Pannier dilema

[The Doctor]

Hi,

I've got an R1100S that I need panniers for. I'd prefer to use soft panniers. I have a Famsa tank bag which is great, but unfortunately they're recommending not to use the Famsa soft panniers. Could anyone provide any advice, please.

Thanks.

[Ade B]

System cases (hard panniers) are miles better than soft panniers. I had a set of Oxford panniers which went round spain fine but were a real faff to put on and take off, would trigger the alarm during attempted early morning getaways from B&Bs and were ultimately neither secure or water proof. Only good bit was they packed flat and could be stashed easily.

BMW system cases and rails can be had SH for about £200-250 and are superb (if a little wide around the city). If you have somewhere to store them when not used they are much better.

I'd also look at the Ventura racks - they're brilliant and I've got one of them too.

Ade.

[tripe]

can certainly vouch for the hard panniers. forgot to lock it on to the rail in Normandy at the weekend. as I got up to 50mph felt a click and saw pannier take off and bounce back into the distance behind me. came to rest at the side of the road, the only damage to the pannier was some good scuffing all over, otherwise integrity intact. I was escorting 60 bicyclists on a 3 day charity ride from Paris to London, embarrasingly 10 of them saw it happen.

[Dog Tyred]

I was escorting 60 bicyclists on a 3 day charity ride from Paris to London, embarrasingly 10 of them saw it happen.

And the other 50 just crashed into it laying in the road

[tripe]

chain driven carbon fibre frame against my shaft driven tractor - I was lucky to get past ten of them

[The Doctor]

Thanks for everyone's advice. Now looking for rigid panniers!