Hepco & Becker Junior panniers?
 

Hey

Does anyone have any experience with these? I think that the 30L pair may be a touch too small to cover me for a 4 month trip around South America (no camping gear, just need to store the odd bike tool, clothes, toiletries etc.).

How're they generally though? Will they with stand the odd drop etc.?

Thanks

I have used both the 30Ltr and the 40 Ltr HB Junior panniers in the past. ( still have them) Love the capacity of the 40's, but not the bulk.
The ABS plastic is very tough. Some would say, more crash resistant than ally boxes. Both my sets are deeply scarred, but never broke or tranmitted damage to the mounts.

Yep, plastic is pretty durable - I took mine into the road/sand/rocks enough to destroy the pannier frame and rear subframe but boxes were a.o.k.

Sounds good! How about the size? Unfortunately I can't see the bike until I get to California (from the UK)!

How much stuff can they hold realistically? They look tiny from the photos I've seen!

I used them for 6 months in South America, they are very tough. They survived several tumbles and two crashes. Strong impact makes them come off the racks, which I like because the boxes and their contents don't get damaged.
I had one 30l and one 40l one. Obviously the 30l one has 10l less capacity, but I think the dimensions of the 40l one are advantageous if you want to fit bulkier items. If you can you should get two 40l boxes, the weight difference is negligible.
The only thing I didn't like is that they are more difficult to pack than a standard Alu box, partly because of the shape inside and partly because you load them from the side. A suitably sized light carrier bag would be very useful.
I would definitively use them again, but unfortunately they don't fit to my KTM 690 rack.

PS: The 30l pair should be ok if you have a 40-50l topcase/bag as well. Before I bought camping gear, I put all bike related stuff (tools, lots of spare parts, oil etc.) into the 30l box, all personal items (clothes, shoes, laptop etc.) into the 45l topcase and things like guidebooks, water etc. into the 40l box, which I usually didn't fill completely. In addition I used a tank bag. Never put petrol canisters into the plastic boxes, that's a lesson I learned the hard way...

Hi There,

here's a shot of my trusty Brazilian built XT225 (known as Team Cabra) complete with H&B Juniors and a large Givi topbox fitted. The rack was modified from a Suzuki Bandit!

Suits me.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e4...g/IMG_0202.jpg

The tank mounted panniers are gas mask holders, mounted to a home made frame.

Regards

Reggie

Thanks for the help - it's alleviated a lot of concerns!

I'll see how well the bike packs up when I get there and buy a pillion bag if needs be.