Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear?
Pannier size vs motorcycle cc Pannier size vs motorcycle cc
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
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 George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

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


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 14 Oct 2014
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 2
Pannier size vs motorcycle cc
Hi guys,

is there a guide on the limit a pannier size has to be with respect to the cc? if im riding a 400cc (Honda CB400x), will a 40l pannier (say H&B explorer) be too big?

and if so whats the maximum, or recommended load can i carry per pannier?

thanks for the help!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 14 Oct 2014
schenkel's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Colchester, UK & Sudan
Posts: 161
I would think that pannier size has nothing to do with engine size.
If you could find the right pannier rack specified for your bike for a certain pannier brand and size, then you could fit that pannier regardless of engine size.
The maximum load recommended for a pannier is usually indicated on a label inside the pannier. (But I found that my Givi could carry a lot more than the label says!).

Cheers
Schenkel
Last edited by schenkel; 14 Oct 2014 at 21:05.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 14 Oct 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Wessex, UK
Posts: 2,136
I have used panniers from an R80 BMW on a Honda 125 and they looked the part and were not too big for the bike, some of the largest boxes such as Metal Mule probably would of been too big, what you are suggesting sounds fine.
Attached Thumbnails
Pannier size vs motorcycle cc-01-ready-for-the-off.jpg  

Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 15 Oct 2014
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 2
Thanks mark and schenkel. Your information have allay initial fears I had as read somewhwrethat 40l panniers wasnt ideal for my 400cc bike. The reason i read was that the bike would not have enough power in its belly to support 2 fully loaded 40l panniers. I thought it was silly.
Now im more confident on pulling the trigger on a set of H&B panniers for my bike. Thank you!
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 15 Oct 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: West Yorkshire UK
Posts: 1,785
It's a three way equation: handling proportional to load proportional to engine power. If you want to carry lots with a small engine you'll find the performance limited. Given the world is full of 50cc scooters three up with enough produce to start a farmers market on the back, you only usually need autobahn performance on the autobahn.


The stated weight limits on panniers seem to be set by lawyers. 10 KG is typical and just happens to be one of the numbers given in health and safety guidelines for repeatedly lifting a large awkward shaped object off the floor at work. If this is where it came from I bet even the production workers as Givi don't need to worry, they'll have a bench. Experience suggests volume is the usual limiting factor outside lawyer land.


Andy
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 15 Oct 2014
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Northeast US
Posts: 27
When I started MC touring on 360cc, I was using camping gear I already had which was pretty bulky. I've slowly replaced items -- like that big synthetic sleeping bag -- with smaller, more efficient items. So I can tour now with 700 or 750cc and smaller luggage volume. Your modern 400 would certainly have more power.

If you find that some roads have traffic that seems too fast or if you don't feel comfortable keeping up, then choose different roads.

Some of my older bulky equipment has gone on several long bicycle tours. The distribution on a bicycle is different with narrower panniers both front and rear, but still a biggish lump of stuff. The "engine" on my bicycle could haul that camp gear up mountains, but with different expectations for the pace.

The biggest differences between bicycle touring gear and motorcycle touring gear (for me) are the weight and amount of tools and riding clothes.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 15 Oct 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oxford UK
Posts: 2,104
Quote:
Originally Posted by Threewheelbonnie View Post
Given the world is full of 50cc scooters three up with enough produce to start a farmers market on the back, you only usually need autobahn performance on the autobahn.

Andy
Yebut those 500 chickens flap all the way to the market so they hardly weight anything.

There's no reason why you couldn't put any size panniers on any bike - there are plenty of people who have custom built pannier / box combinations that look like a small caravan stuck over the back, but usually practical considerations take over. Panniers have got bigger over the years and the 40+L ones that are common now would have looked grotesque 20/30yrs ago.

I currently run a set of (about) 12L panniers on my Suzuki 125, but not because of some mathematical calculation that says they are the optimal size but because I found them in the back of the garage. They were originally bought for use on an early GoldWing and back then looked about right on that bike.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 28 Oct 2014
Kayjay's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: India
Posts: 303
Pannier size vs motorcycle cc-uploadfromtaptalk1414517811864.jpg
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 28 Oct 2014
Kayjay's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: India
Posts: 303
I am all excited to fit my panniers on my bike for the first time. This my old 535 cc Enfield. I got some second hand Kappa make from Uk when I completed my ride from India to Uk last year on my 1994 Enfield thro the Silk Route. I was carrying aluminium boxes at that time. The size is 40L but comfortable to ride with.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 28 Oct 2014
anaconda moto's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Ecuador, amazone, puyo
Posts: 191
This shows that anything is possible, even if it is out of proportian.
(125cc on the picture)
Attached Thumbnails
Pannier size vs motorcycle cc-image.jpg  

__________________
Freedom is all i need!
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

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

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
Buying and registering a motorcycle in Chile timyarb Trip Paperwork 16 2 Jan 2018 18:55
Adventure Show at Colorado Motorcycle Expo Sept. 20 & 21 Sun Chaser Motorcycle Events around the world 0 13 Sep 2014 15:50
China: International Motorcycle Trade Exhibition (CIMAMotor 2014) liufen Motorcycle Events around the world 0 18 Mar 2014 10:03
purchasing motorcycle in Nepal or India? waynewing West and South Asia 10 22 Jan 2014 16:05
Tire size availability for RTW trip. Handy man Equipping the Overland Vehicle 18 27 Apr 2013 05:05

 
 

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

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

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...

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!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

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 14:36.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top