Oxford 1st soft panniers - fitting

Hi

I got a set of Oxford 1st soft panniers from a bike mag subscription.

They look perfect, not too big, not too small.

The fitment looks straight forward enough - 3 opposing velcro straps, of which the middle one goes under the pillion seat.

Problem is it looks really flimsy, notably the strap closest to my back side keeps sliding off the pillion and onto the rider seat.

Would this cause a problem? Would the forward moving motion keep them pinned back so to speak?

Also, it came with 6 or so shaped stiff cardboard inserts, to help it keep shape. Cant for the life of my figure out where they are supposed to go! Instructions arent great.

Just wondered if anyone had these, any tips on fitment or are they ok as they are.

[yorkie_chris]

Soft panniers are generally quite crap at staying in place when empty.

Stuff them with all the kit you're going to carry, strap them on, wobble them about. If they are still in place and not in the way of your feet, your pillions feet or sat on the exhaust then they're fine!

Thanks YC.

Just for the record, and for future searches, RichT recommended I get a towel or "Oxford Blanket" or something similar to stop the straps rubbing, as it'll likely damage the paintwork - something I hadnt even considered.

[yorkie_chris]

Be right, if you take a pillion her boots will rub the paint anyway.

Tool grip is what you want if you care, rubber mat you normally put in rollcab drawers to stop tools sliding about

No pillion, missus is staying home to look after the sprogs!

[yorkie_chris]

if no pillion why you need panniers? Just bungee everything to the seat

Well, I was looking for a bike subscription anyway, and they came free, so I just thought, what the hell might as well use them!

They'll be used for work as well, to carry bits and bobs.

As you are solo[no pillion]when I used soft luggage I adjusted the straps so that the bags sat on the rear footpegs and I never had a problem with them moving

Originally Posted by hongman

RichT recommended I get a towel or "Oxford Blanket" or something similar

Don't pay for the Oxford or Motrax stuff. Go to a cheapo homewares place (The Range, Home Bargains, Instore etc) and you can get the stuff for a quid instead of a tenner.

Originally Posted by Woz

Don't pay for the Oxford or Motrax stuff. Go to a cheapo homewares place (The Range, Home Bargains, Instore etc) and you can get the stuff for a quid instead of a tenner.

Dont need to tell me that twice, LOL.

I'll be hopefully getting the last of my camping bits this weekend, so I'll load her up and maybe even go for a quick blast with it all on, assuming my bike is back on the road by then.