Which do you like better top case or panniers?

[kawashima]

Which do you like better top case or panniers?
I prefer top case to panniers cause it's cheaper, lighter, and narrower.
And don't have to think about balancing baggage left and right.
____________________
own:2020 Serow 250
owned: 2012 YB125SP, 2008 TDM900, 2005 W650, 2002 LS125R, 2002 CB400SF, NS50F, C50 / Trip to UK(2009), Hokkaido touring(2013)

[P.addy]

I'd like both, top box ideally. The panniers, I would hope, aren't wider than the bars.

[kawashima]

[The Shaggy D.A.]

For general use I prefer a topbox, mainly as panniers that are big enough to take a helmet add too much width to a bike. Problem with my new Bullet is since the rack is mounted where the pillion would be, fitting a topbox might make it awkward throwing my leg over the bike. I need to do a cardboard box mockup before ordering one. Or stand on the peg when getting on.

When camping, I'm happy with just panniers, with the tent and (if needed) a stuff sack lashed over the top of them. I try not to go the whole hog and end up with a tank bag too - part of the appeal to me is to make do with the least amount of stuff.
____________________
Chances are quite high you are not in my Monkeysphere, and I don't care about you. Don't take it personally.
Currently : Royal Enfield 350 Meteor
Previously : CB100N > CB250RS > XJ900F > GT550 > GPZ750R/1000RX > AJS M16 > R100RT > Bullet 500 > CB500 > LS650P > Bullet Electra X & YBR125 > Bullet 350 "Superstar" & YBR125 Custom > Royal Enfield Classic 500 Despatch Limited Edition (28 of 200) & CB Two-Fifty Nighthawk > ER5

[kawashima]

[talkToTheHat]

Kind of either/or on my ride without resorting to much welding. Massive Topbox was easier as I could get the bike through gateways onto garden paths without as much fuss. Now it's stop, throw panniers, park.

However, A pair of E45 monstrosities mounted low down don't seem to do much to the handling of the bike, especially compared to a single box mounted back and very high. Use E21 boxes most of the time and the result is pretty narrow. Miss being able to stash my lid, but topbox usually full to the point I couldn't anyway. There's now a secure place to put my lid when I fill up which is a win.

Ideally, a rack for all 3, topbox for a handful of light stuff or parking with a lid, sidecases for touring, and all 3 for occaisonas when you need the kitchen sink.

If I have to move heavy stuff, it goes in a drysack strapped to the pillion seat with many rok straps.
____________________
Bandit. does. everything.

[kawashima]

[andyscooter]

boxes are useful but I tend to take them off if I don't need them
____________________
gilera runner vxr200 (chavped)
if its spelt wrong its my fat fingers and daft auto correct on my tablet

[deadwolf]

Panniers look better, top boxes are more practical.

Not sure what else there is to say, really :shrug:
____________________
Motorsapien Art

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

Panniers.
____________________
"Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent."

Mobylette Type 50 ---> Raleigh Grifter ---> Neval Minsk 125

[ADSrox0r]

I have both, I leave the box on and use the panniers as and when I need them simply because it's easier to get in and out of the garage without them on.
____________________
Current bikes: '08 VFR 800 VTEC(yo) , '07 ZZR1400 Winter hack: '95 Aprilia 650 Pegaso Currently lusting after: RC30

[Beehive Bedlam]

Intend on having both on my Varadero 1000.

[Tarmacsurfer]

For day to day riding I tend to use a top box although I do have a full set of Krauser hard luggage on a Givi wingrack, so it's easy to just click on the panniers when the extra space is required.

You just really, really need to remember they are on before trying to filter on a very congested M50

For shopping it's just a top box and a set of old soft throwovers, mainly as I can load them at the till and just put them straight on the bike.
____________________
I'm immortal. Well, so far.

[Mudshark]

topbox daily, had a kriega 10 seat bag, but just wasn't big enough some days, also have the BMW panniers which I use if going to a (running) race, or to the club for training or bigger shopping, I must actually measure but I just don't filter with the panniers on as they seem quite wide. So, most days just the topbox, looks naff but uber practical.
6 bottles of Weston's better off in the panners than a topbox though
____________________
R1250RS
XT660X

[Rogerborg]

Top box narrow panniers tank bag wide panniers.

I used to ride with big leather panniers and even though they were narrower than the handlebars, front crash bars and my legs, I still sometimes had contact on them while doing tight turns during filtering. It's easy to forget what's behind your body when all your attention is focussed forwards.

In all honesty, tank bag beats panniers too, but it looks like gash panniers tend to be more aesthetically pleasing.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[GaryJM]

I have all 3. Top box for day to day use (55 litre capacity) and panniers when needed.
All 3 give me 114 litres capacity. As to racks buy a bike that doesn't need one.
My luggage came as standard equipment, so didn't cost me any extra.
Colour coded and match the bike quite nicely.
OEM manufacturers tend to charge the earth for them.
Bikes I looked when I was buying my present one were BMW K1300, Kawasaki Z1000SX, Aprilia Caponord and a couple of different Guzzis.
Luggage was extra on each of them at around 1500 - 2000 ( the exception being the z1000)
Givi options were cheaper but frame was always going to be there rather than an integrated look.
Z1000SX You can only have panniers or top box, poor design as it meant to be a sports tourer imv.
____________________
So long and Thanks for all the fish !
Triumph Sprint GT SE.

