Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB - Aluminium panniers,best ones,opinions please

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already set up with Wolfman dry bags ... what do you folks think about a hybrid setup. soft tank and side bags with a medium aluminum top box?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...01120002-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...0box20lois.jpg

I use aluminium panniers & my wife users Andy Strapz Expedition Panniers & they are very good, she did however have her cloths stolen out of them in Kenya tho. I use mine for security reasons, but if you opt for aluminium get simple ones like mine as I have had them repaired twice in Africa and was very easy, the more fancy ones impossible.

Wasn't the OP travelling two up? If that's the case, then the straps of soft panniers (including frame mounted Wolfmans) over the pillion seat could seriously compromise passenge comfort, with disasterous consequences for the trip:rolleyes2:. Also, two up some soft panniers are a bit small, even if you're not camping.

It was interesting to read Tsiklonaut's reports on advrider and see how his Woldbeater panniers performed. OK, he got them replaced by Vern half way round, but I think if that offer hadn't come he would have kept using the original set. The main thing he did was to put a thin strip of rubber between the frame and the box to prevent cracking. They certainly seemed a better shape for minimising damage in an off than the square bottomed MM or TT boxes.

Andy Strapz and similar panniers can be fitted with the straps under the seat, so no comfort problem. Capacity wise, because they are flexible, you can cram more into them than you might imagine.

Seems this needn't be a problem- this Winding Roads Soft Luggage and Rotopax Adaptor Plate > SW-Motech Adaptors & Accessories

adaptor plate takes the top straps of the Wolfman panniers with or without the additional rotopax. Seems pretty neat and can go on the TT racks too.

The FACT is that most soft panniers, Wolfman panniers at least, are considerably smaller than most, if not all hard cases. Wolfman Expedition Dry Panniers are 19L each compared to most hard panniers that range from 31-45L each. I personally like hard panniers.

Don't get me wrong I LOVE Wolfman products too, I have numerous bits of theirs: tank bag, tail bag, tank panniers, duffle bag & fender bag. If I were going wholly off road, or with a lot more emphasis off road, not only would I get a smaller bike but I would go with soft panniers and my choice would be Wolfman.

Hi,

My experience for the AT RD07A is:

Touratech pannier rack
Holan Nomada cases - 39l on the right side, 32l on the left

This set is not cheap but I could not recommend it more:

The rack is very rugged and with thick paint. Did not opt for the Holan rack, which is similar, due to delivery time

The panniers are also very rugged: 2mm thickness, welded, riveted and sealed (water and dust proof). Covers are removable, not hinged. It features luggage handles on the panniers and covers, very handy. And it comes with 4 identical key-locks. More than enough space on my two weeks trip to Guinea-Bissau and always resisted several severe hammerings on the Moroccan rocky pistes. Finally they have a certain "classic" look which really suits the AT!

Some pictures below:

https://live.staticflickr.com/5781/3...4e0763f7_z.jpg
Oued Oum Er-Rbia by LMCabrita, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/5458/3...1ec4245a_z.jpg
Last lakes before the desert by LMCabrita, on Flickr

As I mentioned, not cheap but recommend. I've even tried low speed falls, either on or off road!

BR,
Luis

One thing that did occur to me: The Metal Mule panniers don't have a folded over lip at the top of the box, so the can never be as strong as panniers with one, even allowing for the support that the lids give. Be like a carboard box- no strength until you tape up the top. Does this make sense?

Interesting debate so far. I'm from the 'cheap' school of panniers and am willing to be persuaded re soft luggage. However, my mind is engaged with these at the moment:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aluminium-...-tiedown-loops

The bracing plate on the attachment side makes sense on these budget side boxes. Anybody use them?

I've recently bought a pair of Stahlkoffer panniers. The quality and workmanship is excellent. They are 2mm and welded construction, easily as good as Touratech and Metal Mule (if not better) and much much cheaper. They are also complimented by a very neat range of tailor made inner bags.

