Triumphrat

Pauljo

OK. I give up.

There is a zippered side pocket on each of my Triumph Soft Pannier bags. Inside each of these side pockets is a nylon lump, which I assume to be a rain cover. But this lump seems to be welded to the inside bottom of the side pocket. No reasonable application of force would budge it. The only instruction sheets I received with the panniers address installation only. I guess the assumption is that the new owner of the panniers will be smart enough to operate a rain cover without assistance. In my case, sadly, that would be wrong.

It is indeed fortunate that I discovered my inability to work these rain covers in the comfort of my garage at home. Had I waited until I actually needed them on the road it might have been worse. Of course I did search up a couple of posts that indicate they don't work that well anyway. Even assuming that is true, it would be nice to remove the dang things from the pocket they reside in so that I could use that space for something else.

So... did someone play a joke on me and super glue these things to the bottom of each pocket? Or is there a trick to removing them that someone could share with me?

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Paul

2007 Triumph Bonneville T100, Tors, xAI, xSnorkel, 120 mains / 1 shim, 40 pilots, 3.0 turns, NH Bellmouth, Works Performance suspension, National Cycle Deflector DX, Scrambler Gel Seat

innominate

you dont remove them. you just stretch the elastic opening around the bags. i've had them on once when i thought it would rain but it didn't. so i can't say how well they work. but they cover most of the bag pretty well. but i could see how water spray from the tire could get into the opening that is left on that side of each bag.

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you can't drink all day if you don't start in the morning.

LIJ

I wonder why they didn't make the pannier fabric water proof to begin with... I could've seen the point with the rain cover if they were leather panniers.

But that's just my two cents...

drharveys

The fabric can be waterproof, but the problems crop up elsewhere.

You can't totally waterproof anything with a zipper. Also the thread lines along seams will seep under extreme (i.e. motorcycling) conditions.

I usually pack panniers with "inner bags" so leakage doesn't get into my stuff. Plastic trash bags work, cordura nylon works well as long as the seams and zippers don't line up with the panniers.

I have used the "shower cap" that comes with tank bags on occasion. After a few uses, the elastic stretched out and I ended up replacing it with a thin nylon cord and a backpack style cord stopper.

Brooksie

The rain covers are actually very convenient. I used to keep my things inside the bags inside of garbage bags for extra dryness.

LightningJack

Pauljo,
The covers should unfurl from the pockets very easily. Mine have worked well. As yours are being resistant, you may want to return them, or let the dealer unfurl them just in case anything tears so they'll know it's not your fault. Regardless, if you're not satisfied, they should replace them for you and reinstall at no cost. Good luck.

Pauljo

OK. So they "unfurl" and remain attached inside the pocket. I suppose that once you "unfurl" them, it is impossible to "re-furl" them like they come from the factory. Probably have to just stuff them back into the pocket. Maybe I should leave them "as is" until I need them. But my curiosity will probably win out before this day is over...

No wonder I couldn't remove the darn things. What genius thought up this scheme? Geez! I guess they were trying to protect us from removing the covers so that we could use the storage pockets as handy little storage pockets? So then the pannier rain covers would be home in the garage beside my Frogg-Toggs rainwear when I get caught in the rain. But hey! That should be my choice!

Regarding effectiveness. I know those covers won't keep heavy rain out on the back (wheel) side of the pannier. Been there, done that, with other fabric saddlebags in the past. But I do expect that they'd keep a lot of the dirty water road splash off of the outer fabric of the bag, reducing clean up chores later. So hopefully they are good for at least that - since it appears that I MUST carry them with me.

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Paul

2007 Triumph Bonneville T100, Tors, xAI, xSnorkel, 120 mains / 1 shim, 40 pilots, 3.0 turns, NH Bellmouth, Works Performance suspension, National Cycle Deflector DX, Scrambler Gel Seat

LIJ

What a great little debate!

MotoBuddha

With the covers attached to the bag, you don't need to worry about them flying off. Flapping around, maybe, but still attached.

Being a scuba diver, I have learned the virtues of zip-lock bags. The bonus is you can squeeze out the air before sealing, thus saving space.

Pauljo

It isn't over!

I went into the garage a little while ago, armed with my new knowledge that the rain covers should "unfurl" from within those little zipper pockets. No go.

It feels like the covers are enclosed within an outer nylon pouch. I can find no way to unfasten or open that pouch. It seems that there should be a velcro attachment to the bottom of that zippered pocket - but if there is, it seems to have been glued or sown tight. Same on both the right and left bags.

I'm probably going to take the pannier bags back to the dealer and have them show me how to install the rain covers. I may be missing something obvious, in which case it will be mildly embarrassing. But if not, it could be very entertaining to watch...

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Paul

2007 Triumph Bonneville T100, Tors, xAI, xSnorkel, 120 mains / 1 shim, 40 pilots, 3.0 turns, NH Bellmouth, Works Performance suspension, National Cycle Deflector DX, Scrambler Gel Seat