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Let's See Your Panniers In Action! Let's See Your Panniers In Action!
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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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  #31  
Old 21 Apr 2009
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Something a bit different:


That was me 3 years ago on a 1976 Honda 550/4, took on a big 18,500 traversal of nearly all of Europe. Obviously all that steel was pretty heavy, on an already heavy bike, but I didn't regret going down that route at any point as it looked totally unique and really cool. Was also totally watertight and secure.

For a UK-Vladivostok trip I'm soon be setting off on, I'm going for fairly minimal side racks to support jerrycans for water and petrol, slim canvas bags hanging over the sides of the jerrycans, a lightweight front rack for a sleeping bag etc, small ammobox infront of the bashplate for tools, 'topbox' for things that I can't afford to get wet or stolen, and a small rack behind it for more camping gear (roll mat etc). The topbox however is two H83 type ammo boxes welded together as I hate the look of motorcycle topboxes but there aren't any ammoboxes that were the right size for what I want. This is basically the same setup as those Terra Circa lads used but with a smaller 'topbox'.
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  #32  
Old 13 Dec 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Ron View Post
[/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG] The boxes were welded simple and rectangular, without a re-enforcing angle, again with removable lids which proved extremely useful on previous travels as tool trays or whatnot. I coppied the tapered pattern of the stock Vario cases to keep the lines of the bike square. I also purchased a muffler from Metal Mule that allowed me to keep both boxes the same size.

[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG]
Man you are a wery good welder!
Bravo on the job done.
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  #33  
Old 14 Dec 2010
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Here's my GS500 ridiculously overloaded. I need working clothes and tools as I'm working here and there while traveling.. plus I brought a really unnecessary and bulky tent with me... that adds up to too much stuff...


All that extra weight is to be shredded now. I need to make some space for water and petrol, which I will need in Africa.

The setup constitutes of a pair of modified postman's bicycle panniers, an old backpack and a tankbag. The panniers are soft, but they have a hard plastic shell inside and they can be locked.
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  #34  
Old 15 Dec 2010
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Here's my "panniers" in Cambodia. All i needed for 10 days on the bike was in the bag on the back.
It fell off somewhere the first day, but found me back while contemplating what I would miss over lunch.



On the KTM I use the standard Hepco & Becker set:


No fuss and suit me well.
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  #35  
Old 19 Dec 2010
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Panniers
I use Panniers made by Lochy of MTD. They have worked very well for me and would recommend them. My wife is standing beside them in Uganda, we also put an Aussie themed reflective graphics on them which I would also recommend for visibility.
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Let's See Your Panniers In Action!-img_0582.jpg  

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  #36  
Old 19 Dec 2010
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  #37  
Old 20 Dec 2010
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This is how I used to travel when I was about twenty yeras old. A Harley davidson SS250 twostroke with a plywood home made topbox and bicycle bags over the saddle. A shopping bag in a plastic bag on the saddle and a tankbag.
On the saddle I had an imitation shipskin because I thought it looked cool.
http://www.xs4all.nl/~jkrijt/bikes/hd250ssa.png


Now, a few (33) years and a few (26) bikes later, I upgraded to a BMW F650GS with original BMW top- and sideboxes and a BMW tankbag. I have a big shopping bag with my clothes on the saddle and a real (IKEA) sheepskin for added comfort.
http://www.xs4all.nl/~jkrijt/trips/n2g/pict/day8_03.jpg

The real advantage of the new setup is that I can lock the boxes. That gives a little peace of mind when leaving the bike unattended for a while.
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  #38  
Old 13 Jan 2011
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My DR650 is currently being optimised for an Africa tour later this year. The picture here shows the setup for a 3700km trial tour in Australia. It's a setup of RV Aqualine pannier frames and Steelpony Gascoyne panniers. A small backpack for the easy-to-reach items and the camping mat is just strapped to the pannier frames.

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  #39  
Old 14 Jan 2011
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I used modified frames and bags.

but cant get the picture to load, nor can i delete the post




Thanks... thought I had mastered that bit.


Last edited by oldbmw; 24 Jan 2011 at 22:17. Reason: Fixed one for you. Link to the pic, not the page!
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  #40  
Old 24 Jan 2011
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This was from 2006 when my wife and I travelled from Cape Town to Nairobi. Now me and a couple of friends will participate in the 2012 Budapest to Bamako Rally ( Bamako by Vespa ). I will keep my setup as it is on this trip, the two other guys may go for a different setup like the Spanish Postal Scooters (Correos) - a large plastic top casse on a tubular frame, which basically means no manufacturing.

The principals are as for any setup. It should be rugged enough to not damage either the luggage nor the ride, it should be easy to repair and be easy to take on and off, and it should keep everything locked up and out of sight.

I opted for a large top case on a rugged metal frame (can be easily welded). The Vespa rides low and only have 10" tires. Sidepanniers would only dig into the ground on uneven surfaces or when leaning into curves, and would also make it cumbersome to service. I was very happy with this setup.
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  #41  
Old 27 Jan 2011
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Swiss Army Pioneer Boxes from fleabay €29 a pair, 100% waterproof, survived a few fall overs and narrower than than my HepcoBecker bins.
The blue bag on the RHS pannier is my washing maschine,

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  #42  
Old 27 Jan 2011
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Just built by myself.
Low centre of gravity etc....

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  #43  
Old 28 Jan 2011
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2005 at UK meet...
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  #44  
Old 28 Jan 2011
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I wish Id taken a photo but there was an F650 GS in bristol a couple of weeks ago with two full size suitcases as panniers.
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  #45  
Old 28 Jan 2011
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Saw a Honda C90 a couple of months ago on the road, had white painted home made wooden panniers and top box. 0 points for style, 100 points for practicality!
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