Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear?
Craven panniers . Craven panniers .
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? Anything to do with the bikes equipment, saddlebags, etc. Questions on repairs and maintenance of the bike itself belong in the Brand Specific Tech Forums.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Like Tree4Likes
  • 3 Post By mark manley
  • 1 Post By backofbeyond

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 7 May 2013
Dodger's Avatar
Large Golden Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 1,085
Craven panniers .
I was pleasantly surprised to see that new Craven panniers are being made by Draganfly.
I rather fancy a pair of Comets for the old Norton .

Craven Equipment - Welcome - Craven Equipment

I have no connection with the company and have not inspected any , therefore I cannot comment on quality etc .
__________________
Blessed are the cracked, for they let in the light. - Spike Milligan
"When you come to a fork in the road ,take it ! When you come to a spoon in the road ,take that also ."
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 7 May 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oxford UK
Posts: 2,116
I'm really pleased to see that. Since Ken Craven called it a day twenty five years ago the rights to the business have been passed through so many people and nobody has really done anything. With the classic world going from strength to strength I'd have thought they'd have a huge worldwide market.

A lot of my early "overlanding " was done using Craven racks and panniers and right up to the present I've been using (and reusing) either a small stock of bits I've had or making them myself for the luggage systems on at least three bikes. Nice to see that stuff I've spent hours handcrafting is now available for a few pounds.

Once they've got the classic stuff sorted it wouldn't take much to adapt the concept and produce luggage for a number of more modern bikes like Xt600s etc
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 22 Feb 2020
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Belper, uk, EUROPE
Posts: 563
I was just bumming around on the web looking for a good luggage fitting system to inspire me and came across the Craven Equipment website. It sounds like they are up and running again and have moved forward.

Anyway, here is the website - https://www.craven-equipment.co.uk/index.php
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 22 Feb 2020
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Wessex, UK
Posts: 2,136
My R80G/S in the 1980s when the original owner took it RTW with bespoke Craven panniers for the Heinrich tank and not shown here a Craven top box which I still have and occasionally use, good to see that they are back in business.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 27 Feb 2020
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oxford UK
Posts: 2,116
It's nice to see Craven stuff actively back on the market. As mentioned they were the go-to luggage system back in the past and while I'm not sure they'd be my first choice for a tough overland trip these days - not if I was buying from scratch anyway - I do know at least two people with surviving sets who still use them.

I knew Ken Craven (slightly - I went on a number of trips he arranged) and he was nobody's fool. If he was around now he certainly wouldn't still be producing glass fibre panniers as his premium product. He'd have moved on to other construction methods in the same way he moved from the original hardboard and wood Silver Arrows in the 50's to glass fibre.

Lotus built their cars from glass fibre back in the 60's / 70's but times change and they've moved on to aluminium and glue. The glass fibre technology he used was cutting edge back then and the 'look' is right for bikes of that era. If you're travelling on a classic bike I think they're still as good as it gets. For more recent stuff though, take Grant's advice and buy ally or (imho) go soft.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 28 Feb 2020
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oxford UK
Posts: 2,116
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cholo View Post
I still have K Cravens book on Touring, always makes me smile when I see the pics.
not sure I agree about fiberglass, it cushions blows by delaminating (think helmets) and is really easy to repair, just buy a fiber kit from a boat shop. Ive repaired my boys dinghy loads of times (I think they used them as bumper cars); surfers will probably agree with me as well
Yes, agreed, it doesn't shatter into pieces like an eggshell when it's hit and small impacts can be field fixed with duct tape, but when you do get a serious impact there's not a lot you can do at the side of the road. Back home, yes, it's all fixable with some time, skill and a gallon of acetone to get the resin off your fingers.

I can't find them at the moment but somewhere there's a few pictures of one of my Craven panniers that came loose and was then run over by a following car. It is fixable but it's been sitting in the garage for a few years waiting for me to summon up the enthusiasm. I'm trying to work out whether it's easier to just buy another one.

My DIY solution for shade tree mechanic fixable luggage was a lightweight plastic 'inner' (I used a 20L water container) held inside a frame that I welded up from 8mm steel tubing. If it got damaged the container could be repaired with duct tape and any bicycle repair shop (it was an African trip) could fix the frame. All very crudely done but those panniers have lasted for decades and been moved from bike to bike. They're on the left of the tent in the pic below, linked together to make a kind of crude table:


Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Affordable ALU panniers jkrijt Equipment Reviews 6 25 May 2013 17:33
Hard vs Soft Luggage - Our Metal Mule and Enduristan Review and Solution Pheebs Equipment Reviews 0 9 Feb 2013 10:18
F800GS Jesse Luggage Panniers and Top Box - For sale, Newcastle UK todderz TRAVEL Equipment for Sale / Wanted 2 8 Jan 2013 16:48
More 'classic'craven panniers and topbox FS ebay UK palace15 TRAVEL Equipment for Sale / Wanted 0 9 Dec 2011 01:38
Craven panniers and topbox FS on ebay Uk palace15 TRAVEL Equipment for Sale / Wanted 0 9 Dec 2011 01:22

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27 2025
Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
CanWest: July 10-13 2025
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21 2025
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 17:15.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top