[Teflon-Mike]

Depends on circumstance & how much crap I have to carry

On the VF I had rails & rack and two 46l boxes.
Day to Day commuting single box on the rack took took my lid boots & over-suit when I parked up, & took two or three carrier bags of shopping when out and about.
Week-ending/touring, boxes went on the sides; tent & bedroll went on the rack... tank-bag took an Auto-Reverse Sony Walkman (State of the art portable sounds for the time!), camera, & a bottle of pop.
Versatility was 'nice'.

Still have the rack & boxes but never fitted them to the 750; came to the conclusion they made life 'too easy'. The 'Back to Basics' ethos of the 'Retro' got me & a bit of improvisation reminded me of the 'fun' to be had with bungees and belts in the days before such marvels as Cargo-Nets!

But then a rally with pillion made me pick up a pair of Oxford 1st Time expandy throw-overs for something daft like £20, and they have been almost permanently attached ever since. (Have to give them credit; they've lasted well, given almost a decades use)

Soft, they don't make the bike any wider than the indies when they are empty and even when stuffed with shit for a rally, fully expanded, are still slimmer than the bars; and they keep load weight low and mostly in front of the back axle.. so have to say that they are probably my 'preferred' luggage solution.

Making life awkward for myself out of shear buggeratiouseness, I had the 'improvisation' down to an art for rallies, two small folding fishing stools wedged into the throw-over straps and bungeed to the pillion grab-rail provided a temporary 'Rack' for tent and bedding.. and something to sit on by the camp-fire.... clobber in the throw-overs, and then ready-stuff, like camera in the tank-bag...

But, after a few excursions last year, Snowie muttered that I was skuffing up the 'new' paint... paint I had to give it cos she had used it as a shelf and dragged a full Super-Dream tank across it, gouging into the metal of the tank.. THEN decided to try hiding by stripping the plastic side-panels with nitromours... ...... so I actually stumped up and bought a proper rack this Christmas, prompting me to ponder putting a cheap top box on it... prompting me to pull the 46l system off the VF out the attic.... but it got a cargo net! I no longer need to commute & the throw-overs suffice.. so far the rack has only been used to fetch a battery for 'er bluddi-guzzi half way across the county.

So it does depend on circumstance, BUT pushed, I probably have to say I prefer panniers.
____________________
My Webby'Tef's-tQ, loads of stuff about my bikes, my Land-Rovers, and the stuff I do with them!
Current Bikes:'Honda VF1000F' ;'CB750F2N' ;'CB125TD ( 6 3 of em!)'; 'Montesa Cota 248'. Learner FAQ's:= 'U want to Ride a Motorbike! Where Do U start?'

[Tungtvann]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b424iGkWe0Q
https://youtu.be/cqvRhe1foMM?t=4m22s

Wide bikes/panniers seem like they catch even experienced riders out!

[Rogerborg]

[Clanger]

Panniers and tank bag.
____________________
Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

[TheSmiler]

Panniers, tank bag, rucksack, tail pack and top box. IF I was doing a nice trip.
____________________
CB125>CG125>GN125>ER5>K100RS>R1100RS>K100RS
A2 completed 23/07/15 Ready for the Golden Crisp Packet

[Teflon-Mike]

[temeluchus]

OP

get a topcase to throw odds and sods in and a set of throwover panniers for when you need more capacity.

easeh.
____________________
Some shite cruiser. Now with guns and FREEDOM!

[talkToTheHat]

Throwovers are only really good for occasional use. A few minutes to fit securely verses 5 seconds a box for givi boxes. I left my leather panniers permanently attached, they took on water, the rivets rusted, failed, were replaced by a multitude of bolts, washers, bootlaces and zip ties. Used heavy duty carrier bags as removable liners. Only melted two to my exhaust.

Some Cameron rolltop bags lasted a handful of trips, they were never right on bumpy roads and eventually the fabric around the bungee pints gave way. I hated them to the point of using a cargo net carrier bags a few times rather than the soft panniers.

Probably less of an issue if you tour occasionally. I live out of my luggage like a hyper-mobile hobo.
____________________
Bandit. does. everything.

[kawashima]

I appreciate all of your comments.
More people have multiple luggage and mix them.
Sometimes side panniers endanger you (sometimes kills you too!) so must be careful about its width. So throw over soft bags seems to be more flexible and useable, but must be careful for its durability of the product, and of course not to be stolen with its non-security.
For expensive rack problem, there are some bikes which doesn't need racks, I still regret my £380 W650 rack, I will be careful if I buy other bikes in the future.
____________________
own:2020 Serow 250
owned: 2012 YB125SP, 2008 TDM900, 2005 W650, 2002 LS125R, 2002 CB400SF, NS50F, C50 / Trip to UK(2009), Hokkaido touring(2013)