I took a CRF out yesterday which was fitted with the Honda panniers and top boxes. All had locks, but I didn't open them - they don't interest me. Wouldn't surprise me that Honda charge extra for them
A couple of observations:
The bike had zero miles before I got on it, but it looked as if the panniers had been marked even during fitting. The aluminium seems to be stuck on, there's no rigidity to them. The top box aesthetically is a dog. Total afterthought
On the positive side, the panniers are neat - in that they are very close to the bike and are nowhere near as wide as the mirrors / bar ends - so no difference when filtering. The mounting system is very neat requiring no additional scaffolding / rack
It is a little time consuming and you need patience of a saint and good eyesight. It is essentially a game of trial and error for each tumbler. Having some electrical tape to holds bits in as you builld them is helpful. Once built you have to work out how to get them in the panniers. Set aside an hour or more at least.Is it hard to key in the locks yourself to the ignition key?
The instructions are not included in the panniers for installing the locks. How much a dealer might charge to do the installation of locks may be worth it! Link to instructions is here:It is a little time consuming and you need patience of a saint and good eyesight. It is essentially a game of trial and error for each tumbler. Having some electrical tape to holds bits in as you builld them is helpful. Once built you have to work out how to get them in the panniers. Set aside an hour or more at least.
BTW There is a single Honda part number which is the two panniers with the two locks included for self fitment.
UK accessories brochure quotes 0.9 hrs to fit the panniers which would include the key matching seeing as there is really nothing else to do. 1.1 hrs for the top box. So just get the hourly rate from your dealer assuming they stick to the Honda fitting time guide. :surprise:The instructions are not included in the panniers for installing the locks. How much a dealer might charge to do the installation of locks may be worth it! Link to instructions is here:
http://powersports.honda.com/documentum/MW01/08L72-MJP-A60.pdf
Best money spent was the neighborhood locksmith who charged me for 3/4 hour on assembly of the locksets. Considering the cost of other accessories the $55 was an easy decision. Using the integrated pannier rack is easy as well. Yes, these panniers are lighter, smaller, more fragile than the ones that cost twice as much. If I were to get set for world travel, soft bags would be the choice. I am pleased with these. IMO, a decent value actually.UK accessories brochure quotes 0.9 hrs to fit the panniers which would include the key matching seeing as there is really nothing else to do. 1.1 hrs for the top box. So just get the hourly rate from your dealer assuming they stick to the Honda fitting time guide. :surprise: