Good alternative to |Zega

[neily]

I can thoroughly recomend these systems. I originally bought the setup for my Africa Twin and then a week later bought the GS

Caveman swopped the SW Motech rails over for a GS and I just refitted the panniers. The price is very competative and as said earlier... takes seconds to dimount the whole system leaving just a couple of discreet fixings.

If you ask Caveman nicely he well usually fit them for you while you wait. You have to make the coffee though.

Caveman also does some nice rubber coated Yale locks in a set of four that use just the one key as well.

Jon

What size are your's Jon ? 36/41

 

[blues n twos]

I have the 36ltr panniers,

It's amazing how much you can get in them. With the pillion seat removed you also get a near perfect flat surface for additional stuff. I had my tent etc strapped accross there on my recent bimble around Wales.

Jon

 

[blues n twos]

Make good chairs too...

Nik

I bought an inflatable pillow on ebay for £2 and its the same size as the lid on the boxes.

Very comfy. You can just see it in the picture whilst my mate cooked up a treat.

 

[Gog yn y De]

Looks very promising. Surely someone must have something bad to say about them - durability, water leakage, security, weight, corrosion, etc. Come on, there must be something wrong with them, surely? Why don't all the people who harp on about the Vern's, Jesse's, etc. say something negative about them? Spill the beans before I reach for my cheque book!

BTW, will any of the pannier people be displaying their goods at teh NEC?

 

[Gog yn y De]

Must second everyones comments here, fitted mine for the forth coming trip to South America to Alaska. I went for the larger 41 litre boxes, very big, solid and easy to repair should the worst happen!

Make good chairs too...

Nik

Crikey, you're not going to ground those panniers!

 

[blues n twos]

Comparing the height on mine and the 12, they seem to sit lower on the 1150. When I rode up to Wales it rained heavy and constant with no let off for 240 miles. I had about an egg cup of water inside one of the panniers.

My mate who rode with me has the same panniers on his adv and both his were dry. I tend to pack everything that goes in the panniers inside heavy duty plastic bags anyway.

Caveman does waterproof liners for the panniers as well that are very reasonably priced. I'm just being tight at the moment.

Jon

 

[afekete]

They look exactly like Hepco & Becker cases...

They even sit high just like the HB aluminum boxes which are 38 and 43 liter sizes.


-A

 

[Boz]

If I had any comment it would be they do sit high, which at first can be a bit weird to get used to, but after a while the weight seems normal - makes good fun when you tip it into corners!

I've given them a good old try out in the wet and never leaked, I'm not that bothered though as I use thick bin liners inside, cheap and plentyful!

I considered buying both Jesse and TT boxes but given the cost and that at some point on my trip I'll drop the bike the simple design lends very well to easy repair. Also if I was to replace them I could get 2 new boxes for £115 which is a dam site better tehn any other manufacture!

Nik

 

[retroman]

I think they look great, and Caveman is a top fella to do business with

Wot a bargain too, he gets my money ... hoping to collect my set next week

 

[snoopy]

I have some on my 1150 and concur they sit lower. I got ripped off having paid £240 second hand; found it was a DIY bracket which works fine but isn't as quick to release as the one you get in the £400 package. Mine uses bobbins.

One of my panniers leaks slightly but that's due to a missing bolt. The panniers are good quality but the locks are quite crap and could be forced with a large screwdriver.

 

[Gog yn y De]

As they sit so high, are they they or could they be a problem for the pillion at all?

 

[Caveman]

Sitting High

Gog yn y De

What bike do you ride?

I've now fitted them to a number of bikes and the only bikes they sit high on so far are: 1200GS and Africa Twin, everything else the lids are about the pillion seat height.

I also ride an AT and I've had them fitted and the girlfriend on the back, well she has no problems as they actually do not intefere with her seating position if anything they actually make her feel more secure. She is 5'8" with long legs.

Snoopy!

give me a call and lets sort out the missing bolt etc. no charge I carry spares. Also a number of customers have also fitted an extra small padlock on the lid lock, there is space for it if you have a concern.

Finally, BOZ, best of luck on your trip, your bike does look, The Biz.

 

[Gog yn y De]

Gog yn y De

What bike do you ride?

I've now fitted them to a number of bikes and the only bikes they sit high on so far are: 1200GS and Africa Twin, everything else the lids are about the pillion seat height.

1200GS hence why I'm concerned. Has anyone had any practical experience with using these panniers on a 12 with a pillion?

 

[Vern]

Why don't all the people who bang on about......

Ok,I will then.

These panniers are an ace buy for £400.If that's what you want,go buy 'em,and I'm sure that you'll have many happy miles with them.

I can't say a bad word about them,as they are in no way in the same market as mine.In fact,my panniers are in a class of their own,so I have no competition to worry about at all.

Having said that,if my next batch come out in that price bracket (£400-£500) then they won't look that good a bargin.I'm going to make my money from other bike luggage and one off exhausts, and not this club

As for the bike show,The people who exibit there have got too much money.Have you seen the price of a small(one bike)stand there,obscene is the only word I can think off.

 

[Boz]

Refreshing and honest feedback there by Vern...

Thanks again Caveman!

Boz

 

[snoopy]

Caveman, my pannier boxes were bought from you but the previous owner looks to have developed their own mounting system, or have you sold the bobbin type mount as well? Many thanks on the offer - I'll take you up on it if its a match.

 

[Baz]

1200GS hence why I'm concerned. Has anyone had any practical experience with using these panniers on a 12 with a pillion?

Its a bit harder for a pillion to get their leg over, but once we perfected the technique no problems ( ie me leaning forward as she got on). She did comment it was snug on the back, also impressed how easy they were to pack cmpared to BM luggage or Givi.

Baz

 

[Phil Clarke]

Just received mine - a really neat system. The panniers attach using over-centre catches with padlocks for maximum security and maximum industrial chic. The frames are a bit obtrusive but being quick release (will feed back on strength of this once they are fitted but looks bombproof so far) this is not a problem. Plus they are powder coated with what looks like a good layer of paint rather than the usual 'wave paint tin from 50 yds' look of most stuff. Fitting is a bit of a DIY job but nothing beyond a competent mechanics' ability. I'll report on there use and try and get some pics up. Oh and I ordered them on Thursday and got them the following thursday - £396 all in, top service.

Phil

 

[retroman]

Just received mine - a really neat system. The panniers attach using over-centre catches with padlocks for maximum security and maximum industrial chic. The frames are a bit obtrusive but being quick release (will feed back on strength of this once they are fitted but looks bombproof so far) this is not a problem. Plus they are powder coated with what looks like a good layer of paint rather than the usual 'wave paint tin from 50 yds' look of most stuff. Fitting is a bit of a DIY job but nothing beyond a competent mechanics' ability. I'll report on there use and try and get some pics up. Oh and I ordered them on Thursday and got them the following thursday - £396 all in, top service.

Phil

As Phil said ... top stuff

I called at Paul's premises today, he fitted the rails whilst I waited with coffee on tap

Top quality gear, bloomin' bargain, the competition are taking the piss £££££££££

 

[Phil Clarke]

Fitted mine at the weekend - if you are DIY you need a bit of care and patience - you have to drill holes in the boxes to take the overcentre catches. Easy enough just offer up boxes to frames and mark with a pen plus it doesn't have to be absolutely spot on. About as difficult as drilling holes for shelving (or something).

Frames fairly obtrusive but you can QD them in literally seconds. The 1/2 turn dzus (or whatever) fastners are solid with the frames being held just as secure as if they were bolted on. Really impressed with this set up, its bomb proof. You could actually remove them with the panniers attached so if you were a cheapskate with homemade boxes (or those machine mart boxes mentioned elsewhere) you could bolt the boxes direct onto the frames and leave them there.

On the 1200 the boxes do sit high but no bother for pillions as they are well clear of the seat (unless they have an XXXXXXXL behind) I'm gonna have to re-position my Givi topbox to clear the lids but I was needing to do this anyway for more pilion space so no big deal. If the height does become a problem, handling wise, I'm just gonna cut and shut the brackets to lower them

The only downside is that my bike is now the width of a car, but I guess this is a problem for a lot of box panniers plus it makes people get out of your way and discourages irresponsible traffic hacking......

Phil

I was gonna post pictures but not much point unless anyone really wants them. Just see Pauls Website