BB readers may remember “My Repurpose” in a blog I wrote last year on bikerbossons. In that post, I shared as I adapted a bicycle saddlebag pannier for my Kawasaki Ninja 250. If you follow bikerbossons, you also know that I found a hardcase and carrier to fit my motorcycle, which leads me to today …
My friend Jay asked not too long ago if I would still use the pannier on my motorbike or could I. The answer is yes, I will; when needed. However, as my ninja sat idle this May due to both work in progress and chilly, wet weather, and as I began to ride my Miyata bicycle to the train everyday …
I was using the motorcycle tank bag for dual duty as a bicycle rack bag. It actually works fairly well – the magnets actually grip the top rack, but I still must bungee it or it can fall off during hard riding. So ….
I do have this bicycle pannier come motorcycle saddlebag. The only adjustment I had to make was to replace the original shorter attachment straps to the back of each bag. There is a leather slotted fastener on the back of each bag through which they slip. I removed the dual lashing straps for my motorcycle easily and slid in the originals and that was it.
It’s not in the photo, but there is a briefcase looking luggage bag on top that snaps onto the pannier. Today I am using it to carry my workday things and clothes. It converts to a backpack so is easy to carry. I leave the pannier attached and locked onto the bike with a short cable lock. Now I can also side trip to the grocery store if needed.
There are many features to like about this bag from M-Wave. It has six pockets on the pannier, plenty of reflective striping, and the versatility of having a dày bag of luggage that converts to a backpack.
To dislike, I would have to share that I have replaced all of the zipper pulls because each of them has broken. The stock zippers are stamped YKK, but I find it hard to believe that they are not knockoffs. I have never known YKK zippers to break so easily. I also broke the plastic hooks that come with the backpack straps. These are what the connect the straps to the bag bottom, completing the arm hold. I borrowed two connectors from the pannier where the case attaches and attach to the case at the female coupling for the pannier attachment. It works for me and I think is much stronger. The straps cannot take a lot of weight with the shipped hooks otherwise. I hope the upper strap where it’s sewn to the bag is heavier duty.
This bag is now a few years old, so M-Wave may have corrected the issues noted. If not, it is a decent, affordable bag that may be worthwhile for you if you’re at a price point limit. I am providing a picture of the zipper kit I bought to resolve the zipper issues. I needed two kits because it comes with an assortment of zipper pull sizes. There are not enough of the M-Wave size in one kit to replace all of the pulls, but you will have extras in case you need any for your other outdoor gear.
Author’s Afternote: I caught the 4;20 home, and was disappointed when I opened and closed the bag, that the main compartment zipper broke. I have not yet had to replace these, but now it is the next project to get done when I have the time.
If you have sewing skills and still want to get the M-Wave bag, follow the links below this post. If it weren’t for those horrible zipper pulls which almost always break the same way, I would be 100% happy with the bags. It is so easy to connect the luggage/briefcase/backpack to the main pannier saddlebag. And it carries so much gear which as the seasons change is really important if you’re an active lifestyle commuter type like myself.
I bought them on Amazon a few years ago and they are still selling it. The reviews are pretty accurate too.
M-Wave Traveller Pannier on Amazon
Also on Amazon is the zipper kit.
bicyclebossons 