Aerostich Tank Panniers

New to me '13 R1200GS LC got a set of Aerostich Tank Panniers, standard size, not the smaller competition size. They don't (or barely) touch my knees, I'm 6'1" w long legs on a tall seat They don't flap despite not using the supplied bungee. Both top straps miss the gas fill hole. Plan to use them for 2 up camping, 8.8 Liters each. Klein canvas tool bag in one side, little backpack containing spare tape, wire, string, bags, gloves, tire pump, elec. meter, straps, fuses, bulbs, . . . in the other for now. . They stick out about 2" beyond cylinder heads. I found no writing that their carry capacity is only 11 lbs. like Vario cases. I'm happy.

I agree with all the positive reviews - these are great tank panniers.
Mine were bought used from a friend who had purchased them many years ago. The neoprene pads were looking a little worn so I called Aerostich to buy replacements. They said they don't sell just the pads but would send me a new pair - NO CHARGE and they sent them right away postage paid. I told them I wasn't the original buyer. Didn't matter to them. It was their product.
CUSTOMER SERVICE IS A DYING RELIC OF A DIFFERENT ERA. AEROSTICH IS A GREAT COMPANY TO WORK WITH. Buy these bags; they will make you smile every time you fill them up.

I bought these for use on sport tourers, but not on the tank. They worked really well holding heavy items while resting on the passenger pegs. One side held shovel, axe, a big bundle of tent spikes, and fuel bottles, the other side held a full kitchen kit. As long as you secure them well against sliding forward into your heels, they do a great job of putting the load low and forward.

These bags are perfect for the minimalist biker. I use them as saddlebags for my "tiny tourer" (see AM 11/17) as well as my other bikes. Easy to adjust using the Aero frame loops. They hold plenty of stuff. I like the hi-viz color because anything that makes you visible will help you live longer, and I speak from experience. Just be sure to tighten the bungee straps well before taking off. I lost my initial set by not doing this when transferring the bags to my Scarver. Someone picked up a nice set of bags with my rainsuit on highway 63. Oh well, I'm ordering another high-viz pair. Well worth the price.

As a location independent moto-traveller that’s ridden from the planet’s bottom to the top, I’m all about light and tight. Particularly as a female rider at 115-pounds, I loathe the idea of a full-size luggage system comprising three 45-liter boxes on the back. Why? Because given half the chance I’d fill it! About as fun as leprosy upon picking my own bike up. Having honed a ‘less is more’ streamlined approach to packing over the last four years on the road, coupled with a mounting desire to ride more dirt, I was curious to field-test Aerostich’s tank panniers. Ideal for those where load and weight distribution rules all.

Installation was speedy and straightforward. No crash bars required, the black bags (also available in hi-vis and a roomier 8.8-liters), at the more compact 6.6-liters, slotted over the gas tank without an ounce of fuss. Stabilizing each of the bags upon neoprene pads with a sturdy hook and loop webbing strap, stops any shifting, flapping or sagging while riding. (Keeping the paint job pristine to boot.) All made nice and taut by adjustable bungee cords for optimum fitment, the panniers articulate well astride the bike. Double duty, they also offer up some protection for your legs in windy conditions and the gas tank itself.

While there’s still sufficient space for a tank bag, function meets performance. The convenience of immediate access to anything you don’t wish to rummage for in your main luggage, without even getting off your steed if preferred, is biking bliss. In fact, each bag will accommodate absolutely anything up to 12x7.5x4.5 inches. Although I’ll add, items that you don’t mind making contact with the ground should you drop your bike. Or getting wet unless a dry bag (not included) is used. Mine are used predominantly as a grocery getter although there’s available room in which I can also stow another pair of riding gloves, a hat and mid layer, spare bungee cords, visor cleaner and a microfiber lint cloth.

