Have you ever accidently nudged a car with one of your Sprint saddlebags?

[vfrmarc]

A couple of weeks ago I was waiting behind a car for a light to change.  There was room for me to slip beside it on the right side to make a right turn on red.  I'd done it many times before on my old bike.  But I momentarily forgot how wide the new Sprints are when you have the panniers on -- and as I eased past the car I felt a slight nudge.  I kept on going but did a silent 'Oh S#!t' .  When I got back to work a close look found only a wax rub and no damage .

My question is have the panniers gotten anyone else into trouble b/c of width or am I the only one who occasionally forgets about them?  Oh yeah even when I remember to lift my leg high getting off, I still hit them with my boot 2 out of three times.

[Stripes]

Man I'm glad I'm not the only one! I was on my way to Maine 2 summers ago shortly after I got my '05 Sprint ST and was sitting in traffic at a toll booth near Buffalo I believe, and I noticed the car to my right wasn't paying attention that the car in front of him had moved maybe 2 1/2 car lengths ahead, so I started to move over into that lane, because I was getting hot and impatient, and just slightly bumped the rear passenger side quarter panel with my bag, and pulled past the car I just hit and said sorry, but I don't even think she noticed because she didn't even look at me and once we were through the toll booth I pulled off at the next rest stop to check the damage to my bike which was just a small 1/2" x 6" scuff mark and she blew past me. I guess I got lucky.

[B-rent]

I haven't nudged a car with my saddlebags. I have forgotten they were there though.  

I was out riding with SWriverstone near Caledonia State Park. This turn was a decreasing radius turn and we came in a little hot. I leaned it over and made it through the turn, but laying it over further than I think I'd ever had it at that point. As we exited the turn and the bike started coming up I hit a patch of rocks. So as not to slide out of the turn I stood it up and exited on the burm of the road. On the burm was a metal pole which was about 5 inches in diameter, clearly visible. I rode right past it. I forgot my bags were on my bike though. My right side bag hit the pole. I thought to myself, "WTF? Oh shit!" I pulled over and took a look. The bag was fine with minor scratches on the front of the black plastic.

The bag mount rocks side to side. I think this saved some potentially bad damage to the bag. I was going about 30mph.    

[TheRedOnesAreFaster]

I hit the downspout from the garage eaves trough.  Minor scuffing that some buffing removed.  Did I mention I'd only had the bags for a day at the time?  Haven't bumped a car.  Yet.

[keystonejenks]

I haven't nudged a car with my saddlebags. I have forgotten they were there though.  

I was out riding with SWriverstone near Caledonia State Park. This turn was a decreasing radius turn and we came in a little hot. I leaned it over and made it through the turn, but laying it over further than I think I'd ever had it at that point. As we exited the turn and the bike started coming up I hit a patch of rocks. So as not to slide out of the turn I stood it up and exited on the burm of the road. On the burm was a metal pole which was about 5 inches in diameter, clearly visible. I rode right past it. I forgot my bags were on my bike though. My right side bag hit the pole. I thought to myself, "WTF? Oh shit!" I pulled over and took a look. The bag was fine with minor scratches on the front of the black plastic.

The bag mount rocks side to side. I think this saved some potentially bad damage to the bag. I was going about 30mph.    

Oh, I see how it is. Riding in Caledonia and not inviting me!   I only live 5 10 minutes from there.

[badger]

Yes.  It was the impetus that led me to find STN.  I nudged a car as I tried to lanesplit past and it threw off my balance enough that I almost dumped the bike over.  I decided right then that panniers suck and I wasn't gonna use them anymore unless there was absolutely no other way.  I hate it when the bike is a wide as a freakin minivan.

[Capirex]

I hate it when the bike is a wide as a freakin minivan.

They are wide, but only an inch or so wider than the mirrors.  That is usually what I use to judge.  If the mirrors can get through the bags most likely will also.
That being said I have scraped a bag up against a pole in a parking lot.    Only left a few scratch marks.

[B-rent]

Oh, I see how it is. Riding in Caledonia and not inviting me!   I only live 5 10 minutes from there.

  We should ride some time. That's a beautiful area.