Oxford Sports Panniers

**Bob** · 31st December 2006, 02:43

Now if you own a sportsbike with no bungee points and you want to do a spot of touring, the only solution (aside from just wearing the one set of kit and getting very smelly!), is to buy a set of panniers.

So a friend of mine bought the Oxford Sports Panniers for his ZX636R. By and large, he seems OK about them, but does have a few reservations.

Click here for the full review to see just what he doesn't like about them.

Does anyone own the "humpback" version? I'm curious to see if their shape does make a difference.

**bluninja** · 31st December 2006, 03:09

Bob, not sure if mine were the humpback panniers but they resemble the shape. I used them to tour down to Monza, do a couple of days at the track and ride back. No problems with fitting and attaching them, and the waterproof covers worked a treat (spent a day travelling in torrential rain through France) with no leaks or tears. I eventually passed them onto a ZX6R owner. Never any damage to paintwork (no tape used) and the ties didn't fray for me.

I've attached a link of them fitted to the Blue Ninja.

Hope this helps.

**WarlockNZ** · 31st December 2006, 10:56

I use the Oxford 1st timer version .. panier's and tankbag .. the total size of the panier's is 47ltrs.

I've never had a problem with them .. although the under and over the rear seat thing is a two person job.

I think they work really well .. and it's much better than ruining the lines of the bike with a pack rack.

**98tls** · 31st December 2006, 11:17

I have the humpback ones and are well pleased.......came with everything..carry straps,bungee cords,paint protector.plenty of clearence from pipes and very strong zips which is good as i tend to cram a fair bit in them.

MD · 31st December 2006, 13:33

I bought the Oxford Sports throw over bags last week. Sick of using half a doz. bungees to hold a bag on the back that keeps moving around and then it's hard to get one thing out without removing the whole kabang and repacking.
I haven't had a chance to use them but they look like quality kit and spacious enough. I like the way the expansion works with the wrap around zip that keeps it all tidy when in 'small/compact' mode. Also like the straps that fasten over your rear pegs and all the accessories that came with it e.g. bungees, rain covers.
I did a trial fitting and agree it can take a bit of getting used too - but still quicker, better looking and more secure than what I've done in the past. Maybe with time you get the hang of fitting quicker (the under and over seat task I mean).
I'm just worried that they might scratch the paint but from what bluninja posted, sounds like they don't.

**NighthawkNZ:Me** · 31st December 2006, 15:47

Originally Posted by MD

I'm just worried that they might scratch the paint but from what bluninja posted, sounds like they don't.

I have the full ventura luggage... with throw over side saddles... I have had to put a clear anti scratch stick on (not sure what its called)

Looks like shit on there

but I can peel it off and put new stuff on there... but I may just buy a strip of pola fleese and use that in stead...

**NinjaBoy** · 31st December 2006, 16:42

Originally Posted by 98tls

I have the humpback ones and are well pleased.......came with everything..carry straps,bungee cords,paint protector.plenty of clearence from pipes and very strong zips which is good as i tend to cram a fair bit in them.

I have the Humpback tailpack and plan to get the panniers some time soon. While in general I agree that quality and accessories are excellent. I did however find that the zip tabs were a bit flimsy. They are attached to the zip via a thin piece of wire which can and in my case snapped off after its second use. It must be a known issue as this failure is specifically excluded in the Oxford warranty wording !

Fit wise I can report that it fits perfectly on my 05 Ninja. Having more capacity just means I try to pack more in, so limited capacity is a blessing in disguise for me

**ceebie13** · 31st December 2006, 17:08

After much deliberation and ordering of Givi and Oxford stuff, I finally settled and recently bought these Oxford Sports panniers and Humpback tank bag (Many thanks to Pete and Mart at MotoMart...or is it Mart and Mart at MotoPete?). Anyway, I digress...

I've had Oxford stuff in the past and really haven't had much problem. However, the rain covers for the panniers and tank bag are pretty flimsy to say the least and collected a pool of water in which the panniers sat during a long distance run in torrential rain. The result was soaking wet gear inside the panniers. So from now on I always pack my stuff in a plastic bag before stuffing the panniers.

The pictures illustrate just how - when fully extended - the panniers turn the CB into the Starship Enterprise but I have to say that even with the phaser banks fully switched to warp factor 9 the she seems pretty stable.
Just won't be doing any lane splitting.

There's good clearance between the starboard pannier and the muffler and I dont get too much "droop" when they are fully loaded. Despite there being a rubberised panel on the inside of the panniers, I always drape some Oxford rubber blanket stuff over the seat and down the sides before attaching the panniers to the bike. This has worked well in protecting the paintwork.

I've yet to put this new luggage to the test. That will come with our N.Island tour in January.

The tail bag in the pictures cannot be accredited to Oxford. It's really a cooler bag which we use for Mrs CB's make-up etc!!
Works a treat though.

**MotoGirl** · 31st December 2006, 18:37

Originally Posted by ceebie13

After much deliberation and ordering of Givi and Oxford stuff, I finally settled and recently bought these Oxford Sports panniers and Humpback tank bag...

Wow! Looks like she's loaded up like a pack horse!

I've just got the Ventura pack rack on my 1k. When I go somewhere I take the cowl off, put the back seat on and zip the two bags together. Dad (macmotortrimmer) had a set of Givi hard bags on his Vulcan and now uses the Ventura system on his 'busa. He reckons you can definitely fit more in textile bags

What's really sick tho, is our 600 Bandit has two 45L hard bags and the Ventura pack rack that holds two full-sized soft bags!

**98tls** · 31st December 2006, 18:40

FWIW you can buy the blanket/paint protector seperately.........very good stuff.

**TLDV8** · 31st December 2006, 19:07

Is there are Oxford importer here ?

I don't think the pannier's would work with high mount pipes but the tank and tail bag is looking good.

**98tls** · 31st December 2006, 19:19

Originally Posted by TLDV8

Is there are Oxford importer here ?

I don't think the pannier's would work with high mount pipes but the tank and tail bag is looking good.

Not sure about the fitting with high mounts les....when i bought my oxford bags i just went down to the local Suzuki shop in little old oamaru and he got em for me......will have a look in file for pic with standard height pipes

**T.W.R** · 31st December 2006, 20:20

Originally Posted by TLDV8

Is there are Oxford importer here ?

Any Bike shop will have access to getting them

& if they're willing to help they have the means to do it.
Not 100% sure but either Forbes & Davies or Northern Accessories are the NZ Distributors for Oxford Luggage systems.

Panniers
Oxford Sports (OF600/1/2/5)
Oxford Humpback (OF500/1/2/4/5/9)
1st Time (OF414)

Tankbags
Sports (OF630/1/2/5)
Sprint (OF680/1/2/3/4/5)
Humpback (OF540/1/2/4/5/9)
Compact Sports (OF660/1/2/5)
1st Time (OF411/412/416)

Tailpacks
Sports (OF670/1/2/5)
Humpback (OF520/1/2/3/4/5/9)
1st Time (OF416/417)

Oxford Site

www.oxprod.com

**ceebie13** · 1st January 2007, 13:46

Originally Posted by MotoGirl

Dad (macmotortrimmer) had a set of Givi hard bags on his Vulcan and now uses the Ventura system on his 'busa. He reckons you can definitely fit more in textile bags

Ah... that means you should recognise your dad's handiwork in my pics then, MG? And very comfy it is too...