I’ve sat on the fence about shopping for devoted bike baggage for years. I’ll be the primary to confess I’m no journey tourer or perhaps a frequent bike vacation traveler, however yearly I am going on at the very least 2 or 3 large rides that require me to hold baggage. Prior to now, I’ve resorted to carrying my belongings on my again in a bike backpack, however due to an previous harm that has all the time ended with disagreeable again and neck ache. My answer to this was to as an alternative strap stated backpack to the rear half of my seat. This labored, but it surely by no means crammed me with confidence. So, with out fail after every journey, I’ve regretted not getting myself correct bike baggage.
So why didn’t I simply purchase some baggage? To be trustworthy I merely couldn’t justify the excessive price vs the frequency of my journeys. I additionally had no real interest in shopping for onerous baggage that required becoming racks to my Z900RS and, as ridiculous as it’s, I didn’t need to destroy the look of my beloved Zed by hanging an enormous pair of silver containers off the again of it.
After listening to me lament my first-world moto-luggage downside many instances, a great good friend pointed me within the route of Rhinowalk and their rackless Motorbike Pannier Aspect Baggage. At round a 3rd of the price of backpacks from widespread bike baggage manufacturers, the Rhinowalk panniers appeared unbelievable worth for cash. The baggage are available pairs and fix to a bike utilizing a common strap system reasonably than racks and are waterproof. Sounds too good to be true proper? Nicely, I made a decision to present them a go.
Rhinowalk is a Chinese language model they usually manufacture their merchandise regionally. Their full product vary consists primarily of baggage for bikes and bicycles however additionally they provide a couple of associated equipment. You should buy their merchandise from their web site or Aliexpress retailer they usually have worldwide distributors to make sure fast supply of your order.
The Rhinowalk waterproof facet panniers are available any coloration you need, so long as it’s black. The three sizes they provide are the Small 9L/18L, Medium 14L/28L, and Massive 24L/48L. I went with the mid-range 14L/28L model for the reason that most I often have to pack for is 3 or 4 nights. The baggage characteristic a roll-top closure, reflective particulars, and include all the things you have to safe them to (nearly) any bike.
Becoming the Rhinowalk panniers for the primary time had its challenges. I haven’t put in bike baggage like this earlier than and there weren’t any directions moreover a rudimentary 3-step diagram printed on the field they got here in. I discovered an set up video on the Rhinowalk Youtube account which was a giant assist, however since this baggage is common, the precise mounting methodology used will differ from bike to bike. The Kawasaki Z900RS isn’t a bike designed with panniers in thoughts, so I had my work minimize out for me.
Step one of the set up entails clipping the middle straps on every of the two baggage collectively. The baggage are then hung over opposing sides of the rear finish so that they sit evenly balanced. The peak of the panniers may be adjusted utilizing locking strap adjusters and any extra is stowed away in a velcro protecting sleeve that sits over your seat. Step 2 and step 3 see you strapping to rearward and forward-oriented tiedown factors in your bike. On the Zed, I fixed them to the seize rail I fitted to my seat and to the footpeg brackets that sit under the entrance of the panniers. This basically secures the baggage in 3 factors which inturn prevents them from slipping round when you’re on the transfer.
Inside every pannier is a single massive storage compartment. The baggage are made in an L form which accepts a surprisingly great amount of baggage. When you’ve put all the things inside, the highest of the bag rolls right down to create a water-proof seal. 4 buckles situated on the perimeters, entrance, and rear of every bag safe the rolled high and cinch all the things tight. Coping with the surplus webbing straps takes some time, however now that I’ve gone by means of the method as soon as, all the things ought to match to my bike rapidly after I pack for my subsequent journey.
With the Rhinowalk panniers put in, I hardly seen them as soon as I used to be on the go. There’s after all some further weight obvious within the rear, however the baggage sit nicely behind you so that they don’t rub towards you or impede your actions in any method. From the entrance, they’re hardly seen and from the facet, the baggage observe the road of my subframe properly. I by no means anticipated to be saying this, however I fairly just like the look of them.
Rhinowalk claims these baggage are waterproof which I’ve but to check. There are nonetheless many individuals trialing them on Youtube with nice success. The baggage are produced from robust polyester which has been PVC coated to maintain water out. The entire inner seams have additionally been lined to cease water ingress and all of it seems to be of a top quality regardless of the low buy value.
The {hardware} holding all the things collectively in these baggage is a mixture of plastic and metallic and feels very strong and well-made too. The essential mounting buckles characteristic locking mechanisms to stop the baggage from coming free and the entire free webbing may be stowed utilizing included fasteners. Every of the panniers additionally options rubber-covered handles to allow them to be carried simply as soon as faraway from a bike.
On the again of every bag is a padded honeycomb texture designed to attenuate any injury to your bodywork. When put in on my bike the baggage didn’t sit on the bodywork or body, however I’ll match clear protecting movie anyway to keep away from any injury attributable to friction or filth getting between the panniers and my paintwork. And at last, the pannier straps double as further mounting factors for any extra gadgets that don’t must be carried inside a bag.
Thus far this inexpensive bike baggage from Rhinowalk has exceeded my expectations. The longevity of lower-priced merchandise can generally be a priority, however there’s nothing I’ve seen to this point to make me fear. Different riders are utilizing the Rhinowalk panniers for offroad touring the place they’ve withstood some severe punishment. In contrast to them, mine might be utilized for the occasional street journey and can undoubtedly make the entire expertise a way more pleasant one.
