What are the laws relating to panniers?

[geemannz]

What are the laws regarding to panniers attached to a motorcycle?

I know that a load cannot exceed more than 50cm from the centre line of the motorcycle, but does that include panniers?
Bit confused as to what is defined as "load"

[george formby]

Interesting point. Are baggage and load equal or separate in the eyes of the law?

Has this been discussed and regulated?

If not, we need a measurement of risk.

#1 How often do KB'ers lose their load?

#2 Was the load lost with or without baggage?

#3 How large where the panniers if baggage was mounted?

#4 Did the size of panniers effect loss of load?

#5 Was the loss of load due to friction at the mounting point?

#6

[caspernz]

https://vehicleinspection.nzta.govt.nz/virms/in-service-wof-and-cof/motorcycles/vehicle-exterior/dimensions

Here's a clue :msn-wink:

[Ginge09]

Anyone got a bike more than 4.3m high? You’d catch a bit of wind...

[geemannz]

https://vehicleinspection.nzta.govt.nz/virms/in-service-wof-and-cof/motorcycles/vehicle-exterior/dimensions

Here's a clue :msn-wink:

So panniers would be counted as an extension of the motorbike, rather than counted as an attached load?

[caspernz]

So panniers would be counted as an extension of the motorbike, rather than counted as an attached load?

The way I read it, as long as your panniers fit within the 1.1m overall width you're good.

A load being something not permanently fixed to bike, has to comply with the 0.5m from centreline rule though.

[AllanB]

1.1m width max. Load of shit.

Those GS1200's with twin factory boxes will exceed that.

[geemannz]

1.1m width max. Load of shit.

Those GS1200's with twin factory boxes will exceed that.

Yeah i'm sure i've seen a few bikes around that looked bigger than 1.1m wide.

[caspernz]

1.1m width max. Load of shit.

Those GS1200's with twin factory boxes will exceed that.

Factory spec for adventure lists them at 990mm. Maybe one of the lads on here with a tractor wants to run a tape measure across one?

I get where you're coming from, had to look it up myself, so I'm just quoting how the law reads...

[AllanB]

Factory spec for adventure lists them at 990mm. Maybe one of the lads on here with a tractor wants to run a tape measure across one?

I get where you're coming from, had to look it up myself, so I'm just quoting how the law reads...

990 excluding panniers. Probably bars, or crash bar width. Looking at one parked up next to me at the campground last week the alloy boxes are bloody near a foot wide each.

[FJRider]

So panniers would be counted as an extension of the motorbike, rather than counted as an attached load?

They are a fitting. I have panniers on my FJ. I been through numerous WOF's (with and without panniers fitted) and I never been challenged on them.