above its weight. Four 6061-T6 alloy cam levers on the reverse of each platform lock things securely in place, no matter how rough the trail may get. These cam levers can be located in multiple positions to clear OEM and aftermarket exhausts/bodywork and clamp to standard 18mm pannier frames from Touratech, Metal Mule and KTM Power Parts. This enables the rider to easily remove and re-attach their cargo in a matter of moments - an invaluable function when an obstacle proves impossible to navigate fully-laden.

Details of the Overlander 60, along with the entire Kriega range, can be found in the 2012 catalog, available free of charge at www.kriega.us and Authorized Kriega Dealers, or viewable online here.

Overlander 60 Key Features:

· MSRP $795

· 60-liter capacity

· Lightweight (11.4 lbs total), yet extremely tough

· 4 x 100% waterproof, dustproof 15L Drypacks

· LDPE platform weight-to-strength ratio is unmatched

· Innovative cam clamp mounting system for quick & easy on/off when faced with extreme terrain

· Fits 18mm racks from Touratech, Metal Mule & KTM Power Parts

· Accepts RotopaX gas / water canisters

· Components available to buy separately for custom set-ups

· 10-year guarantee.

About Kriega: Based in Chester, England, Kriega has built a reputation for producing what many consider to be the best motorcycle backpacks and universal fit Drypacks available. Wholly owned by Mike Cottam and Dom Longman, who personally design and field test every item, Kriega strives to offer innovation, along with the highest level of functionality and craftmanship. Kriega equipment consistently earns five-star consumer and media reviews, and has become the weapon of choice for the vast majority of European road testers, as well as professional racers and adventurers the world over.

BritKit LLC took over as the exclusive US Distributor for the Kriega range in June 2011. Operating out of the wonderful city of New Orleans, company owner, Michael Walshaw, endeavors to offer a level of service to match the extremely high standards set by the equipment itself. BritKit is currently focused on raising the brand profile and establishing a solid dealer network, so that American riders can access Kriega quality at a location nearby.
 

Attachments

sail2xxs

New Member
Founding Member
2011 Site Supporter
2012 Site Supporter
2013 Site Supporter
2014 Site Supporter
Joined
Oct 24, 2010
Messages
931
Location
Edgewater, MD
The Overlander bags are the bomb. I am extremely curious about them, and would love to pick up a set to use for hardcore adv-type trips like the TransAmerica trail, etc. It's a good bit of money I don't have in the farkle fund though. :'(

Chris
 

Motoadv

Ok, but just this once...
2012 Site Supporter
Vendor
Joined
Jul 1, 2012
Messages
52
Location
East Side of DFW, Texas
Just saw this post and hope a reply isn't too late to help... ::)

I've traveled extensively with Giant Loop stuff since 2008 and quite a bit with Kriega stuff since 2010. In full disclosure, we're stocking dealers for both and sell a bunch of each line. I get 'em both free (ok the shop pays for 'em) so I'm not exactly shy about trying to break stuff...

Both companies take a different tact at a common problem, how to carry stuff. You hit the nail on the head with a big difference being Kriega's modular format (GL has external dry bags now that add a modular element) . Also, their bags are true dry bags (roll-top & buckle). GL bags, while highly water resistant, aren't 100% water proof (exception being their relatively new dry bags/pods). The current versions are quite close, I'd guesstimate 95%+. IMHO, GL bags work great with/without a rack, while the Kriega work best on a rack of sorts (including the new Overlander).

I've beat the absolute crapola out of products from both companies, and both survive quite well. Most of my testing of both lines has been off-road to agressive-ish adventure riding on my KTM 690 mule (all over the Rockies, Moab, the Ozarks, 'ol Mexico, Big Bend, etc). With no rear subframe, the GL line is my first choice on the 690. I usually rock a Mojavi for day trips, and a Coyote for up to a week of camping out. Throw their Coyote dry bag on the back and I'm good up to 2 weeks. IMHO, the Great Basin is better sized for Tenere/GS class bikes as it's HUGE!

That said, if I had to part with my beloved (but butt-arse-ugly) GIVI V46 on the Tenere, I'd fit a US20 to the rack for daily use. Depending on the length of the trip, I'd supplement with a US30 and/or US10 as needed. My reasoning is simple... I know what GL bags can do to plastic over the course of a ride, no matter how careful I am. Dirt bike plastic is one thing, but scuffing up my pretty Tenere plastic won't cut it. Plus the Kriega kit has that nifty 10 year warranty. Oh, and they even offer a tank harness so you can use your back as a tank bag as well...

As a side note... One thing I always strap to all my handlebars is a Kreiga Kube. That silly little pocket, with its Velcro wrap, is soooooo handy! Best $25 storage widget I've even used... ;)
 

decooney

Member
Joined
Sep 13, 2014
Messages
118
Location
Folsom California USA
Question: ???

Does anyone have a photo of a US-30 bag sitting back seat of your Tenere?

Hoping to see how big the 30 is on the back. Use to have a US10/US20 and they were small. May try a 30 first ths time on the S10.
Will possibly start with a US30, then add two US10s to the sides like this, US10<US30>US10. Appears it's now referred to as the US50 combo if you buy them together as a set.

http://www.kriega.com/uscombo50-drybag/
 
Top