ninjac
29th October 2007, 14:38
Product:
Oxford Humpback Panniers
Description:
Soft panniers designed for compact sports bikes.
What you get:
Pair of pannier bags (max capacity of 45Liters total expanded).
Pair of nylon rain covers.
Pair of semi-rigid boards for pannier base (maintain bags’ shape).
1 Oxford Blanket (paintwork protector)
4 adjustable fabric straps.
2 bungie cords (medium length).
2 shoulder straps.
Fitting guide.
Quality out of the box:
Very good. No parts were missing. Some mesh on the fake air vents has come unglued.
How they work:
The panniers attach together using three pairs of opposing integral velcro straps. The central straps are mounted lower on the panniers for fitting underneath the seat. While the front and rear straps are mounted higher for fitting over the seat (or under) to allow best fit for you motorcycle.
My motorcycle is a 2007 ZX-6R. It fits perfectly with the front and rear velcro straps over the seat.
Use the supplied anti-scratch, anti-skid blanket to protect body work. I put the blanket on first under everything then trimmed overhang and trimmed around seat locking mechanism.
Fit fist with bags empty to set correct length of central velcro strap.
When panniers are in correct place with all three pairs of velcro straps securely mounted. The adjustable fabric straps are used front and rear at the base of each bag. Secured them to an appropriate part of the motorcycle and tension to prevent movement.
I put the front adjustable straps around the pillion foot peg hanger and the rear straps around the dedicated luggage hooks (thank you Kawasaki).
To get a really secure fit make sure you set the velcro straps tight with the tops of the bags leaning towards the centre of the bike. Then when the adjustable straps are tensioned, it pulls them down to sit horizontal.
The bags will have a bit on movement if you pull on them. However grab the bike by the handle bars and give it a wobble from side to side, there will be no movement.
On the road:
These are the only panniers I have used so have nothing to compare with.
They didn’t move one bit during there first trip from Auckland to Napier and back.
Rode like I stole it and hardly new they were there.
Criticisms:
The adjustable straps plastic buckle bits don’t seem quite right as it’s quite hard to tension them. This isn’t so bad I suppose because you know they wont come loose.
The rain covers material feels a bit to light weight. I get the feeling that if I was on the road side and the heavens opened up they would be tricky to install and could easily rip them.
Capacity isn’t that good without the zippered expansions used which upsets the look a bit.
There is no provision for attaching padlocks or such to secure zippers.
Verdict:
Look great on the bike. Very secure fitment. Manufacturing quality is very good.
Feel like they will last a long time and have lifetime warranty (limited).
I would recommend these to any one with a late model sports bike looking for panniers.
Oxford Humpback Panniers
Description:
Soft panniers designed for compact sports bikes.
What you get:
Pair of pannier bags (max capacity of 45Liters total expanded).
Pair of nylon rain covers.
Pair of semi-rigid boards for pannier base (maintain bags’ shape).
1 Oxford Blanket (paintwork protector)
4 adjustable fabric straps.
2 bungie cords (medium length).
2 shoulder straps.
Fitting guide.
Quality out of the box:
Very good. No parts were missing. Some mesh on the fake air vents has come unglued.
How they work:
The panniers attach together using three pairs of opposing integral velcro straps. The central straps are mounted lower on the panniers for fitting underneath the seat. While the front and rear straps are mounted higher for fitting over the seat (or under) to allow best fit for you motorcycle.
My motorcycle is a 2007 ZX-6R. It fits perfectly with the front and rear velcro straps over the seat.
Use the supplied anti-scratch, anti-skid blanket to protect body work. I put the blanket on first under everything then trimmed overhang and trimmed around seat locking mechanism.
Fit fist with bags empty to set correct length of central velcro strap.
When panniers are in correct place with all three pairs of velcro straps securely mounted. The adjustable fabric straps are used front and rear at the base of each bag. Secured them to an appropriate part of the motorcycle and tension to prevent movement.
I put the front adjustable straps around the pillion foot peg hanger and the rear straps around the dedicated luggage hooks (thank you Kawasaki).
To get a really secure fit make sure you set the velcro straps tight with the tops of the bags leaning towards the centre of the bike. Then when the adjustable straps are tensioned, it pulls them down to sit horizontal.
The bags will have a bit on movement if you pull on them. However grab the bike by the handle bars and give it a wobble from side to side, there will be no movement.
On the road:
These are the only panniers I have used so have nothing to compare with.
They didn’t move one bit during there first trip from Auckland to Napier and back.
Rode like I stole it and hardly new they were there.
Criticisms:
The adjustable straps plastic buckle bits don’t seem quite right as it’s quite hard to tension them. This isn’t so bad I suppose because you know they wont come loose.
The rain covers material feels a bit to light weight. I get the feeling that if I was on the road side and the heavens opened up they would be tricky to install and could easily rip them.
Capacity isn’t that good without the zippered expansions used which upsets the look a bit.
There is no provision for attaching padlocks or such to secure zippers.
Verdict:
Look great on the bike. Very secure fitment. Manufacturing quality is very good.
Feel like they will last a long time and have lifetime warranty (limited).
I would recommend these to any one with a late model sports bike looking for panniers.