Bicycle Panniers on a Motorcycle?
 

Anyone ever tried to put Bicycle panniers on a motorbike? Thinking Ortleibs or similar. However, there seems to be more choice in bicycle soft luggage. Admittedly the rack or mounting system would need work.

Reason for the dual use requirement is that I can't decide whether i prefer my lc4aDV OR MY GT mtb and don't really want to buy 2 sets of panniers. Besides, MTB panniers may get more use.

Cheers in advance...

B

I'd like the Idea of using Ortliebs. As far as I see the Ortlieb motorbike panniers are pretty much the same as the bicycle ones, regarding the material.

The only problem I see with that is that most motorbike pannier racks have too strong tubing to attach them, at least they don't attach to my Touratech rack. I've read somewhere that Hepko and Becker might be okay, though.

If you sure the attachment fits, then go for it!

I do and they work quite well. Because they're generally smaller than those made for m/c's, and mine have carry handles at the top, I don't use a rack but sling them either side of the bike and loop a strap through the handles and over the seat. And i keep the weight in them down - clothes etc. The essential (more valuabel) or heavier stuff either goes in the top box or stays on me.

Belle:mchappy:

Bicycle Panniers work just fine! I rode from Calgary to New Foundland and back with them on a 1975 suzuki 5oo titan! That was in 1976 and I did not know there was a difference between motorcycle and bike panniers. My rear top case was a camp trails back pack. My how things have changed?
Cal

I've been using Ortlieb bags for some time and they're great... light weight, rugged, quick removal, and water proof. See link below. They're sold as motorcycle panniers, but seem like pretty much the same product as Ortlieb's bicycle products. They mount to any 16 mm rack.

View the Side Bag w/QLR2 System at http://www.ortliebusa.com

Bicycle bags on a motorcyle
 

I use bicycle bags (Vaude) on my motorcycle all the time they are excellent. I have a Jesse 16mm rack (5/8") and the just clip on and off very easily. I was in the Baja and hit a hard bump at a very fast speed that broke the plastic but for 12 bucks I ordered new ones and was back in business.

I am even thinking of mounting my aluminum panniers on plastic Ortlien rails, nice and adjustable If I happen to go down the plastic will break I replace it for 12 bucks not a pannier at 400.00.
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...s/thumbup1.gif

I have used Ortlieb cycle panniers for the last four years (I think they're called rear roller classic) They are made of stronger material than the motorbike panniers, stick out less and are "portrait" rather than "landscape" if you understand my meaning.

Because they are quite small they stop you carrying too much sh1t which is a good thing.

I sometimes use my vintage Carradice bicycle panniers on my Honda Innova. I made brackets that fits without any change to the panniers:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByJ...it?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByJ...it?usp=sharing

There are several cheap options when it comes to panniers: Build your own panniers made easy