Given that this is specifically a Rockster question -

[EST51]

I know I only have about a 10% right to ask it here [about 10% f the Rockster being 1100S] but it does have "wider" implications.

Does anyone have any tricks to remind themselves they're carrying side cases? Looking around the marketplace on either second-hand cases or bikes with cases attached, it seems obvious that most people forget they're there at some point [as almost all are scraped].

I thought about HD tassles on the handle-bars [no, not really!], I thought about bar-end mirrors and I thought most seriously about extended mirrors [but can't find any]. One of you guys must've come up with an ingenious solution to this, so please share it before I go touring next month, as I'd hate to start filtering only to find I'm a foot too wide to get through the gap I'm aiming for!

Thanks for any help you can offer.

Cheers, Steve

[cc mac]

Just wait for the thumping noises to remind you.
Personally I don't mind a few scrapes on the pannier lids, it shows car drivers that you mean business.

[ianc53]

Have to say you remember how wide they are once you've clipped something once (France) or twice (Andorra) , luckily both at very low speed so no real damage done.

Cheers

Ian

[Paul]

... or fit city lids and forget about the panniers being on. Unless you are away for months at a time, two panniers with city lids should provide enough room for most trips.

Paul

[Me-109]

It's not a case (sic) of forgetting that they are there, it's just that the gaps sometimes aren't the right width!

[EST51]

Looks like I'll just have to wait for the jolting feeling.

Cheers, Steve

[Ade B]

you could tilt your mirrors down a bit and stick some brightly coloured dots on the tops..

I just make sure that I'm travelling slowly before the inevitable car/bollard/gate interface... that way you are pleasantly surprised by how rugged the mounting system is rather than upside down skating along the tarmac..

Ade

[Onebag]

Horizontal Safety Flag with Reflectors Now £12.99 inc. Delivery


A couple of these should do the trick Steve!
Seriously, it's a concern when the panniiers are off the bike most of the time. Easy to forget they're there.
I've had two bumps, one on the way out of Brighton (after picking your bike up Steve!) and one today inches from home. One a month... Not had the bike 2 months yet.
If nothing else, at least it's testament to their build quality as opposed to rider memory!

Glenn

[EST51]

Glad you're enjoying th bike Glenn and glad it went to a good home. Your first suggestion is a bit of a worry, as that's the second time I've had that one today!

I guess the red stickers on the mirrors might do it, although Postit note reminders stuck around my computer screen quickly disappear into the "scenery" and don't often help me remember anything!

Cheers, Steve