Panniers, top boxes etc

[Maverick]

Right it is Thursday after all and the techie section need something new to ponder about so here goes.....

Touratech Zega's

http://www.maverick-evolution.150m.com/2006/jun/hu06/hu2006_09_std.jpg

These zega's of mine been with me for 4 years and been on three different bikes. Boxes are cheapish but the pannier rails are not cheap. Last time I looked the AT frames was around £160 :shock: But can't fault them and the only down side is the boxes can't clip loose in seconds which is probably good as well and you need to get inside the box to undo them.

Honda OEM topbox

Think this set me back about £110 two years ago for the box and mounting plate, never leaked and big enough for 2 helmets. Would like a alu topbox though just for the looks.

http://maverick-evolution.150m.com/2005/bmf/bmf_00013.jpg

Alpos panniers and Shad topbox

http://www.maverick-evolution.150m.com/2006/jun/hu06/hu2006_08_std.jpg

Alpos boxes so far had very good reviews and absolute value for money. The fact that the pannier frames can clip off the bike completely in seconds is a nice feature if you finished travelling and want to commute with the bare minimum on the bike. Don't know the Shad top box perfomance or price but Chad seems to be happy with it and think it's going onto Marmite now. Big enough to hold two lids as well.

So what's your preference whether hard or soft luggage and how do you rate it :?:

[willb]

I've got Touratech panniers, which I got with the bike, and a Nonfango topbox which is now on it's 3rd bike.

The Nonfango box is fine, but they don't exist anymore.

[Phoenix]

Sorry to say guys but I just cannt get to appreciate the alu boxes, always looked a bit too agricultural for me. I prefer the givi boxes, all curvy with clip on clip off facilities. Having said that Simon has a set of alu's which he uses for seating when we're away camping. Something soft to sit on after a long days riding on the @ seat :lol: :lol:

[Gregger]

I've got the SW Motech system with Kappa boxes I think

I like the fact its strips off in seconds with very little left on the bike to ruin its looks for day to day runs.

Those Alpo panniers look hard mind, I like them

[Jenna]

Never actually bought any ally panniers (not much call on an MX bike!) only Zarge cases for expodition vehicles but those that I have seen seam to vary in quality immensely. Think these days I prefer soft panniers anyway for both practical and aesthetic reasons, last two bikes have both had soft panniers and they work well both on the trail and are 'acceptable' around town or in the office.

One thing I will say is I did get a chance to see the Pelican style panniers and for serious off-road and touring they looked the business! I use Peli cases at work all the time (£15k for a clutch! so you look after it) and they are totally indestructible, they also probably work out cheaper than ally cases?...

http://www.waterproof-cases.co.uk/images/peli_cases/1500.jpg
INSIDE 43,2 cm x 29 cm x 15,5 cm
OUTSIDE 47 cm x 35,7 cm x 17,6 cm
LID DEPTH 4,6 cm
CASE DEPTH 11 cm
£77 +vat

or the storm copy at £70
http://www.ekmpowershop2.com/ekmps/shops/jitpak/images/im2300blk[1](1).jpg

[FatFergie]

I'm a softie fan although I do have a mini givi for my helmet and things when I go shopping.

[peterb]

Does anyone know of a shop (South or Midlands) that stock a variety of luggage? not keen on doing this by mail order. I want to look at it prior to buying , feel the quality etc.... tried Fowlers , Heine gerrick in Bristol, a local shop as well not much to look at really , it all seems to be mail order . Soft touring bags i am after really.

[Dee Duble Yuh]

Come over to Neath and Swansea and you can visit M&P (http://www.mandp.co.uk/home.aspx?cmd=showFile&arg=about_swansea), Busters (http://www.busters-accessories.co.uk/contact.asp) and Touratech (http://touratech.co.uk/component/option,com_contact/Itemid,3/); they're all within a few dozen miles of each other. Follow the hyper-links for the addresses. (You'd better phone Touratech to check opening times.)

[Dee Duble Yuh]

Does anyone know what make these are? They look less "in your face" than shiny aluminium - but are probably horribly expensive!

http://www.blackbike.net/misc/DLStream1.jpg
http://home.att.net/~jkam/v_strom_hacienda_hotel_in_mulege.jpg

The pictures are taken from the ADV Rider site, so the boxes might be available onlu in the USA (?)

[peterb]

Thanks Dave, Will do.

[Rubberchicken]

They're Jesse Odyssey bags.

http://www.jesseluggage.com/index.html

[piguglyshandydrinker]

I have the Alpos boxes on Givi frames (courtesy of Wheeliebin), the Alpos boxes are certainly on the Cheap 'n' Chearful side and don't seem strong enough to be sidemounted and need beefing up, latches for the lids are flimsy too.

Having seen the Motech racks I like the idea of the boxes being supported by the base rim - the strongest point, also the exterior latches save rummaging around in luggage to remove the boxes.

In time I'll try to fabricate some angle iron to replicate the Motechs system onto the Givi racks.

Having used both Soft and Hard luggage and and Ortlieb type roll on the pillion seat, I'll be keeping all forms and using each type according to use as I believe they all have a place.

Top loading boxes seem to hold lots more than either soft luggage or side loading cases as the contents can be forced down with the lid :wink: .

Phil

[Simon]

i have a Givi top box which fits two lids. I thinks its one of the best bits of kit invented. It is amazing what you can actually fit in it.

As Phoenix said, i have aluminium panniers. I managed to get a pair and frames for £175 on ebay a few months ago. They are DARR panniers. I've never heard of them but as far as i can see they are the same as the Aplos ones. Ther use the Touratech fittings to attach to the frame. The obvious problem being that you have to open them to attach or detach them. I must say a think i would prefer them over plastic cases as i love the top loading facility and they do make good seats!

http://www.xrv.org.uk/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=3450

[Pussyhorse]

I've got a metal mule box on my Adv. The box is top notch and very well made. The rack is ****e though. First one didn't fit and the coating on it's replacement is well shabby.

http://home.btconnect.com/lewis.rab/sco3.jpg

http://home.btconnect.com/lewis.rab/sco4.jpg

[Jenna]

used to use a lot of DARR expedition stuff including the ally cases when i worked for Land Rover in my youf and they seamed quite robust, its one of biggest expedition suppliers in the world now specialing in african travel.

[Dilbert]

Not a fan of "luggage" at all, but thinking of getting out a bit more (maybe) I can see their usefullness, I still can't bring myself to liking topboxes at all, but the black set on the Strom do look the dog's, have to agree about the alu boxes, I'm sure they're really practical, but they do look like mini-fridges bolted on the side.
Used to have some throw over panniers and these were good, a bit dated by today's standards, the modern ones look really neat though, problem is they're all so helleshly expensive, at least the throw overs don't need an extra sub-frame though.

[Meat]

I like the design (and the quality) of the Metal Mule panniers. So, I made a search on ebay on Metal Mule to see if any available there.

The result:

http://www.xrv.org.uk/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4323


:D :D :D :D :D :D

[DaveS]

Yeh but think what these can carry! :mrgreen: