Category: TRAVEL

By R Venkitachalam

If you have not read my post on Viaterra claw saddle bag, you can read here.

The biggest concern is security.

What went wrong with the tail bag? Why hard panniers?

As I said in my previous post, the claw is an excellent choice for multi day trips-notwithstanding some of the drawbacks I found. Let me say again. The biggest concern is security. Anyone with a sharp blade can steal the contents or the whole bag. I do not want to ruin my solo multiday trips or to keep an eye “always” on the bag. Then, I do not want to carry the one big bag up to the upper floors of a hotel. Therefore, I began to search for some alternatives. No. I will continue to use the Viaterra claw when the conditions are ideal for that bag. 

The hard panniers

While searching for luggage with maximum security, I came upon the hard aluminium panniers. Further into the search, I reached this web page. After much deliberation and whatsapp chats with the sales team I zeroed in on this.

Images courtesy www.helmetracing.in

The buying experience

The panniers and hardware arrived without a scratch or a dent as the packing was excellent.

The sales team guided me through the details of the above set of panniers and accompanying hardware and clarified all my concerns (there were a few) regarding ordering online and the installation issues that may arise-I own a Honda CB 350, a relatives new entry in the market.

After the interactions with the sales team, I placed my order. The panniers and hardware arrived without a scratch or a dent as the packing was excellent. Five out of five stars for the seller.

The installation

after a minor customization – jugaad I could easily install the hardware

The hardware that came with the panniers is “universal”. Certainly that means it will fit most of the motorcycles in the market and for some bikes a little customisation – jugaad may be required.

The Honda CB 350 has all the necessary mounting points and after a minor customization – jugaad I could easily install the hardware and the panniers. The process was quite easy.

A few images after loading the panniers

On the road

exceeded all my expectations.

• Rock solid over a distance of 11K plus kilometers over varied terrains.
• Water proof-100 percent, in some of the heaviest rains.
• No loose play at the mounting points on the saddle stay or at the hinges.
• From day one till now the locks clicks perfectly when you lock or unlock.
• No loose play on the locking mechanism – on the panniers or on the locking point on the saddle stay.

Here are a few images from my rides.

A small video clip:

The panniers are theft proof. You need a key-single key for the two boxes and for mounting on the saddle stay. Complete peace of mind when you park the bike leave for food or refreshments.

Therefore, after about 11k plus kilometers of use in real world conditions, this set of hard aluminium panniers is a keeper. Will use it on all my solo rides and on the rides where the secured luggage is a priority.

To their credit, the team helmetracing.in did a wonderful job from the initial selection of the panniers to the final installation. They always ready to take a call or answer a query in whatsapp. Special thanks to you team helmetracing.in

about 11k plus kilometers of use in real world conditions

BTW, I have no affiliation with the manufacturers or dealers/sellers any of the products that I review in my blog. Every product I review here is aquired by paying money from my own pocket. No unboxing reviews or reviews before using a product. Every product will be used by me for at least on one ride covering a minimum of 4k or 5k kilometers. In this case, I used the panniers for over 11k kilometers

Happy and safe riding

https://www.youtube.com/@Veloyoga

Disclaimer

By R Venkitachalam

Hi everyone. Welcome to my blog. Here is my take on motorcycle luggage for touring. No. Not another seemingly non ending debate over hard vs soft. This is my experience from using hard and soft luggage for more than 15k kilometers-over varied terrain, extremes of weather, ease of handling on and off the motorcycle and safety.

What I took for my first tour

I need a large capacity lugguage system, which will accommodate my cloths, tool kit, camera, lenses, tripod and rain wear.

My tours usually last more than a week and a few thousand kilometers. Obviously I need a large capacity lugguage system, which will accommodate my cloths, tool kit, camera, lenses, tripod and rain wear. Therefore, for my first long ride-to Dholavira from Varkala, a total of 4918 kilometers, I went for the Viaterra Claw.

Images courtesy  viaterra webpage

If you are interested in this saddle bag, you may have a look here

The claw comes in two capacities-72 liters and the mini 48 liters . Since my ride was more than two weeks, I went for the larger one.

Advantages of this system

• Large capacity
• No additional hardware or saddle stay required.
• Cavernous capacity. Can carry all your equipments, tools, cloths …everything that you need for a loooong tour.
• Water proof and comes with a rain cover.
• Compartment for documents.
• Side pockets- 2x, on either side to carry Jerrycans up to 5 liters in capacity for fuel.
• Shoulder strap to carry the bag.
• Two tough handles to carry the bag. Innovative strap system to fix the bag on the bike.

These went inside and there was still more space.

Cavernous capacity. Can carry all your equipments, tools, cloths …everything that you need for a loooong tour.

• Two one liter bottles of Pro Honda engine oil.
• Tool kit.
• Tire puncture repair kit.
• Laptop and charger.
• Two 5 liter petrol cans on either side in the external pockets.
• Four pairs of trousers.
• Six t shirts. Underweares. One large towel. 750 ml  bottle of waterless wash. Microfiber towels x 4. Large power bank and an external hard disk.
• Chargers for my camera batteries and mobile phone.
• One foot pump

Disadvantages

• Will become a bit heavy to carry off the bike to the hotel room and back to the bike.
• If there is no lift in the hotel – once I hade to carry this up to the fourth floor in a holiday home (excellent strength training for my legs. Really enjoyed it), this can be a little bit of annoyance.
• This bag is not rigid. Hanging parts can easily scratch the paint. A few pieces of strategically placed cellophane tapes saved my bike’s paint.
• Cannot lock your bag. No safety. With a sharp object anyone can cut open the bag and steal the contents. Or the straps and the whole bag. Need to keep an eye on the bag always.
• A little difficult to wash off the road grime after your tour.

To its credit, the viaterra claw performed exceptionally well. Full protection to the contents from inclement weather. Spacious enough to carry everything and more you need for a long tour. Tough as nail construction.

Here are images from my own ride

Will I continue use this?

Yes. If I can keep an eye on the bike all the time. Or if I have another rider with me, who can keep an eye on the bag while I need to spare a few minutes away from the bike. However, that rider may be engaged in his own activity precisely at the same time. So…….read about my hard luggage here in part 2 of this page.

BTW I have no affiliation with the manufacturers or dealers/sellers any of the products that I review in my blog. Every product I review here is aquired by paying money from my own pocket. No unboxing reviews or reviews before using a product. Every product will be used by me for at least on one ride covering a minimum of 4000 kilometers.

Happy and safe riding

https://www.youtube.com/@Veloyoga

Disclaimer