Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear?
Do you keep the panneirs on the bike at night? Do you keep the panneirs on the bike at night?
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 Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

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


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 7 Oct 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Far, Away
Posts: 168
Do you keep the panneirs on the bike at night?
I am looking to buy some aluminium panniers, but have one question, which might sound a bit dumb.

How securely attached are the touratech panniers connected to the bike and can they be easily removed?

Can they be padlocked?

If you can take the bike into a court yard of secure area, do people take them off and into the hotel room each night?

Any advice is much appreciated.

Iain.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 7 Oct 2005
Matt Cartney's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Edinburgh, Lothian, Scotland
Posts: 1,350
Heres a good thread about panniers (apologies if you've read it already).

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb...ML/000318.html

Some mixed opinions of touratechs zega cases, although the racks seem to be good. A mate of mine has metal mules which have a very quick and by the looks of it secure release system, so easy to use there would be little point in leaving them on the bike overnight.
Personally, I have just ordered some boxes from Paul Cave at EIBC. They have a fitting kit so you can mount the boxes on T/T rails. I have also ordered a Touratech rack to mount them on. All up its going to cost just £400 for the set. How easy they are to put on and off the racks I'll find out when I get them. My plan is to make some liner bags and leave the boxes on over night if they prove to be a bit fiddly.
Matt

[This message has been edited by Matt Cartney (edited 07 October 2005).]
__________________
http://adventure-writing.blogspot.com

http://scotlandnepal.blogspot.com/

*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 7 Oct 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Far, Away
Posts: 168
Thanks.

I did look at metal mule, but they seemed to be very expensive, compared to touratech.

Are there any other people making similar pieces?

[This message has been edited by iain (edited 07 October 2005).]
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 7 Oct 2005
Vaufi's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Munich, the beer capital
Posts: 1,060
Camping next to my bike I don't take them off, same as when the bike is locked up somewhere. But then I always try to get my bike locked up if I'm overnight in urban areas wherever. Never mind the boxes - bikes even get swiped in Europe.
__________________
Only when we pause to wonder
do we go beyond the limits of our little lives.
(Rod McKuen)
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 8 Oct 2005
Matt Cartney's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Edinburgh, Lothian, Scotland
Posts: 1,350
Actually this is the thread I was thinking of:

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb...ML/000232.html

Matt
__________________
http://adventure-writing.blogspot.com

http://scotlandnepal.blogspot.com/

*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 8 Oct 2005
davidmc's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: San Francisco, CA USA
Posts: 373
My aluminum panniers stay on the bike pretty much all the time. The Happy Trails setup is too much of a pain to take on and off each day.

But at night my bike is ALWAYS in a secure place, usually with the cover on.

No problems so far...

------------------
Dave
www.mototrekker.com
__________________
Dave McMillan
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/mcmillan/
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 9 Oct 2005
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 63
I got Metal Mules - if they are more expensive than TT that`s coz they are better. thicker aluminium, inverted trays, riveted, better release system. Don`t need inner bags, hard anodised so no black marks on stuff. my mules have done over 35,000 miles so far, and hit the ground nine times and still are in working order. in fact writing this with broken arm, coming off in bend in costa rica, but the mules came off just fine! With mules, i take them off each night as they act as suitcases, so no security issues there. i think thay are worth every penny.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 10 Oct 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Far, Away
Posts: 168
Good advice, I think I'll go with the Mules then.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 13 Oct 2005
DaveSmith's Avatar
Slacker supreme
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Sacramento, California
Posts: 410
I left mine on with an el cheapo padlock on them. No problems that I had. But I was in Australia and New Zealand. I get panicky in the US, but haven't had any problems yet.

------------------
Random attempts have
been made at RTW on
a '65 Ducati 250cc
__________________
Not Ted Simon since 1970!
http://nokilli.com/rtw
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 13 Oct 2005
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Central Portugal
Posts: 315
I've had Touratech/Zega and will buy the same again. Looked at the Metal Mules, they seen a little over engineered, heavy and I don't like the exposed rivets but they do have some excellent features. You pay your money and take your choice. Tend to leave the panniers on all the time. If parked in the street (not very often) I leave a padlock on one end so that if anyone wants to look inside they can do so without forcing entry to the box's but can't steal the lid. LB.
__________________
\"Bon Chance\"
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 14 Oct 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Tomahawk,Wisconsin
Posts: 223
Truth is any set of bags can be opened with a big screw driver. Aluminum is just not that strong. You keep your money hidden and maybe carry your passport with you but I didnt. Kept valuables in my hotel room(tank bag and tank panniers). Left the bags on the bike. Used a cover and bike lock always. Tipped the luggage person very well to help me to my room even tho I could have done it myself. I think I bought a little protection. If it gets stolen from your room you can go to the hotel staff and really bitch, the garage is harder cause a guest could rip you off. Never had anything taken in 9 months in Central and South America. People are honest. Used Jesse bags with big padlocks on my old BMW (I installed the padlocks and hasps). Jesse locks are a joke, so are Touratechs. Now I have Touratechs bags on my KTM.
Security is an illusion.
Bill.
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

 
 

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

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. 11-15
  • 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 06:39.

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