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Pannier size vs motorcycle cc Pannier size vs motorcycle cc
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  #1  
Old 14 Oct 2014
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Pannier size vs motorcycle cc
Hi guys,

is there a guide on the limit a pannier size has to be with respect to the cc? if im riding a 400cc (Honda CB400x), will a 40l pannier (say H&B explorer) be too big?

and if so whats the maximum, or recommended load can i carry per pannier?

thanks for the help!
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Old 14 Oct 2014
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I would think that pannier size has nothing to do with engine size.
If you could find the right pannier rack specified for your bike for a certain pannier brand and size, then you could fit that pannier regardless of engine size.
The maximum load recommended for a pannier is usually indicated on a label inside the pannier. (But I found that my Givi could carry a lot more than the label says!).

Cheers
Schenkel
Last edited by schenkel; 14 Oct 2014 at 22:05.
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Old 14 Oct 2014
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I have used panniers from an R80 BMW on a Honda 125 and they looked the part and were not too big for the bike, some of the largest boxes such as Metal Mule probably would of been too big, what you are suggesting sounds fine.
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Old 15 Oct 2014
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Thanks mark and schenkel. Your information have allay initial fears I had as read somewhwrethat 40l panniers wasnt ideal for my 400cc bike. The reason i read was that the bike would not have enough power in its belly to support 2 fully loaded 40l panniers. I thought it was silly.
Now im more confident on pulling the trigger on a set of H&B panniers for my bike. Thank you!
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Old 15 Oct 2014
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It's a three way equation: handling proportional to load proportional to engine power. If you want to carry lots with a small engine you'll find the performance limited. Given the world is full of 50cc scooters three up with enough produce to start a farmers market on the back, you only usually need autobahn performance on the autobahn.


The stated weight limits on panniers seem to be set by lawyers. 10 KG is typical and just happens to be one of the numbers given in health and safety guidelines for repeatedly lifting a large awkward shaped object off the floor at work. If this is where it came from I bet even the production workers as Givi don't need to worry, they'll have a bench. Experience suggests volume is the usual limiting factor outside lawyer land.


Andy
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Old 15 Oct 2014
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When I started MC touring on 360cc, I was using camping gear I already had which was pretty bulky. I've slowly replaced items -- like that big synthetic sleeping bag -- with smaller, more efficient items. So I can tour now with 700 or 750cc and smaller luggage volume. Your modern 400 would certainly have more power.

If you find that some roads have traffic that seems too fast or if you don't feel comfortable keeping up, then choose different roads.

Some of my older bulky equipment has gone on several long bicycle tours. The distribution on a bicycle is different with narrower panniers both front and rear, but still a biggish lump of stuff. The "engine" on my bicycle could haul that camp gear up mountains, but with different expectations for the pace.

The biggest differences between bicycle touring gear and motorcycle touring gear (for me) are the weight and amount of tools and riding clothes.
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Old 15 Oct 2014
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Threewheelbonnie View Post
Given the world is full of 50cc scooters three up with enough produce to start a farmers market on the back, you only usually need autobahn performance on the autobahn.

Andy
Yebut those 500 chickens flap all the way to the market so they hardly weight anything.

There's no reason why you couldn't put any size panniers on any bike - there are plenty of people who have custom built pannier / box combinations that look like a small caravan stuck over the back, but usually practical considerations take over. Panniers have got bigger over the years and the 40+L ones that are common now would have looked grotesque 20/30yrs ago.

I currently run a set of (about) 12L panniers on my Suzuki 125, but not because of some mathematical calculation that says they are the optimal size but because I found them in the back of the garage. They were originally bought for use on an early GoldWing and back then looked about right on that bike.
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Old 28 Oct 2014
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Old 28 Oct 2014
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I am all excited to fit my panniers on my bike for the first time. This my old 535 cc Enfield. I got some second hand Kappa make from Uk when I completed my ride from India to Uk last year on my 1994 Enfield thro the Silk Route. I was carrying aluminium boxes at that time. The size is 40L but comfortable to ride with.
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Old 28 Oct 2014
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This shows that anything is possible, even if it is out of proportian.
(125cc on the picture)
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