QQ... are the standard Ducati panniers wider than the bars? Never ridden with the panniers before and am trying to work out if I filter through traffic will the panniers get jammed.
Actually I don't think the panniers are wider, but you need to filter in a straight line because if you start to weave you may well clout something. Ask me how I know...................
No friend was involved, and it wasn't very dramatic. The first time I had panniers on I was on my way to the Chunnel. On the M25 traffic had come to a stop so of course I started filtering. At one point a stationary lorry on my right was squeezing the gap so I turned right between the back of the lorry and the car behind it intending to turn left again to pass the lorry. By this time I'd completely forgotten that I had panniers on, and as I turned left I was suddenly hit from the side and nearly dropped the bike, just managing to rescue it. Without the panniers I would have made it OK but the sharpish turn left meant my handlebars got through OK but the panniers were now on a tighter radius and the left one clouted the lorry's rear corner. A bit of a scrape on the pannier, and a red face and sore leg from saving the loaded bike falling were all I suffered, but from that point on whenever I'm filtering with panniers on I repeat this mantra in my head so I don't forget - 'Fat bike, Fat bike'. It's worked so far................
I'd say they are narrower than the bars but as Peter says you have to be careful if you turn sharply. I've done a similar thing as Peter describes in London and again caught the panniers on a metal pole when pulling into a parking space at a lunch stop.
Definitely narrower, unless you fit the big lids, at which point filtering becomes a bit of a challenge...
I did almost the same - turned sharply to go past a car park No Entry sign and 'brushed' the sign with one of mine; I guess I should have paid attention to the sign
I've just fitted mine today ready for our tour tomorrow and they might be about 10-15mm wider than the bars...
Thanks for all the replies.. Think I can get away with my 20l Krieger tail pack for the 4 day alps trip that is coming up.
How much filtering will you be doing in the Alps? While I’ve always said ‘less is more’ when it comes to luggage. Once you’ve locked stuff in the panniers you don’t know you’re carrying it. They do make it dead easy. For 4 days you shouldn’t need much though.
Managed filtering OK on recent trip to Dolomites. Though not much of it once over the channel the Bracknell, M3, M25 leg presented plenty of opportunities with a little consideration for the width of the arse end. If the mirrors/bars fit through and I was in a straight line then there were no issues or scars on the panniers. Trying to turn through traffic to cross lanes needed consideration. Did take it relatively easy and pulled aside to let other faster lane splitting bikes through.
This is my first bike with panniers and on the first outing, I pulled up too close to my mates "panniered" GS. As he got off and dropped onto his side stand, the panniers contacted and I almost dropped the Multi! A small pannier scratch was all that happened, but you really do have to remember the things are on - I've had a few other close scrapes, such as passing a right turning car on their left hand side etc.
Filtering on the way to Paris as ‘interesting’. I did touch the tyre of a bicycle on a carrier. (I also removed a wing mirror from a Belgian car who was sticking out)
I don't know what you're all moaning about, I had the extra large panniers on my 1200 (she insisted on it!), it was as wide as a bloody bus! never had any issues though...
I ride a GranTourismo so have the bigger panniers on mine which are wider than the bars. So far i have only hit one flower planter in a petrol station in Norway with it as i turned past the pump and forgot the width....thud on left , bike tilts right and luckily catch it. Didnt have any problems filtering on all the Autobahns and through Antwerp rush hour traffic as well by just remember the bike is wider so dont dive for the usual gap. The difference in width is a few centimetres so not that much. I have managed to wedge an Oxford soft pannier laden ZX636B1H between 2 transit vans on the M20 but thats another owners forum story
Very interesting stories, thanks for sharing your experiences. I do commute daily 70miles, all of which filtering on the North Circular, A40, M40, and M25. Have done 5,000miles so far and will be fitting the panniers this weekend for the first time (Euro trip). I think I really need to keep in mind I have them on....getting a bit anxious tbh. Any more suggestions?
If the handlebars go over the cars mirrors bear in mind the panniers might not clear as mounted lower
