Reports from Owners on Panniers/Luggage

No, I'm not worried about it. I'm talking low speed tip overs and dropping the bike. I'm aware that a crash will wreck just about anything - that goes without saying.

I've had a 30-50 km/h get off with Trax luggage on my KLR and it did just fine - no visible damage.

Also, the thread title and intention is for people with first-hand knowledge when they actually get the Honda luggage or alternative.

Plenty of opinions out there, including mine, I'm looking for people who have actually handled or used the luggage.

To be honest, the Holan ones look the most rugged of the part and are actually considerable cheaper than the Honda, Hepco and Becker, and Touratech. But I like the mounting of the Honda bags and the lack of hardware and rack systems - it's tidy.

If it can survive a tip over or dropping the bike if you're off balance - then I'm in.
:laugh:

fabriktr said:

Seriously, If you are worried about destroying the hard bags in a crash, none of them will fair too well. You can bin every one of them. I have seen even the plastic Hepco and Beckers destroyed. I have seen the bullet proof Caribou cases destroyed. I have seen the bottoms torn off of the Touratec Panniers. The only thing that has some crash worthiness is soft luggage. If you are a good fabricator and can bodge a decent set of mounting racks you could look at the Pazoma 37 liter aluminum panniers on E Bay for $300 and $100 shipping. If you bin one they are cheap enough to replace. These are universal and come with the mounting loop, but no arms to fit to the bike.

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FWIW, for the first time in about 20 years I believe I'm going for the soft luggage option. This bike is thin, light (when compared to the other big boy ADV bikes), and just seems to cry out for something more svelte and compact. Both Touratech and Hepco Becker have great options for big hard cases, but I just don't know... on a physically wide bike like the BMW they look fine, but for the AT it seems kind of like putting a moving trunk on the back of a greyhound. (Just my 2 cents... no flames, please! 0)

On the soft luggage end of things, both Wolfman and Ortlieb make great stuff, but I've also been looking at some Giant Loop gear recently. They offer a nice set of soft luggage options to consider. I'm just wondering if their wrap-around tail bags will fit over our rather wide back handles we have.

https://giantloopmoto.com/

D_H said:

I don't think the standard Honda ones can take it (as in, they don't feel anywhere near strong enough). I know from personal experience that the Givi Trekkers (the standard ones, not the Outbacks which should be stronger and are currently the only Givi panniers for which a compatible mount exists for the AT) can take an NC750X falling on them despite being mostly (very thick) ABS plastic. Personally, I've gone with Hepco and Becker Xplorers because my bike should be arriving soon and they were available before everyone bar Touratech, whose mounting system I don't care for (it requires an internal thumbwheel to be operated).

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Just had a reply from Givi

'Good Afternoon and thank you for your email.

I would advise that we are currently in the process of manufacturing a range of accessories specific to the 2016 model of the Honda Africa Twin. The current range can be viewed on the following weblink; http://www.givi.co.uk/my-motorcycle#HONDA,CRF1000L_Africa_Twin_(16). At the present time, we are not producing a pannier frame that is compatible with our “TRK” Trekker cases. The only pannier frame option that is currently in the process of being manufactured is compatible with our Outback Trekker cases. Our R&D Team in Italy is continually working on developing new products and it is possible that in the future we may produce a second pannier frame option for the 2016 Honda Africa Twin, therefore, it is certainly worth keeping an eye on the Givi.co.uk website for updates.

As the items are in the process of being manufactured, we are waiting for notification from Head Office as to when the items will be available to the market and we are also awaiting pricing information. However, any items specific to the Honda Africa Twin can be pre-ordered through your local Givi stockist / retailer then once the first batch of the products hits the UK, you will be one of the first recipients'.

I really fancied a set of the Trekker (not the Outbacks) but it seems they don't make a pannier frame for them, its Only for the Outbacks.. might go the soft route now..
cheers all
Rob.

Thanks, that's the feedback I was hoping for.

Also, thanks to those who've suggested the soft luggage options. They are cheaper, lighter, and have slick and simple mounting positions.

I think for the multi-week trips that I normally take I still prefer hard luggage and can then use my soft luggage to strap across the seat and tops of the panniers. I like the rigidity, security and crash resistance of the hard luggage and they've done well in low speed tip overs or drops in the past. I was hoping the Honda luggage would be rugged and a single solution.

Dollar for dollar the Holan Expedition cases are the best value and offer a unique undermount tool location area which keeps weight low and gives a great place to put simple hand tools.

I have the Givi Trekker top case you've ordered and it is awesome. It's massive and cavernous and holds two large full-face helmets.

Thanks for everyone's feedback.

Here's a picture of my current luggage solution with my Varadero and I think I'll do the same with the Holan on the new AT.

BenB said:

We've ordered Honda panniers and a Givi Outback 58l topbox in black.

The Honda panniers seemed ok. Not too rugged, but solid enough. We use them for longer trips, but otherwise they're not on the bike. The mounting system is neat and tidy, and when the boxes are removed there's no frame.

The Honda top box is poorly built and would not close. The dealer actually took it out of the showroom to avoid embarrassment with other customers. It will only take one helmet, too.

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