Pannier/Exhaust solutions....

[GSJon]

OK.. so new to the site but not to biking.. really need your collective help on unwinding the "which pannier/best solution" question.

Recently PXed my 650 GS for a beautiful example of an 850 GS (Many thanks to Shaun at Rainbow!) and it came with the standard BMW Touring plastic panniers.. these are ok for the odd weekend away with the missus, but not for euro tours.. i used H&B Standards on the 650 which were fantastic, easy to live with, enough space etc...

But... my question is, where to go with the 850.. Do i go the route of modifying the exhaust (Lowering kit), odd size panniers (Zega and the like) or for the slightly more expensive Sondersystem.. ? I'm totally confused, i assumed the Sondersystem has the cutout, meaning you can have equal size tins.. or am i off the mark..?

I just need some advise, am i stuck with Touratech? Anyone suggest a better make? All i'm wanting to achieve is 2 ali tins, equal size if possible, symetrical on the bike with as little hassle as possible! Too much to ask...? The longer i leave it the less likely it is that the missus will continue to say "of course it's ok love,you get them, your building me an extention after all... ".

Any help/suggestions will be more than welcome..

 

[John Armstrong]

Send about £140 off to Motorworks / Motobins / James Sherlock for some "global lids". Adds 6 litres a side and are bolted on so you can go back to the 25 / 31 ltr option if you want. Just remember the back end's a bit wider now.

 

[GSJon]

Just checked out the global lids, seems a bloody good idea that my friend, many thanks! I sort of had my eye no some ali panniers, only because they will take a bit of a pounding and i've got Morocco coming up early next year. But the "Global" idea would be much better (And "cleaner") for long weekend's away 2 up (12v hairdryer for trace ect).

 

[GSJon]

Just had a word with Caveman.. what a nice guy, think we'll be doing business very soon.

 

[trotsky]

There's a long thread discussing this which didnt resolve all my confusions so I posted another.

In the end I decided on the Civil One's Tourenkoffer and I'm now waiting for them to be finished so I can gave a play.

Lots of choice - lots of pros and cons - most of what's out there will work for eveveryone, it's the little details that bring on religious wars between owners

 

[sparkplug]

most of what's out there will work for eveveryone

For who Trotsky Been on the sauce?

At a basic level, I agree that touratech/cajasahel/metal mule/jesse/bernt tesch etc will all 'do the job'.

My advice is to have a look at as many systems as you can as it is those 'little details' which make all the difference and changing systems works out expensive. I was happy with my original zega set until I took them on a proper expedition and those 'little things' start to become real problems. For me and my usage the Metal Mule have fixed all the niggles I had and I'm really happy with them. The system you end up choosing should take into account how you are going to use them in the real world.

The sondersystem does have a cutout and it does mean 'equal' sized panniers except of course that one of them has less capacity as it has the cutout. I found the fact you have two locks for each pannier and need to unpack and/or use space wasting liner bags to get them on and off the bike an absolute pain. The lack of anodising or other coating makes them tarnish and go black. The lids remove completely and while some people find this good because they use them as frying pans, I found it annoying because you never seem to have anywhere to put the lids when rummaging in the pannier. They also loose their waterproofness at the slightest drop of the bike as they have an O ring system which needs a perfect match between lid and pannier.

For true even size in pannier you will need to either lower the exhaust or, as with the Metal Mule balance system, change the end can to a narrower one, set further back. Cutouts can retain heat which transfers into the pannier and may damage the contents.

There are so many considerations. I have only used BMW, Touratech Zega and Metal Mule so I don't feel able to comment on the others in terms of practicality. I know the Caja Sahel are a lot cheaper than many systems but you really do need to ask people who like/dislike each system to find out what you want to go for.

I hope that helps rather than just confuse...

 

[Steptoe]

It wasn't till i saw a set of Civils Caja Sahel at Princetown, that i appreciated how well made and strong they are - if i were looking for a set of panniers, i'd have no hesitation in picking them before all the others .

I use H&B expedition panniers, good price ( £305 ) good size Left 37ltr - right 45ltr, good fixing arrangment without any exhaust and indicator problems, quickly and easily detachable.

But not so good if you've a pillion passenger, their feet haven't much room, and they're fitted quite high .Also a bit heavy .

 

[Deleted account W]

and they're fitted quite high

I have a plan, might give it a go this weekend

 

[trotsky]

For who Trotsky Been on the sauce?

...

I hope that helps rather than just confuse...

Well that's the complete but concise way of saying what I meant some people just are more erudite...

The two important points for me were "Do they make it uncomfortable for a passenger?" and "are they reasonably robust?" (I'm not always terribly careful with vehicles, usually on driveways at low speeds when I'm not paying attention ).

If you get the Hepco and Becker like Whatton and Steptoe, the internally fitted mouse is apparently optional.

 

[Fanum]

I fitted a loweering kit so that I could fit a full sized left pannier...easy enough to do and does increase the size and ease of packing (even though I never got my panniers in the end as the builder pissed off with my money )

 

[GSJon]

Guys, this is all excellent, more confused but at least i'm heading in the right direction. As i'm mostly 2 up now when going away, i'd not even thought about foot room/pannier height for the pillion.. Just a case of "hop on love, off we go" (Though i normally get a slap putting it that way..). Very good points, very well made guys, thanks.
I think Zega is out, due to price/lids/poor service (another story)
H&B might be out too, although Steve at motobins is a mate, the service is great, i had nothing but trouble with the locks. (4 new locks in 6 months) not even used i real anger. I don't want to be in Algeria and not be able to lock away my personal gear..
Caja look very, very solid, as do MM, and Caveman is appealing to my wallet.

Many thanks nce again.

 

[blues n twos]

I have the Caveman setup and am very pleased.
Yes the overall width is a bit wider than some but you have no issues with heat being transfered to the panniers. Two clips and their off and the lockable dzuese conections mean you can remove the rails in seconds leaving virtually nothing to show. A hinged lid is good as well.

Easy on the wallet as well.

 

[GSJon]

blues n twos

Now they do look tasty.. got any pics from the rear..? Also looks like they are hinged from the rear (lock towards the front of the bike) which is the opposite way to H&B ..and a better idea IMO. same physical design too. Do you have the topbox to go with them? Not overly worried about the wider stance. Do you think they'll take a hammering..?

 

[Caveman]

Engine Bars

Blues n Twos

The new bike looks good, but I think you need some engine bars before a Tank Bag.