Gear: Hepco & Becker XTravel Luggage Review

[@vintagerocket6814]

Was there ever a sequel to show how they worked out?

[@PeakMotorcycles]

Not yet 🤣. They arrived in 2020, just in time for lockdown 1 in the UK. All international touring in 2020 and 2021 was cancelled (except for 1 trip to Ireland in ‘21 which I did on my GS due to significant forecast rain). I would have used them last year for the Romania tour, but due to things at home that also had to be cancelled. I have used them around the UK and I think they work well. They stay waterproof, look good on the bike, are easy to find things inside them and are easy to attach/remove while still being lockable. They are a good size for a weekend away but a bit small for a longer tour. (They do make bigger ones, but I think they are for larger brackets, not the C-Bow.)

[@brucerossonthetube]

@@PeakMotorcycles awesome. Thank you for the response and update. I have been waiting for the Xcore bags for my Desert-X but have been considering these for off-roading. Do you think they can handle that kind of abuse?

[@PeakMotorcycles]

@@brucerossonthetube not sure to be honest. They are nicely made and waterproof, but I’m not sure how the C-Bow brackets would stand up to a drop. I haven’t put mine on any bikes I ride off road. I think there are better solutions. I use soft/semi-soft panniers these days. Enduristan Blizzards on my trail bike and Enduristan Monsoon Evo’s on my GS. The weight saving was quite significant.

[@richedwards4651]

Great video, just what I was looking for , a real world review of H&B soft bags that I'm interested in.

[@PeakMotorcycles]

Rich Edwards cheers! Glad it was useful. See you around 😉

[@danijimenez2968]

hello friend, thanks for the video. I have a yamaha tenere 700 and I love that minimalist support, as well as the suitcases, but I have seen no image or video of how it will look with the exhaust, because I think yamaha exhaust is higher. In Spain, the dealer only shows me the c bow installation manual, which is just a diagram of the right side, without being able to get an idea of how it will look on my motorcycle. Can you think of how to find out? thanks

[@PeakMotorcycles]

Hi Dani, I had a look around (on the H&B image search, and then on a Google image search) and I see your problem... lots of pictures, all the same of the non-exhaust side. Which is no help at all. I suggest contacting Hepco & Becker, either by email or through their Facebook page. They are very helpful people! I suspect it will be ok. I’ve seen these brackets on a BMW R9T with a high exhaust and there was plenty of clearance. My CB1000R has a low exhaust, but it is far forwards, so I did wonder if that would be a problem. It isn’t. I expect they have all been designed for the bikes they are to go on. One point you may wish to bear in mind is if they are big enough. They do a larger XTravel pannier, the one with two straps, which I’ve seen on the promo images on a T700. They do need the larger racks though, which isn’t what you want. I’m sorry I can’t give you a definite answer, but get in touch with H&B and I sure they will help you.

[@danijimenez2968]

@@PeakMotorcycles Thank you very much for responding so quickly. I had entered several pages of H&B without success, but after your message I have done it in the official one (".de") and I have been able to find out, translated from German, that precisely for the xtraveler with c bow on my motorcycle model it is required a 40 mm spacer that will surely be to save the escape. However, now I have doubts because aesthetically I do not know how that c bow will look with its original 48 mm + 40 mm extension, I think it will not meet the minimalist objective that I am looking for. Thanks again.

[@PeakMotorcycles]

@@danijimenez2968 glad to be of service and I hope it works out. 🤣. One thing to bear in mind is that the weight limit is 5kg/side and the panniers are sort of small (compared to my GS boxes at least). For a weekend or few days away they are perfect. With an extra bag on top, you’d do a week+ but for longer trips something bigger would be useful. They are really well made, and the C-Bow convenience is great, as long as you don’t need a lot of space.

[@starlordnetzero9633]

Nice video - I am looking for a set of soft panniers for my 2020 Tiger 900 GT Pro and am considering the C Bow system and these bags. Are they small enough to just leave on the bike to carry an emergency medical kit, misc items etc even when not touring - say for a day trip in the twistees?

[@PeakMotorcycles]

Hi, yes, definitely, though if anything they might be a bit big. They are a great size for a few days away, though small for a proper tour. They lock to the bike, but the ‘lids’ don’t lock, so if you’re anywhere where that might be a problem, it would be worth considering. I have a few pics on my Instagram of them on my CB1000R, if that’s any use? instagram.com/p/CCtUaHBnPLY/?igshid=eabi9tvgddky

[@OT-Movchun]

@@PeakMotorcycles Hi ! I`m interesting in X-Travel for my CB500X. Just looked Instagram photos and want to ask about warm from muffler. Do you have some issues with exahaust influence on the bag ?

[@PeakMotorcycles]

@@OT-Movchun I haven’t had any problems, though it was a concern. I have the Low level Akrapovic silencer on my CB1000R so it is a bit of a way from the bags. If you have a high level exhaust, you would need to check how close it gets. On mine, I put them on, rode for 5 mins, stopped and checked, then for half an hour, and checked again and it was fine. I guess when moving, even though heat rises, there’s enough wind to disperse or keep the heat below the bags. That said, every bike is different to see where they go and how close they are. I’m sure there’s heat shields available if required.

[@OT-Movchun]

​@@PeakMotorcycles Thank you ! Good to know that. I have similar exhaust level.

[@ZYD1197]

Hi bro,can I have the picture for xtravel bag on the cb1000r

[@PeakMotorcycles]

Top bag or side bag (or both)? This was the pic that Hepco & Becker used in their marketing email. The bike looks familiar to me 🤣 instagram.com/p/CAX7QqVnTmw The original (plus one from the rear/side) is: instagram.com/p/B966IJzn_im Is that ok? Let me know if you need something else.

[@ZYD1197]

@@PeakMotorcycles any idea where I can buy this set in Malaysia?contacted dealer but no reply

[@PeakMotorcycles]

@@ZYD1197 hi, not sure I’m afraid. You could try emailing them in Germany and they might be able to direct you: [e-mail]

[@everydaylogic2198]

So , now there are 3? Or more different bags we can buy for the c Bow?

[@PeakMotorcycles]

Hi, they make a few. The X-Travel bags like these are more adventure styled. They also do hard plastic cases, retro styled canvas bags and others more like leather cruiser bags. I think there’s 10 or so variants. Take a look at the Hepco & Becker website for more. Good luck! www.hepco-becker.de/en/luggage-systems/cbowbags

[@everydaylogic2198]

Thanks Peak, I had you pegged for an out west guy.

[@everydaylogic2198]

Just the name on shirt i guess. Not the accent.

[@vincekk5446]

hi, thanks for the review. Question - is there an option from H&B to lock the panniers to prevent theft of things in the pannier?

[@PeakMotorcycles]

Hi, Not really. They lock to the bike, but the pannier lids don’t lock. You could perhaps do something with a cable lock, but it would be fiddly. H&B have some other panniers that fit the C-Bow brackets that have zips or other fittings that can be locked. They are quite easy to take off though, so if I was leaving the bike somewhere not secure, I’d take the panniers with me.

[@vincekk5446]

@@PeakMotorcycles ok thanks for reply. much appreciated.

[@everydaylogic2198]

Who sells these in USA Motomachines and Peak Moto?

[@PeakMotorcycles]

Motomachines definitely (I just looked up their website 👍) I’m in the UK, so i’m not that familiar with the US distributors. I’m sure Google will find some if you’re struggling. Good luck.