Offroading with panniers

[rtracer13]

I've heard that using hard panniers can cause broken ankles in the event of an offroad fall especially if you try to dab. Wondering a few things:
1) Is it true?
2) Do hard panniers include the plastics like Pelican or just aluminum/steel ammo can kind?
3)Is this exclusive to increasing the likelihood offroading or also a hazard on road?
4)If a plastic like a pelican is not included with this, what is the reasoning as to why it doesn't injure you/pin you in the same way?
5)I would think that the panniers actually provide a bit of space to protect the bike from falling directly onto your ankle in most cases. If this is not true, why is no panniers better?

I did break an ankle with steel ammo cans on the bike but on the fall I didn't try to dab (feet remained on the pegs) so don't think the panniers were to blame, but really just trying to understand better to prevent future brakes since I love offroading and typically bring a bit of camp stuff with me.

 

[offworlder]

I have used both hard and soft bags. Vastly prefer the soft ones, as they're a lot more flexible re fit/positioning, and don't require additional racks to mount (= weight savings). The only bonus hard bags (panniers) have is they can be more easily locked/secured.

 

[Swinada]

I also prefer the softbags, if they are not fully loaded you can make them smaller. They are soft so if your foot gets trapped it will be way easier on your foot. If you misjudge distance to an obstacle the soft ones are more forgiving too, metal boxes will fling you off your bike.
I always thought I wanted some hard cases but then i bought some ammo boxes, i used them on one FSR off road trip, took them off again and don't think I will ever use them for a trip. Too heavy.
If you go on a long HWY trip, hard boxes might be nice just because you can lock them and supposedly they stay dry inside when it rains. I just learned to put everything in plastic bags for soft luggage and dont use the rain covers that come with the bags while driving, only if you wanna cover the bags in the parking lot. Cause when you drive and have them strapped on because they are pulled over the bags with a bungee system they are open towards the bike, the spray from the road will get in and trap all the water nicely so that on your next stop you realize your carrying an extra 10 liters of water in each bag.

 

[lifebehindbars]

I tend to agree hard boxes/panniers are grate in the fact that they save the bike in the event of a crash but at what cost they may end up hurting the rider even worse. Setting up a bike is different for every rider some riders are more aggressive thus far ride lighter bikes with less gear, some less aggressive with a bigger bike and bulkier gear including big solid expensive boxes. Personally i only put on my boxes when there's no hardcore riding involved, and keep them on as little as possible. But i have to admit panniers do look sweet.

 

[rtracer13]

So just to clarify, soft panniers would be a better option than none at all as they could cushion the fall of the bike somewhat without being hard enough to do damage on their own?

Not sure about all, but the ammo cans I had and any ones in good shape will sealed to prevent water getting in. Never had any wetness in mine anyhow.

 

[John M]

My big Pelicans saved my leg on a highway crash, and pinned my leg on a slow speed tip-over. Off road, I make a habit of wearing my big motocross boots, and that seems to have helped a few times.

 

[tomcycle]

I have tried all options of Pannier bags in front and rear positions on the bike.

Last choice would be Hard Panniers on the back of the bike. It took only one ride for me to realize that a misplaced dab would cause immense PAIN and could possibly end my ride. I believe I go for the ride and packing gear is secondary. We had John J in Baja loose one of his panniers on the road, he never knew it was gone for 25 miles, never did find it. There are pictures on this site of others loosing their hard Panniers. They were lucky enough to find them and take pictures. Most bikes do not have nearly strong enough sub-frame to carry the weight of hard(soft) Panniers during off road use. Dont believe me, follow someone with hard panniers on a rough road and watch how much movement there is, its only a matter of time before the small mounting bolts or sub-frame weld will let go.

Next worse choice Soft Panniers with a frame,Dirt-bagz by Moto-Sport . I uses a set of those for my G650X, they actually worked pretty good, simple yet strong frame and a lightweight nylon bag that would not take your leg off if you made a bad dab. Not too big as to make you want to take the kitchen sink on your adventure. I liked them and would be my second choice for a long adventure ride.

My choice if I had to ride with big rear panniers on an off road adventure, Giant Loop products. They make bags big enough to put any hard pannier too shame, and they are just about as ugly too. I used their coyote saddlebag for my Baja adventure and it was great, but still I found it too big and I took way more stuff than I needed, I found this out when I had to carry the back a few kms. For my weekend rides I use the MoJavi Saddlebag I love this bag and keep it on my bike permanently and ride the toughest of single track without issue.

