Just curious on some pros and cons since I like the looks of both. Trying to decide...

Seems like the aluminums hold more and are top loading, but require brackets and aren't quick to take on/off....is that right?

Sport cases mount directly to the bike without brackets and come on/off quick and easy....but hold less and open from the side.

Am I missing anything? Any regrets with what one you picked? Thanks.

 

Aluminum here. I like having the rack - it's another piece of something for the bike to fall on, rather than the bike itself. I wish they'd put a cutout on the side with the pipe. The aluminum cases are bigger, and can be used as camp stools.

I've said this before: were I to use the bike primarily as a touring bike with nothing more than the occasional gravel road, the hot setup would be a Special with ARH, cast wheels, and the Sport luggage.

 

Have had both on other ADV bikes. The Aluminum cases do hold more but damn they're big and boxy, so much more so as there's no cutout for the exhaust.
The sport cases (plastic) are easier to use around town, are keyed to the bike's key (nice) and come off a lot easier, giving versatility.
If I were doing a lot of off-road (not on the PanAM) I would go with the soft luggage like Lone Rider. Had them on the KTM and loved them. They are a pain to put things in and take out, so a top case is needed.
Waiting for accessories to come in to the dealership, so I can decide.

 

I got the Aluminum because they look better... to me.

They are super simple to take off, unlock and flip the latch and their off. You do have the frame though when their off, I guess a reason to get the Sport Cases if you take them off a lot (no frame to worry about).

If you want to carry a lot, Aluminum are the way to go imo. You can fit a small family in that left case, the top and right hold a good amount too. Plus you can strap down a crap ton on top of them!

Probably overkill for most. As I said, I like the look so that's why I went that route.

 

Panniers for me. With the number of long trips and the large amount of camping I do, its a no brainer.

 

I saw an evaluation on Utube the other day and the guy mentioned that the passenger grab handles on a Pan Am are plastic and will probably break if you try to pick the bike up with one of them; use the luggage rack was his advice. If you don't have a luggage rack, you better have a friend...

 

Just because they are plastic doesn't mean they'll break. My Super Tenere had plastic grab handles and I uses them to pick the bike up out of the ditch in an unfortunate circumstance. I also used those handles and two ratchet straps to hang the back of the bike frome the garage rafters when swapping rear shock springs.

 

I have the Aluminum which look great on the Pan Am, but I just ordered a pair of Mosko Moto 35L soft bags for my off-road camping trips.

https://moskomoto.com/collections/mo...35-pannier-kit

 

They break. I know this because mine broke putting the bike on the center stand.

 

Well that sucks.