if you hit a car in traffic, no need to worry about giving the pannier a slap to release it…
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Bees wax as well can be used.
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I think if you are filtering through gaps where you have to worry about the panniers, maybe you could consider not filtering there? If the gap is that small there cannot be much space and therefore time to react to Wally moves?
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Maybe the OP just not good at filtering?
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I regularly filter with the panniers and they dont cause me any issues. If my handle bars can get through so can the rest.
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I’m sure you are right. It’s more about confidence than anything, I think.
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Before I knew better, I would go through the smallest gap. No room for error. Now I choose life, but still manage to have fun.
Silicone spray is the way to go.
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Wow! You have a silicone spray gun mounted on your handlebars so you can spray the vehicles as you approach if the gap looks tight .
I like your style!
Please don’t ruin things now by saying you meant silicone helps get the panniers on and off .
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I just love the idea of using silicone spray as an aid to filtering! Clearly you squeeze through tighter spaces than I do.
@tcb - welcome to the forum, and please don’t be offended that we’re having a giggle at your post - it’s just that the timing was perfect.
Welcome, and I hope you enjoy your time here.
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No worries. I guess we just need very large spray cans!
Back to the topic of panniers, I noticed mine had a lot of moulding flash on the pins that locate into the slots on the bike. Sanding all that off with some fine wet and dry made a huge difference in how easy it is to fit and remove them.
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I usually don’t filter with them fitted on the v85 as they are wider than the mirrors, however I forgot they were on a couple of weeks ago and before I realised had already filtered through a few lines of traffic without any scrapes.
I think subconsciously I have a safe width in my head that I know the bike fits through and it probably actually fits through even smaller gaps than that.
One to look out for…I noticed my bike generating a lot of rattling and clunking noises when negotiating anything other than billiard-table like surfaces.
Turned out it was the rearmost tabs on the panniers rattling about in their receptacles.
Proved this by inserting a couple of shims made from short pieces of double sided foam tape that quietened things down considerably.
It turns out that those large tabs on the panniers seem to wear with continued use…which is why the bags get easier to mount and dismount with the passage of time.
Made up some more permanent shims with a piece of bicycle inner tube and double sided tape that fits onto the floor of the tab socket. These work well to dampen the rattles. They will eventually wear out, but are easily replaced.
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Hi Speedy23, a bit late in replying I know, but I’ve only just noticed last week that after around 8-10 trips away with the panniers fitted (I normally ride without them), the rear end of both panniers is so loose that I can easily move them a fair bit by hand. I think this reflects pretty poorly on the original design, so am considering having a word with the dealer about them and switching to another make (Givi, H&B etc). However, before resorting to this I just wanted to check whether the shims have completely fixed the issue for you? Do they still wobble by hand after the shims are fitted?
With the benefit of hindsight, I would NOT have bought the original MG cases, as they’re generally not as good (in several regards) as other bike makes I’ve had previously and IMO don’t justify the price tag.
No, the shims restore the tightness but they wear. Still only a 5 minute job to cut some new ones, though.
I’ve found ACF50 is a good solution to stiff plastic fittings, lasts well too.
(Also does a great job on upvc window hinges 
)
Really shouldnt have to do any of this should we. I always line mine with a dustbin bag having arrived to find all my clothes wet on one occasion. Guzzi, dont you just love them 
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Speedy, I had a word with my Guzzi dealers and it turns out the problem on my specific bike isn’t the panniers themselves, but the slot where they fit into the rear of the bike (near the tail light). The attachment point has moved by one or two mm (now standing proud where they should be almost flush with the panel), making the rear of the pannier appear loose. One or two mm play at the top/rear of the pannier translates to a fair bit of movement at the bottom of the pannier.
The dealers are saying it can be fixed and are treating it as a warranty issue thankfully, which I really appreciate.
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