I always ride with a backpack, just got used to it. I ride with a backpack because I have learned that anything that is on your bike in a bag must be considered expendable, I am sure everyone has lost stuff out of there bags? In my backpack I carry the things I need. wallet, money, water, food, camera, gps, spot, batteries small tools etc. I just got use to riding with a backpack and feel like I am missing something if I don't have it on, the backpack has also served as a great back protector over the years.

Good luck with whatever choice you make, its always better to have a couple of opposing opinions.

Tom

 

[LordEndo]

I used soft saddle bags on my KLR a few years ago and found them to be pretty good. I wish I could remember the mfg but they were not much bigger than the Giant Loop Mojavi. Currently I use the Mojave, like Tom, for day rides. I have a Coyote to do longer excursions. The Giant Loop stuff beats anything out there in my opinion. But they leak, so get the waterproof bags if you're going for the Coyote or the bigger one.

I use a mountain biking hydra pack on my back. 2 litres of water and there's room for my folding saw, lunch, wallet, phone and a couple small tools that I don't carry in the mojave.

 

[North]

I use a tail bag with extra bungees to strap it to the Bike, wolfman enduro soft bags and a back-pack. The stuff I don't want to break, I carry in my back-pack. Even than, if you go over backwards or fall on rocks. Anything can happen.

If I used hard cases, I would be breaking them almost every ride and would have to pack them out. I would rather ride without a backpack and I am looking at getting larger enduro soft bags.

 

[Ti welder]

I use a tail bag with extra bungees to strap it to the Bike, wolfman enduro soft bags and a back-pack. The stuff I don't want to break, I carry in my back-pack. Even than, if you go over backwards or fall on rocks. Anything can happen.

If I used hard cases, I would be breaking them almost every ride and would have to pack them out. I would rather ride without a backpack and I am looking at getting larger enduro soft bags.

Have giant loop
got to have something soft on the 990
hurts bad when you hit a point Bach there
coud have made the bag less like plastic nod made better heat shield (2)

 

[Ti welder]

I use a tail bag with extra bungees to strap it to the Bike, wolfman enduro soft bags and a back-pack. The stuff I don't want to break, I carry in my back-pack. Even than, if you go over backwards or fall on rocks. Anything can happen. <br>
<br>
If I used hard cases, I would be breaking them almost every ride and would have to pack them out. I would rather ride without a backpack and I am looking at getting larger enduro soft bags.

<br>
Have giant loop
got to have something soft on the 990 hurts bad when you hit a point Back there
Could have made the bag less like plastic made better heat shield

 

[joker650]

When I first got my 950 I wanted to buy hard panniers for longer trips but they were too 'spensive for me.
Then I thought about the ol'army can set up. It was affordable, but they were heavy and had sharp corners that could hurt me in a wipe-out.
I ended up buying soft bags from KTM that were made for the bike. I didn't like how they fastened to the bike so I modified them to be securer for off road and they held up great, but they were not water proof as others have noted.
The stock tank on the SE is not very big so I was always fiddling with extra fuel.
This was my solution.


I bought a 35L dry bag from Wholesale sports...100% water proof . It can be a little fiddly getting things in and out due to being rubber , so I don't put anything I may need during the day into it.
I use an extra "semi-dry" zip-up bag strapped in top of it to keep any thing I might need during the day's ride like rain gear Heavy gloves , lunch and water.
Then I was able to mount 2 Rotopax fuel cans on the KTM soft-bag frames .

It worked really good.
Everything in the green bag stayed completely dry in a cpl hours of pouring rain , and the dry bag also worked great as a back rest on the hi-way :^)

On a light 2 night trip (staying in in Hotels) I just used a smaller overnight semi-dry bag.
Everything stayed dry with a 15min light rain.

For some reason I'm not too worried about the Rotopax fuel tanks.They are not quite as hard as aluminum panniers and have no sharp edges.

 

[joker650]

........and there is always this little problem if u ride the docks )):

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ZCEPvw5VUeQ?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[r1200gsa]

I had the metal BMW Adv cases on the 1200. When I changed bikes, I bought the GL Siskiyou soft panniers. They're a good compromise between hard and soft options, but have some things to keep in mind.

+ Weight. No racks needed.
+ Securely carries two 2L fuel bottles externally.
+ Capacity is good. I can carry everything but a tent inside the bags themselves.
+ Always kept water out for me.
+ Excellent build quality.

- Joined in the middle via a wide velcro strap. There is no way to comfortably carry them around.
- When loaded with 4L of fuel, your range of movement while standing is reduced on an F800. Other bikes may not have this issue.
- Need to unstrap one side to fuel the bike, at least with the BMW "comfort seat's" profile. Other bikes/seats may not have this issue.

Surprisingly, I haven't dumped with these bags on yet, but I'm confident that they will hold up.