2022 Speedmaster Pannier Options?

David @ Vegas
I have a set of held leather panniers. They are waterproof and good. Only thing i still have to get them adapted to fit the pannier rails. But there are lots out there.
Joe.

 

I went with the Hepco & Becker bags. They are made in Germany and once one puts their brackets on you can switch bags easily. I have both leather and messenger style bags. The leather panniers are lockable and the messenger bags I use small padlocks to lock the zippers shut. I like to tour and was somewhat dismayed with the stock bags because of the complete lack of any means to secure them from thieves.

 

Just came across Hepco today - they look great... I'm also considering Leatherworks (made in Stockton, CA) bags along with "Easy Brackets".

https://leatherworksinc.com/
https://www.greatbikegear.com/

Update: visited Leatherworks in Stockton yesterday and was VERY impressed. Family owned, handmade, VERY sturdy/great quality, and I love the look. Was able to preview what they will look like, ordered some panniers and a duffel, and can't wait for 'em to arrive in the mail!

I was considering Hepco but saw a video on Youtube where they looked a bit flimsy... tilted the scales definitively in Leatherworks' favor as they are sturdier, and less expensive taboot.

 

I've purchased these Customacces panniers from Pyramid Plastics in the UK. They're a Spanish company, and they're made from ABS. Not what you'd call robust, but I think they look good and suit the classic bike. I have the stop/tail lights working with bright LED's so at least I am very noticeable now. I have them mounted to the same rails I use for my Triumph leather panniers, so I can swap them around quite easily.

 

My leather panniers from H&B are definitely robust even a bit too robust. They require some breaking in to fasten the straps to the buckles. The messenger bags are pretty heavy duty as well. I like the c-bow mounting bracket as well because it's easy to switch bags but also to lock them to the brackets. But best of luck and please share some pictures too.

 

I went a different route. Instead of side mounted panniers or hardbags i replaced the rear rail by a homemade sissybar. That allows to tie a duffle bag vertically. Provides great back support and ample cargo capacity. Like back in the good old days...... some scrap metall and a used duffle bag from the military store does the trick for a dime.
Greetings from Bavaria
Ludger

 

I went this way !
After having leather saddle bags , which cost me a lot in wind drag , lost as much as 1•5 km/lt in fuel economy.


Key benefits.
1:- load can be locked away.
2:- Can carry in excess of 100 kg !
3:- articles up to 1•3 m long , 850 mm across the body internally , as it's 900 mm wide .
4:- wind drag is minimal ! Getting 20 km lt solo , 18•5 + two up and a full load in trailer ...!
5:- Bike handling isn't badly affected .
6:- You can disconnect it in Seconds and you are away ! Back to freedom of no lowered towing restrictions on speeds !

I did 11,000 km round trip to Bundaberg in Qld 12 yrs or so back with this trailer and bike !
Did 11,500 km to Darwin 3 yrs ago , towing a heavier weight Camper , two berth pop up canvas !

The panniers are very restricted in capacity and change/affect the handling way more than you'd realise , towing a trailer really Surprised me on how easy it is ... !


cheers capt

 

Bump

 

Here is a recent Image for the Look. Sissybar and Dufflebag

 

Glad that works for you. I had to pull a splicing trailer around behind a bucket truck for the last 10 years of my career so not so attractive an option for me. The larger hepco & becker bags along with a duffle attached to the stock luggage rack seems to work for me without any loss in gas mileage. I have seen s-masters with big bags on them that might cause lots of drag & loss of mileage.

 

I just installed the Motone pannier supports on my ‘20 Speedmaster and they were ridiculously difficult to install. I’m pretty pissed off about the poor design.

The bags that I hung are Kriega 28 saddlebags. They seem fine, but I’m not entirely satisfied on how these Kriega bags hang on the bike. I could not find any reasonably priced removable bags, so I just went with the Kriega’s.

Unfortunately, the Triumph bags didn’t impress me and there aren’t many choices here in the colonies.

 

I believe they are the same design as the OEM ones I have.

I went for the bigger ones. They are sturdy and waterproof, and I think they look pretty good. However, they are a right pain to use, and to put on and remove.

The straps that go over the bike which hold the weight have a tendency to slip, so you have to keep adjusting them. However, you can't do whilst they're on the bike, so you need to mark the 'correct' position are check/adjust before you put them on the bike each time. Also, the covering flap (which annoying also holds them to the pannier rails) doesn't have enough adjustment in to account for differing sized contents, so I ended up putting plastic boxes in the bags and a perspex sheet down the outside, so they hold a fixed 'full' shape no matter what load you have in.

 

As I often tour solo I prefer hard lockable panniers. I had Givis on my Yam previously but didn't like them on the Speedmaster. I had a Road King with Harley bags and always liked them, and thought they would suit. Only trouble is no one makes brackets.

 

Some brackets made. Not finished yet, some additional bracing to add.

 

Those are huge!

 

Almost architectural. Though I'm not the first, I got these from a US forum respondent, and there's a guy in India that's produced something similar.

 

OK so I have added an extra strap. The smaller aluminum one hanging from the grab rail. I had considered removing the grab rail but it does stop tail bags from sliding off.

The main bracket is from the softail fitment for the Harley bags. The two larger straps are hardened steel. I know they are hardened steel because I went through three HRC 8mm bits drilling them. I don't have much in the way of fabrication tools here, just a drill and an angle grinder so this method was my best choice. The steel straps are more than enough to carry the weight but I was uncomfortable hanging it off a single 8mm bolt even though the sheer strength was about 2.5 KN (~250kg at sea level) for SS.

On the test run without the strap I had no vertical movement but some lateral movement, I expect due to drag vortex. I lost about 5mpg. Strapping the two together is difficult due the rear wheel being in the way and I haven't been able to find 20mm tube clamps I am happy with.

With some juggling of the washers I have used for spacers I have introduced more lateral triangulation and the brackets now feel a lot stiffer laterally. I will see later when I ride it again. I have cut down some walking pole rubbers to act as buffer stops in case vibration brings the end bolt against the mudguard (fender).

The bottom fitting uses the existing pillion peg mount. It is the perfect height but a little more outboard than I would have preferred. But without modifying the frame I will take it. I put a small notch in it to take the antirotation peg on the footpeg base.

All fittings are stainless. Not as strong as HTS but less prone to rust.

 

These are Saddleman Highwayman Slant medium bags. They are not leather, but they do really look like it. They are made of Saddleman's proprietary material, SaddleHyde. I did not use any rails or braces. They are just throw-overs. The frame on the left and the chain guard on the right keep them away from ant moving bits. There is a little, nylon loop on the bottom to tie them to the frame, but I didn't bother. The only thing I did do was to install a grommet on each up top on the front to thread a leather thong through to draw them up tight. I've had them for eighteen months now. They are holding up well. I think they look pretty good for as cheap as they were. My only complaint is the buckles. They haven't broken, but they are really chintzy. They do work, however. The bags were $114. I put a small tool bag on the sissy bar for quick access to some little stuff.

 

This set up looks quite wide, but no worse than the panniers I've seen on Adventure bikes.
I'm gonna look into these.