Quality of OEM Panniers ?

[seniorminnion]

just how good a fit are the 2 'halves' of your panniers ?  --- mine aren't great -- they don't leak at all - but tbh the way they fit together is probably the only part of the whole bike I'm not happy with !  ---  some parts of them fit to within 1-2 mm while other bits are 3-4 mm apart !!

( I had a couple of Triumph Trophy's in the past and the panniers certainly fit together better --- there seems to be some play in how you close the sides up !

- I bought the bike new form Orell bikes but am just about to get the first service from M&S Newcastle  --- If I complain - does it matter to which dealer ? ( since its a couple of hundred miles to where I bought it  -- surely it won't matter to Kawasaki which dealer reports a problem  - ( that's if other owners panniers are perfect ?)

[Kwikasfuki]

Can't say I've ever checked the fit on my panniers. It doesn't matter which dealer you complain to

[viper]

mine are a good tight fit all round, ive just checked, 2010 model.  you could always speak to kawasaki customer service in the uk, they are very helpful, ive had dealings with a simon chitty and he was superb. They maybe able to suggest a good dealer and/ or a route to geting the problem sorted.

[Rusty]

+1 ... Don't often use the panniers (  ) but they have been through some awful French weather and all was well and dry inside. 

[scotty597]

I noticed this on my 2011 model. RH panier is perfect, the left hand one fits perfect at the front but at the rear there is a 3mm gap at the top on the turn. I thought it was maybe the mechanism but its not, appears just to be poor manufacture,

They dont leak though. No one else would notice, but now its there I see it all the time.

[100milesaway]

just how good a fit are the 2 'halves' of your panniers ?  --- mine aren't great -- they don't leak at all - but tbh the way they fit together is probably the only part of the whole bike I'm not happy with !  ---  some parts of them fit to within 1-2 mm while other bits are 3-4 mm apart !!

( I had a couple of Triumph Trophy's in the past and the panniers certainly fit together better --- there seems to be some play in how you close the sides up !

- I bought the bike new form Orell bikes but am just about to get the first service from M&S Newcastle  --- If I complain - does it matter to which dealer ? ( since its a couple of hundred miles to where I bought it  -- surely it won't matter to Kawasaki which dealer reports a problem  - ( that's if other owners panniers are perfect ?)

I f they dont leak they will be fine. I would leave well alone, if someone starts trying to adjust or tinker with them the gap may disappear, but then they may leak.

[O.C.]

I f they dont leak they will be fine. I would leave well alone, if someone starts trying to adjust or tinker with them the gap may disappear, but then they may leak.

  +1...but if you decide to make a warranty claim, then ypour bikes warranty is good at any authorised dealer

Leave them be, I suspect that you will be the only one who notices.

[seniorminnion]

thanks all ----- I notice though --- that's the problem  - I just wondered how everyone else's fitted. I don't think any adjustment via the rivetted bottom hinges etc would help much  --- I just think that the moulds for the 2 halves aren't very good ---- they don't leak (blasted them from all angles with a jet wash)  - I'll ask M&S about them when I take it in for 1st service on Monday - see what they say (I'll have a good look at any bike they have in stock to compare !)

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They may well not leak - and I wouldn't want them 'tinkered' with -- I'd want them replaced with some that fit together perfectly for £13.5K !!

[routemaster]

On mine they are good fit and no leaks 

Steve

[Cartman]

Mine are on more often than not, never leaked, get used a lot, no problems.

[2kwacks]

have you tried Smearing Some Vaseline on the rubber seals to allow them to become more supple. I swear by vaseline..! it comes in very handy for a number of things..

[O.C.]

have you tried Smearing Some Vaseline on the rubber seals to allow them to become more supple. I swear by vaseline..! it comes in very handy for a number of things..

...actually it does work well on rubber seals....any silicon lubricant will do....  try Halfords   

[Winston Smith]

I wouldn't use Vaseline - it's petroleum based and is likely to perish the rubber.

[viper]

ive heard tha KY jelly ( the thinking mans vaseline ) is water based and wont perish rubber, thats if you are brave enough to actually buy some,

[Winston Smith]

As it's waterbased it will wash off.

What you really need is Krytox inert lubricant by DuPont.