Tusk Aluminum Motorcycle Panniers | 4 Year Review

4 years and three motorcycles later, how have my Tusk Aluminum Panniers performed? Maybe you are looking for your next set of adventure motorcycle luggage? Hard luggage is often very expensive, but Tusk gear is known for its value. Watch this video, and maybe you will decide to save yourself hundreds of dollars. Or, maybe not! This is my honest review.
*I purchased these "medium" Tusk side cases directly from Rocky Mountain ATV at market prices. No sponsorships, endorsements, or affiliations influence this review whatsoever.

[@adamzalkalns5680]

Just arrived and installed the purchased. Came here to see what more experienced people say about them. Also am thinking good value for what you get. Much better than wearing backpack.

[@williamdillon7708]

This is a really great review. Maybe the best and thank you! That being said, I will never ever ever used hard panners for adventure riding because if they get snagged by one loose sidekick rock, I'm going down hard. That being said, I will certainly use tusk cases for all mostly all adventure riding, asphalt adventure riding with some light gravel roads going forward. Again, thanks for the review!

[@MotoTherapy]

Glad it was helpful. Thanks for watching!

[@obake_neko]

FYI, according to their product Q&A Rocky Mt ATV does not sell replacement security knobs for the Tusk pannier mounts, nor would they provide specs for an after market replacement. For anyone looking, it's an M8 x 20mm.

[@MotoTherapy]

Thanks! I have sometimes considered replacing the knobs with a bolt, anyway, as the knobs intrude significantly into the available space.

[@adamzalkalns5680]

​@@MotoTherapyThere are a number of alternative lockable solutions.

[@eyeknowwhereyoulive4259]

Thanks, great review. Not some dude rambling with no end in sight.

[@OldMotorcycleAdventures]

I am currently looking for a solution to my 80s fiberglass saddlebags for my 1979 Kawasaki. I had to do a lot of fabrication to make the bracket work with the bike, and the bike bracket to work with the fiberglass saddlebag cage. I have had the lids break free of the rivets on the hinge several times and at this point, I can't justify fiberglassing them again. My biggest issue is water entering the saddlebags through where the brackets mount up to them. I am glad to see even though your saddlebags mount up the same way as mine, they do not allow water inside. I was considering using ammo boxes, but I don't have any big enough for my liking. Thanks for the review!

[@MotoTherapy]

You’re most welcome-good luck with your next solution, and safe travels!

[@gcprost]

I just bought the Tusk rack and medium sized aluminum panniers. Mine are the V2 cases so the lids hinge which I very much like. I had aluminum side cases on my Africa Twin and my Himalayan. Both the rack and the cases seem much sturdier than the others although I wasn’t concerned about them. I love locking panniers because I can leave my bike any where and not worry about it. I throw a 25 litre soft bag on the top with my essentials for the motel.

[@collectiveleak]

Thank you sir for what you do. I'm gonna give tusk a try even though you had trouble with their support when you were installing the racks on your Klx300. Plus I can always go to lowes or something since I'm impatient. But with how honest you were about that whole ordeal, when you say that these cases are good, I believe you completely. Have a nice one

[@MotoTherapy]

They are basic cases, and the fit/finish with Tusk can be a little imperfect sometimes, but they are extremely tough and a great value, in my opinion. I’ve abused them quite a bit and they have never leaked, etc. Wishing you all the best!

[@sirdirtydog705]

I’ve had a set of the Tusk large panniers on my ‘16 Yamaha Super Tenere for the last few years. I added the panniers after a multi-state trip, I was worried when I walked away from my bike after getting gas. I love their size, locks, cost…since adding them I’ve added torsion hinges. They are nice to lock up all your essentials, clothes go in a large dry bag. I couldn’t justify spending $800+ on another set. These work great for my purposes. There is a 1-man show out of Washington state(?) who builds panniers called Solobox-hand made in the USA. I found him a little too late. Worth checking him out on KZbin.

[@MotoTherapy]

I'll have to check-out Solobox. Thanks!

[@OneOldManRiding]

Very thorough review. I have the Pilot soft bags right now and am considering these for when I am taking trips where I am concerned about security. - Frank

[@naenre21]

I've been looking for Saddle bags for my KTM Duke 390 Adventure and did not care for the available stock option...I just found these and i'm going to order a set. I just need functional! I can't wait to try them out.

[@MotoTherapy]

Awesome-I hope they work out great for you!

[@TNSK]

Thank you for this review !

[@HansKoeller]

I bet one could replace the internal security bolt with the large knob with a wing bolt to save space.

[@michaelandrade1213]

Exelent review. All my questions answered by someone with experience with them. Thank you

[@ShabbernigdoXingjian]

just bought me some mediums for my klr. ive had the tusk racks for a while now and decided to drop some weight and upgrade from the 25mm ammo boxes to actual alum boxes lol.

[@MotoTherapy]

You'll love them. My buddy who first recommended the Tusk boxes to me uset to ride with ammo cans, as well! Lol

[@theSkavenger84]

Great review, makes me even more happy that i own A set. With the tusk mounts for my wr250r

[@racerxcwhiskeythrottle9502]

Great review thanks for content ! Just wondering if they are large or medium boxes?

