Can the GSA pannier racks be used only one side?

[Scarfall]

Hi all,

Quick question. I have the GSA pannier racks installed on my GS.


I rarely use my Bumot Xrtemada panniers, when I do, I only ever need the space on the left pannier. Most of the time the racks just sit installed with no luggage. I’ve got a Touratech toolbox fitted to the left rack, and that gets used often.

So I was wondering, is it alright to remove the right hand side pannier rack, and the crossbar that goes between racks? If I ride with just the left pannier on, but no right rack installed? Will that arrangement without the crossbar bend the left pannier rack?

 

[Gee-]

Do what I do, remove the pillion seat, then place a stuffa bag (Kreiga) tied to the back and front frame, handy for day trips etc. No need to remove any of the frame workings. Or leave the seat and place on top.
Bike not only will look lopsided, but depending on how much you carry in it, slightly off balance the bike and rider. Thinking when stopping at lights or roundabouts with a slight camber to the road your on.

Another alternative is to use a bikers rucksack, handy for all sorts, and once worn hardly felt it's there, no wind drag either.

 

[G&T]

Hi all,

Quick question. I have the GSA pannier racks installed on my GS.


I rarely use my Bumot Xrtemada panniers, when I do, I only ever need the space on the left pannier. Most of the time the racks just sit installed with no luggage. I’ve got a Touratech toolbox fitted to the left rack, and that gets used often.

So I was wondering, is it alright to remove the right hand side pannier rack, and the crossbar that goes between racks? If I ride with just the left pannier on, but no right rack installed? Will that arrangement without the crossbar bend the left pannier rack?

You have 3 mounting points for the rack, so you will be fine....just don’t drop your bike though as there isn’t the full strength when the full rack is on.

 

[TaskMule]

There's also the severe cringe factor of riding with a case on one side only.

 

[Alan R]

There is a brace bar fitted between the right and left pannier frames, at the rear beneath the number plate. It’s there for a reason. The weight of a loaded pannier (even an empty one) may flex the frame sufficiently to cause problems ie mounting bolts failing or the pannier de mounting. A very bad idea in my opinion. Also, again in my opinion, it would look very odd.
Alan R

 

[theoneandonly]

Q ?
do you have a " man bun " and in your bathroom , on a shelf , some mustache wax ?

 

[Scarfall]

Q ?
do you have a " man bun " and in your bathroom , on a shelf , some mustache wax ?

I don’t. I don’t get why you ask

 

[theoneandonly]

I don’t. I don’t get why you ask

it is called , humour . go to The Bike Shed , and think about it .


if the frame doesn't stick out , why bother removing it ?
and if you're only going to have 1 pannier fitted , make it the rhs one , it is easier to get into when the bike is on the s/stand.

 

[Barnoe]

I wouldn't dream of riding with only one pannier.
I would lose what little street cred i have left.

If i did however, i would also wear a polite vest and go full cockwomble.

If you take the 2nd pannier you will use it.
Somewhere to put your gear when off the bike for example.

 

[er-minio]

Funnily enough, riding with one pannier was pretty common on airheads.


Give that OP is talking about soft panniers, I'd too adopt a (soft) bag strapped instead of the passenger seat or rail.
Bike would be less wide (filtering). Slight less unbalance at speed because of wind.

I've used my (older) GSA with one single Alu pannier a few times in the past, to transport stuff/food up and down and it's ok for short-ish/slow-ish trips. Bit annoying otherwise. Similar experience with the R1150R.

I'd leave the rack as-is.

 

[Hann]

There's also the severe cringe factor of riding with a case on one side only.

I wouldn't dream of riding with only one pannier.
I would lose what little street cred i have left.

I had no idea that only having one pannier was a `thing`.

As someone who routinely only has the nearside Atacama (Mosko Moto soft bag) fitted on my GSA i dread to think what assumptions bikermates have made when they`ve seen me on the road or seen my bike stopped at a local hostelry.

 

[Guru Gora]

Loads of RNine T and Triumph scrambler bikes ride with fairly large full single side soft panniers.

Obviously no racking issues.

But as for balance……..

It works fine

 

[theoneandonly]

Loads of RNine T and Triumph scrambler bikes ride with fairly large full single side soft panniers.

Obviously no racking issues.

But as for balance……..

It works fine

and i bet they all have man buns and go to the bike shed !