Hello from Port Elizabeth, South Africa

My girlfriend and I are considering the Hepco Becker 37l Alu Panniers for our Dakars.I have read with interest the various postings yet there seems very little on the Hepco-becker Alu panniers. I would be most grateful if:

1. Some folk could offer their views on this product or suitable Alu alternatives
2. We will be in the UK and Germany in September and would be grateful if we could receive some advice on where would be the best place to purchase in either country.

Many thanks


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Harold Pienaar
cracklin@telkomsa.net

Hello Harold

I have and use the H&B classic alu panniers and is very happy with it. Just like you I found very little information at HU and other places prior to purchase, though I decided to buy them anyway. No regrets. They can be put on or taken off the bike in seconds, and are excellent as table and chair when camping or having lunch at the roadside. I even use'em as centre stand when repairing a tyre etc... They are solid, waterproof, and I think they look good too.
The cons is the weight - approx 5 kilos per pannier.

I bought my set per mailorder from UK. The prices in UK and Germany are pretty much the same.

Hope this can be of any help.

hi Harold if your in the uk the panniers can be bought from the importers ; moto bins ltd,tel 01775 - 680881, e mail sales@motobins.co.uk. (try arranging a tax free purchase as your from outside the EU it will save you quite a bit) I found them very helpful. However if you only need about 35 litre capacity have you considered the heppco gobi panniers which have the same fixings/rack are very strong and very impact resistant with inbuilt 3 litre water carriers per pannier. I have found them very good albeight they are only 32lts( +3 lts water carrier) per pannier. I have used mine on several big trips and they have survived a crash with nothing more than scratches. I also have the Gobi top box as well. Its is not as well made but has 42 lts capacity and is pretty sturdy.

Hi Harold

I know its probably too late by now?

Ive just bought the Hepco & Becker 38l for my dakar. They are GREAT!

True, almost stumbled across them by complete accident.

I ordered mine from Cytec in Johannesburg 011 433 8850.

They have a 15% discount on at the moment until end of November ? I think.

Good Luck

Daerr boxes are very similar if not exctly the same as H&B boxes but for half the price. They even recommend the same mounting system as H&B.

Not sure if you will get them in SA but shouldn't be too expensive to order direct from Germany

Google "daerr box"

Check out the Jesse Luggage site they have a agent in Germany called Kiwi bob and they make excelant panneirs for the bmw`s, Locky
its, www.jesseluggage.com and just click on the overseas distrubitors,

So 3 years on did you get the H&B system? if so , how did it work out

Cheers
Scott