Current options for panniers / saddlebags

Nortorious

Nortorious

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Mar 28, 2021
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Hey friends, I want to add saddlebags to my 73 Commando 850 Roadster. Even if i find some throw over bags that fit with the exhaust, I think I will need something to keep the bags from hitting the spinning rear wheel. I can't find any options for side pannier Racks that are subtle and look good. In fact, I've found zero options because the Hepco Becker option appears to be unavailable now. I reviewed old threads and I can't find anything that is an option to be purchased today. Any suggestions for either saddlebags or a rack?

It's been a while since I posted because my bike was over at cNw getting work done. I got it back recently and am grinning ear to ear. I'm shipping it to the Netherlands right now from my old place in Colorado. Once it arrives and I break in the engine rebuild I'm looking forward to a road trip. So.. need saddlebags!

Thanks for the help.

Current options for panniers / saddlebags


Current options for panniers / saddlebags


Current options for panniers / saddlebags
 
Triumph Thruxton side pannier and frames fit well.

gortnipper

Thread 'Ride Report: Nylon Panniers'

I got quite a few comments about the panniers I set up for our recent NOCNZ rally, and I was so happy with how easy they were to set up and use, I decided to post a mini ride report on them for the 1500 mi/5 day trip I took.

Ride Report: Nylon Panniers


I got the idea for using these from @worntorn as he posted a while back that he thought that they would bolt up nicely, and reviewed them positively when used on his Thruxton R.

They are Triumph Nylon Panniers, part number A9518150. Be careful with the p/n as there are several for these style panniers, and they only differ in the mounting brackets...
  • Like
 
Nortorious said:
Hey friends, I want to add saddlebags to my 73 Commando 850 Roadster. Even if i find some throw over bags that fit with the exhaust, I think I will need something to keep the bags from hitting the spinning rear wheel. I can't find any options for side pannier Racks that are subtle and look good. In fact, I've found zero options because the Hepco Becker option appears to be unavailable now. I reviewed old threads and I can't find anything that is an option to be purchased today. Any suggestions for either saddlebags or a rack?

It's been a while since I posted because my bike was over at cNw getting work done. I got it back recently and am grinning ear to ear. I'm shipping it to the Netherlands right now from my old place in Colorado. Once it arrives and I break in the engine rebuild I'm looking forward to a road trip. So.. need saddlebags!

Thanks for the help.

View attachment 118901

View attachment 118900

View attachment 118899
Click to expand...
I have zero input to your question sir…

Just wanted to say that you’ve done a fabulous job, that’s a lovely looking machine you have there !
 
Let me start off by saying that is a beautiful looking machine.
If your looking for just a rack, I just installed one from (I believe is ) Classic racks in the UK
Current options for panniers / saddlebags
Current options for panniers / saddlebags


I am pretty happy with it.
Pete
 
you could use them frames that keep the soft panniers away from the wheel, I've seen them on Hinckley Triumphs lots of times.
 
I modified Givi monokey hard case frames to fit my commando. It's not all that hard to do. Some cutting, some welding, and a little paint work. The bags are waterproof, lockable, and quick disconnect for when you just want to sport ride locally and don't need storage space. They clip on and off in seconds. The frames are black so they kind of blend in with the black frame and paint of the bike. The pictures below are from the initial fitting. last year I raised them up about 1.5" but I never took new photos.

interstate perfection1.jpg


Current options for panniers / saddlebags
 
I was given a set of heavy duty throw over leather saddle bags, they fit both my bikes the Norton and Thruxton but I do most of my traveling on the Thruxton, why I brought it, I also made my own saddle bag supports and with clips on the bottom of the saddle bags so they don't move when on the bikes, I made the supports out of solid round alloy bar bent the same as the support bars you buy for over $250 I made mine for $6 for a length of 6m round alloy bar and about 30mins to bend and shape, the saddle bags sit over the rear seat on both bikes, as well with the saddle bags fitted I can carry my large canvas duffle bag as well my swag for instant bed, I also have a rack on the back of the Thruxton with another 25ltr bag.
I had this set up for over 8 years and haven't had no problems with this set up, unlock the clips and lift the saddle bags over my shoulder to carry inside, the supports stay on the bike and take less than a minute to throw the bags on the bike, I can carry a lot of gear in these bags as well anything else on top of the saddle bags from clothes, camping gear or anything else I need to carry while traveling, they have done a lot of road miles over the 8 years, the leather has been water proof but if I pack clothes in them I always put them in plastic garbage bags for extra water proofing, here is a few pics of my set up on my Thruxton but can also be the same set up on the Norton.
Not a bad set up for me that only cost me $6 for the alloy bar and 1 hours work to make the supports, with this set up the bikes still handle great and feels the same when riding with them on, they don't move, its just like having a passenger on the back when its all packed right, I am very experience traveler on my bikes (50+ years now), I done many 15hrs straight runs in the saddle and can have the bike packed in less than a 1/2 hrs notice when I need to go away in short notice.

Ashley
20230220_105526.jpg
20230220_105811.jpg
20230220_105632.jpg
20230926_083118.jpg
 
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A small size hockey duffle bag with the ends stuffed and the bag draped over the back of the seat and bungeed down works okay
 
Mart UK said:
I got these frames from Andover Norton. 15 minutes to take on and off.
Click to expand...

The Andover Norton frame is out of stock for the Roadster style specifically for about the next 5 months. Hepco makes the frames and the recent frames they received don't fit the Roadster properly. Hepco identified the problem and Andover said a jig was not correct and they think it will be 5 months to get corrected ones.

