Panniers anyone?

O.K so I just picked up my first bike in 25 years, Bonny 865 se, very pleased, very beautiful, will post pics when I can stop smiling so hard.
Promised the missus I would fit panniers so I could pick up shopping etc (bike has to be useful not just pretty) but don't know anything about them except that the Triumph ones are v. expensive, and not all that pretty compared to some of the stuff I've seen for Harleys etc. Also read somewhere they are not that robust. I don't want hard cases, doesn't have to be leather, but waterproof.
Has anyone fitted these or any other type of luggage to their Bonny, what is their experience of them, can I fit any type of pannier so long as the brackets fit (some of the brackets look really ugly and would ruin the look of the bike with panniers off).

 

Hi, I have BLAZE panniers , throw overs complete with detachable guards easy push in guards throw over panniers and clip retaining strap they velcro together when off. bought from BYKEBITZ LTD half price of Triumphs

 

Hello Horned One and welcome in. When I had my Bonny T100 I was lucky enough to be given an Oxford set of luggage (soft style) comprising: throw-over panniers plus tail pack (shape of a a square box that sat on the back rack or pillion seat). They are excellent - light waterproof, easy to take on and off the bike - I found them ideal tbh.

Here a pic of the set of thing I mean:
Tailpack : http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Oxford-Fi...245574?hash=item1c5cb1e0c6:g:MzgAAOSwIwhWRgCB

Panniers : http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Oxford-Sp...521682?hash=item4b07a0bc52:g:jZMAAOSwi0RXyt2p

 

Thanks Phantom, are they the "Bags Connection Blaze for Street Twin"? Is it poss to mount them a bit lower by putting the cross-piece under the seat as I have small LED indicators fitted and would have to re-locate them otherwise.

 

HI Horned One. I have just this morning ordered a set of the new Kriega Saddle bags for the Bonnie.

http://kriega.com/bikepacks/saddlebag-duo-36

Got a couple of other bits of Kriega kit and it's always been quality.

 

Thank You Big Lad, how do they fit, do I need brackets, if so which kind???

 

Yes they look fab, pricey mind. Do you use the Triumph type bracket/saddlebag support bar for these?

 

Yeah they are pricey but fully waterproof without the need for separate covers and Kriega stuff lasts forever! With regards to support, you can use the Triumph type (I've had some black powder coated so they don't stand out too much when the panniers arent on) or try the ones that TEC offer http://shop.tecbikeparts.com/products/pannier-rails-bonneville-t100-thruxton-se which seem good value.

 

I didn't use brackets with mine. I just had the pannier straps under the seat and the tail pack has it's own bungee straps that I fastened to rear peg supports and the rack.