I try it again: metal or plastic panniers?
 

I always used Hepco & Becker Junior panniers. Those panniers are made of plastic. I used them on many trips, including RTW, and are very satisfied with them. They have survived several crashes without any damage. Because the lid is a bit rounded they don't dig into the surface. Now I need new panniers. Of course H&B Juniors but ... I looked a bit around on the HUBB: everybody seems to use allu panniers! There are some threads about the question allu vs plastic but immediately the discussion is turned to which allu panniers are the best. Why is that?? Why everybody chooses for allu panniers? Thanks for your answer.


Beyond horizons: Welcome to Wonderful Travels

H&B paniers...
 

Great that there are still people out there using H&B plastic paniers. I use them, too on my Honda TA. Very satisfied! The disadvantage is that due to the construction of them storage is sometimes a little difficult (I guess you know what I am talking about). Alu boxes have the advantage that you can load and unload them from the top. With "our" paniers, the problem is that once you want to open them while they are still attached to the frame stuff will fall out. As far as water- and dust proof goes - I got nothing to complain about. Used them during taiphoons and everything stayed dry inside. I guess it is also a price question!

Some of 'us' are using plastic 'pelican cases' - not made for panniers but adapted to it .. you can get them in top loading form .. but not in the size I want - I use model 1550 .. the top load ones are I think 1450 ..

Most of teh al pannier people say teh plastic ones shatter on impact .. probably true for some (bmw for instance - 2mm thick) but the pelicans have withstod my misstreadment - they are 6mm thick.

The AL panniers are the most used is why the post go to the which AL box is best.

But as to AL vs plastic. AL has strength to weight on most plastic. AL has better hardness and toughness on most plastic. AL box can have thinner walls and still be durable. AL is seen in having a better value and well plastic is seen as disposable.

Pelican cases as in the Caribou cases are dam tuff, Copolymer Polypropylene same stuff used in quick clips D rings on bag, beltsand the like. AL vs. Pelican head to head my money in on the pelican for ruggedness if they where bigger and top loading Id get them. Still on my short list but got a deal on some used touratech zegas $100 and $50 in fixes and they be good to go.
www.cariboucases.com - Park the gas guzzler, ride your bike!

I still use alu side boxes (well, there's nothing wrong with them, so I might as well till I kill 'em completely!) but have recently rigged up a Peli case as a top box. I wouldn't be at all surprised if Peli cases and similar is the way Adventure Tourers go in the near future. They would seem to be much tougher than alu cases.

Matt :)

if it aint broke.......
 

my theory in life is -if it aint broke then dont fix it!
if your happy with your h&b plastic boxes then why change them? just because lots of people use aluminium it does'nt mean you have to. i bought alu panniers last year after many years of soft luggage and the only advantage is more carrying space.(and theft detterent). my alu boxes are already going out of shape after a couple of slow falls! and their bloody expensive.

I was just about to say the same thing!

Alu : More space, easy to use, not easy to steal, more expensive
SOft: Cheaper, less space, untidy, when you drop your bike it doesn't save your leg.
Yes: Alu may save your leg from injuries better than soft bags. And easy to pull up the bike again :thumbup1:

Plastic Versus Aluminium
 

History. Non Fango Plastic 36 ltr Touring cases Clam shaped. Locks super tuff crashes..numerous mostly slow stuff in dirt. Years use 25 years 300.000 kms including RTW 200,000kms. Repairs done by plastic welding comp in Aus who recoats and makes them look lke new. Benefits. easy to remove to take into hotels/hostels. Rarely left on bike due to security.

We travel 2 up on an old R80G/S and are now 8mths into our 2nd RTW. Have upgraded to Givi 41 ltr which have clam opening and combination flap top access. Brilliant kit. Toughness unknown as yet. Only 2 crashes but still working OK although one combo has had a seizure due to sand and dust which we will look into. Locks on the Italian cases seem to be more robust than the H P but not an expert on this as we have never used H P but I believe BMW used similar locking set up on older panniers.

We never use straps to keep secure on the bike.

If you want to tap us for further info no problems. We also use a 60 ltr Rubber Maid box as a top box. Cheap tuff and heaps of space.

Ken and Carol Duval

Thanks for all those anwers!!
 

Whoow! What a lot of veterans answered my question! That must be top information!! I summarize the answers and combine them with my own experience.

Plastic (pelican, H&B):
+ Tough, tougher than alu.
+ Water and dustproof. They don't lose shape easy after crash.
+ Less weight. Serious! I compared alu panniers with plastic panniers on weight. Alu is generally one and a half times more heavy than plastic!
-/+ H&B: load and unload from side (this can also be an advantage: direct overview of content)
- Rarely left on bike due to security; easy to steal.
- due to shape not all space is usable, storage can be difficult.


Alu:
+ More space (better: due to shape is space is better usable).
+ not easy to steal.
+/- load and unload from top (not nesseceraly an advantage).
- Expensive.
- lose shape after crash.

Well guys, I made up my mind: it will be H&B again! Tough, don't lose shape, water&dustproof, less weight, not too expensive (metalmules are only affordable for the very rich!). Those pelicans are interesting too! However I never saw them in my country.

Thanks for all those anwers!!
 

Whoow! What a lot of veterans answered my question! That must be top information!! I summarize the answers and combine them with my own experience.

Plastic (pelican, H&B):
+ Tough, tougher than alu.
+ Water and dustproof. They don't lose shape easy after crash.
+ Less weight. Serious! I compared alu panniers with plastic panniers on weight. Alu is generally one and a half times more heavy than plastic!
-/+ H&B: load and unload from side (this can also be an advantage: direct overview of content)
- Rarely left on bike due to security; easy to steal.
- due to shape not all space is usable, storage can be difficult.

Alu:
+ More space (better: due to shape is space is better usable).
+ not easy to steal.
+/- load and unload from top (not nesseceraly an advantage).
- Expensive.
- lose shape after crash.

Well guys, I made up my mind: it will be H&B again! Tough, don't lose shape, water&dustproof, less weight, not too expensive (metalmules are only affordable for the very rich!). Those pelicans are interesting too! However I never saw them in my country.



Welcome to Wonderful Travels

I think.....
 

....you made a smart decision! As I mentioned before I got the 35 / 45 liter H&B paniers on m Honda TA, nothing to complain about. And they came cheap - even being sent from Germany over here to Japan.

For pictures, just visit the photo gallery on my homepage (especially the Hokkaido touring section got quite some pics).

Take care, safe riding and CU sometime, somewhere out on the road,