1150ADV Pannier loading question

[Dale]

I'm probably missing something here ... so hopefully one of the wise ones can hep me out

I have an 1150ADV with the original ally cases. On the mounting plate of both cases (the bit that folds down) and the top box, there is a little label that says "Max load 11lb / 5kg"

Now that all sounds fine, till you realise that the boxes themselves are around 2kg's .... leaving only 3kg's for luggage per box!!

Or am I missing something?

We're planning a long trip with some pretty nasty roads, so I'm very aware of overloading them, but I have 25kg's of stuff that must go with us, so need the panniers to each carry about 8kg's to be useful. 8kg's stuff plus 2kg's for the box means the frames will have to carry about 10kg's per side.

TIA
Dale

 

[oblertone]

Your 1150GSA ...

... (a fine choice) is already out of warranty, so do what everyone else does and load it to the gunnells, ride it until it breaks (as they sometimes do), then get it fixed wherever you happen to be

The weight limits are there for TUV purposes and bear no relation to how much crap you can stuff in them; do a search for a thread called 'show us your bike loaded' which will amply demonstrate the amount of shite you can carry

Your rear subframe can be strengthened before you set off, but that's about all that's required.

 

[iftikartaxis]

panniers

pop round to our house and just see what my wife can get into panniers i think she vacum packs it all in they weigh a ton
never had any problems with the frames get it loaded up

 

[Dale]

.
Your rear subframe can be strengthened before you set off, but that's about all that's required.

Oblertone

Can you elaborate?? Which bit of the subframe (I'm assuming you're meaning the pannier frames)? and what exactly would you do to it?

Dale

 

[Mutley]

If you are going off road with them loaded make sure you have the clamps fitted

 

[oblertone]

Oblertone

Can you elaborate?? Which bit of the subframe (I'm assuming you're meaning the pannier frames)? and what exactly would you do to it?

Dale

No photo to hand, but if you strip the rear of the bike and peer hard enough you'll find the rear subframe is tubular steel with one (or two) uprights; this is all that holds the seat weight and takes the load of panniers/backbox and anything else you pile on it. Under normal conditions the tubes are perfectly fine, however some of the more serious overlanders have found they can break just to the rear of the rearmost upright support when consistently abused. It's an easy fix in most third world countries because most places have a welder, but as a preventative measure these can be braced before they break.

 

[Dave & Val]

The bike can take it !

When I was 30 stone, the misses also heavy for a lady both panniers loaded to the top and stuffed in, then I would put the 12kg tent on one side and big heavy air beds tarp/chairs on the other - No problems - front got a bit light but got use to that.(The sort of trips were Plymouth to Kelso or Plymouth to Italy - and return of course.

We're half the weight ourselves now, but still load the panniers with just the same crap - most of just in case the misses needs it.

 

[roddy]

I thought the side panniers where rated for 25Kg and it was the top box that was rated for 5Kg ?
can't seem to find the info I got that from though ?

 

[Fanum]

Oblertone

Can you elaborate?? Which bit of the subframe (I'm assuming you're meaning the pannier frames)? and what exactly would you do to it?

Dale

Not BWM panniers, but a thread on a broken subframe from being overloaded
(over a lot of hard miles and offroad as well, so don't worry too much )

 

[monkeyboy]

When I went to Timbuktu I had loads of tools and all sorts of stuff in the adv top box - I also had some cheese triangles and after the final road to the Timbuktu ferry which is 120 miles of corregations and sand pits they got shaken around so much that everything had a dairylee scent and a liberal coating. The box stayed on but the over centre latch at the back disintegrated the first time I undid it - it's quite delicate behind with those little alloy workings - they just snapped under the vibrations. I've just replaced it - cost me about 35 quid I think.

If you look at what holds that box on there are 2 M6s I think into the rear frame - two into the mudguard and they're there to hold the guard up rather than the box on, and the only ones taking the load of the overhanging weight are a couple of little M5s at the front of the assembly under the back of the saddle. It doesn't surprise me that it has such a low weight rating. Having said that - I've just loaded the bugger up again and I'll see how it does - and one of the M5s has sheared off so it's all hanging by a thread I'm sure it'll be fine, as will yours.

 

[Dale]

Thanks ...

Thanks for all the replies .... I'll be stripping the back end this weekend to see just exactly what is being supported by what

Total load is 25-28kg's, split between panniers and top-boxes, so from the anecdotal stories it sounds like we should be ok!

Regards,
Dale

 

[sockpuppet]

Bear in mind the rear frame only really cracks due to people bottoming the frame out when all the load is transfered into the frame. This is why it mostly happens off road, if you put a big spring in the suspension then the need for frame strengthening is reduced.

If you don't bottom out the suspension the frame will take it mostly. Ok corrugations will feck any bike eventually but they are generally quite severe.

 

[Number 6]

The 5 kg limit applies to just the 'shelf' part. (if you're carrying items on the frame without the box fitted.)

 

[rtoilhead]

Dale,

Thought these photos might help.

Would you believe it at least three famous people in the last pic!!

Left to right:

The Big Man himself

Charley - That's his bike!

Gerry Tiernan - Ireland. Round the World on a R80GS 2003
http://www.gsrtw.com

and Meself

Alex

 

[The Other PaulG]

Remember lots of those weight limits are also to do with handling, not just 'how much before it breaks'..

BM don't test their bikes at 90mph with 35kgs in each pannier. But that doesn't mean to say you shouldn't do it yourself...

PG