Panniers

[XTDave]

As I'm well underway with winter maintenance , I'm staring to wonder about (covid permitting) summer / autumn touring. Although the bike came with  a huge Givi topbox and mounting plate, I'd prefer a set of panniers and use the rack / seat for tent and sleeping bage etc.
Anyone got any suggestions for a pair of ally , top opening panniers and mounting frame.?
I have looked online and there seems to be quite a few about, my XT ones are 27 ltr each and I can get everything I need  in those.
Any thoughts?
Thanks

[Bobmc]

I have a set of Givi panniers and they hold a lot of stuff. Very sturdy and fit on the normal pannier racks

[timangus]

I used Givi Outback Trekker case on my RTW trip, and they are Suzuki Swift proof.

[Gert]

Have a look at an example of the Trekker Outback boxes in the pix posted on https://www.vstrom.info/Smf/index.php/topic,36805.0

[mr_diver]

Be careful with the givi stuff.
It's very Good quality.
I'm not knocking that.

I only buy Givi luggage (Kappa is a sub-brand) but the mounting racks have different box fitments depending on which boxes you want to mount.

PLX racks only take the V35 boxes (stupid size and shape to get stuff in, but keeps the bikes narrow)

PL racks take all the historical boxes along with a nice selection of current panniers (many panniers can be used as top boxes with this rack -Trekkr for example)

PL-CAM pretty much only take the Outback boxes.

Other brands are available, but if you change your bike, will you get racks to use the boxes again.

I've got a selection of givi panniers (25 year old E36, 10 year old e21 plastic top loaders and 5 year old K44) they all are very different and I use them for different types of trips and swap between the bikes.

I'll never trade any of them with a bike.

I used to sell Shad and Sw motech. Shad are generally flimsy with interesting designs but weak mechanisms.
Sw motech (trax) are a faff to put on and off, you often end up with loads of little sodding keys and have a habit of falling off as people don't lock them on properly. But they can take a beating.

[Mark Shelley]

I have Givi pannier rails on my bike and removed the ‘latching’ hardware on both sides I.e. the two little mushrooms and the toblerone shaped piece, and fitted aluminium box panniers .Mine are ARDcases but take your pick from the many second hand ones that come up on ebay. It is fairly easy to relocate the pucks to fit your rails if different to those already fitted.

[XTDave]

Hi All ,

Thanks for the info , I'll  do a bit more research and keep an eye out on Ebay over the next few months, Whatever I end up with they need to be easy to get on and off. The Yam XT genuine ones are , unlock , move the lever and they're off, great for road side rumaging!.

Thanks

[mr_diver]

I like to use a 40ltr roll bag, 48ltr top box, K21 (k22 or e22 new models) panniers when out on a solo camping trip.
Neat, narrow but top loading square-ish boxes you can get a surprising amount in.

Roll bag doubles as a waterproof mat to sit/kneel on to cook and to store any wet gear in to not soak everything else (small tent)

But I also have the 44ltr panniers and need a wide load sign 1.25m wide

[Caffs]

This my set up Shad 40 box SH23 panniers and a 20L tank bag, the 23's are top opening. I have a total of 106L s0 plenty, I have a lomo dry bag for my tent which goes behind me.

[Joe Rocket]

I'm sure rectangular boxes can be just as 'space losing' as rounded ones. I never pack things that is box shaped when camping. Here are my Givi E41 panniers and Blade B47 topbox. The panniers have an opening lid, ideal for access during a day's ride.