Pannier users . . .

[Busa_Rush]

Have got a pair of Givi keyless hard panniers on the V-Strom 1000 and given they are so big, I was wondering if it's common to run with just one ?

Does it upset the aerodynamics or make it less stable ? I'll never load it up very much but having two of the buggers on makes filtering difficult.

I might even want to swap this pair of Givi's for a pair of their slimmer E21 panniers if anybody is interested ?

[toxgobbler]

I have panniers but tend to run with either both or none as I was always told it was important that the bike was evenly loaded, that said, I have seen a BMW regularly on the M4 with only one, so I guess it would depend on your comfort levels and just how heavy it would be. As for filtering I have a top box fitted now to help with that, but you could always use a tail/tank pack/bag?

[RizzoTheRat]

You can get the E21s for under £100 a pair, and they're usually narrower than the handlebars so no issues filtering. I'm thinking of getting a pair but keeping my much wider E36 as well as they're useful occasionally

[dern]

I wouldn't ride with just one as the centre of gravity will shift slightly towards that side. I imagine that this means you'll probably get weird tyre wear as the bike will run in a straight line leaning slightly to one side.

Edited by dern on Wednesday 10th November 18:49

[Hooli]

RizzoTheRat said:

You can get the E21s for under £100 a pair, and they're usually narrower than the handlebars so no issues filtering. I'm thinking of getting a pair but keeping my much wider E36 as well as they're useful occasionally

I keep thinking of E21s as well. My E41s are sodding huge so I don't like filtering with them on at all. Infact they are too big for touring really as I'll end up packing extra clothes I don't need to stop stuff rattling about in there.

[Busa_Rush]

Thanks, I think I'll need to test it before I go away with one pannier. On the other hand, I just know I'll start filtering and forget which pannier I have . . .

[sjtscott]

Hooli said:

RizzoTheRat said:

You can get the E21s for under £100 a pair, and they're usually narrower than the handlebars so no issues filtering. I'm thinking of getting a pair but keeping my much wider E36 as well as they're useful occasionally

I keep thinking of E21s as well. My E41s are sodding huge so I don't like filtering with them on at all. Infact they are too big for touring really as I'll end up packing extra clothes I don't need to stop stuff rattling about in there.

Yep I have 2 x E21s already, no complaints and they are far from the fattest part of the blackbird which remains the mirrors, they don't hinder filtering at all. I will add they are only usually fitted for touring normally and I just leave the E55 topbox on daily.

[Frik]

Bikes aren't tested to run with only one pannier.

I could guess at a number of reasons why this wouldn't be a good idea and I wouldn't recommend it.

[stinkwheels]

You will be ok if you place two large house bricks in the opposite top pocket of your riding jacket.
This will even any tyre wear and give you something hard to bang your head against

[Hooli]

stinkwheels said:

You will be ok if you place two large house bricks in the opposite top pocket of your riding jacket.
This will even any tyre wear and give you something hard to bang your head against

I've ridden with one empty pannier when taking it back for repair, I don't think I'd fancy one loaded one though.

[Andy XRV]

dern said:

I wouldn't ride with just one as the centre of gravity will shift slightly towards that side. I imagine that this means you'll probably get weird tyre wear as the bike will run in a straight line leaning slightly to one side.

Edited by dern on Wednesday 10th November 18:49

On my 1200S I leave my panniers on all year round and the load in each side is never equal, in fact, most of the time due to the weight of my PC bag it's very uneven. But do I find the bike leaning to one side? Of course not. Do I get weird tyre wear? I don't think so. Does it make any difference to the handling? Not the slightest

Sometimes I think the science behind what might happen gets seriously blurred with what actually happens.

But back on topic, the most important consideration is most bikes look poop with one pannier so why would anyone want to do it?

[Matbmx1]

Andy XRV said:

dern said:

I wouldn't ride with just one as the centre of gravity will shift slightly towards that side. I imagine that this means you'll probably get weird tyre wear as the bike will run in a straight line leaning slightly to one side.

Edited by dern on Wednesday 10th November 18:49

On my 1200S I leave my panniers on all year round and the load in each side is never equal, in fact, most of the time due to the weight of my PC bag it's very uneven. But do I find the bike leaning to one side? Of course not. Do I get weird tyre wear? I don't think so. Does it make any difference to the handling? Not the slightest

Sometimes I think the science behind what might happen gets seriously blurred with what actually happens.

But back on topic, the most important consideration is most bikes look poop with one pannier so why would anyone want to do it?

