Plastic vs Aluminium boxes - Horizons Unlimited

**Margus** · #1 27 Oct 2003

I'm thinking about buying Touratech 2x41L side boxes plus TT aluminum 50L top box.
But before i do that, does the aluminum have a good advances against the plastic? The price for aluminum is sky high compared with plastic.

When to calculate prices then i can broke 3 pairs of hard plastic bags if i crash and broke one pair of TT alu ones.

Or the aluminium boxes are much more crash resistant than plastic ones - can be repaired more easily?

I currently have GIVI plastic ones on my current bike, don't have absolutely nothing to complain. But hoping to get more offroad oriented R1100GS soon, so was thinking about going to aluminium boxes.

Anyone has recommendations or comments about this topic?

Kind regards, Margus

**ChrisK** · #2 21 Jan 2004

Hi, if you crash hard with plastic boxes they shatter, if you crash with aluminium panniers they bend a lot and are not all that easy to bend back, very difficult to swing the equivalent weight of the bike and luggage from the inside of the pannier to replecate the weight of the loaded bike crashing on to it. Shattered plastic can be "glued" together effectivly with gaffer tape though. Soft bags are more impact resistant. I have plastic panniers on my Tiger and aluminium on my G/S and keep them looking ok by not crashing, well so far anyway but have travelled with less fortunate folk. Regards Chris

**Fuzzy Duck** · #3 21 Jan 2004

I bought a pair of Tesch panniers - they are the business.

Touratech and all the rest seem flimsy in comparison - but each to their own. I looked at the plastic Gobi ones from Hepco Becker - but I don't rate them as much as the Tesch.

I was constantly dropping my bike on my last trip (because I'm rubbish) - but only at standstill - the boxes stood up to the battering.

I was a big plastic fan - until I used the Tesch ones - now I think I made the right choice. I think it would take a major high speed accident to do any damage to them - but they are so simple and tough, I doubt I'll have any problems.

------------------
Fuzzy Duck
(I'm quackers about bikes)

**Roboyobo** · #4 23 Dec 2004

I have crash tested Tesch panniers. 80mph, running up against a crash barrier (rider already unconscious from being hit on the head). They did well, good enough to still be useable, although a hole was ripped in the lid. They also stayed attached to the frame (Hepco and Becker), which bent a couple of inches but was easily bent back into shape.

Actually they are so strong that they can be dangerous in a crash. If your leg gets caught underneath them it will break it. Passengers are particularly vulnerable. This has happened to someone, who now recommends soft luggage.

Having weaker rails that actually bend out of shape on impact was recommended to me by a BMW dealer. It may also help to protect the subframe.

Got to go now as my head hurts.

**Spanish Bob** · #5 5 Jan 2005

If you go plastic you can try Pelican these are fairly cheap and are very very tough. I have a Peli top box and would probably buy Peli boxes to use as panniers instead of the zega cases I have now. Lots of fitting instructions and fotos ate www.advrider.com. This is important as they are tool/instrument/weapon cases rather than specifically bike cases.

**wils chris** · #6 12 Jan 2005

Quote:

Originally posted by Margus:
I'm thinking about buying Touratech 2x41L side boxes plus TT aluminum 50L top box.
But before i do that, does the aluminum have a good advances against the plastic? The price for aluminum is sky high compared with plastic.

When to calculate prices then i can broke 3 pairs of hard plastic bags if i crash and broke one pair of TT alu ones.I bougt the Tesh boxes for My BMW R 100 GS and I went down by 90 km/h I just could stand up because they protect me and the bike, because they are so wide, so I would buy the aluminium ones.

Or the aluminium boxes are much more crash resistant than plastic ones - can be repaired more easily?

I currently have GIVI plastic ones on my current bike, don't have absolutely nothing to complain. But hoping to get more offroad oriented R1100GS soon, so was thinking about going to aluminium boxes.

Anyone has recommendations or comments about this topic?

Kind regards, Margus

I sugest the alluminium ones because if you crash, they protect you more than the plastic ones (I crashed by 90km in the mud of A farmers tractor and I could get up directly)

[This message has been edited by wils chris (edited 12 January 2005).]

**MaxKX** · #7 25 Feb 2005

If you can afford it I would go for the Ali ones. I have used Givi for 3 years now and only dropped the bike once,knocking it off. Ever since I have had to use a bungie to stop it popping off when there is some weight in it. Also if you do go for plastic or Ali bolt them on as the plastic ones can be popped off with a quick smack.

**adventure950** · #8 20 Aug 2005

Hi as a preference try looking at the hepco gobi bags, virtually indestructable plastic cases i have used them on several trips covering about 15000miles so far they have survived several low speed drops a collision and remain intact and totally waterproof even submersable and dont leak. little small at 37 lts each but means you dont carry so much junk.brad

**Mr. Ron** · #9 20 Aug 2005

I've read this about the Gobi bags from a lot of people on this forum and others. I think there is no question the Gobi bags are durable and acceptable for overland travel. Having said this, i can't help but notice all the photographs i've seen of Gobi bags strapped onto their KTM950's after a crash, obviously rack problems. Any comments on this?