Hepco & Becker Xplorer Panniers

[Bugbear]

Finally bit the bullet and bought a pair of these panniers for my 1150 GS. I already had the H&B pannier rails so common sense decided me on the Xplorers.

I went with the 30 litre left and the 40 litre right as recommended by H&B.
The right pannier sticks out about 3cm's more than the left but if you fit a matching pair the difference will be more.

They arrived from Germany (Moto24) in very strong packaging and completely undamaged. Two-day delivery to France for only 15 euros, excellent value.
Fitting was straightforward although they were very tight to fit the first time. A smear of silicone grease on the rubber buffers made it easier.

I'm still struggling a bit visually with having one larger than the other but that just me (I get wound up following cars with crooked No Plates )

The overall width of the boxes is 101cm's and my bars are 98 cm's so very livable with.

 

[cherokee]

Nice boxes,i have the plastic H&B on my katoom,they know how to make robust quality boxes,the Ally ones look good on your 1150..

 

[tuftywhite]

They look good. I've been thinking about getting a pair of these for mine, but until now, haven't seen any decent pictures of them mounted. Thank you.

Would be interested in seeing the rails and the fixings on the inside of the boxes.

 

[Bugbear]

Your wish is my command


Inside the 30 litre box.

Fixings on back of box.

Locks: The pannier lock can be left open or locked, the lock to the rail can only be locked (you can't remove the key in the open position)

Offside rail showing repositioned indicator.

Gary.

 

[tuftywhite]

Excellent work. Thanks very much. Very useful.

A pair of those will be winging my way before my next trip.

Thanks again.

 

[John Armstrong]

Why the xplorer, and not the Gobi's or Alu standard?

 

[Bryn]

I had a pair of Xplorers on a Tiger 1050 a while ago... really nicely made... but they didn't leave much clearance from the passenger footpegs....in fact not enough room to carry a passenger

Hope its better on the GS
The lids are quite innovative

As a world renowned authority on panniers..... They suit the 1150 GS well

 

[IainMac]

The toothed hinge is a weak point on the Xplorer top box and looks to be the same on the side cases. I've snapped a couple of teeth of mine without trying. Now I dont leave the lid open without support and take extra care in breezy conditions.

 

[Pit]

Had the same doubt and mailed them, here´s their answer:

"it is correct, we hadsome problems in the past, but they are improved since about one year and we donot have this problems anymore, as we changed the material and the makingprocess, so the cracks will not happen anymore.

Also if we had acustomer with breaks we exchanged the case for free if they contacted us or ourimporter.

Viele Grüße,

With kind regards

Mathias Dzemski
Export "

 

[tuftywhite]

Great looking bike by the way!

 

[denny]

Snapped some 'teeth' on my topbox when I merely opened the lid This meant the lid did not stay upright and was prone to leaning further back than it should...which made me fear the lid would snap off altogether. I've now fitted a strap to keep it in the upright position when open.

Oh and while I was fitting the strap I noticed that the two front facing lower plastic corners had cracks in them...which explained the little puddle after a ride in heavy rain.

They do look good though, as does your bike. Hope you have more luck with the cases than I did

 

[Pit]

topbox

Hi Denny
is your top box older than one year? that could explain it and if it is I think you´re entitled for a new one acording to their answer
cheers

 

[Bugbear]

My invoice from Moto24 clearly states 2 year warranty so as Pit said you should be able to get it replaced.

 

[denny]

I bought mine about a year ago...and the box may have been sat in the shop depot for a couple of months before, which probably means it was one of the duff batch.

Replaced under warranty is a rare thing here unfortunatly. I would have no chance in hell of having it replaced/fixed if I approach them 12 months on

 

[Pit]

Replaced under warranty is a rare thing here unfortunatly. I would have no chance in hell of having it replaced/fixed if I approach them 12 months on

"Also if we had acustomer with breaks we exchanged the case for free if they contacted US or ourimporter"

contact them directly than, you´ve nothing to lose