Panniers and filtering in traffic

[oldrascal]

Just picked up my 2008 Advnture and had a great ride home (see post in Newbies thread for details).

Having just moved from a Hayabusa where I am used to filtering between slow-moving traffic, I was a bit nervous about doing the same thing on the GS because of the panniers.

So as soon as I got home, I took off the side panniers leaving the top box. But the problem is that I prefer the look of the bike with the panniers fitted.

I also noticed that forum meber Big Nick has posted a picture of himself on anidentical bike taken from the front. It looks like I may be worried about nothing as the panniers are no wider than the bars.

What is the general view and is traffic filtering significantly affected with panniers fitted?

Cheers all.

 

[millard]

Just picked up my 2008 Advnture and had a great ride home (see post in Newbies thread for details).

Having just moved from a Hayabusa where I am used to filtering between slow-moving traffic, I was a bit nervous about doing the same thing on the GS because of the panniers.

So as soon as I got home, I took off the side panniers leaving the top box. But the problem is that I prefer the look of the bike with the panniers fitted.

I also noticed that forum meber Big Nick has posted a picture of himself on anidentical bike taken from the front. It looks like I may be worried about nothing as the panniers are no wider than the bars.

What is the general view and is traffic filtering significantly affected with panniers fitted?

Cheers all.

You're right about the width, it more of an optical delusion. Just don't cut in too sharp.

 

[Decster]

J It looks like I may be worried about nothing as the panniers are no wider than the bars.

if you keep the bars as your guide and remember this you should be ok.

I ride the bike with the panniers on always whether i need them or not so to always ride to the gaps that are safe for a bike with panniers.... well thats the theory

 

[Fanum]

Decent panniers are stronger than door skins.

Bikes are faster than cars

What else do you need to know

 

[Vern]

You always get an audible warning when you get that little bit to close,so I'm told

 

[desperate dan]

Only thing i worry about are my mirrors clattering against vans.
Everything else adds character

 

[santrix]

Youll find anyone who is on the ball enough to check their mirrors and sees a big GS with metal boxes approaching will get over, i think panniers actually helps when filtering.... The same reason nobody argues with N reg Land Rovers with bull bars....

 

[Packer]

Youll find anyone who is on the ball enough to check their mirrors and sees a big GS with metal boxes approaching will get over, i think panniers actually helps when filtering.... The same reason nobody argues with N reg Land Rovers with bull bars....

+1 and if you've got the extra lights put those on too, though not your headbeam.

The unusual combination of lights catches the attention of lots of people who then create a "Red Sea" effect allowing you to Moses on through

 

[SteveBC]

I have the BMW panniers on my ADV and often have to go through Bangkok.

It is not a problem, and the traffic there is as bad as most anywhere i guess.

Ok, sometimes you just can't make it through the gap available but such is life.

I always keep them fitted to the bike as like you i prefer the looks, plus they add a welcome bit of extra protection should one day you drop the bike or some pratt hits you from the side. Also you have somewhere to stash your helmet / gloves etc when you park up somewhere.

SteveBC.

 

[EggChaser]

I commute with and without my panniers depending on what I need to carry - filtering is no problem, although I am not quite as aggressive with gap choice with the boxes on. Also as someone else said, if you tend to cut in across the cars when you get to the front (or to a suitable gap) just don't forget thet are there, as they are wider than your legs.

 

[MMC]

Decent panniers are stronger than door skins.

Bikes are faster than cars

What else do you need to know

Seconded.

And, although I may be crap at corners I can filter like a demon. No worries at all with an 1100 with whacking great ally Vern boxes on the back. Never had a problem.

 

[bumpmuncher]

Decent panniers are stronger than door skins.

Bikes are faster than cars

What else do you need to know

so true

 

[John Armstrong]

What else do you need to know

They can't read your number plate

 

[Tarmo]

Panniers are not a problem when you are filtering.
More often you will notice that handlebars are wide and at same hight than van or 4x4 car mirrors.

 

[Fanum]

They can't read your number plate

Not a chance- not in the time it takes to wiggle round the car infront and take off

 

[hughguzzi]

filtering in france

Touring in France back in the summer, French drivers expect you to overtake / filter and mostly moved over sharpish to let us through !! Took me a while to get used to that ! The only problem we had filtering stationary traffic on the motorway was ENGLISH reg cars !!! they didnt check their mirrors and didnt move over even all the french drivers had !!
Completely different attitude to the majority of brit drivers who get all upity if you try make 'progress' even to the point of one car tother day deliberately moved to the right to try blocking me against a traffic island from getting to the front of stationary traffic que. plenty of room for me and no probs to anyone but his attitude. Still got through though !!

 

[Deleted account 210516001]

Touring in France back in the summer, French drivers expect you to overtake / filter and mostly moved over sharpish to let us through !! Took me a while to get used to that ! The only problem we had filtering stationary traffic on the motorway was ENGLISH reg cars !!! they didnt check their mirrors and didnt move over even all the french drivers had !!
Completely different attitude to the majority of brit drivers who get all upity if you try make 'progress' even to the point of one car tother day deliberately moved to the right to try blocking me against a traffic island from getting to the front of stationary traffic que. plenty of room for me and no probs to anyone but his attitude. Still got through though !!

I had a similar experience in Paris when filtering and on my return was driving a coach load of French tourists in Scotland. I complimented them on the consideration French drivers showed to bikers and was told it is not consideration it is self preservation. French drivers give bikers plenty of room because they know what to expect if they don't. I think having a chunky looking bike with serious metal panniers grabs car drivers attention a bit more over here as well.

 

[The Bede]

... You know you've passed the width limit when you leave your boxes neatly wedged between a 3-series and a Mondeo. If the rear sub-frame is still attached to the bike and rider you didn't overshoot by much.

... I reckon you've about reached the width limit with the first smear of Mercedes paint on your Hograost sticker.




... No need for any thanks

 

[bumpmuncher]

a shout of "i will have your fecking wing mirrors" works quite well more so in summer when the fecking box drivers have their windows open but dont forget to shout thank you, you have got to keep it polite after all

 

[nhw]

Filtering with panniers

Hi all. My first post! Slightly unrelated but hope it amuses.
I once took a ride through Paris on a GoldWing moto taxi...carrying my dog "kickstart" on my lap. The guy riding got the wing through gaps you wouldnt believe, but I noticed that when filtering he had his hazard lights going all the time. Seemed to work a treat. Ive tried it here on the M4 into London and it does seem to work. I dont know why more people dont try it unless its illegal or something?