Kit for France and Luggage

[alien.46.uk]

Hi All,

I'm tackling my first international ride. I'm going down for the Le Mans week in 2 weeks (yes i know, short time to organise all ... but hay, it's sticks with my true student last minute thinking ... but on a serious note, yes, i know i've left it late) ...

Right ... Firstly, I'm try to sort out luggage, I'm looking at panniers, I have a tank bag but would prefere not to use it as it scratches my tank a little, but if I have to i will ...

The two sets of panniers ive been looking into are the useual Oxford First Time panniers, but also a set of Buffalo Panniers, as seen here:

https://www.mandp.co.uk/productInfo.aspx?catRef=558048#

Has anyone used the buffalo one's and does anyone have any advice? (And pics of the buffalo's on a bike?)

I need them to hold enough, but dont want them to be too big so it restricts my movement and potential filtering, I'm thinking the buffalo's look a little large?

I've hopefully got one of the cars in our group to carry the tent, but if it doesn't happen, my dad said he'd stick that on his bike, so that's that sorted ...

As to contents I have to fit in, that's also what im after advice for, so far I have compiled the following list:

Documents
Tickets
All bike gear (will be wearing most of it except waterproof trousers)
Cloths
Trainers
Sleeping Bag
Roll Mat or Blow-up Mattress
Possibly a pillow, or might just use rolled cloths
Single cooking Ring
Mobile phone and charger, and 12v connection for battery
Possibly GPS if I need it (depending what cars are taking)
Chain lube
Minor tool kit (Multi-tool, few spanners, plug spanner, tyre repair kit)

Erm ...

That's as far as I have gotten so far, has anyone else on here done the le mans week on bike's? Would be good to hear what you think as well as everyone elses opinion.

I'm going to have to end here for now, got a le mans meeting to attend to (in a pud ) ...

So any advise would be extremely appreciated as this will e my first riding (and not driven either as I cant drive cars ) ...

Thanks all in advance,

Luke.
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2007 Kawasaki ZX10R :: 1998 Kawasaki ZX-9R - SOLD
1998 Yamaha FZS600 Fazer - SOLD :: 1994 Aprilia Pegaso 125 - SOLD

[c-m]

I've got the buffalo panniers for £38 and 58L you can't go wrong.

They are a bit crude in their design and operation but they work well enough. One handed opening is difficult though and getting large items/bags in them can be a tiny bit awkward due to the rigidity of the bag (they are semi rigid when the PVC is installed)

They come with plenty of straps and 4 strong bungees. Rain covers are also included though i've never used mine (needed them last night though)

Overall they are a good buy but then I have nothing to compare them too.
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Motorcycle headlight bulbs and HIDs
Blogging about my bike and trips
https://ridershandbook.com/

[Itchy]

I have some similar buffalos and took some out to France last year, just try not to take them out expanded if you can possibly prevent it ,

A bit of advice on any lugagge

buy some electrical tape, and cover with tape the bits where the bungees and the panier straps will go, they WILL move very slighty and rub your paint off over time, this protects the paint, electrical tape I think is better than cloth tape as cloth tape leaves horrble squares of glue all over your plastics.

Also don't forget to drink plenty of water...

Oh and buy some chapstick for your lips , I didn;t last time and my lips by day 3 were stuck together to boot I have super greasy skin which minimises this and still suffered badly,think of it this way you are going to be travelling at high speed in a warm country and your face is going to be air dried for hours each day.

Also keep a small easy to reach coin purse saves loads of time on autoroutes and toll roads

Also cable ties can fix anything with those in conjuction with tape, ride without them at your peril
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Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[c-m]

I ride with them expanded all the time - any reason why shouldn't? Does it do long term damage if allways expended when not full?
____________________
Motorcycle headlight bulbs and HIDs
Blogging about my bike and trips
https://ridershandbook.com/

[Itchy]

[DidierD]

I think they flap about a bit more if they're fully open and catch the wind making you more unstable. So I always try and squeeze them down (Oxford Sports Panniers - Red (to match the bike) )

Also I think they look a bit ridiculous expanded out all the way
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Bike - '98 Yamaha YZF600 Thundercat Pics

31st March 2008 - Fully converted from four wheels to 2 sets of two wheels

[alien.46.uk]

Hi All,

Thanks for the advice so far.

Could anyone confirm that the Buffalo getaways are actually 58 litres?

M&P say 58, yet another site states 33 litres?

If they're 58, think I'll order them tonight, but if 33, then the 1st Time's will be better, already missed a set of humpback on Ebay for £44 about 10mins away from me, so need to get this sorted, lol ...

Cheers.
____________________
2007 Kawasaki ZX10R :: 1998 Kawasaki ZX-9R - SOLD
1998 Yamaha FZS600 Fazer - SOLD :: 1994 Aprilia Pegaso 125 - SOLD

[alien.46.uk]

Anyone?
____________________
2007 Kawasaki ZX10R :: 1998 Kawasaki ZX-9R - SOLD
1998 Yamaha FZS600 Fazer - SOLD :: 1994 Aprilia Pegaso 125 - SOLD

[Itchy]

[alien.46.uk]

[gmanxiii]

Buffalos crash pretty well too... borrowed itchy's for scotland last month and they ended up sliding down the road when i binned my bike in a corner. Other than the external pocket busting slightly along the seam and some scuffage, they survived pretty much intact. Sewed them up and they are as good as new (if "new" was a bit scruffy now )

Capacity wise, Stiffler had a set of Oxford First Time Panniers on his bike and when comparing the two the sports buffalos appeared to be able to carry more unexpanded. They also feel abit better made than the Oxfords which feel abit "thin".

Have a look on ebay, i replaced Itchy's with an identical pair for around 30quid but i'll be keeping and using the scuffed up ones myself as im pretty impressed with them.

Get yourself some sort of recovery as well just in case you have a spill, where no amount of gaffatape and cable ties would get you home...
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I kills hondas

VFR400NC30 > ZZR600 > CBR600FX > CBR1000rr

[Itchy]

[c-m]

They are 58l expanded - they expand an aweful lot i loaded them up yesterday and am very pleased with their size.

don't leave them out inthe sun/rain constantly as they change colour from dark black to purple/black - doh
____________________
Motorcycle headlight bulbs and HIDs
Blogging about my bike and trips
https://ridershandbook.com/

[psimpson]

Me and a few mates are heading down to le mans, you going to see the 24hr race?
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09/06/07 - Passed CBT, 10/06/07 - Kymco Sector 125cc, 28/03/08 - Passed DAS, 12/04/08 - Suzuki GSX 750F, 18/05/11 - Suzuki Bandit 1200, 27/03/12 - BMW R1200GS