Which panniers

[BrianR]

Ok Chaps… next question
Not even sure this is the right place to post this… Moderators may help me here.

Anyway, I am in the throws of sorting out an 1100GS for riding the Pan America next year (May)

Sorted the final drive, found a big tank, new clutch blah blah blah…

Anyway its time for panniers, I am bewildered by choice

We currently have the plastic BMW panniers which actually work very well considering I have and will be carrying a pillion.

However I don’t think there are built for long trips and have decided to go for aluminium panniers, The bigger the better. I will be modifying the sub frame to take extra weight.

The problem I see is the large metal panniers seem to interfere with pillion comfort, My partner is quiet small so I am wondering if the large box shape will in some way interfere (ohh errrr) with my partners pillion pleasure

To cut to the chase. Which box is best two up?

Anyone any thoughts on this?

Brian R

 

[illustratedman]

Ok Chaps… next question
Not even sure this is the right place to post this… Moderators may help me here.

Anyway, I am in the throws of sorting out an 1100GS for riding the Pan America next year (May)

Sorted the final drive, found a big tank, new clutch blah blah blah…

Anyway its time for panniers, I am bewildered by choice

We currently have the plastic BMW panniers which actually work very well considering I have and will be carrying a pillion.

However I don’t think there are built for long trips and have decided to go for aluminium panniers, The bigger the better. I will be modifying the sub frame to take extra weight.

The problem I see is the large metal panniers seem to interfere with pillion comfort, My partner is quiet small so I am wondering if the large box shape will in some way interfere (ohh errrr) with my partners pillion pleasure

To cut to the chase. Which box is best two up?

Anyone any thoughts on this?

Brian R

I've got TT's but my missus who has a back injury finds it difficult getting on and of the bike, once on she's ok with the panniers. They dont dig into her legs and actually make her feel quite secure on the bike.

 

[John Armstrong]

I'd go for the TT as they do seem to be aware that pillion seats do get used for pillions.

Or have you thought about putting an 1150 GSA rear frame on and using the BM panniers if the price is right?

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Brian

There is only one choice in my opinion for a long adventure. A set of Vern`s Worldbeaters will do the job. You can get different sizes and colours to suit and they are very big and light. Biggest thing for me is they are very strong and will not leak or break. They also look damned good

On my recent trans US trip, the bike was dropped at 35mph on tarmac and many times off road with no significant damage to the panniers or frames.

In my opinion, they are the strongest available and the frames specifically are designed to take an immense amount of punishment. After the big crash on tarmac, a BMW dealer in the US reckoned the only thing that save the bike from being totalled was the panniers and frames taking the impact.

Give Vern a pm

 

[davegs]

Panniers

I've done lot's of long trips like this an swear by TT's, easy to pack plenty of room and the stand up mto a good bashing (I know) and are easy to bash straight again. If your gong off road or up some very rough roads it's a good idea to put a strapo around them in case of them removing themselves, if you've not got a pillion they can go with out you noticing (dont ask how I know!) Mind you I am talking about EXTREAM bumpy roads! part of the yukon
or Argentina.
dave GS.

 

[Paul G (BHT)]

A BIG +1 for Vern's panniers, any size, high lids or low lids, and any colour you want... I've had mine 6 years now

I've seen stronger biscuit tins than the TT ones

 

[motobiker]

If I was in the market for these... given your particular requirements then yes.. I would go to Vern.

why buy 'off the shelf' when you can have them made to suit YOU??

By someone who owns a (very nice) 1100 and so you can be absolutely sure everything will be 'just right'

I think people will always recommend what they've bought themselves.... though many (I bet) secretly wish they had gone for boxes made particularly for them - rather than being forced to take 'whats available' - and paying through the nose for the pleasure.

given the choice - its a 'no brainer'

 

[ian6760]

I think ARD cases are worth a look as well. TT money with metal mule build quality. Plus like the TT's you mount them to suit you, which will keep the pillion happy. There is a thread in the vendors section.

 

[Aidan1150]

I think ARD cases are worth a look as well. TT money with metal mule build quality. Plus like the TT's you mount them to suit you, which will keep the pillion happy. There is a thread in the vendors section.

+1 on all of the above.

 

[vilguy]

Trax panniers - easily half the price of the others and easy to remove, my mrs loves them as they provide loads of room for her to get on and off, they look amazing, and .... well what more do you want.

cheap, light, make you look cool, strong as buggery, one of the nicest "on and off" systems i have ever used with panniers - very secure.

oh and they hold more camping and living like a gyppo stuff than me and the mrs physically own!! So far we have never ever filled them!

 

[sparkplug]

Pannier choice VERY much depends on what you need them to do.

I had system panniers, and they are actually pretty good. I also had a Givi top box which was great.

I then made the expensive and unforgivable mistake of buying TT panniers. These are hard to get on and off and need to be unpacked before you do so. They need exactly two hundred and thirty seven separate locks and keys to open and close. As mentioned before they have the strength of damp cardboard and are as waterproof as ..er.. damp cardboard...

Metal boxes can be cheap and cheerful (alpos etc) or can be slightly more expensive and proportionally better (ARD, Caja Sahel etc)

I'm personally a great believer in the Metal Mule system. It's by far the strongest, most easy to use, most easy to repair should it all go horribly wrong, most likely to still be waterproof after a repair, quickest to remove (doesn't need unpacking), most secure bla bla bla bla...

I use mine each and every day of the year so there is no compromise for me.

The downside is that they are also the most expensive system out there.

You get what you pay for. I'd suggest you decide on what is important to you featurewise and then see what ticks all the boxes for you. On a trip as long as yours I'd personally put quality panniers fairly high on my budget list - that said people have done longer trips than yours with just soft luggage (Mondo Enduro, Terra Circa, Lois Pryce etc) It's a very personal choice.

As far as pillion experience goes, I've not had any complaints from the system panniers or from the Mules. The TT did rub slightly but removing one of the tie down loops fixed this.

 

[Trippy]

Since the person who said they were going to buy mine and asked they be marked up as sold has now decided that they don't want to buy them I have a set of TT panniers and frames up for sale again

£400.

 

[BrianR]

THANKS!!!!!

I love this site.

great info as always chaps

Will let you know what i end up with

Brian

 

[Thunder]

Can I throw Civil's Caja Sahel's into the ring for your consideration?

Come complete with plastic coated frames, stainless steel fittings, can be tailored to your exact requirements if you so wish or from stock the choice is tours.

2.5mm aluminium construction would mean a lot in the trip your planning.

 

[Kalahari Mike]

Hi Trippy. Do you still have the TT panniers for sale?

You can contact me on: [email protected]

Cheers

Kalahari Mike

 

[Nick Marshall]

the choice is Tours

Can I throw Civil's Caja Sahel's into the ring for your consideration?

Come complete with plastic coated frames, stainless steel fittings, can be tailored to your exact requirements if you so wish or from stock the choice is tours.

2.5mm aluminium construction would mean a lot in the trip your planning.

that a play on words roger..