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"Gobi" panniers "Gobi" panniers
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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



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  #1  
Old 17 May 2007
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"Gobi" panniers
Hallo bikers,
Would like to know if anyone out there owns ore has experience with the hepco becker "Gobi" panniers/topcase and if they are as practical and tough as is said in promotion bla
thanks,
Dan
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  #2  
Old 17 May 2007
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I got some Gobi enduros with my last bike (Elefant 750) - I then went on a bit of a jaunt, but when the tarmac ran out and the sand started the frames quickly disintegrated, the boxes looked like they would rip open and got ratchet strapped shut every day. Only one bolt in the rack didn't shear and it split into three when I took it off the bike.

Basically I wouldn't rate them for anything other than normal road riding
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  #3  
Old 17 May 2007
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Go-bee or not go-bee
Thanks henryuk,
better stick with soft or alu.
cheers mate,
Dan
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  #4  
Old 17 May 2007
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I was actually considering these for my XT660R. I'm not any more.

This is why this forum is so great. Hands-on experience counts for so much more. Thanks Henryuk.
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  #5  
Old 17 May 2007
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The plastic cases themselves are pretty well indestructable, and the steel racks (as fitted to the KTM950) are also very strong. Unfortunately the box is secured to the rack with a single lock, which is not strong enough for off-road use. After a few drops the metal plate the latch is rivetted to distorts, and soon after that the latch breaks off.
I rode back from Morocco with them held in place by ratchet straps, and i'm currently working on some more substantial mounting brackets to fix to the back of the boxes.

The H&B metal boxes use the same mounting system, so share the same problems.
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  #6  
Old 17 May 2007
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They must have some consistency issues, the locks were the only thing on mine that didn't break!!

I would agree that the plastic is very hard to break in a fall but I found that mine stretched and distorted over the thousands of little jolts so the seals were virtually useless after a few 100 miles of corrugated track.

Mine were pretty full, as I imagine yours will be, so opening from the side can be a real pain if you just need something quickly, and opening them for customs searches was hilarious - 'Open this for me', 'I'd really rather not' - now suspicious customs officer now makes me open them at which point my folded funnel insists on unfolding at speed and creates a mini luggage bomb, neatly spreading tools, clutch plates, spare cables and dirty socks. They only ever made me open one.
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  #7  
Old 18 May 2007
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The Gobis I had on my old 950 were more robust than some other brands, but the double wall construction limits interior space and they are HEAVY. I think empty bags and the rack are in the order of 35lbs. The other issue is that if a rivet goes on the latch mechanism, it's through plastic. Good luck repairing it. You'll be finishing a trip with bungee cords. At least aluminum can be riveted or tack welded. I'll only ever have soft dry bags on an adventure bike now. My .02 !
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  #8  
Old 18 May 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by henryuk View Post
so opening from the side can be a real pain .
Sounds like we're talking about different panniers - the Gobis are grey in colour and the lid is on the top:

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  #9  
Old 18 May 2007
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This is not good news at all. I just bought a Guzzi Quota with the Hepco Becker rack mounted, but no panniers. I thought I'd buy either the Gobi or the alu panniers - but it seems like it is my system that may be the problem (locks etc).

In any case I'll try the alu cases and try to mod the lock so it won't fail after a round trip on corrugated "roads".

BTW: Is it possible to fit other case brands to a H&B rack? Like I have been told you can interchange Givi and Kappa?
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  #10  
Old 25 Jun 2007
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I slid on the road and the plastic outer wall was holed straight off. The metal latch plate bent and snapped and the whole plastic round cornery shape was impossible to bungee securely on to the back rack as a temporary measure. And like Henry says, they are really heavy before you've put anything in them, the double skinned water carrying capacity is just a gimmick


Quote:
Originally Posted by MarkLG View Post
The plastic cases themselves are pretty well indestructable, and the steel racks (as fitted to the KTM950) are also very strong. Unfortunately the box is secured to the rack with a single lock, which is not strong enough for off-road use. After a few drops the metal plate the latch is rivetted to distorts, and soon after that the latch breaks off.
I rode back from Morocco with them held in place by ratchet straps, and i'm currently working on some more substantial mounting brackets to fix to the back of the boxes.

The H&B metal boxes use the same mounting system, so share the same problems.
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  #11  
Old 17 Aug 2008
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Ah, there must be a reason they are only £299 a pair... looks like I've found it...

It's a real shame, because I think they'd look great on my new 660 Tenere (the grey plastic would match the fairing protectors x)...

Guess I'll stick with my Wolfman for now...

xxx
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