System Panniers - Do They Leak?

[Grumpy Lee]

Even though I had two sets (but now down to one ) of these panniers, they have yet to be used in anger (but that day is looming fast - ToT here we come ) and SWMBO says to me are these here system thingys as waterproof as the Givis were (we've used them for the last 10+ years), so I asks my brother who used to have a BWM wiv all the gear a few years ago an' he says they were cr4p.

So, have they improved over the last few years - or have I now got to find some sort of waterproof inners (apparently brother used heavy duty bin liners). Your thoughts / experiences please - 'cause if we're a long way from home and SWMBO's bits end up a trifle (or more) damp then I'm not going to be responsible for any fall out

As usual I await the usual helpful advice from the members on this forum (as well as abuse, hence the carefully worded question)

Cheers, Lee

 

[Steve]

Mine never leaked at all in the two years I used them, and I used them in some serious downpours.

You may be as lucky as I was, but it won't hurt to put your stuff in some heavy duty bin bags. The garden rubbish type are very strong.

 

[MMC]

Assuming them there's my old panniers, they survived a little outing to Dartmoor last year and were the only dry thing I had left.

 

[Sergeant Pluck]

Mine have been fully watertight up til now - so long as you don't squeeze too much stuff in them - if you do they will still close but not seal properly...

Underrated - them there standard bm panniers if you ask me.

 

[MasterDabber]

I've never experienced any leaks with mine despite having been used in some fairly long wet rides.

 

[Grumpy Lee]

Assuming them there's my old panniers, they survived a little outing to Dartmoor last year and were the only dry thing I had left.

The new owner will be glad to know that then

I ended up adapting the ones I got off ebay ('cause I couldn't find out what they came off of to sell 'em on) and they fit fine (now )

 

[MMC]

Glad you found a home for them Lee!

It seems that bikeworld is truly karmic - what goes around usually gets put on e-bay and ends up coming around again!

The locals are still talking about your bike/sidecar! You'll have to get in a return visit sometime - coffee's always on you know.

 

[Tarka]

I`ve got two sets of System panniers.

One came brand new with my new 1100 in 1997.

The other set was on my other 1100,another `97 one,bought used in 2003.

Neither of them have leaked at all,even after the thunder storms and torrential rain we encountered en route to the Stella last year

Mind you,as an ex-throwover pannier user,I always pack my things in bin bags before putting them in the panniers,just in case.

 

[Steve Peake]

I've had 2 sets of system cases, and both suffered from the same problem:

If parked on the side stand in heavy rain overnight (i.e. any bike rally I go to!) the left case will have a small dribble of water in it - I think it was getting in through the lock. Right case was fine.

Both cases fine and dry when riding, whatever the downpour - as long as they aren't overstuffed (this goes for all makes of cases)