This was the option I was hoping for first since there were good reviews about them in previous threads. Maybe for next year.
 
Mark Savage said:
I’ve used these Oxford Sports throwovers on trips to Sweden and Spain. I take the seat off and put the straps over the frame around the shock mount area as much as possible and put the seat back on to make them more secure.
I’ve looked at other options for more capacity but not liked how some of them put weight on the loop.

View attachment 118924
Click to expand...

Those look great. Do you have any support brackets at all to keep them away from the wheel? Or is using the shock mount your way of keeping them supported?
 
ashman said:
I was given a set of heavy duty throw over leather saddle bags, they fit both my bikes the Norton and Thruxton but I do most of my traveling on the Thruxton, why I brought it, I also made my own saddle bag supports and with clips on the bottom of the saddle bags so they don't move when on the bikes, I made the supports out of solid round alloy bar bent the same as the support bars you buy for over $250 I made mine for $6 for a length of 6m round alloy bar and about 30mins to bend and shape, the saddle bags sit over the rear seat on both bikes, as well with the saddle bags fitted I can carry my large canvas duffle bag as well my swag for instant bed, I also have a rack on the back of the Thruxton with another 25ltr bag.
I had this set up for over 8 years and haven't had no problems with this set up, unlock the clips and lift the saddle bags over my shoulder to carry inside, the supports stay on the bike and take less than a minute to throw the bags on the bike, I can carry a lot of gear in these bags as well anything else on top of the saddle bags from clothes, camping gear or anything else I need to carry while traveling, they have done a lot of road miles over the 8 years, the leather has been water proof but if I pack clothes in them I always put them in plastic garbage bags for extra water proofing, here is a few pics of my set up on my Thruxton but can also be the same set up on the Norton.
Not a bad set up for me that only cost me $6 for the alloy bar and 1 hours work to make the supports, with this set up the bikes still handle great and feels the same when riding with them on, they don't move, its just like having a passenger on the back when its all packed right, I am very experience traveler on my bikes (50+ years now), I done many 15hrs straight runs in the saddle and can have the bike packed in less than a 1/2 hrs notice when I need to go away in short notice.

Ashley
View attachment 118909View attachment 118910View attachment 118911View attachment 118912
Click to expand...

The Commando and Thruxton. A great combination!

Current options for panniers / saddlebags
 
rightshiftrick said:
I've used these Tourmaster throw over bags on a number of trips with different bikes. No brackets underneath, although they do have a strap that I attach to the passenger peg.

Current options for panniers / saddlebags
Click to expand...
Those look good and substantial. So, I have the same question: do you use a bracket or brace of some kind to prevent the saddlebags from hitting the real wheel? If you're using a bracket, what do you use? If you have no brackets, how are you securing the bags from flopping bag and forth?
 
Mark Savage said:
I’ve used these Oxford Sports throwovers on trips to Sweden and Spain. I take the seat off and put the straps over the frame around the shock mount area as much as possible and put the seat back on to make them more secure.
I’ve looked at other options for more capacity but not liked how some of them put weight on the loop.

View attachment 118924
Click to expand...

Hey Mark, do you recall the model number or capacity of your Oxford Sports bags? They appear most similar to the P50R that Oxford sells today. The P50R holds 50 litres. I don't see your bags being sold anymore but maybe these are the new version? 50 litres is surprisingly big for these though, considering they have to clear the upswept exhaust pipes.
Here are the current Oxford panniers:

Panniers - Luggage - Motorcycle

www.oxfordproducts.com www.oxfordproducts.com
 
Nortorious said:
The Andover Norton frame is out of stock for the Roadster style specifically for about the next 5 months. Hepco makes the frames and the recent frames they received don't fit the Roadster properly. Hepco identified the problem and Andover said a jig was not correct and they think it will be 5 months to get corrected ones.

This was the option I was hoping for first since there were good reviews about them in previous threads. Maybe for next year.
Click to expand...
I think I might be responsible for this.

Very long story short I bought a pair of the Andover frames at the end of last year. And had no end of trouble fitting them to my very standard Mk2 850 Roadster. Basically holes not lining up. Poor clearance etc etc. I finally got them on by making spacers, grinding bolts, obtaining longer hardware and using G clamps and wooden blocks to lever it into position.

I sent several e mails to Andover including photos suggesting the jig must be damaged or twisted.

Ashley at Andover dug out one from their stock and sent the photo attached. Seemly sometime in the past year or two Hepco and Becker must have lost damaged or otherwise screwed up their welding jig.

You could make the current one fit with cutting and welding but I didn't want to destroy the chrome.

I beleive they are getting this sorted but beleive me unless you cut and weld you really don't want to try and fit the recent version.

Look at the photo. Those two pieces should be mirror images. I found the holes were out by as much as 15 mm. It wasn't just one that didn't fit either. Both were out by different amounts.

To answer the OPS question. I have OGIO saddle bags. 24 litre expandable to 30 litre each side. Seem OK but I havnt done much mileage yet.
 

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Nortorious said:
Those look good and substantial. So, I have the same question: do you use a bracket or brace of some kind to prevent the saddlebags from hitting the real wheel? If you're using a bracket, what do you use? If you have no brackets, how are you securing the bags from flopping bag and forth?
Click to expand...

As stated in my first post, I do not use any brackets with these bags. The bags have a straps that I fasten to the stem of the passenger peg at the front, and another that I attach to the frame loop at the back. That holds them pretty tight, and the weight of them loaded keeps them from flopping around. I take them of when at camp and want to ride around. I've used them on my Commando, a BMW R90/6, and my old '92 Ducati 750ss without issue.

RSR
 

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