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Equipment Reviews Post YOUR REVIEWS of ANY Motorcycle, Camping or Travel Equipment and accessories. Tell us what worked and didn't work for you!
Photo by Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals



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  #1  
Old 17 Nov 2004
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Metal Mule
Hi Team

Has any one used METAL MULE Gear?

How do you rate it,
Almost as dear as Touratech What are the benifits of either design?

Charlie

[This message has been edited by braindead (edited 18 November 2004).]
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  #2  
Old 18 Nov 2004
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Rivetted construction, not welded - could be argued that this makes for easier repair?

The lids are hinged at one end, not on the side which I find a little strange? If you have a wide bag across the rear of the bike, you may not be able to open the pannier without first removing either the bag or the pannier itself?

Prefer the Touratech removal lids myself.
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  #3  
Old 18 Nov 2004
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Yes I agree, infact I would go further by saying that any hinged lid is impractical. With the Touratech lids if you have something strapped to the lid you can just take off the whole lid with the gear still attached to it. If it's hinged you may have to take all the gear off before you can open the lid. The 'metal mule' panniers look good and strong, but I thought they felt considerably heavier that the Touratech ones and personally I'm not keen on all those visible rivets. I had the Touratech panniers fitted to my GS and dropped the bike, at stationary, a few times with no damage to the box's or the bike. If there is a week point with the Touratech panniers it would be the frames IMHO. I had Ernie at Overland Solutions build me some panniers frames for the Touratech panniers.
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  #4  
Old 19 Nov 2004
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if you asked the guys at metal mule not to hinge your panniers and put another clasp on instead im sure they would be happy to oblige, especially if each pannier was made to order? it might even make them cheaper if they dont have to spend so much time rivetting.

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  #5  
Old 19 Nov 2004
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Quote:
Originally posted by DAVSATO:
if you asked the guys at metal mule not to hinge your panniers and put another clasp on instead im sure they would be happy to oblige, especially if each pannier was made to order? it might even make them cheaper if they dont have to spend so much time rivetting.
It's the rivetting that holds the sides together, instead of being welded, so this cannot change unless MM change their construction completely.

If you go for MM panniers, check that the rivet heads do not protude too far inside the pannier or they could damage the contents?

Would be easy for MM to offer a removeable lid with an extra lock at the other end - should not really cost any extra.
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  #6  
Old 19 Nov 2004
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i meant they wouldnt have to rivet the hinge on

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  #7  
Old 19 Nov 2004
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Still need to rivet the second lock on though
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  #8  
Old 21 Mar 2005
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I thought they look good on the website, but unless I am very mistake, they seem to be a fair bit MORE expensive than TT Zegas.
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  #9  
Old 21 Mar 2005
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(Oh bugger, how do you edit these replies?)

By the way, it is not clear on their site, but it looks like they attach to any frame with round sections- would they fit on the KTM/Touratech part?
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  #10  
Old 26 May 2005
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We have 2 sets of MMules on our bikes. We're in South America at present! The rivets are flush so don't go through to your contents and the boxes are surviving far better than we've seen ZEGA boxes on passing bikes recently! The lid syndrome is personal opinion though - our thoughts are 2 locks give more things to break. Price I thought was the same as ZEGA, lastly I don't think they'll fit Touratech frames.
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  #11  
Old 26 May 2005
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Touratech panniers work, Metal Mule panniers work, soft panniers work.

It's all a matter of personal preference.

If I was to choose between TT and MM though, I'd go for MM because:
a)bar personal preference, there really isn't much between the 2
b)I like MM's personal, friendly service. c) I would prefer to support a small company created by like-minded travellers.
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  #12  
Old 3 Jun 2005
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I've been in touch with Paul from Metal Mule - researching gear for my Dominator. Thought there may be good reason behind the hinge on the pannier, and it turns out (although I'm still on the fence) there are a few:

'The reasons behind the hinged panniers are:-
1. There is absolutely no way the lids can blow off – this is seems to happen on a fairly regular basis with non hinged pannier and top boxes.

2. When ferreting around in your pannier for some stuff, which happen to be near the bottom of your pannier, the hinged lid gives you some where to pile stuff while your find the stuff your want!

3. With a non hinged pannier, whenever you take off the lid you have to put it somewhere, e.g. on your motorcycle seat where it falls off or on the ground where you’ll end up standing on it

4. If you don’t have a hinge then you will need 2 clasps to hold the lid on, one at either end – these are more fiddly to use and are less secure.'

...If only they made racks for the Dommie though *sniff*



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  #13  
Old 3 Jun 2005
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We have the best of both worlds: hinged lids that can be removed.

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Salut from Southern France, the bikers' paradise,

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  #14  
Old 14 Jun 2005
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I've been using the Metal Mule panniers for a few months now on my XT600e.

1) I have an ortlieb bag over the top of the panniers, this can be pushed to the side to access the panniers - No fuss.

2) The rivets are flush on the inside. There are a few nuts down one side here and there, but nothing that causes any probs.

3) The panniers are quick to open/close/lock/unlock. They also have a fantastic secure releasing mechanism which I was more impressed with than the touratech style. The pannier can be removed in a second.

4) They certainly are tough - No idea if they weigh any more/less than TT.

5) Paul kindly made up custom panniers to fit TT racks for Matt who already had racks.

6) Customer service was second to none.

7) Panniers are very robust - And that's whats most important when you spill your bike which lands on 1/2 of all your worldly possessions.....

8) If I have any problems, they are 1.5 hours away - not 6 weeks delivery and turnaround time of TT.....

They are however more expensive than Zega.

Will

[This message has been edited by dionysos (edited 14 June 2005).]
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