luggage, part luggage or naked!

[2kwacks]

just courious to how many ride with full luggage/part luggage. i.e just top box or just panniers or none at all! have got my panniers and top box stored in my garage, can't really see the point of having them on the bike when there empty. for every day use, have the bagster cover and tank bag. can't wait till I go touring so I can put them back on ;)

[Kevin]

I don't ever take the top box off unless it's to put it on another bike. I don''t really like tank bags but do use one when we're rallying, on a timed run or a trip.

Kevin

[100milesaway]

Never put the panniers or top box on unless I have something in them. I would normally use baglux stuff, but I think the harness for the GTR looks shocking, so I bought a tank bag (magnetic) from Hein Gericke which does the job spot on.

[routemaster]

Panniers very rarely ever ever come off the bike

Steve

[coman37]

Hi all,

   Panniers never come off, impulse shopping etc, but i dont use this bike everyday

Coman

[jenros]

never used the panniers since ihave bought the bike, the top box get used for long runs,food drinks,wet suit etc,but oftern use the bagster to take the smaller items,ie- camera etc.,,,,,buuuuuuut, trip to spain is looming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!uuuuummmmm.

[Rusty]

Top Box on all the time ... panniers on only when I go to France ... tank bag ... NEVER !

[viper]

always use the top box as it serves as a backrest for the wingman, however im half way through making a backrest . Panniers sometimes on sometimes off, always thought that its something less to get damaged if I drop the bike , plus the filtering disadvatage. They are useful tho for putting the helmets in. however the panniers do give the pillion a lot of protection from water spray off the rear tyre. Once ive done the back rest I think i will stick to panniers but no top box

tank bag is only used on tours, hooks at the top and velcros at the bottom

[mecki]

Hardly ever take the panniers and top box off because I use the bike for shopping as well.
If I go for a ride with my mates I always carry a full 5l fuel can and rain gear in one of the panniers but take the top box off.
The extra fuel has come handy a few times already.  ;D
When I go to the mainland I carry a large sports bag tied on the pillion seat with a bungee spider too.

[Lonewolf]

I always use the bike with its panniers but rarely use the top box unless I'm going away for a few days. 

[Lockers]

Never used the luggage since I picked up bike in July, now covered 5000 mls.  8)

[2kwacks]

interesting to see what we all prefer. I don't mind using a tank bag, infact they come in very handy to lean on :D but have tried various tank bags in the past. and find the bagster cover and bag the best, ok there more expensive but do have additional protection as well and find them to be not as bulky when unexpanded. suppose that depends on what model tank bag you have really, have allways used the minear which is the midsize bag. big enough to carry fair amount of gear "without expanding it" for items you may want in a hurry and prefer to be eccessible without opening the luggage :)

[Winston Smith]

I keep my luggage (panniers) on all the the time.  The top-box is for touring!

I always use a tank bag when touring (even if I don't use the top box) as I find it handy for 'bits' - wallet, camera, visor wipes, passport.

Used to have the Baglux on my Blackbird, always worried about getting grit between it and the tank and eventually binned it for SW Motech Bags Connection.  Must admit the Baglux cover did save tank when I had a tumble in 2004 though.

I think the GTR (infact all bikes!) look ugly as sin with the top-box only on.

[mattye]

Just to add in my views.

I ride everyday, about 63 mile round trip. I keep the top box on to store helmet but leave the panniers off. The panniers are just a touch wider than the mirrors and I normally have a bit of traffic to filter through so if they are empty I can see the point in leaving them on.

[Winston Smith]

I see that point mattye - fortunately the way I go to work there's no filtering required.  I also wear Air-tex kit and always carry a waterproof set in my panniers.  Just not a fan of top box's