Quote:

Originally Posted by eeyore (Post 366889)

Ooops! Link incorrect. They are made by the 'Overload' company in E. Europe.

Quote:

Originally Posted by eeyore (Post 366889)

I'm from the cheap school myself, so I made my own. Yes they are heavy, but waterproof, and so far the only damage from drops has been scuffed paint. I had the square tubing on hand from another project, but I have less than $50.00 invested in these. The Army Surplus Ammo Cans and the large rack will carry anything I need to live out on the road in comfort and more. They aren't pretty but they got the job done on the last trip.

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...6/IMG_0183.jpg

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...6/IMG_0162.jpg

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...ska2009090.jpg

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...ska2009589.jpg

Quote:

Originally Posted by eeyore (Post 366913)

Ooops! Link incorrect. They are made by the 'Overload' company in E. Europe.

Yay! Found the (?new) website - not completely up and running but there they are. Any one used them? Oh and where on earth can I find a cheap rack without having to make one?

Wix.com Overload created by hlavacska based on long-left-sm

Dont know what the others say but Ive got a set of touratech panniers ,on ther 4th bike now ,a few years back they slid down a gravel road in the snowy mountains uner a 650 bmw then went over the edge with it landing about 50 m down .Not only did they save the bike and my leg but were still usable.A bit of straightening with a log of wood on a stump that night in camp and finished the rest of the trip.
Fixed properly in my workshop back home in about 2 hrs.Still using them.
Great product.

I agree very much with your view on alloy panniers, Ok for the odd Rally in a field or carting your sarnies into the city on your GS triple dark. We left home with two sets of TT zegas picked up like new off ebay - powder coated them - up graded the totally shite locks etc. One small fall bends the things out of square and lets the water in. We junked Angies boxes in the USA, she now has Wolfman panniers that have been great so far. I'm junking my TT boxes and converting 1550 Peli cases to panniers on TT frames for me. I've seen three overlanders with a Peli case set up and all have only good things to say. They look to survive off's well and are reasonably secure. I will say though that the TT frames are bloody good, My bike is LOADED and even after 7000 miles off road have been fine. Angie bent hers in falls and they bent back into shape and no breaks. Metal mule are by far the best alloy boxes but one fall and they will be buggered - My vote goes to Peli..

Paul

Quote:

Originally Posted by *Touring Ted* (Post 271641)

They are all very expensive for what they are..

They are all very heavy.

They all require a very heavy frame to carry them.

They all bend out of shape from even minor falls.

They are all a pain to fix (metal mules especially).

They all made your bike as wide as a small car.

I practically ejaculated when I ordered and fitted my metal mule boxes.. I thought I was the "real deal"... Then I realised just how wide and heavy they made the bike.

Then, after a practically walking speed tumble in sand, one ripped off and bent all the rediculously complicated (but easy to use) fanstening system..

After hammering my £1000 luggage back to usable condition (sick feeling, trust me) I set off again and then in a much faster crash they ripped off completely turning themselfs into junk... Very hard to straighten, especially with your limited tool kit.

Now, if you are never going to drop or crash your bike, sure they are great for security and almost make you look as cool as Ewan Mcgreggor but a good set of sturdy soft bags make soo much more sense for overland travel.

Cheaper, dead easy to fix, take alot of abuse and just squash rather than break, MUCH lighter, require only a simple frame (if at all), much narrower, much easier to carry etc.

I'm a total soft luggage convert for any proper travelling.. Security is taken care of with packsafes if you're paranoid.

And, if you do damage them.... All they take is a large needle and thick thread to fix them. Pefect !

If you are certain that you want hard luggage PLASTIC Givi luggage is way better in my opinion.

It's also secure and hardwearing, much lighter and these tend to deform in tumble or crash and go back to their original shape. They are usually a fair bit cheaper too.. I paid £200 for a full set of plastic luggage for my Africa Twin of ebay and I love them.

If you do crack them, you can plastic weld them with melted coat hangers and a soldering or blowtorch.