The foundations of Kriega’s reputation as manufacturers of utterly dependable motorcycle luggage was built on the reviews of independent journalists. Motorcycle journalists get to feel, use, abuse and test a lot of stuff, in a way that few, if any, riders or influencers do. So, when a journalist working for a high-profile media outlet gives a product a glowing review it means a lot. Their reputations are at stake.

When we read a review like the one below by the Seth Richards of Cycle World, it was more confirmation that our motorcycle luggage is performing at the very top end of what is expected from motorcycle luggage. Here’s an edited version of review.

See the full, exhaustive test report here.

(Review & photos by Seth Richards, courtesy of Cycle World)

When I started being intentional about upping my off-road adventure riding ability, I realized I had a lot of mental baggage about dropping the bike. It wasn’t just that I was afraid of damaging the motorcycle, it was more that I thought that falling over meant I wasn’t any good. After dropping motorcycles like it’s my job (well, I guess it is kind of my job), it eventually dawned on me that falling is trying; it’s just part of improving.

To help me transfer that mentality from my backyard practices to longer-distance, back country discovery route-style trips, where I’d be camping and living out of my motorcycle’s luggage, I needed panniers that would be game for occasionally hitting the ground. The last thing I wanted was my luggage to be another kind of baggage.

For off-road adventure riding, the three most popular pannier options are aluminum panniers, throw-over ‘rackless’ soft panniers, and soft panniers that attach to subframe-mounted luggage racks. Hard panniers can’t be beaten for convenience and security, but they scratch, bend, and crush just as easily as unprotected bodywork, and at $2000 for a top-quality set, I’m loath to inflict that upon them (plus, apparently it doesn’t feel too good if they hit your leg). At the same time, I’ve found some rackless soft luggage systems to be pretty annoying to use.

I settled on Kriega’s OS-Adventure Packs as a happy medium: They’re almost as convenient to use as hard panniers, and they’re as resilient and nearly as light as high-quality rackless panniers. Since I have great confidence in the Outback Motortek crash bars and skid plate mounted on the bike, I installed its pannier racks to match.

Kriega’s OS-Adventure line stands out because of its flexibility of mounting and the number of accessories that allow it to be configured to the user’s individual purposes. To get the full experience, I opted for an OS-32 on the motorcycle’s exhaust side and a larger OS-38 on the left side, and added two OS-6 Adventure packs and an OS-Bottle holder. Both panniers mount to the Outback Motortek luggage racks via the OS-Platforms.

While rackless setups offer an obvious weight advantage they often sacrifice the ease of use of rack-mounted panniers. The OS-Adventure packs are essentially shaped like conventional aluminium panniers and load from the top — the ‘long side’ of the rectangle — which makes them easy to pack and take advantage of their full capacity. On rackless systems where the bags load from a short side, getting the most out of the bags’ capacity is more difficult.

Another big advantage of the OS-Adventure setup is that it leaves the motorcycle’s grab handles exposed.

User Experience
The OS-Adventure panniers are a pleasure to use thanks to their well-thought-out design and high-quality materials. The main-body materials, aluminium alloy G-hooks, and heavy-duty webbing all have a premium feel. They’re so nice you almost don’t want to get them dirty.

While roll-top closures can be frustratingly annoying to roll up on dry bags made of rubbery TPU, Kriega’s material usage prevents it from being an issue. The bags’ Cordura/Hypalon outer shells stop short of the top of the bag, leaving only the ripstop nylon (or 420D Cordura on the updated version) and waterproof layers to roll up. The main webbing does double duty, attaching the bags to the bike and compressing the load. Looping the webbing through the OS-Platform, connecting the straps, and cinching the bags tight takes just a minute. Even when the straps are disconnected at the top, a metal buckle that slips through the OS-Platform keeps the bags installed and in place. Thanks to the simplicity of design and high-quality materials, installing the bags is quick and enjoyable.

The system’s modularity gives a lot of options for configuration, offering users the ability to pack the bike to suit their needs. 18, 12, or 6-litre OS packs can be mounted in various positions on the panniers, and the OS-Platforms are designed to mount fuel cells. The main bags have more than enough capacity, but organisational capability is also a priority for thoughtful carrying. Adding an OS-6 pack on each pannier offers easy access to a tool roll, spare tube and air compressor, rain gear, or extra gloves and visor spray. The 6 litres is surprisingly capacious, and the pack’s rectangular shape and wide opening make it easy to take advantage of its full capacity.

The addition of an OS-Bottle holder, large enough to fit two 1-litre water bottles, adds a ton of convenience. Having water within reach saves time and space within the bags, but also isolates liquids from precious cargo within the panniers in case of a leak.

The OS-6 and OS-Bottle holder can also mount directly to the OS-Platform, which is great for local rides when full-size panniers aren’t required, but carrying water and tools is still a good idea.

The Kriega OS-Adventure Packs aren’t the most minimalistic or lightest soft panniers on the market, but I’m willing to trade some extra weight for durability and organisational capability. I also love the auxiliary OS-6 packs and bottle holder that prevent tools, snacks, goggles, dry gloves, and other items from floating adrift in the larger main panniers. Kriega’s ecosystem is a complete solution.

Most of all, for off-road riding especially, I want to carry luggage, not baggage. The OS panniers help me ride with less on my mind. I don’t have to worry about bashing hard panniers, bending the sealing edge between the lid and the box to the point where they’re no longer waterproof. Nor do I have to worry about not being able to pick up my bike because its grab handles are covered by a rackless system’s work-around mounting system.

{Krigea offer] a 10-year guarantee for construction and materials. If they’re damaged from a crash, that’s on you.

Kriega’s OS-Adventure Packs have all the qualities required for the rigors of two-wheeled adventure travel: tried-and-true waterproofing, durability, relatively light weight, organisational capability and modularity, and easy loading and mounting. More than that, they don’t mess with your head.

Cycle World tested OS-SOFT PANNIERS, OS-PLATFORMS, OS-6 ADVENTURE PACKS and OS-BOTTLE.

To buy, order directly from kriega.com or head to your local dealer for a closer look
Kriega UK dealer network
Kriega Worldwide importers

It’s one thing for us to tell you how good Kriega luggage is, but independent reviews are something else…