Al Jess Lookalikes

[Vern]

Today I have given these panniers the hardest time you could imagine. Before I set out on my test ride, I put 4 oil cans full of waste oil in each pannier, that's 25kg in EACH pannier. I then took all the preload off the suspension and went for a 120 mile ride. I never managed to scrape them while cornering, and I was trying my hardest, which is quite hard. I can also say that they survived the jump test. 109mph, both wheels well off the road, and then landing flat on an uphill slope, rear shock fully compressed, and they still didn't belly out. I think I need to try it with a pillion next, any volunteers? Let me know what you think of these photos. Click Here

 

[Squidbrain]

Mega Panniers

Andy

They look and sound the business. Staring to regret buying my Touratech Special Set a bit already! Seem to recall that you're up Worcester way somewhere? If you'd like a dig out with the development I'd be glad to donate some time.

[email protected]

 

[Vern]

I think a lot of people are going to regret buying touratech stuff when I've got a bit of stuff to offer. I've been saying since this club started that we should all get together and give these other companies something to worry about, well no one was interested two years ago, so I'm going it alone, and there won't be any faceless dealers either, when you buy my stuff, you buy it off the bloke who makes it. I've already had one company offering to sell my stuff, and they got told fook off, and I don't want any more offers thankyou. Thanks for all the offers of help, I will take you up on your offers sometime if you don't mind, I just don't know when. A word of warning to the nice little German companies that won't let you buy stuff cheap over the internet, but send you to an over priced UK stockist instead. BE AFRAID, VERY AFRAID.

 

[THE PICT]

Andy boy
Im sure the rest of the club will agree with me when I say "Go for it big style"

 

[Vern]

These panniers are tougher than I thought they would be,I've given them over 1000 miles of sheer abuse,and they're still doing what I intended them to do.I've even boiled water in one of the lids,and let it boil dry, and the lid stayed flat and square within 0.1mm,good stuff.I then put some kitchen roll in the bottom of each box,put the lids back on,and jet washed them,left them out in the rain for 3hours,and then rode 200miles through a very wet Wales,left them for another 2hours in the rain just for a good measure,and when I took the lids off, the kitchen towel was still bone dry.Not bad considering I'm not selling them as waterproof(and I forgot to seal the fixing points inside the panniers!).All I've got to do is work out a final price,should be mid week with any luck.TTFN

 

[AdventureCleverly]

Hell Andy, did you do product testing for NASA before this gig?

I'm definitely up for a set when you are ready to roll.

Happy to buy from anyone who loves what they do!

 

[the civil one]

come on Andy

I dont even own a
G.S. at the moment but am still watching with anticapation. Ur absence all week has me wondering where ,why ,whar ,

 

[Davey B]

Hey, a weeks gone by and no price.
I am yet another zega case who should've waited.
Any update???

 

[Vern]

Sorry for the delay, it's not my fault, people keep asking me to make them one off sets, so you see I'm trying to keep everybody happy at the same time. A despatch rider called me up the other day asking if they were approved for security to transport sensitive documents i.e. MOD and stuff. I'd never heard of such a thing, so most of Monday was spent finding things out about it(still non the wiser) most of today was spent making little bobins to mount them to the frames, It's all the little things like that, that take all the time. I also found a couple of things that I have improved on as well,so I haven't being sitting around drinking tea all day(well not all of it) You'll all be pleased to know that I told another dealer to sling his hook at the bike show, most offended he was, but I'm not having stockists just to bump the price up for you. Watch this space for a price soon.

 

[jnrobert]

Have you thought about just building a side car instead? Holy cow, dem cases are big man.

 

[slimbo]

hey andy having priced the bmw ones inc the inner bags it will be worth the wait...i do think for me a set at two thirds the size would be adequate for my needs (i do like to travel light ie credit card, shreddies, t shirt ,tooth brush ,sense of humor.)
so as soon as you can m8 cos the wife is nagging wot i want for chrimbo...cheers

 

[Vern]

I'm really sorry to keep you all waiting,I've just noticed how many hits this subject has had,I had no idea that they would create this much interest,even people from abroad are calling,and I'm doing it all on my own so it's a bit of a juggling act.In the last two days, the whole of the mounting frame has been taken off and redesigned,this was mainly because the original frame had too much flex in it and in the event of slinging the bike down the road, there wasn't anything to stop the frames from going into the bevel box (the big thingy the wheel bolts to).If it hits it now, no problem,if this one gets bent it'll be the least of your worries. As a result of the redesign the whole package will be stronger,lighter and also it should work out cheaper, and being a good all round good guy,I don't want to rip anyone off,so I'm having a sit down with some other people on Monday to work out production costs,and hopefully I can start production as soon as possible. I thought of a good slogan for them the other day, I don't know what the opposition will think:- BUY THESE PANNIERS, ALLTHE REST ARE CRAP. How does that sound!!!

 

[slimbo]

BUY THESE PANNIERS, ALLTHE REST ARE CRAP. How does that sound!!!

honest to the point !!
sounds like a winner....

 

[Vern]

OK,I think I've just about covered everything, now what you've all been waiting for,the price(gulp). How does £599 sound all in. That's for bare aluminium panniers including mounting frame, powder coating or anodising would be extra. I'm pretty sure that will be a fixed price, but allow me my maddness if it goes up or down a bit, it really depends how many people want them. BUY THESE PANNIERS, ALL THE REST ARE TOTAL DOGS DINNERS

 

[Squidbrain]

Touratech Special Set for sale. £599. No offers.

 

[iaintook]

Buy em go on

I had a look at Andy's panniers on Sunday ( mostly from behind ) and they are the puppies.. Really well finished and the mounting frame makes the BMW plastic things look like Tomy toys..
Even more supprisingly they dont ground out even when your riding enthusiastically (spellin)

Iain.

 

[Colt]

I can get special set 41 lt new for 570.
anyone one to offer me a used set for less.
sorry andy no offence intended .any idea on how long the wait will be?

 

[Paul G (BHT)]

I can get special set 41 lt new for 570.

So Andy's 66 ltr set's are a bargain then @ £599

 

[Vern]

Colt,you should be on the stage,there's one leaving soon.The price actually worked out at nearly £660,but I managed to do a bit of head banging with a few people I know,and got down to £632.Then I thought if I make them cheaper than the other crap you can buy,I'll sell more, and break even that way. Believe me when I say I'm out of pocket on this one, and I think I've got a pretty sound set up,which at present no one else has, and safe in the knowledge the they are better than anything else on the market, so there.

 

[The Foolish Fellow]

panniers

what about fitting with the normal exhaust.
I notice that your exhaust is a very special one and does not stick out as normal ones do. Will these boxes have a cutout. + can you post more detailed photos