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Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? Anything to do with the bikes equipment, saddlebags, etc. Questions on repairs and maintenance of the bike itself belong in the Brand Specific Tech Forums.
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  #1  
Old 22 Nov 2005
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panniers size
Hi All,

My dad is gonna buy me a zega cases as a graduation gift. I have a 97 make F650 and on the touratech page the optimum system is a combination of 35L and a 41L cases. However, they dont look good when mounted on the bike. Do I have to buy 2x35L or 2x41L?

41L are heavier than 35L and also wider. But more space.

Another question is if I order only cases do they come with mounting kits or do I have order them separately?

Thanks for any help.

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Old 22 Nov 2005
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Unlike the R1150GS, the Touratech panniers on an F650 are wider than the front of the bike. I have the 35-litre cases on both bikes and it's wide enough! I definitely wouldn't want the 41-litre version on an F650. Very hard to manoeuvre in traffic, in my opinion.

Besides, if you get larger than 35 litres, you'll only carry more weight which you don't need.

On my travels with a pillion, the rule has been roughly one pannier each. If you are riding alone you definitely shouldn't need 82 litres.

The mounting rack is ordered separately but I think the brackets are located in different places on the pannier depending on the bike so make sure you clearly order for your specific bike.
Stephan
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  #3  
Old 22 Nov 2005
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This doesn´t quite answer your question, but my suggestion for the F650 is the Jessies.

I had a Dakar F650 earlier this year and used Jessies. Although I don´t like Jessies personally, and it is a personal thing, they are good for the F650 as the wrap around the pipes and sit in quite close to the bike. By far the best panniers in your case.

I managed the beginning if my RTW trip with these and had space to spare - with my tent outside.

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Old 23 Nov 2005
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I have two 36l panniers similar to the Touratechs mounted on a Touratech rack on my XT and its wide as a barge! Not sure I'd want any more width when threading through that African traffic!
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*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!
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Old 23 Nov 2005
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My wife had the BMW cases on her 1999 F650ST and I had Jesse panniers on my R100GS. The BMW cases are probably as wide (if not wider than) the Touratech panniers. We encountered a number of situations where I could go and she could not. Everything from splitting lanes to parking the bikes.

While the Jesses are more difficult to pack you might want to check the respective widths on their websites befoe finalising your decision!

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Old 23 Nov 2005
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Thank you very very much for sharing your experiences and advices. Although I've written an e-mail to Jesse EU, I think I am gonna stick 2x35L Touratechs. I'll tell you my final decisions.

Thanks again

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Old 23 Nov 2005
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Just to complete the infos about the TT/Zega cases: The cases are plain without any mounting brackets. Touratech offer the set containing rack, cases and mounting brackets cheaper than if you buy the single elements. For +/- €50 more TT offers to fit the mounting brackets as best suited for the bike.
Other panniers might be just as good or better, but the TT rack is the best I found so far.

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  #8  
Old 5 Dec 2005
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Ive just bought 38l Hepco & Becker panniers.

And so far im totally impressed! They are very easy to put on and take off. While still being very secure (so far).

Also had a size dilema before i bought. But very glad i didnt get bigger ones. They do stick out quite far on the dakar. 38l seems to be perfect, get everything in no problem.

Have a look @ Hepco and Becker. Very Nice!
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  #9  
Old 13 Dec 2005
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Worth mentioning that Metal Mule now make a Skinny Mule pannier which is 31Ltr. Just about to order a set for my Africa Twin having had the Touratech paniers previously. By using MM's 31 & 38Ltr instead of TT's 35 & 41Ltr I hope the overall width will be a little narrower. The reduction in capacity shouldn't be a problem as I never managed to fill the larger boxes even on our big trip. LB.
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  #10  
Old 28 Dec 2005
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Hi,
I got the Touratech pannier system for my F650 with 41L and 35L cases.

Thanks dad..

ozhan u.

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