[@MotoTherapy]

Medium. Thanks!

[@LulaPlays]

I think I am sold based off that I can easily buy replacement parts if need be. I doubt I can buy single parts from SW-Motech or those other ridiculously expensive brands.

[@abyields7831]

I have the Tusk Traverse, so far the best soft bags. Have you thought of getting soft bags in the future? As always, love your eloquence Sir and awesome videos. Stay safe!

[@MotoTherapy]

Thanks! Yes, I plan to get a set of soft bags sometime soon-they do have certain advantages. I may give the Tusk bags a try, since you speak highly of them 😀

[@KEFERMELENON-rv4tj]

Thank you for the help and understanding about these. I would like to get the large 1s for my new to me ctx700

[@MotoTherapy]

You’re welcome! For reference (I think I failed to mention it in the video), the panniers in the video were the medium size. Safe travels!

[@KEFERMELENON-rv4tj]

I traveled 15 hours to pick up the large 1s and a top case that matched and is big for 2 full face helmets. About your knob screw get a bolt to make more room into the storage

[@beausbargarage6213]

I got em on my AT bad assss

[@Michael-Z-314]

How is the tusk pannier rack itself? I see a lot of comments about it not being able to take a fall very well without bending. They do not look as robust as other pannier rack systems.

[@MotoTherapy]

I found the racks to be very robust. I dropped my KTM 890 on them quite a few times (when fully loaded), spun the bike around on it’s side with the boxes on, etc. No issues. If anything, the rack doubled as crash protection.

[@samsgarage3540]

Seems like surviving owner abuse and indecisive hole drilling is among they greatest qualities lol. When you reviewed flexibility I imagined their use on many platforms, but no - you literally mean material flexibility... 🤣 I'm in the market for soft luggage these days. I love Giant Loop, but that quality and value is equally matched with price.... I'm also trying to always downsize my gear - I hate having to carry too much stuff.

[@MotoTherapy]

Yep--those boxes cen even withstand a dork like me! Soft luggage absolutely has its place, and we have some on my wife's bike. Maybe eventually I'll get some. I've been waiting for these Tusk boxes to die so I can justify it...but they just won't die!

[@samsgarage3540]

@@MotoTherapy they probably won't die! Tusk boxes are amazeballs. I like lockable hard luggage for the road and gravel roads. For the more offroad stuff I like the soft luggage - just a safety thing. I didn't break my foot, but I mangled my ankle pretty good back in 2020 down in Florida with my hard boxes... since then I kinda always have their ever present danger in mind. Soft panniers can still twist a leg hard too, but they have a little less hard edges and some give of they are packed kinda soft. I want one of those bags that are "U" shaped, smaller, and higher mounted. I'm also trying to reduce my whole pack size and weight. I'm getting tired of lugging so much gear for trips. Nutrition, sleep, hygiene, and basic emergencies both mechanical and physical are now my main focus

[@kornteeth]

Great video!

[@JesperMilling]

Did you ever get a foot or leg caught under one the panniers?

[@MotoTherapy]

No, but I ride standing up a lot when off pavement, which makes it very easy to depart the bike with adequate clearance (not ending up under the bike) when crashing.

[@HansKoeller]

Who recommended those to you?

[@MotoTherapy]

This one ADV dweeb I know had them on his KLR and also beat the crap out of his--He even used them as sliders on the pavement. And like my boxes, they would never die!

[@BlazinBlades]

Hi Do you lose the option to carry a passenger with these?

[@MotoTherapy]

Not on the Africa Twin or KTM 890, but I can't speak for every bike

[@clintwatson9233]

Are these the medium or large?

[@MotoTherapy]

Medium 👍

[@johngiordano7356]

Have you ever regretted medium vs large?.. . Im thinkingmedoum on my f650gs

[@BLUESBOYBENFIELD]

Are these medium or large please?

[@MotoTherapy]

Medium

[@michaelsoberanes]

Hey, I installed ammo can panniers on my Klr 650 and get death wobble at 70 mph. Any wobble with yours?

[@MotoTherapy]

Not on any of the bikes I’ve had them on (BMW F650GS, Africa Twin, KTM 890)

[@michaelsoberanes]

@@MotoTherapy good to know, I may have to get some tusk panniers then! Thanks

[@deanhuff123]

are your boxes the large or medium size?

[@MotoTherapy]

Medium 👍

[@deanhuff123]

@@MotoTherapy any regrets over not getting the large size?

[@MotoTherapy]

@@deanhuff123 No regrets. The large boxes seemed huge to me, and for my packing scheme, the mediums had plenty of space. Those mediums made it across the entire TransAmerica Trail, and I would choose them again.

[@deanhuff123]

@@MotoTherapy Thank you for the reply, it really helps me make an informed decision without being able to see them in person.

[@realcolbyadams]

Darnit they've gone up by $40 on RMCATV 😢

[@MotoTherapy]

Bummer!!

[@jeffreyulery2182]

lol now u just need a bike that you dont have to replace yearly