On a long dual-sport ride, we all need room to carry our gear, but let’s face it—hard bags make about as much sense off road as paddle tires on a flat tracker. Somehow they just seem a little out of place.

Adventure riders and even weekend dual-sport campers are always seeking the best solution for carrying gear without breaking a leg, or the bank. The gap between copious stowage and affordable, user friendly luggage just got narrower. I saw Kriega’s new U.K. designed and built Overlander 60 soft luggage system at the Dealer Expo in Indianapolis last spring. I immediately got on the waiting list and had them installed the night before leaving for the 2012 International BMW Owner’s Rally in Sedalia, Missouri.

Installation was fairly simple with Kriega’s 6061 aluminum cam locks and quality T-nut and screw system used to attach the bags via their CNC milled low density polyethylene (LDPE) platforms. I actually fudged the rules a bit by hanging them on Touratech Zega Pro mounts, which proved to be a simple process of fabricating two short tabs to attach them above the exhaust. They are designed to clip onto standard 18mm Touratech mounts, Metal Mule and KTM Power Parts pannier frames, a process about as hard as closing a suitcase once the cam locks are adjusted. Check the Kriega website for specific mounting application.

The first test was to see if I could pack enough gear for a five-day trip. I wasn’t camping this time, so a tent and sleeping bag were not needed, but the four waterproof, 15 liter roll-top bags easily held spare clothes, shoes, snacks, shaving kit, computer and the few odds and ends that always end up being tossed in when leaving the comforts of home. I even managed to keep the luggage deck free with the exception of my toolkit, which easily fit into a small, Kriega U.S. 10 bag, and my miniature Warn Winch, a great conversation piece wherever adventure riders gather. The built in compression straps kept the load tight and tidy.

Liners are removable and the platforms will accept any combination of up to four 15 liter soft bags and twin one gallon RotopaX fuel or water containers. Additional Kriega bags such as the U.S. 10 or spare 15 liter Overlander bags can be mated to the setup for even more storage.

This hybrid luggage system mounts up solid and offers padding during a fall, rather than crumpling or cracking like aluminum or hard plastic. If a bag is damaged it could conceivably be repaired trailside and odds are favorable that no more than one would be scuffed through in any single low speed mishap. I actually took a fall during a training class with partially filled bags, skidded 37' and the bags showed very little sign of abrasion.

With their Overlander 60 setup, Kriega has done a great job of providing what we want in a durable, securely mounted soft luggage system, while still offering enough storage to carry all our gear. Who says we can’t have our cake and eat it too? MSRP: $795.00 Kriega.us