 5Likes
-
1
Post By fraser2312
-
3
Post By realmc26
-
1
Post By Threewheelbonnie
 |
3 Jan 2013
|
 |
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,673
|
|
|
Leather Motorcycle panniers... Could they be the best compromise ??
I've been thinking about this..
Leather has got to be the BEST material for making proper travelling panniers out of.
It's fantastically abrasive resistant, can be easily waterproofed, very sturdy; yet flexible enough not to be damaged in a topple or low speed crash. Also very easy to work with and customise etc
Why do all the leather bags available look like 80's harley davidson cast offs and make you look like you just rode away from the Blue Oyster bar ??
Surely someone has to be making some good sturdy overlanding leather bags ???
Or do I have to make them myself ??
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
|
4 Jan 2013
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,598
|
|
|
Take a look at Hitchcocks website. Admittedly they are orientated towards Enfields, but a bag is a bag.
|
4 Jan 2013
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oxford UK
Posts: 2,116
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by *Touring Ted*
I've been thinking about this..
Leather has got to be the BEST material for making proper travelling panniers out of.
It's fantastically abrasive resistant, can be easily waterproofed, very sturdy; yet flexible enough not to be damaged in a topple or low speed crash. Also very easy to work with and customise etc
Why do all the leather bags available look like 80's harley davidson cast offs and make you look like you just rode away from the Blue Oyster bar ??
|
It's the waterproof bit that's always put me off. Showerproof ok, but day long rain and then left outside on the bike overnight just turns anything leather I've ever owned into a slimy mess. I'm not sure I want to have to apply tlc in the shape of oil or wax or anything else to a set of panniers everytime a cloud appears in the sky.
Many years ago I bought a set of "semi soft" panniers from a company that made the same design in both leather and fake leather (some sort of vinyl), the leather ones being, not surprisingly, a lot more expensive. Naturally I bought the cheap ones and I've used them on and off ever since on various bikes. This year they're being pressed into service for my Elephant Rally trip (pic below) and they're still functional. When I dug them out from the back of the garage a few months ago I did wonder whether the leather ones would have survived as well.
|
4 Jan 2013
|
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,673
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by oldbmw
Take a look at Hitchcocks website. Admittedly they are orientated towards Enfields, but a bag is a bag.
|
Thanks.... Still very 'briefcase and box like. I'm thinking something a lot bigger and 'overlandy'
Quote:
Originally Posted by backofbeyond
It's the waterproof bit that's always put me off. Showerproof ok, but day long rain and then left outside on the bike overnight just turns anything leather I've ever owned into a slimy mess. I'm not sure I want to have to apply tlc in the shape of oil or wax or anything else to a set of panniers everytime a cloud appears in the sky.
|
You know, if you waterproof leather PROPERLY. It should stay waterproof for a good long while. My leather boots don't absorb water and leak. Nor do a lot of quality leather goods. I don't know of any soft luggage which is waterproof without a fragile internal membrane or an outer cover.
However. A waterproof cover for pre-longed downpours would be a good idea, as you say...
I used British army canvas bags on my Uk-Capetown and they were FANTASTIC. However, they were like a teabag and I think leather would last a lot longer and offer more 'shape' to make packing/unpacking easier.
I'm not talking about cheap, thin leather. I'm talking about 3mm tanned hide.
I'd really like to make some.. I think the leather would cost about £150 though.
The only QUALITY leather ones I can find are £300+ and look like Freddy Mercury's Underpants.
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
|
4 Jan 2013
|
 |
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Yverdon Les Bains, Switzerland
Posts: 89
|
|
|
From my time in the Danish army , where we drove Bmw r65gs's with leather bags. I remember that the bags was always a slimmy stinky mess, that to ages to dry. Fungus would grow on them after a couple of days in the mud. We tried everything to water proff them, but without luck. But i must say that they was absolute indestructable. I'm 100% cured regarding the use of leather in wet conditions. :-)
__________________
Christian  
|
4 Jan 2013
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oxford UK
Posts: 2,116
|
|
|
Before I found those old panniers lying around I was going to buy some ex French army bags that looked like they were made from some sort of waxed cotton but the guy on Aylesbury market that was selling them wanted a bit more than I was willing to take a chance on. On the face of it though they looked like a good compromise between leaky canvas and soggy leather. Maybe I'll look at them again based on my Elephant experience.
There's a little one man artisan shop just up the road from me that'll make or repair anything in leather. Next time I'm passing I'll pop in and see what he would charge to make a bag. Do you have any idea what your dream bag should look like? Capacity? Fixings?
|
4 Jan 2013
|
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,673
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by backofbeyond
Before I found those old panniers lying around I was going to buy some ex French army bags that looked like they were made from some sort of waxed cotton but the guy on Aylesbury market that was selling them wanted a bit more than I was willing to take a chance on. On the face of it though they looked like a good compromise between leaky canvas and soggy leather. Maybe I'll look at them again based on my Elephant experience.
There's a little one man artisan shop just up the road from me that'll make or repair anything in leather. Next time I'm passing I'll pop in and see what he would charge to make a bag. Do you have any idea what your dream bag should look like? Capacity? Fixings?
|
I think I'm going to make one myself. I've started doing a bit of leatherwork lately.
I think I've like to remake my canvas bags in leather...
http://www.silvermans.co.uk/LargeIma...es/54013-1.jpg
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
|
5 Jan 2013
|
 |
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: West London
Posts: 920
|
|
|
How about using the leather for structure/crash protection but deliberately not trying to make it waterproof and using waterproof inner bags. That way you don't have to worry about waterproofing the leather bag, just treating the leather to stop it going mushy.
__________________
Happiness has 125 cc
|
5 Jan 2013
|
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,673
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alexlebrit
How about using the leather for structure/crash protection but deliberately not trying to make it waterproof and using waterproof inner bags. That way you don't have to worry about waterproofing the leather bag, just treating the leather to stop it going mushy.
|
That's the best thing about leather. I reckon it will be easy to integrate some kind of replaceable waterproof inner liner. So many fixings are available.
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
|
5 Jan 2013
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 266
|
|
|
Ted maybe you need to think laterally.
This bag looks like it could be made in leather and from the looks of it, you can step off the bike and just roll off.
If it rains the pillion can just lift it above your heads.
A couple of genius's no doubt took seconds to come up with this idea.
But just work on the misses grip strength before you leave.
cheers,
Jimmy
|
5 Jan 2013
|
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,673
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by realmc26
Ted maybe you need to think laterally.
This bag looks like it could be made in leather and from the looks of it, you can step off the bike and just roll off.
If it rains the pillion can just lift it above your heads.
A couple of genius's no doubt took seconds to come up with this idea.
But just work on the misses grip strength before you leave.
cheers,
Jimmy
|
hahahah brilliant...... 
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
|
5 Jan 2013
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: West Yorkshire UK
Posts: 1,785
|
|
|
An old job of mine was at a place that had a UV lamp set up to sterilise samples. The lab tech used to load his leather horse gear in a few times a year. Claimed killing everything that eats damp cow hide made it easier to live with.
Andy
|
|
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
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Next HU Events
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
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...
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™ 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!
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!
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.
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.
|
|
|
helps answer the question - Why Go? Inspirational stories by veteran travellers Greg Frazier (5 times RTW), Peter and Kay Forwood (193 countries), Tiffany Coates (Mongolia Mayhem) and Rene Cormier (University of Gravel Roads).
Get Ready! covers planning, paperwork, medical and many other topics! "Inspirational and Awesome!" See the trailer here!
What stuff do I need - riding gear, clothing, camping gear, first aid kit, tires, maps and GPS? What don't I need? How do I pack it all in? Lots of opinions from over 150 travellers!
break down language barriers, overcome culture shock, ship the bike and deal with breakdowns and emergencies."Just makes me want to pack up and go!" See the trailer here!
Grant demystifies the black art of Tire Changing and Repair to help you STAY on the road! "Very informative and practical." See the trailer here!
Ladies on the Loose! For the first time ever, a motorcycle travel DVD made for women, by women! These intrepid women share their tips to help you plan your own motorcycle adventure. They also answer the women-only questions, and entertain you with amazing tales from the road! Presented by Lois Pryce, veteran solo traveller through South America and Africa and author of 'Lois on the Loose', and 'Red Tape and White Knuckles.'
Cotton or synth sweat-wicking t-shirts with the cool Horizons Unlimited graphic on the front and a snappy slogan (changing every year) on the back.
Show your route on your panniers. Great conversation starter when you meet people on the road!
Motorcycle and travel books to inspire and inform you!
The definitive guide to planning your motorcycle adventure! This insanely ambitious 2-year project has produced an informative and entertaining 5-part, 18 hour video series. "The ultimate round the world rider's how-to!" MCN UK.
Linear Mode
