Aluminium Panniers, which are best and why?

[roundincircles]

I want to buy aluminium panniers and top box thus avoiding the Vario BMW ones. My main motivation is the extra capacity and the 'nice to have' top loading. Plus the ability to move the boxes to a new bike makes some sense.

There is a huge choice and would find it helpful to hear riders experience and which is best type/brand.

Downsides/comments I have come across

1. Alu dust marks luggage black
2. Poor construction, boxes falling to bits........amazing but bitch is about rivets failing
3. Locks failing
4. Lids leaking
4. Black anodised is best

Seems to me Touratech is popular but mega costly. There is Motec, Givi, Hepter & Becker........many others Ard, Bacofoil. Jesse...blah,blah

Finally why does nobody seem to comment on the BMW alu boxes that are cut away from the exhaust?

 

[(RIP) Miff]

Vern's World Beater panniers (Vern on this forum) seem to get the thumbs up from many people.

No experience of them myself though, as I use the Varios.

 

[Bugbear]

Went through the same research as everyone does on this and eventually bought H&B Explorers.

One full seasons use and I'm still happy with them

.

 

[David Nimrod]

My vote would go to Ard Cases... simple, strong, and it's good to support a local manufacturer

I also use Metal Mule panniers, which are excellent, but are more complex in their construction, and much more expensive.

These are the only metal panniers I've actually used...

Also, a pannier is no flippin' use without a strong frame etc. etc...

 

[Blackal]

For sheer value for money, and robust nature - I can't see past Ard Cases

Roger will fab them to suit your dimensions and capacities, they are well coated, and when paired with suitable racks - provide great storage.

Downside - they need to be partially emptied to remove them from the racks. That may or may not be important to you.

BMW Varios are too heavy without even filling them with gear, although the top-box is a clever design.

BMW Adventure Aly ones are good capacity, but quite wide, and they are not corrosion-protected at all.

Metal-Mules - Great panniers, but horrendously expensive.

That's it in a nutmeg, in my experience.

Al

 

[Timolgra]

Verns Worlbeater panniers are without doubt the best quality, hard anodised, all stainless fittings and hand made, which means he can repair them if you don't them

 

[Blackal]

Out of interest - how much is a set of Vern's? Are they one size per bike model, or is there a bit of "personalisation" possible?

Here's a pic of my 30ltr Ard Cases.

 

[JASONBC]

Father's got the Touratech Zega's on his GS which are Good boxes but i put the Hepco & Beckers on mine which are equally as god if not better because you can unlock them from th ebike should you need to without having to open them up. So if it's pissing down with rain and you want to remove them the contents of the boxes won't get wet.

 

[Timolgra]

Out of interest - how much is a set of Vern's? Are they one size per bike model, or is there a bit of "personalisation" possible?

.

You need to ring him on 01829 771040 he'll make them whatever size, shape colour etc. you want.

For cheapness I'd go Ard cases, for quality go Vern's (which also hold their resale value)

 

[Blackal]

You need to ring him on 01829 771040 he'll make them whatever size, shape colour etc. you want.

For cheapness I'd go Ard cases, for quality go Vern's (which also hold their resale value)

I think you are doing Redcap a disservice in calling his items "cheap" while describing Vern's as "quality" - Redcap's are very well built panniers, albeit good value.

Although not having seen any Worldbeaters in the flesh - I've seen enough photos from all angles to query the apparent "fawning" over them.

Fair enough - if they are similarly-priced to Ard Cases, but otherwise - I'd take some convincing.

For example - in what way are they better than say - Caja Sahels?

Al

 

[oblertone]

Another brand to consider ...

... are Jessies; I've had mine on two GS's for about 9 years now, still going strong despite a few 'offs' & 'cab' dings, still waterproof thanks to a seal change two years ago (thanks Chad). If I was needing to buy now I'd probably go the Vern route, purely for the bespoke element and unique non-guarantee

 

[Timolgra]

I


For example - in what way are they better than say - Caja Sahels?

Al

I've had TT, Caja Sahels and Vern's fitted to 1150GSs over the past 13 years...and they all been around a bit.

TT over priced new, very basic and poorly built. Weak mounting points.

Caja Sahel, very heavy, poor seals and mine cracked, paint flakes off. Needed to make extra braces to prevent excessive flexing of bike's subframe.

Vern's no problem, great design of panniers, lids and frames.

Just my experiences and wish I just splashed out for a set of Worldbeaters in the first place

 

[stolzy]

Worldbeaters are the best, I thought everyone knew that

I had TT Zegas and thought they were OK. Right up until I changed them for Worldbeaters. The difference in quality is like night and day.

 

[David Nimrod]

I think you are doing Redcap a disservice in calling his items "cheap" - Redcap's are very well built panniers, albeit good value.

Agreed

 

[Timolgra]

Agreed

Are they not comparatively cheap then?

 

[David Nimrod]

Are they not comparatively cheap then?

That they are, because they're being sold (for a fair price) directly by the guy that actually makes them...

In this case 'cheap' isn't to be taken as a criticism

 

[Timolgra]

That they are, because they're being sold (for a fair price) directly by the guy that actually makes them...

In this case 'cheap' isn't to be taken as a criticism

Well in true UKGSer style, I'm glad we cleared that one up

Everyone seems to rate whatever they've bought as 'the best', there is no 'best' else we all be the same

 

[Sgt Bilco]

I'm with Tim here and thoroughly recommend Verns World Beaters. Everything is solid, well designed and the boxes are very light unlike some of the others.

Another make to think about is Stahlkoffer which have a decent reputation.

 

[Farmer Palmer]

Touratech Zegas or Zega Pro's are good enough for me!

 

[MikeP]

Not often considered is ease of mounting and dismounting, plus what you are left with in the way of mounting frames once the panniers are off.

The mounting needs to be strong enough to take the weight but weak enough to release the pannier if it's knocked.

One thing that people often forget when buying panniers is that to some degree they need to be "sacrificial" in a spill. You are better off having to beat your pannier back into shape (or ditching it altogether) rather than twisting the rear sub-frame of the bike. See how long your rear shock (or even the swing-arm in extreme circumstances) will last if the sub-frame gets bent out of shape.

Be wary of panniers that mount low or are very deep; if you have to resort to paddling the bike at any time you can trap your leg beneath the pannier.