Another pannier thread!

[ericthebrave]

Yes, there can never be too much disuccion about panniers

Anyway, to get to the point, all these panniers seem massive! I've been looking at touratechs, metal mules and the BMW ones, and i think the BM ones will suit me as they can be made quite small. Other choice would be the skinny metal mules (31 litre) with the modified exhuast but its very expensive! basically want the set up to be as narrow as possible.

So how much stuff do you guys take on a european trip....i mean 31 litres each side is a fair amount of space (just me BTW, i never take pillions), so if you have larger ones do you tend to take unnecessary stuff (be honest!) or do you have lots of spare space? I went camping in europe last year on a sportsbike with some oxford humbacks...total volume 45 litres, and i managed to fit my tent in the panniers too!

Do you reckon the metal panniers from TT or MM are worth the extra in cost over the BMW ones? Top loading would be an advantage...but not sure if its worth the cost. Whats resale like on them, do they usually sell well on ebay, just in case i decide to return to sprtsbikes ever!!!

Sorry about the rambling disjointed post

Dave

 

[GSmonkey]

My 2p'th. I use the BMW plastic panniers. Went camping in Europe last year using panniers and topbox - all in unexpanded mode. I had easily enough room (one up).

I've never had hard luggage before myself, so I was concerned about the top loading thing. However, when I get to the campsite, I just take the panniers off - which takes seconds with practice. Similar for loading.

I also considered the zegas, but dismissed them on the grounds of price, looks and practicality. Certainly couldn't have got on with the frames left behind. If I was to be going offroad I'd certainly consider metal panniers, but they are OTT for road riding and I'm 100% on road.

Good luck with the decision......there's too much choice for the consumer!!

 

[STUBBS]

Caveman sells some great top loading panniers + they're cheap sorted me out about half the price but well made

 

[ericthebrave]

yeah i looked at cavemans, but they seem to sit a bit too high on the 1200.

Good prices though

 

[Wapping]

My 2p'th. I use the BMW plastic panniers. Went camping in Europe last year using panniers and topbox - all in unexpanded mode. I had easily enough room (one up).

ditto what GSMonkey said

I did the same but without the top box. I don't like top boxes as I think they rattle. I used a stuff sack across the back seat instead and the two standard BMW boxes. Fine for more than a month away camping.

 

[ericthebrave]

looks like i'll go with the BMW ones then. I like them 'cos they are nice and small unexpanded + should easily be able to get all my things in, and i dont really do off roading. May go to morocco one year or end up doing some gentle gravel / forest road type stuff, but i'm sure the BM ones will withstand that!

Lightweight minimal kit travel is definatrly the way to go IMHO!

So how much should i be paying at the stealers for a set of panniers? He wrote down £390 in my brochure.

Dave

 

[walti]

I went for a pair of the BMW panniers and a BMW tank bag, was suprised that the tank bag actually swallowed all the luggage I needed for the weekend away, but kept the panniers on as they gave me somewhere to store the helmet and clothing when i wasn't on the bike.

I do intend to add a top box, probably a Givi, so that I can store 2 helmets when parking up. - BMW top box won't hold 2 helmets.

For a camping trip the BMW panniers also offer a flat surface right across the bike - with the rear seat removed - for taking tents and similar shaped sized luggage.

The expanding feature also makes the panniers dissapear, when small, and only handlebar wide when expanded. So unless you intend to go rush hour filtering - they don't inconvienience you at all.

 

[Brian ROSEN]

Panniers

I have the standard BMW ones plus the BMW tank bag - and if expaned they do have a large capacity- and they look right for the bike. I have always had BMW panniers on my bikes over many years and it is obviously easier to trade them or sell them with the bike when changing. BMW nowadays seem to change the panniers as they change the model - good for trade! A word of warning with the 1200GS ones - check the locknut on the adjusting screw on the mounting. Mine, fitted by the dealer when new, came loose and I 'lost' a pannier. Fortunately I was on a quiet back road and there was no other traffic. The pannier was scratched, but not badly, and ten litres of wine within in a plastic can was OK and long since consumed.

 

[NeverRodeBefore]

Can I ask a question Eric?

I too am tending towards the bm expanding panniers, but not the top box, unless I fit it instead of the pillionseat.

However, Eric, what tent do you use? I've got a kyham which is great for the Landy, but a little too big for the bike... wouldn't like to try and get that in a pannier!

 

[Tim Cullis]

After some bad experiences with metal luggage, for the recent Morocco trip I went back to the plastic BMW expandable panniers in conjunction with a Hein Gericke luggage roll (something like £28). Throughout the trip I used the panniers in the non-expanded mode for the things I didn't want to take off the bike at night--tool kits, tyre pump, accident first aid, etc. So arriving at a hotel was simply a matter of detaching the luggage roll.

When I got to the City of Europe at Calais I expanded the panniers and moved as much as possible from the luggage roll to the panniers to make room for eight tins of magret de canard plus six bottles of Calvados, then set off for Speedferries at Boulogne. When I got there I realised I hadn't strapped down the luggage roll, but fortunately everything was still there!

I also have a massive four-man tent that's tall enough to stand up in, which fits neatly on the pillion area together with the luggage roll.

Tim

 

[ericthebrave]

However, Eric, what tent do you use?

Its a North face tadpole (single or very cosy 2 person tent). When i packed it in the oxford soft luggage i put poles in one and the soft bits in the other. I chose it because of its weight, size and packed pole length.

 

[GSmonkey]

Its a North face tadpole (single or very cosy 2 person tent). When i packed it in the oxford soft luggage i put poles in one and the soft bits in the other. I chose it because of its weight, size and packed pole length.

....same here. Its a top tent, fits in the BM topbox. Kept me dry when the campsite in Switzerland flooded with 2" of water.....paid for itself that day

 

[ericthebrave]

GS monkey

....same here. Its a top tent, fits in the BM topbox. Kept me dry when the campsite in Switzerland flooded with 2" of water.....paid for itself that day

Does the tadpole fit in the side cases, and if it doesnt fit in when all packed up, do the poles fit in seperately? If you've never tried...(and cant be arsed to now ) then i'll measure my pole length (ooooer missus) and see if it will fit in.

 

[Den]

I had the standard system panniers, and whereas they held enough for two for a fortnight away bed and breakfasting, they are a bit restrictive, especially for shoes. They take up a hell of a room. If you like walking around cities with yer bike boots on, stinking like a tinky, keep to the small boxes or throwovers. Throwovers should be renamed 'Sit in a cafe worrying about yer luggage devices'
Another good thing about big boxes is, when its too hot, you can stuff your extra clothes in the boxes. When you buy something on holiday, you dont have to wonder how you are going to carry it. Lots of room means lots of duty frees.

Try sitting on system cases when you are pissed.

Edit. Oops, never noticed I was on the 1200 bit. I thought I could smell aftershave
I was referring to the previous system boxes. 1200 ones are a bit more sensible. Can you sit on them?

 

[GSmonkey]

Does the tadpole fit in the side cases, and if it doesnt fit in when all packed up, do the poles fit in seperately? If you've never tried...(and cant be arsed to now ) then i'll measure my pole length (ooooer missus) and see if it will fit in.

...I think that I did try and decided that although they did fit, with a bit of squashing, they restricted the space in the rest of the pannier too much. That is why it ended up in the top box and when diagonally along the bottom.

Yes - you can sit of the 12 system panniers (pissed or sober), although the lhs one is a bit dodgy as its only got a little leg on it to keep it upright (the bottom is cut away for the pipe)