Archive of BMW Motorrad Club Cape (2006 - 2019)

Hard lockable panniers are not cheap. Probably not even if you make em yourself. Many people swear by the soft luggage option - and state the only time you need lockable luggage is if you're crossing borders or doing some sort of epic trip.

I use the trax panniers and have found them to be worth every cent. they are light and strong and you will be suprised how much you can fit into them. only use side panniers, no top box.they are also practical and are easy to remove from bike when overnighting. their after sale service is great as well as I broke a mounting bracket crossing Namibia and they replaced it free, no questions asked! take the plunge!!

Hi Zane About 2 months ago, I made a set of Aluminium panniers up for my dakar, following basic instructions from a thread on the Wild dogs site. Cost in the region of R1500 to make up, and a bit of time, some drill bits and a lot of rivets. Mount them on Kappa Luggage brackets (R1500) using a system similar to the touratech one (R800 from touratech, or DIY with some hard plastic material from Cape Plastics,R200) and you have a Aluminium system for under R5000. Less than half or systems made from Touratechand or Hebco and becker... Plus its quite rewarding... Search "DIY Aluminium panniers" on the wilddogs site. It was really easy to do... Steve

Hey Zane ;-) I see you made it to this forum! Some great people here and you will get some valuable tips. You are the Zane the bought my bike right? My 2c tip: I will go with soft luggage (cheaper) and you can 'lock' soft luggage when needed - Pacsafe Rucksack Security Harness. http://www.studentjetpacks.com/description.asp?item=LDS11 I've seen people use this mesh/harness to secure soft luggage. It's not something you would ride with the whole time but when you need to secure your soft luggage you can take mesh out and fit it. In saying this it then makes sense to get soft luggage you can easily remove when fully packed. Good luck and chat soon :-) Cheers, Corné

If you could post the link I'd appreciate it. I may be doff but I've done a search and can't find it. ''If you can dream it you can do it!''

Hey Corne, Yup it is the same Zane, I have looked at soft option for panniers but do evetually want to do the long trip from Cape Town to Europe somewhere so would rather get the aluminium option now. Hellish expensive in comparison but perhaps necissary. Are you in OZ yet and how is the search for another bike going? Zane.

Thanks for all of the advice guys, I have got a guy that can make up panniers for me but will have to weigh up my options coz after sales service would be a bonus!

Share the love! Maybe a group buy gets us a discount. I got the expandable BMW panniers. And while they've been great so far, I'm worried they wont survive any major fall.

Yes, been in Oz now for more than a month now! I even started to watch Footy (AFL) :P My team is St Kilda (Saints). I support them because I ride on the St Kilda tram every morning to work and it's a BIG office must, you have to support an AFL team ;-) NOBODY in Victoria watch Rugby! Even when the Wallabies beat the Boks the other day, it wasn't even on the News! Seriously! Found a job in Melbourne. I went to Sydney for two interviews and to Tasmania (Hobart) and got one offer in Sydney but decided to stay in Melbourne as I found an awesome job with a small company. We do pricing software for a retail suppermarket chain called Drakes. Well, I passed my Vicroads full motorcycle license and I'm SOOO ready to buy a bike but we have decided to buy a car first (I got a little new Hyundai Getz). It's just easier with a car at the moment to do shopping etc. I'm still waiting for some money from SA (my house money) and then I will be able to buy a bike :-) My heart is on a KTM Adventure 990R. I've discovered the most amazing book. Weekend Warriors. http://weekendwarriors.com.au/ Can't wait to do some of these rides when I get my bike! There are SOO many cool off road rides in Victoria! Good luck with the panniers and chat soon. Cheers, Corné

Here is the link. http://www.wilddog.za.net/forum/index.php?topic=24042.0 and for instructions http://rtw.xtz660.googlepages.com/alluboxes I used 1,5mm flat (ie. non patterned)Aluminium from Non ferrous metal works in Maitland, they cut it to size. ( Think it cost about R500???) Then for the lid and sides I got 30mm L shaped pieces from MICA or penny pinches. It might be worth having any welding you want done before you start riveting away, as you put silicone into the joints, which makes it difficult to weld... Steve

Zane, I also need panniers for the old Dakar 650 fairly quickly. Lemme know what yr plans are please, ordering 2 systems might get us a better discount...? -Chris-

Thanks for the link Steve. This looks good! ''If you can dream it you can do it!''

Hi Chris, I am taking my bike in sometime this week to have quotes made for the panniers, I will ask about discount for two and am more than happy for you to get in touch with them if you would rather do it yourself. Will probably get the bike in on wed or thurs only. Will keep you posted. Zane