hows it goin folks,

im lookin for some advice/opinions as to what panniers to fit to my bike for a trip from ireland to australia next year.
im a novice biker (former land rover owner) and i have'nt got a clue which ones will last the journey,
any advice would be much appreciated

cheers adam

Well, i'm doing London to Oz next year and have also gone for an 800GS. I've gone for some Touratech panniers which seem to be up to the job.
I did look at the Metal Mule panniers but they were just way too expensive.

Due to the underseat tank, the F800GS has a wide arse, so be careful about getting panniers that are too wide.

Don't discount BMW's plastic vario panniers, they are tougher than you might imagine. I have Metal Mules which I also use on my 1200GSA. Another alternative is SW Motech's Trax panniers.

See this thread for lots of discussion: ► Hard luggage--panniers and topboxes - ::. UKGS'er.com .::

Tim

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I have just ordered some Metal Mules today! went down to the workshop and chatted to Paul last week and he showed me his 800GS kitted out, they look good items and a nice company to deal with, they are arriving tomorrow, so very quick service.

I also liked the fact they have developed an exhaust which is slimmer and tighter to the bike so that the overall width of the panniers is only 1 meter, and that is with two 38litre panniers.

They are definitely not the cheapest and have had Zega/Touratech before which were fine, but i do think these are a little better... however, as always time and circumstance will truely tell.

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Will

Some day so soon....

Hello everyone,

thanks for the advice this is certaintly the right place to come to find the answers ! I think i am swaying towards the metal mules for now i think its worth paying the extra to have the peace of mind to know thet wont let me down when i need them the most.
hopefully i wont be proved wrong but ya just never know,
thanks again for the advice

cheers adam

I too visited Metal Mule a year ago and was impressed by their design and attention to detail. But in the intervening months they upped their prices massively - I forget the exact amount but something between two thirds and double the former prices.

Since then, someone put me on to these guys -
RMS - Reinhard Guhr Rennsporttechnik - BMW F650 GS

They have stock panniers and will make anything you want in any size & spec. They use the same gague ali as MM (2mm). As they make any shape you want take a look at their stock F650GS and how they use the dead space below the exhausts to give 38 Litre panniers yet keep the overall width less than the handlebar width.Just the thing to stop that Bumble Bee feeling of being wider behind than in front. About half the price of MMs with frames and free fitting at heir factory while you wait.

They probably have F800 by now.

Friendly, helpful and keen. Answered an Email in hours (in English on a Sunday). Try that with Touratech/Zega! It is only changing plans that stopped me paying them a visit and almost certainly placing my order.

Looking at the detailbuild photos I am unclear how easily they can be removed and put back on, nor how securely they lock onto the bike and are safe from souvenir hunters . Thats what I will go there to see - one day!

He used to do ali-fabrication for F1 teams so knows about strength with lightness.

Anyone used them?

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The new Jesse luggage for the 800GS are no where near as wide as the other brands out there and are a proven item, Welcome to Jesse Luggage Systems Locky.

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With that system would you choose the 10 inch or 8 inch version? It seems to me that the 10 inch would be too large overall and better suited to a larger bike. Also, I have read quite a few posts about the Jesse's leaking. Have you found this to be accurate?

One other option might be: - Caribou Luggage Systems I have no personal experience with these, but I have read reports from others who seem to like them. A couple of positives mentioned were: no leaking, and no problems closing or opening (due to bending) after a hard fall.

I would sell around 40 sets of Jesse,s a yaer here in Australia and dont have a problem with leaking, Locky.

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First of all are they supposed to look good or be practical? i have used TT panniers on various bikes over the years and although they hold a lot of crap the crumble like cardboard if the bike is put down or if something like a scooter decides to run into them! if you want something that will work go for Andy strapz soft luggege and mount it correctly, forget the hard stuff as it may also break you leg if you have to stick your foot down? forget about the best looking bike in the street, we are not all the same as ewan and charles dupont dupont!! bless their souls

cheers