Africa Twin Panniers Advice please

[Adventure Boy]

Ok going for a 5 day trip around Wales from tomorrow in preparation for the 2 weeks in Spain in July
I fitted the panniers last night (top loading SW Motec X boxes) and I think they are just too wide !! measured them at 110cm

is that too wide ? they are fitted to SW Motec pannier racks specific for the 2026 Africa Twin Adventure Sport and fit quite close to the bodywork so not done anything wrong there and the panniers are only the 37 Ltr ones
is that too wide ?

any advice would be very welcome the std plastic panniers are 100cm I know its only 5cm or 2 inches wider but im having 2nd thoughts now !!

Cheers
Rob

 

[DJ123]

What makes you think they're too wide?

On my GS with TT Zega Evo panniers, they are roughly the same width and i have no issues with them. Riding along they make no impact, and filtering is just as easy - you just need to be aware of the width behind you.

 

[Adventure Boy]

Cheers DJ
Im seriously contemplating taking them off and using a roll bag instead and stuffing the top box with as much as I can, but as long as its not too wide Ill leave the set up as is
id hate to think how bloody wide it would have been if Id have bought the 48Ltr ones, ? wider than a Mini id think LOL
Rob

 

[DJ123]

You'll prefer the panniers with the weight as it sits so much lower vs a top box & roll top on the backseat.

You will get comfortable pretty quick as to the gaps you can comfortably take. And those where you need to be a little more cautious.

 

[Mzokk]

Not that it helps but the standard Honda asymmetric alloy boxes are just under 1m on mine.

 

[Davey B]

That does sound wider than my Africa twin with Bumot panniers which from memory were 99cm wide fitted. 10cm really shouldn't make a huge difference unless you plan on lots of filtering? But if it irks you on the Wales trip, do as you say you may do...top box and roll bag. I doubt there's going to be too much weight in the bag to really affect handling..10kg ?

 

[Adventure Boy]

Ill take a better look when I get home and make the call, ive got a 20ltr roll bag, so that and the 65ltr top box should be enough for a pair of pants and my sandwiches !! only problem is that if I don't use them for Wales I wont want to use them for Spain
we will have them on for the whole Wales trip but will dump them off at the house in Spain and just ride with the top box !! O the joy of it all LOL
Thanks for the replies fellas
Rob

 

[Mzokk]

Top boxes are horrible things and should only be used to stop a pillion from falling off the back. Take less shite.

 

[Mad Hatter]

Stick with the panniers. Measure the width of your handlebars versus the panniers then use them as a gauge for filtering.

 

[Arsey]

Top boxes are horrible things and should only be used to stop a pillion from falling off the back. Take less shite.

Sanity before vanity every time

 

[Mzokk]

A very old Oxford 26ltr tail pack is my go to for short trips using hotels/guesthouses. A bit extreme maybe, but I also used it on a 3 week tour of Europe........on an R1