Steel Pony Panniers - anyone tried them yet?
 

Hi all,
I'm considering getting a set of Steel Pony Panniers shipped over from Australia to Europe. Of course shipping this far adds quite a bit to the price but for my next trip I definitely want to go with soft luggage and there does not seem to be anything close to either Andy Strapz or Steel Pony Panniers in the European market.

For my next tour I'll be carrying about 15-20kgs of equipment, most of this in the panniers on a Touratech rack. They should be water and dust proof and hold up to wear and tear and the occasional (low speed) spill on gravel roads.

So before I do indeed order them, has anybody here had any experiences with these panniers? Any other recommendations (Ortliebs are not an option)?

Cheers
buebo

P.S.: I have used the search here and elsewhere. Only useful information I did come across so far was a short review on ADVRider.com

P.P.S.: As for Andy Strapz vs. Steel Pony: It seems the Steel Pony set cures a couple of issues people had with Andy Strapz, e.g. them beeing not really water/dust proof.

never heard of them, if they are any good let us know mate

Have a look here if you want to read more about them: Steel Pony Luggage Home

Still undecided, so if anybody has anything to say about them, this would be a good time for that :)

Cheers
buebo

I've got them and like the look of them. Haven't had a chance to put them to the test yet, but so far so good.
Unlike Andy Strapz they are sewn inside out and than again outside in before the edge tape gets sewn on. You can choose the straps over the seat to be clips or velcro. They're very easy to approach as he's a regular on ADVrider in Australia. It's a roll closure so no busted zippers. Bottle holders on the outside. Waterproofed canvas is easily replaced, and they support their product with pride.

Worth giving them a go.

I've been looking at these also, as i'm on the fence choosing between Andy Strapz and Steel Pony. One bonus with the Andy Strapz bags is that they are sold in the US, the Steel Pony bags need to be ordered from Australia. The Pony's claim to be water proof, and also appear larger and more robust. There is also an inner sleeve for paperwork and what not, a feature i like. There is a single review here:Steel Pony "Gascoyne" soft panniers. - ADVrider
Another bag that i'm considering is the really cool and somewhat strange Giant Loop. Giant Loopâ„¢ Moto: Saddlebags for Motorcycles | Welcome
The Great Basin has a claimed capacity of 50l and is water proof. Made in the USA. They also make a really cool tank bag that i'm really interested in:http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/001...jpg?1257882647

From what I understand the seams aren't tape on all of them, and therefor aren't waterPROOF. waterRESISTANT is the best you could call them. The canvas bags are oil washed which in itself is waterproof, and the stitching is with expanding thread when wet which will reduce the water coming through. Apparently so well that anecdotally it's considered waterproof. But leave it long enough and it'll come through. Not sure what the thread is on the giantloop stuff. The zippers are of the waterproof variety, which I reckon isn't real waterproof either.

Personally I don't like zippers on any RTW gear. It's just too hard to repair in the field. I reckon canvas is easier to repair than the truckers tarp stuff. You can do it with dental floss if you have to.

I've had a pair of the Steel Ponies for near on a year and had taken them out in the desert a fair few times, in those trip I've faced heaps of dust and corrugations and the odd letting the bike have a rest in the drink, and they have passed all the tests with flying colours, not a drop of water has got into them (they got dropped in a river totally submerged for at least 3 mins as I was buggered from ridding all day and had to wait to pick the bike up, no water got in)

They are still as good as new (just have red dirt tinge to them now). The plus for me is the have that thin document holding pocket/back bone (plastic stiffener) to make them hold their shape better, and they come with four 1L water bottles which are strapped into pockets on the outside of the bags so they wont dislodge

I do know Loyla and Pete (Pejie on Advrider) that make them, this is due to buying these bags and the common interest of motorbike touring, and being a little company that is based from home adds to the personal service, I believe anyway. I'm looking at getting them to custom make a bag that will fit over the rear rack over the seat with the same Velcro and fold down seal rather than the zip closure

I haven't tried the Andy Straps so I can't compare unfortunately

A comparison between Steel Pony's and Andy Straps is here;
Andy Strapz or Steel Pony Soft Panniers - ADVrider