Any bike looks poop with 1 or 2 panniers on it if someones running panniers i cant imagine image has much to do with it! i agree though that the weight of a pannier wont make a blind bit of difference im sure my left leg is heavier than my right

[Busa_Rush]

Matbmx1 said:

Any bike looks poop with 1 or 2 panniers on it

I beg to differ . . . a V-Strom is so ugly in the first place that I doubt the addition of panniers is sufficient to worsen the styling

I'll be going to Europe probably 4 or 5 times on it next summer and the ability to enjoy the roads will significantly outweigh the looks of the thing

[dern]

Andy XRV said:

Sometimes I think the science behind what might happen gets seriously blurred with what actually happens.

I'm not quite sure what that means in this context. I understand that you haven't noticed the bike leaning or any odd wear and completely believe you but nevertheless if you move the centre of gravity to one side the bike will lean while in a straight line. It's simple physics... the bike rolls along with its centre of gravity over the contact point (if it didn't it would fall over) so if you move the centre of gravity out to one side the bike will lean the other way to a degree. The result of that in terms of the way the bike feels, handles or the tyre wears is obviously variable on the bike, whether or not you lean to compensate (consciously or otherwise) but the physics of it is constant and not 'blurry'.

Regards,

Mark

[Hooli]

Andy XRV said:

dern said:

I wouldn't ride with just one as the centre of gravity will shift slightly towards that side. I imagine that this means you'll probably get weird tyre wear as the bike will run in a straight line leaning slightly to one side.

Edited by dern on Wednesday 10th November 18:49

On my 1200S I leave my panniers on all year round and the load in each side is never equal, in fact, most of the time due to the weight of my PC bag it's very uneven. But do I find the bike leaning to one side? Of course not. Do I get weird tyre wear? I don't think so. Does it make any difference to the handling? Not the slightest

Sometimes I think the science behind what might happen gets seriously blurred with what actually happens.

But back on topic, the most important consideration is most bikes look poop with one pannier so why would anyone want to do it?

Ride further like it? I went abroad once with my paniers unevenly loaded, within 1k or so I could see how far off upright the bike was running due to the flat bit being off centre on the rear tyre.

[RizzoTheRat]

Hooli said:

My E41s are sodding huge so I don't like filtering with them on at all. Infact they are too big for touring really as I'll end up packing extra clothes I don't need to stop stuff rattling about in there.

For a week camping in Scotland a few months back I fitted everything in my 2xE36 panniers (except the tent and roll mat that live on the pillion seat) and had the top box empty rather than have the panniers half full. While it's nice to have the extra space for cake slimmer panniers would make filtering a lot easier.

[Hooli]

RizzoTheRat said:

Hooli said:

My E41s are sodding huge so I don't like filtering with them on at all. Infact they are too big for touring really as I'll end up packing extra clothes I don't need to stop stuff rattling about in there.

For a week camping in Scotland a few months back I fitted everything in my 2xE36 panniers (except the tent and roll mat that live on the pillion seat) and had the top box empty rather than have the panniers half full. While it's nice to have the extra space for cake slimmer panniers would make filtering a lot easier.

I get everything including the tent, sleeping bag, cooker & airbed in the panniers along with everything else. I leave the topbox empty for shopping while out there and/or leaving my lid etc in when I stop at something I want to see.

[RizzoTheRat]

I tend to pack heavy, I have a spacious tent (Khyam biker), and can't go camping without the espresso machine.

[Andy XRV]

Hooli said:

Andy XRV said:

dern said:

I wouldn't ride with just one as the centre of gravity will shift slightly towards that side. I imagine that this means you'll probably get weird tyre wear as the bike will run in a straight line leaning slightly to one side.

Edited by dern on Wednesday 10th November 18:49

On my 1200S I leave my panniers on all year round and the load in each side is never equal, in fact, most of the time due to the weight of my PC bag it's very uneven. But do I find the bike leaning to one side? Of course not. Do I get weird tyre wear? I don't think so. Does it make any difference to the handling? Not the slightest

Sometimes I think the science behind what might happen gets seriously blurred with what actually happens.

But back on topic, the most important consideration is most bikes look poop with one pannier so why would anyone want to do it?

Ride further like it? I went abroad once with my paniers unevenly loaded, within 1k or so I could see how far off upright the bike was running due to the flat bit being off centre on the rear tyre.

Euro Bikers handbook paragraph 7.3

When loading the bike for a euro trip don't pack all your beers in one pannier and your condoms in the other.

[Hooli]

That's not packing heavy, that's packing the house ffs!