Author Topic: Big Donkey (Read 4167 times)

King Orry · « **on:** February 16, 2017, 14:09:35 »

I'm trying to decide whether to bother buying pannier rails for my 2013 650. Though I'd use them on few occasions, in fact the only place I've been when they'd have been handy is the TT, I hope to actually use my bike this year, a quick waz around Europe, and I already have a full set of Givi Maxia panniers doing nowt.
The rails are pretty reasonable too, £135 ish. My main negative is how blummin wide the bike becomes.! I can imagine me 'forgetting', and destroying wing mirrors by the dozen when filtering as normal. Any thought? Pics of bikes with similar fitted.? (Not found it easy to search for such on this site).

grumps · « **Reply #1 on:** February 16, 2017, 14:28:19 »

Just fit and remember they are there when you ride. I ride several bikes with panniers and never had a problem. You won't have such an easy time filtering but what's the rush?

King Orry · « **Reply #2 on:** February 16, 2017, 15:23:03 »

I love the way the title I wrote has been changed.. a s s has been altered to Donkey by the software.!

Yep, I've ridden other bikes with panniers, Fazer, VFR, but none appeared as wide as the Vstroms do when they're fitted.
As for not filtering..! There's no point riding a motorbike if you're not 'making progress' while car drivers are static. Guess they'd just improve my 'spatial awareness' skills.

Rusty Nuts · « **Reply #3 on:** February 16, 2017, 15:25:39 »

Panniers = touring = holiday = no rush, take a little more time and see a whole lot more.

chris1200 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 16, 2017, 16:17:23 »

The only time I use mine is when I am going with our lass on a two/three week camping jaunt. Never had a problem being slowed down by them in Europe. I really wouldn't want to use them over here as at some point I know I will end up being stuck on a motorway, in the rain, and unable to fit through the gaps.

user650 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 16, 2017, 17:00:38 »

This may help to see how wide it would be if your cases are listed

http://www.DL650.org/photos/accessoires/valisesrigides/index.html
http://www.DL650.org/comparo-valises.html

chris1200 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 16, 2017, 17:17:59 »

Thank you user650! I never believed there were bikes out there fatter then mine...but there is!

mr_diver · « **Reply #7 on:** February 16, 2017, 19:02:52 »

I fitted Kappa K960 44ltr panniers to the oem racks on my wee.
Didn't measure the width but it was bloody wide.

Still this didn't stop me doing plenty of 2up filtering on our tour around Scotland.

user650 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 16, 2017, 19:11:22 »

Filtered OK with this two up on the way back from Wales last year

chris1200 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 16, 2017, 19:21:34 »

Are we talking about motorway filtering here or just zipping round cars? Because I can't fit through the gaps on the M5 when it's at a standstill. sigh.

mr_diver · « **Reply #10 on:** February 16, 2017, 20:00:25 »

For us, both filtering on motorways and dual carriageways and overtaking.

bigpie · « **Reply #11 on:** February 16, 2017, 20:09:30 »

I forgot they was there on my old bike. Hit a car in the petrol station, glad I had my helmet on to hide the red face.

.

user650 · « **Reply #12 on:** February 16, 2017, 21:25:04 »

Mine was Motorways (for about 10 miles last time) and other roads, you just need to get into the swing of things and have eyes everywhere

chris1200 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 16, 2017, 21:53:17 »

Humm, by "filtering" I am actually talking stationary traffic wise on a motorway. I have no problem nipping into gaps/overtaking between cars when its moving, but if its stood I just won't fit. I can maybe make a little headway but always end up with a gap too small to fit through and have to wait...in the rain....always in the rain....sigh.

King Orry · « **Reply #14 on:** February 17, 2017, 01:56:18 »

Thanks folks, some good stuff there, and pics too. Although seldom used, they would be handy. I love filtering through when the cars are static, and would probably find a way through, legal or otherwise.
I'm halfway to buying some, going to look in my local dealer tomorrow, they have a Strom with panniers fitted. Will go from there. ;-)

NTBooth · « **Reply #15 on:** February 17, 2017, 03:53:41 »

I used to go everywhere with my Panniers on, 42L keyless ones, don't think I took them off for about a year, filtering was never an issue!! you just get used to them being there.

Did become a slight pain in the arse when in very heavy city centre traffic, but still managed fairly well :D

King Orry · « **Reply #16 on:** February 17, 2017, 10:30:55 »

Great link user650, the Shad SH43 ones look like the left pannier is about to drop off.!
The Givi E21's look neat/slim.

mr_diver · « **Reply #17 on:** February 17, 2017, 12:18:12 »

E21's are an old model now. They were replaced with the more angular shaped e22.

I have a pair I use when away camping on my own. Great things and I leave them on the bike with stuff in them.

Rusty Nuts · « **Reply #18 on:** February 17, 2017, 18:10:11 »

http://www.stromtrooper.com/dl650a-2012-2016/169433-givi-e22s.html

About halfway down the page, pictures of a glee with 21s and 22s.

NTBooth · « **Reply #19 on:** February 18, 2017, 04:41:18 »

Those 22's are a nice improvement over the 21's! (visually anyway) - always like the look of the little ones for sticking bits and pieces in but for me I want to be at least able to fit my helmet in!