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metal panniers v/s soft panniers metal panniers v/s soft 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.
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  #1  
Old 3 Sep 2007
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metal panniers v/s soft panniers
hi everybody, Im still planing my pan-american trip (starts on march 2008).

I don't have much money so I've thinking on a hand made metalic panniers (probably of inox steel) or a couple of denier soft saddlebags of ebay.

you guys have so much experience than me... can you please help me to make the better election? thanks!!!
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Old 3 Sep 2007
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There are alot more people out there with alot more experience than me - however ....
I'd go for metal rather than fabric saddlebags as they are mure durable and can be locked. If you do metal then obviously the lighter the better. I don't know what inox steel is - but it sounds heavy!
Also, metal boxes should be more waterproof (if properly designed/made) and you can use them as seats, bike props etc.
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  #3  
Old 3 Sep 2007
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thanks mermaid. I don't think that the heavy weight of the inox steel panniers. I will try to find a "hospital" kind of inox steel.

I'm worried about the noises product of vibrations. I can't use a "branded" kind of pieces to fix the panniers, like touratech for example, so may be a cheaper solucion will be a problematic noise making machine
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Old 3 Sep 2007
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Am I right in thinking that inox steel is the same as stainless steel? If that is the case you might end up with rather heavy panniers. You would probably be better off finding someone who can make up some aluminium panniers for you.
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Old 3 Sep 2007
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aluminum here in chile is very expensive. yes, Im talking about stainless steel, but I don't know... I don't think that will weight to much, imagine those liver shaped hospital recipients... you can make an a idea...
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Old 3 Sep 2007
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Pros for soft bags are they are safer if you drop your bike (and get your boot stuck under them eg.) and they are cheaper. And some are really robust & durable.

Cons are they can be slit open easily and they offer less volume.

I prefer alu panniers for the above mentioned reasons. You get them in 1,5 and 2mm strength. And IMO even the 2mm alu is alot lighter than 1mm stainless steel.
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Old 13 Sep 2007
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Done the hard case and now doing the soft. I love the soft 'Andyz bagz' water proof and tough. Can be locked with the use of steel netting covers made or bought at camping stores. The thing about hard cases is your always needing repairs, especially if u do off road stuff, u will drop the bike at some stage, and if u dont damage the hard case, youll do the racking, if not that youll do an ankel. Soft bags like Andys are real tough, im using them on my Africa trip now. For possible repairs i carry a stitching needle set bought at horse/saddle shops. Ive layed my bike down several times with no damage to soft bags. Each time u lay down hard cases it weakens/damages the case, locks, water proofing etc. All the best in what u do. Brian B
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  #8  
Old 14 Sep 2007
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My opinion is...

Hard bags can be dangerous off road.
Hard bags and their supporting system, as mentioned above, can get beat and mashed to hell.
Hard bags provide a false sense of security - again, just my opnion.
Hard Bags are relatively heavy compared to soft bags.
Hard bags are relatively expensive compared to soft bags.
Hard bags are harder to carry/handle than soft bags.
Hard bags can beat your junk into submission if not packed tightly.
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  #9  
Old 19 Sep 2007
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Wink Here, here
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lone Rider View Post
My opinion is...

Hard bags can be dangerous off road.
Hard bags and their supporting system, as mentioned above, can get beat and mashed to hell.
Hard bags provide a false sense of security - again, just my opnion.
Hard Bags are relatively heavy compared to soft bags.
Hard bags are relatively expensive compared to soft bags.
Hard bags are harder to carry/handle than soft bags.
Hard bags can beat your junk into submission if not packed tightly.

I knew there was a good reason (or 7) why I use soft luggage!!

On the last point, soft luggage automatically "pulls in tight" and holds the contents against bouncing around inside. So, if you are not carrying much then the luggage overall size is smaller.
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Old 19 Nov 2007
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Originally Posted by Walkabout View Post
I knew there was a good reason (or 7) why I use soft luggage!!

On the last point, soft luggage automatically "pulls in tight" and holds the contents against bouncing around inside. So, if you are not carrying much then the luggage overall size is smaller.
Yes, but when you pop into a store just a minute to get some food and find your bags slashed and empty you wish you were travelling at least in two...
...that's the smallest size.
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Old 20 Nov 2007
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Originally Posted by alexpezzi View Post
Yes, but when you pop into a store just a minute to get some food and find your bags slashed and empty you wish you were travelling at least in two...
...that's the smallest size.
But as Dessertstrom said earlier, there are several makers of soft luggage that have stainless steel mesh built into the fabric, and you can buy the same mesh to put on the outside of soft luggage that doesn't have it already. The only things anyone will then get through a hole in the bags is smaller than 2cm!

There are lots of good reasons for hard luggage, I know. I have a bike with Givi panniers (and lost ALL my clothes for a short trip this week when the lid came open!), another with Al Jesse boxes (the best I have ever used or seen in fact) and soft luggage for my other bikes that didn't come with hard luggage. The Jesse boxes are great for packing and unpacking, and for using the lids to work off, but for our big trip, it will be soft luggage. I value my good lady's lower limbs too much. I know she will be coming off more than me.

Regards

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Old 21 Sep 2007
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check out pelican cases. easily as strong as aluminium but much cheaper and much lighter.
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  #13  
Old 16 May 2008
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Mules
Just back from Africa in Feb (UK to CapeTown). Took metal mules and large ones at that on my africa twin. I crashed pretty heavily a number of times and the box always went back on (with some persuading) but they now look very munched and it has been an expensive luxury when cheaper softbags would have been fine. Its a fine line too with the protection of hardcases in a spill because you may find your leg getting fed under the box rather than just sliding clear. I've seen them help and hinder.

If I was doing it again I would take Andy Strapz. I would also take less stuff! I agree with the previous post on 'percieved security' as the locks really aren't that tough if you have a screwdriver.
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Old 3 Jul 2010
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My ide is to install a couple of pannier on a klr 650. What do you recomend me, my idea is 70-30% pave road and off road, most of the kms will be done on patagonian roads.
Thanks for your time.
Meliq
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  #15  
Old 3 Jul 2010
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I use Andy Strapz saddle bags, they're excellent! In fact I've been using them for over a year and they're in excellent condition still. They're a little expensive but I couldn't place a higher recommendation on anything I've ever purchased before.
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