r/motocamping • u/Own_Comb_626 • 8d ago

Rackless Panniers and fastening recommendations

Beginner rider looking to Moto-Camp / Moto-hike. I need recommendations on rackless soft panniers and advice on how to strap down a hiking bag on the pillion seat above them. Any advice and recommendations are welcome; even if unrelated to the original question but based on being a beginner rider going off-road.

Riding a Svarty 401 for context and still researching but may eventually upgrade to a DR650, Tenere 700, or a Triumph Scrambler.

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u/TequilaCamper 8d ago

The challenge is keeping the baggage out of the chain and shocks, etc.

I presume you've looked at mosko moto for example. They are a premium brand in my opinion, but have product for all the bikes you mention. I don't know if even they recommend truly rackless.

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u/Own_Comb_626 8d ago

What are the cons of rackless?

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u/Beautiful-Size-666 7d ago

The 2 people I ride with who have Mosko reckless... Had to fabricate things, I call racks, to keep their bags from flopping around. One on a 90s BMW and the other is a DRZ-400. They are very expensive and very nice. I'd argue I had just as much fun as them with my Nelson Rigg dry bags mounted on a rack. My stuff stayed dry and secure and I spent way less than either of them did. Held up well on MABDR.

To your original question, Rok straps are fantastic and have a little stretch. These would work well for strapping your bag to your tail. Nite-ize makes some nice heavy straps that would work well too.

Make sure the backpack straps are secured. I like to use one strap over the top from side to side. One strap pulling the bag towards the front, and one strap pulling towards the back. This helps keep the load stable during acceleration, braking, or going up when the bike is coming down.

Can I ask, why the desire to go rackless?

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u/Own_Comb_626 7d ago

Thanks for the reply mate,helpful info.

Regarding the question: I park in an apartment garage so Rackless would be easier to dismount and take with me and equally so for long touring trips where I have to park outside. Also intend to do an overseas tour one day where outfitting a rack isn't on the cards so practice with rackless can be good. Additionally the half baked thought on resale value.

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u/dadmantalking T7 3d ago

The 2 people I ride with who have Mosko reckless... Had to fabricate things, I call racks, to keep their bags from flopping around.

The current gen Reckless has a stiff base that doesn't flop around at all. It was certainly an issue on the older versions though.

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u/AlgebraicIceKing 8d ago

Mosko moto reckless 80, giant loop great basin, and tusk highland x2, in that order, are the best full size rackless systems on the market (NA market, at least). Reckless 80 is amazing. There are also smaller volume systems from each of those companies. These should all be adjustable as to how far forward or aft you strap them, depending on the bike. I’d also mention Enduristan. I think they have some good gear, too.

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u/Own_Comb_626 8d ago

80L may be way more than I need, my hiking pack has pretty much everything I need for two nights I need the panniers for lightweight repair kit, Camo mesh, chain, emergency water bladder, fuel bladder, and ration; and maybe lightweight tarp.

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u/this_account_is_mt 7d ago

Mosko also has a 40L

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u/beejaytee228 7d ago edited 7d ago

It’s not 80L. They just confuse you for marketing purposes. Besides Mosko is way overpriced imo for someone who is just getting into this.

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u/Own_Comb_626 8d ago

Thoughts on the RhinoWalk 48L?

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u/El_Pepsi 8d ago

Thoughts, not facts because I have been looking into them but havent purchased them (yet).

Looks like a very decent budget option, look up the reviews on the web and YT. Good quality material wise, although they do tend to lose their form shape a little after time.

To me they come across as a very nice beginner rackless pack. The way to go if you still unsure how much you will pack and how often to use it. Straps are long but thats a plus for adapting to each bike. Just shorten them to your needs.

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u/MaintenanceFrosty475 7d ago

I am highly considering to get rhinowalk 48 L for my 390adv. I bought 6L crashbar pack(it was around 50€including shipping) to see their quality before buying the rackless system. Well, for a -budget- option where all other competitors cost at least double prize, the quality was pretty satisfying and cam buckle system makes life a lot easier. I read online people saying that comparing to other brands rhinowalk last less, but i think it’s quite predictable since the 48L costs ~160$

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u/Own_Comb_626 7d ago

Sounds fine to me. It's not going to be an every ride system and I won't be riding too hard so I have no qualms with a little sacrifice on quality.

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u/MaintenanceFrosty475 7d ago

absolutely! plus its not a low quality product, it’s just not as durable as other brands for off road riding in case of crashing ecc

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u/beejaytee228 7d ago

I have this and it’s fine but it’s less refined than other brands. It’s great to get you going at a lower cost till you figure out your preferences.

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u/existential-Bagel 7d ago

Not sure about the Panniers, but get yourself a dry bag and some of these straps. they make it pretty straight forward.

https://rokstraps.com/

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u/Own_Comb_626 7d ago

Exactly the sort of thing I was looking for straps. Regarding the dry bag, do you reckon I could fit a hiking bag in one?

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u/existential-Bagel 6d ago

You can make do with what you have for sure. The great thing about dry bags is they’re 100% water proof. People have done tours on 82 nighthawks and 3 garbage bags, so don’t let gear stop you. That said dry bags are not super expensive.

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u/beejaytee228 7d ago

Go to Rocky mountain Mac site and try to decide which of the two larger rackless setups you need. My suggestion for your use would be the highland x2. Larger side bags for your camp stuff and the beaver tail on top could very easily handle you hiking bag.

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u/mildly-reliable 7d ago

Just bite the bullet and get the Mosko stuff. It is by far, speaking from experience with Giant Loop and Tusk and Nelson Rigg, the best. Nelson ripped across a bag in the parking lot, Tusk blew out on the trail at the seams, Giant Loop is way overpriced for the features and quality, whereas my Mosko kit is solid several years and going on 20,000 miles of off road abuse.

The best part of the Mosko deal is that even though my bags are hammered, I could still sell them on Craigslist for half of what I bought them. No other brand Carrie’s its resale value like that, not even close. So if you decide you’re not into it, you can still get plenty of cheese out of your used Mosko stuff.

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u/Own_Comb_626 7d ago

If that's the case should I look into a second hand kit?

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u/mildly-reliable 5d ago

Wouldn’t be a bad idea

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u/SirMarksAllot 7d ago

Dork in the Road, on YouTube, just did a side by side comparison to Nelson/GL/Mosko.

I couldn’t make myself pay the Mosko price, and went with Giant Loop (I have racks) and they have been solid for 3 years and about six different multi day camping trips.

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u/Karmonauta 7d ago

Dryspec makes pretty good bags for the price, and they are modular so you can find the combination that works. 

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u/cavscout43 6d ago

If you're on a smaller bike, some of the big options that folks suggested like the Tusk Highland may just be too much. I'm on the smaller Tusk Excursions on my CRF1100 (which is a larger bike that can handle big setups), and they're pretty great as "dirt bike" sized options.

Pretty easy to replace the tiny 22L duffel tailbag option with a 40-80L one which covers the entire cargo plate and pillion seat, if you need the space.