Best universal motorcycle panniers | Case study

There may well come a time when you need to carry luggage on your bike and universal motorcycle panniers can be a cheap and practical option – whether you’re heading on a multi-day camping trip or simply commuting to the office.

While some may be able to get everything they need into a rucksack or a roll-bag on the pillion seat, many others prefer the convenience and carrying capabilities of panniers. They can house any manner of kit securely and keep it dry. Mounting it low down, below the seat line and either side of the rear wheel tends to affect the bike’s handling and stability less than a heavy bag sat up high in the seat, too.

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Of course, not all bikes can use panniers; some with mid- or high-mounted exhausts, for example, simply don’t have space to house panniers with a capacity worth having. And for those touring bikes that can accept panniers, the manufacturer will generally have a set available as an option but chances are, these will not be cheap.

You can spend up to £1000 on a pair of boxes which, if you’re buying new and putting it all on the never-never, may not be too painful month-by-month but it can be a big hit if you’re buying secondhand, for example.

One advantage of spending this kind of money is you can get hard panniers in a colour that matches the bike and uses the same lock as the ignition and steering lock for convenience.

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These will likely be completely waterproof and fairly secure but can be a pain to lug around when you get to your destination. Soft panniers from manufacturers are an option – they are generally cheaper but not as secure and possibly, not as waterproof either.

But a set of aftermarket universal soft panniers can be useful and portable and – crucially – available for almost any bike with the exhaust system in the right place. They can be just as effective at keeping the weather out, just as portable – if not more so – than hard panniers and can be slung over the shoulder cowboy-style for carrying into the hotel, for example.

Be aware that you may also need a pair of pannier racks on your bike to prevent the bags from pulling in and coming close to – or even hitting – the rear wheel or exhaust in use but with a rack in place, there are lots of options available.

Other options to consider

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