Soft Luggage Dilemma, What Would You Do?

So I've been debating back and forth in my head for close to a month now and read through many of the threads here in the their entirety already comparing the Bumot solutions vs Mosko Moto (Atacama). I've also watched pretty much every video on YouTube that relates to the options below. I've more or less boiled it down to two solutions...and cant decide what I want to do.

My bike: 2018 R1200GS (not adv, so no racks installed)
Application: Every day commuting, and 98% on road touring. (I know, I know...you're already telling me to go with hard luggage....I just like, and am used to soft bags.)

Option 1: Go full Bumot setup with racks, toolbox, and Xtremada soft panniers. I like the exhaust cutout, especially like that the bags lock to the rack, and that the toolbox is a fairly integrated solution (despite reports of it leaking water.) Also if I wanted to get the hard luggage at some point, that's all I need to order and can swap them out in seconds. This is also the slightly more economical approach. What I don't like is how the inner dry bag is a totally separate bag from the exterior bag. I've been using Kriega dry bags for years and years, and like how the two bags essentially roll down into one (just like the mosko stuff.) Lastly, I think they're the second best looking soft luggage option on the market only after.....

Option 2: Mosko BC35's....with Jesse Racks and the soft luggage universal adapter plate. Again, I like the cutout for the exhaust that the Jesse racks have, and figured I could order the bags only, and then pair them with the universal plate. Going to be totally honest and just admit that looks are definitely part of my decision and I just like the look of the Mosko/Atacama bags better. As noted above, I'm also a fan of the dry bag that's attached to the outer and how they roll down and buckle to close. However, this option doesn't allow the bags to lock to the racks...although I could always purchase 1 or 2 of the steel core cables to provide some added "security". If I wanted hard luggage in the future, again I could just order Jesse boxes and have both options available without having to swap racks.

I was at the motorcycle show in DC this past weekend and stopped by the Mosko booth, and the guy there said that a number of people had already talked to him about going the same route I'm considering. I feel like I've debated over this decision long enough and just need to pull the trigger one way or the other. Comments, opinions, questions welcomed.

Yeah, I was one of those guys at the IMS show.

Here is what I am doing. I already have Jesse Odysseys on my Triumph. I am in the process of installing Jesse racks on the GS and have the Jesse soft plates on which I will install the Mosko BC35s (ordered at IMS). You can order the Mosko bags without the plates and racks and save serious coin. It looks like the Jesse soft plates already have mounting holes that fit the BS35 bags so that there should not be any drilling. I think Adam Chandler is going this route with his GSA.

The cool thing is I will be able to switch hard and soft cases between the two bikes (since they have the exhaust on the same side).

If I were strictly road riding my GS (which I do) and not splitting lanes (which I don’t) I would only go for hard cases (which I have).

Basically more secure anywhere you stop. Plus you can strap stuff on top of them for more carry capacity.

Keep an eye out on the parts area here. You can buy GSA take-off racks at least once a month for $250-$300. I already sold mine.

I am VERY happy with the Jesse Luggage plate + racks. I spoke to them on the phone and it turns out they sell a ton of these.

I assume these are for the Odyssey II racks? I would love to have this for my Odyssey I rack on my 1150gs.

Hard luggage for long, thin strips of tarmac. Soft bags for mostly off-road exploring. Different tools for different jobs.

What's your primary riding expectation?

Ideally you’d have both. Or at least I would. At the moment, my GS has a Touratech rack w Mosko 35L panniers. I’m riding to the Mojave soon, and will be mostly using the bags for BDR adventures. Aluminum boxes would be best for high crime areas, like my neighborhood.

Andy strapz toughest soft bags available.
The set in this pic did 600 000 kms before I replaced them after 11 years





https://www.andystrapz.com/product/expedition-pannierz

I just sold my Touratech OEM panniers infavor of Mosko Moto Backcountry Panniers. Truly waterproof and very well made. 1000mi Baja trip next week.

DBG, Link to the red GS stickers for tank?

BMW "GS"Reflective Red Fuel tank recessed decal set (2 Decals) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DWNY0A2/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_c_api_i_ocpzCb4PEA3NS

I have had the Jesse Odyssey Bags for years but one of the organization's I work with has begun to frown on hard luggage due to potential injury to the athletes. I bought the Mosko setup and the plate from Jesse. Gotta say it is an ingenious piece of kit. Add to it that the plates can be locked onto the bike and the security level begins to approach that of hard luggage.

Oh and one more thing. The adapter plate has a box on the exhaust side that makes a perfect storage compartment.

Wait did I miss something in my research, the bags can be locked to the Jesse Racks?

Sounds like the general rule on r1200 forum is hard case for onroad and soft for offroad. I come from having leatherbags on my harleys so i have mosko on my 18gsa and 1290sa. Doesnt matter where i ride soft lugguage it is.

I've been pondering soft luggage choices as well. I'd like the flexibility of possibly adding hard cases in the future. I've considered the Bumot setup with their rack. I like the looks and size of the Mosko Moto Scouts. I have a Wolfman tail bag and am interested in Wolfman Rocky Mountain Bag. I'll need a rack for my 2018 Rallye. A GSA takeoff rack would be ideal. The Brooks rack would be the most economical choice.

You can use the Steelcore locking straps to go around it and your frame to essentially lock it to the bike. This also stops the top from being unrolled. On the Mosko version there is also a place for a luggage size lock to lock it to the frame. The BMW version doesn’t have it. Plus there are other differences too which drove me to get the Mosko branded version.

Yep, and I knew that would be the general recommendation starting this thread. I'm like you however, in that I've always just used soft luggage no matter what, and am kinda just stuck on that personal preference. There are a fewwww times that I may or may not split lanes or use the shoulder on my commute, so being able to cinch the soft bags down a little tighter would be to my advantage in that situation.

Ahh, for a second I thought you meant that the Jesse latch could actually lock to the racks themselves. Yea the steel core cable is what I had thought of to solve that particular problem. Didn't know about the luggage sized lock though, good info, thanks.

Bumot makes a version of the Extremadas that locks directly to the BMW OEM rack https://www.advmotorrad.com/luggage/pannier-systems/bumot-xtremada-soft-panniers-oem-adventure-racks

I'll say what you already have been told, hardbags are the best solution based upon your intended use. Security, waterproof/resistant, etc. Have a pair of soft bags for the really dirty stuff.

Right, except I dont have a GSA, so no OEM racks that came on the bike. I could look around and wait for a take-off set, could buy Touratech racks, but both of those options don't hug the exhaust closer like Bumot or Jesse does....which led me here.