Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear?
Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? Anything to do with the bikes equipment, saddlebags, etc. Questions on repairs and maintenance of the bike itself belong in the Brand Specific Tech Forums.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Like Tree2Likes
  • 1 Post By Arma
  • 1 Post By Arma

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 12 Jul 2014
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 37
Luggage rack for AS soft panniers.

Hello, I've tried to search but not found much help.

I am new to this style of bike and I am looking to get some luggage for my R1200GS WC.

I have more or less decided to get soft bags and probably AS Magadons.

I now need to decide on a rack to mount them. This brings questions.
Are any makes better than others, or what do I look out for?

Also will the soft panniers be ok on a rack shaped around the exhaust of does the pannier need to be flat.

The racks I have seen would hold the bags at different distances from the bike, does this cause issues? WOuld the balance of the bike be affected much? Not to mention setting off my OCD about the bags looking odd.

Thanks for any help/ advice you can give.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 1 Jan 2017
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Warrington UK
Posts: 703
Hi,

I think you mean, like the one side soft pannier needs to be further out, in order to give sufficient clearance to the hot exhaust?

So in a way, that pannier that sticks out further can be filled with the lighter, bulkier stuff, leaving the opposite pannier which is adjacent to the frame, to carry the more heavy stuff.

I guess it is just a matter of balancing the bike.

vette
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 1 Jan 2017
Arma's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Lake Constance, Germany
Posts: 149
First piece of advice - go for the Magadan bags, they're great. I've just got my second set, my wife has them on her bike and during use last year I fell in love with them and when I switched bikes I didn't go back to hard luggage.

As for the racks, any will do the job. Don't worry about uneven rack distance from the center of the bike, perfect weight distribution is not as important as some strange people will tell you it is. Just don't do anything silly like filling the wider side with gold bars and the narrow one with pillows.

It will, however, look a little bit daft.
__________________
[ Tim | History - NW Italy/French Rivera, Swiss Alps, Morocco | 2016 - Greece > Albania > Macedonia > Kosovo > Montenegro > Bosnia > Slovenia > Austria ]
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 4 Jan 2017
-
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,342
Question

Quote:
Originally Posted by Arma View Post
. Just don't do anything silly like filling the wider side with gold and the narrow one .....

That's strange-
AFAIK both the Magadan bags ( Mk1 and Mk2) are both the same volume at 35 litres.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 4 Jan 2017
Arma's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Lake Constance, Germany
Posts: 149
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bertrand View Post
That's strange-
AFAIK both the Magadan bags ( Mk1 and Mk2) are both the same volume at 35 litres.
Oh, they are, but the OPs pannier racks are uneven to accommodate the exhaust - hence a wide and narrow side, relative to the center of the bike.
__________________
[ Tim | History - NW Italy/French Rivera, Swiss Alps, Morocco | 2016 - Greece > Albania > Macedonia > Kosovo > Montenegro > Bosnia > Slovenia > Austria ]
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Panniers Drawings and luggage rack in South Africa Snchambler Suzuki Tech 3 29 Aug 2013 11:17
Hard vs Soft Luggage - Our Metal Mule and Enduristan Review and Solution Pheebs Equipment Reviews 0 9 Feb 2013 10:18
F800GS Jesse Luggage Panniers and Top Box - For sale, Newcastle UK todderz TRAVEL Equipment for Sale / Wanted 2 8 Jan 2013 16:48

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-14
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 06:13.