Panniers - 38 or 45l ?
 

Hi All,

sorry if this has been discussed before but I am on the brink of ordering those Touratech aluminium panniers for my 2016 Honda Africa Twin.

I am planning to go on a trip for a couple of months and would bring camping equipment + clothing for various weather conditions as well + a bit of tech (small laptop+camera)

I want to stay away from a big top case to keep the center of gravity low. Maybe just a pack roll on the back.

What is your experience with the 38 or 45l pannier sizes? Which one would you choose?

Thanks a lot!!

Stephan

I'd say if you're going wide, go real wide.

If you're going anyplace where filtering through traffic is required (e.g., Morocco, South America, California), or if you plan to ride tight trails at any point, keep your panniers narrower than your handlebars.

How wide is wide?
 

Saw this "wide-made-wider" pannier system in Chile. Not the widest I've seen on six rides around the globe, but likely the most unique wide. The owner had fabricated full protectors for his already wide panniers, or maybe he was going for high speed aerodynamics. :funmeteryes:

For me, 38L and 45L are both way too big. The bigger the bag, the more stuff I'll carry, making the bike heavy, wide and unwieldy and less fun to ride.

I prefer 26 L bags and medium size waterproof duffle (for camping gear).

https://i831.photobucket.com/albums/...73006136_2.jpg

It can be done: you can take everything you want as long as it is the smallest and lightest version of the item that you can find or modify. Sometimes that is expensive (as in sleeping bags) and sometimes it is just spending time decanting a bit of DEET from the big bottle into something much smaller.

.............shu

I have Bumot 35+31 panniers with a roll bag across the top and a tool box attached to the pannier frame. I can get tent (Exped Mira II), sleeping mat, sleeping bag and pillows in the smaller 31-litre pannier.

I'm currently towards the end of a six-week trip that didn't include camping but did include a gala banquet in Marrakech so I had to pack suit, smart shirt/tie, smart shoes etc. I've also contended with a variety of weather so everything from shorts to wet weather gear and an electrically-heated jacket. Plus I started the trip with more than a dozen old T-shirts to throw away whilst travelling to save washing.

So I'm with @shu.. above, go small with the panniers and adapt your kit to fit.

Oh... and how to fold a suit jacket for a biking trip...

Thank you for your awesome and very detailed responses!! Great community bier

Definately true that the more space you have the more stuff you bring :-D
So I am going for the smaller ones!

@Tim Cullis: I just came back from Morocco too. Rented a Honda 250. But just made 1000km around Marrakech, not too far off. Amazing country and ride!!

I will share some pictures as soon as I find out how to :-D

Stephan


https://i.ibb.co/nLN2VPD/DSC0069.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/4Tfz44J/DSC0020.jpg

Wide splitting lanes/filtering
 

Out during lunch yesterday, this thread prompted some observations re: pannier width and filtering. The below pics are of delivery guys (DHL, Post Office, super market, etc). In this country lane splitting or filtering is expected, a given, and these delivery guys are wizards at doing so through the clogged traffic. After observing numerous intersections and roadways the conclusion of our team of watchers was it wasn't a matter of width of handlebars or elbow/knee measuring, it was a matter of pilot skill, as the panniers were always wider than the handlebars.keepcalm

I’m not claiming skill is not of the essence. I am, however, perfectly certain that neither my skills, the OP’s skills (remember, he’s had no experience with panniers), nor probably your skills are at the level of the local delivery guys. If in need of proof, just doll up your bike and try to follow one around any major developing world city for a bit. I’ve tried this myself, and found that I can keep up with the pizza delivery guys only in the middle of the night on deserted streets. What works for the folks in your photos won’t work for the rest of us.

You know this already, right?

Common Sense Versus Dolled up
 

:mchappy:

I know that to score several of those pics of the delivery guys was during daylight hours, through thick traffic, on my dolled-up motorcycle (pics below) required common sense, which should override an assumed skill level. Never tried to follow a pizza delivery guy at night here - common sense is not to push that envelope after dark. A newbie, or well traveled motorcyclist with any size panniers should remember what "Dirty Harry" said: "A man has to know his limitations.":smile2:

Sorry, but I find I cannot concentrate on what you're saying due to the overwhelming visual impact of your way-too-fat panniers. [<---joke]

PS: Matching fork boots AND brake disk???

Way-too-fat? LOL
 

Whoa Nellie! Way-too-fat? (understanding the joke, no worries)

Professing to know little and thus doing research for the ADVENTURE MOTORCYLIST book, I attended a HU Traveller's Meeting in lane splitting leading state (in USA), California to learn about pannier systems/mounting/costs and +s and -s. The below were pannier systems seen at that traveller's meeting. If one photo is worth 1,000 words, these below should serve up 4,000 words on the subjective definition of "way-too-fat.":)


PS: SUPER MOD - sent you a couple of Top Secret, Insider Info, VIP re: Cyber Truths

'Dr. G'
Professor of Motorcycle Adventure
Adventure Motorcycle University
Author/journalist/general motorcycle wastrel

Hello

What ist the difference in width of those panniers on your bike.
Yes, size does matter, but not that much on the panniers at the end of your bike.
If it's more than the handelbares, you will know by how much.
Only you will know if that will be a problem for you.

There are places in the world where filtering is legal or normal, but nowhere in the world you will have problems if you can't do it like the locals. If you're not already filtering every day, I don't recommend to beginn with it in a country where you're the rich guy ,scratching a local car ,bad day.

38 or 45 liters, again only you know how much volume you need.
But remenber, you will use what you have, it will get filled up.
My vote goes to 45l.

At the end, it's your trip.


sushi

To answer the original question, I would go with 31l, but I wouldn’t choose TT. I’m sure they’re great, and Zi have other TT stuff that’s excellent, but I really like my Metal Mule panniers. Yes, the original owners of MM would have put time and effort into making a balanced version with a modified exhaust, but their child-like simplicity getting them on and off is amazing. Also, they seem narrower and taller than other brands, making them narrower and more manageable overall. I have them on my 2017 AT and they’re excellent. Personally I’ve gone with both a roll bag on some trips and a Givi 28 ish litre (I can’t exactly remember) solid top box on others. Either way, great combo and low down weight is always better for handling.

Whatever you choose (and whoever you get to go!) have fun.

Thanks Endurodude for the reply, really helpful!

I decided to go with the smaller ones 38/31l, not sure which manufacturer yet.

Does Honda offer aluminium panniers for the Africa Twin as well that make better use of the preinstalled molds on the bike? Not a big fan of the plastic Honda panniers though.

Stephan