Thoughtful details added include outside pockets I use for pens, spare ziplock bags and a shopping tote. There’s a storm flap over the zippers, web straps for attaching further items and reflective accents to enhance visibility at night. Although there are cheaper solutions on the market, I’m not confident that they would possess the same fit and finish, nor standard of construction employed and 1000 Denier Cordura nylon, which to my mind really showcase the experience that have gone into them. The panniers are practical, not pretty. Nor stylish but they are resilient.

Conclusion
Over a year-long assessment, just about all weathers have had the nonstop pleasure of hurling abuse at the panniers through North America. Impervious to the elements, they perform effectively in cold and ice as they do in the blazing hot sunshine. Despite multiple slow speed crashes, they bear no tears or scuff-marks. Surprisingly, they look like new to this day thanks to the durability and their resistance to abrasion—leaving the integrity of the bags unaffected and intact.

Undeniably, they err on the gaucho more than macho but because they’re built simply with endless supplies of endurance, I don’t doubt they’ll be part of my luggage ensemble for many years to come. Unreservedly, I’d recommend the bags to any rider seeking a highly serviceable addition for their cargo. And let’s face it, when I’m throwing the DR around off-road, I’m never going to wish for an overladen bike dragging me down and holding me back. Those days are gone.

Pros
• Simple design and operation
• Herculean strength in construction and materials throughout
• Keeps cargo low and distributes weight to the front
• Lifts strain off the bike’s rear suspension
• Easily accessible to grab something quickly, add or remove a layer etc.
• Lightweight

Cons
• Will not fit astride all motorcycles with heavy-duty crash bars

Not sure when I bought these but it was quite a while ago. They have lived on a 92 and 06 KLR, R100GS, 02 BMW GSA, V-Strom, 90 R100 Paris/Dakar, 07 BMW GSA, a DRZ 400 with an IMS tank, 06 Triumph Tiger and currently a Super Tenere'. They have also seen use on the Ural. They were adaptable to all these bikes with a bit of fiddling. All bikes had a tank bag of one type or another. The panniers have been in all weather and have close to 300,000 miles on them, almost all of these miles overloaded and sometimes stuffed to the gills. (Hey, I ALWAYS carry too much stuff...) I use them for necessities (tire irons, tire repair kit, 1st aid stuff, toiletries, gloves, rain gear) to prevent forgetting these items when taking a different bike. Easier to slap on the panniers. Over the years they've developed a nice patina (gray with ancient and new bug splats) but all the seams are solid, zippers work fine, the shock cord and plastic hooks supplied are still going strong after being stretched unmercifully 1000's of times. They are NOT waterproof so use ziplock bags accordingly. A bit bulky and uncool if you're a Starbucks kinda rider, but still cool in a dorky kinda way... Some riders will see them as adding a bit of gravitas to your ride, others realize you just can't pack light... As others have noted, they provide a fair amount of wind protection to your knees in colder weather...or make them hotter when it's 100+ degrees out. Priced higher than the competition but made waaaay better than the competition.

Over the past month I have purchased two sets of these Tank Panniers. I have an old 96 DR 350 that the regular size work great as throw over saddle bags and the Competition work great as tank bags on the oversize fuel tank. Perfect Dual Sport bags, I have put so far over one thousand miles (mostly highway) with the bags in place no issues at all. Well worth the price compared to other bags on the market and you can't beat the quality.

Great set of bags for my 2001 KLR with oversized IMS tank. Fit perfectly, with out blocking my legs, but do work well for blocking a little wind. Love the Hi-Viz color.

I have had the black (yellow wasn't available then) Competition Tank Panniers for a very long time! They fit my KLR perfectly, and add some wind protection. They aren't waterproof, so I either use Zip-Loc bags, or only store stuff in them that can stand getting damp.
Overall, I LOVE them! I just wish they were hi-viz!!!

I bought these Panniers for my 2014 Ducati Multistrada Granturismo. They fit well,the straps closer to the rider did not want to go perpendicular with the gas tank. let the straps go the way they wants to on an angle up and over the gas cover. The configuration of the tank dictates this. After securing the lower straps they hold there position well.