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Touratech panniers - are they any good?
Hi all
I realise that this may be a controversial question...! I'm in two minds as to which panniers to get. I have a Touratech rack on my XT at the moment, but I'm not convinced as to the quality of the Touratech panniers (not seen them in the metal). Other places like Metal Mule seem to be of much higher quality? We're travelling LA - Buenos Aires for about 6 months - probably on roads most of the way so the panniers won't have to take THAT much punishment. Are the touratech panniers going to fall apart on me, or are they actually quite good? Anyone got any experience of fitting locks etc to them - touratech seem to want me to buy the locks and fit them myself?!! Cheers! Matt |
matt-I have a set of Touratech panniers on my KTM.The panniers are made by Zega in Switzerland,and are of top notch quality.So far,they have survived 21k miles of hard use.The boxes are dented and dinged up,but are still water/dust proof.I would highly recommend using either the integral locks or a basic padlock,both for security and to hold the lids on when the claps become worn.I also have gas and oil cannisters attached to the outside of the panniers.
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Hi Matt,
I have Touratech boxes on my Tenere and they are excellent. Mine are modified by Ernie at Overland-Solutions to be fixed and locked on to his racks (Touratech don't do racks for the Tenere) but otherwise are standard. No problems with quality. They are strong, waterproof and easy do get things in and out of on or off the bike. They also make good seats/tables/backrests or whatever else you can think of! [This message has been edited by greynomads (edited 10 March 2005).] |
I agree, Got Touratechs on a F650, 60,000km. No issues. Even hit a deer in Canada at 90kmh and slid on the righthand case down the highway. Hammered it out, and good as new, almost. Can´t comment on the other system, but I am happy the TT.
Rene |
Can't say I'm too happy, though I think the main weak point is the mountings. Mine worked loose to the point that they rattled and I eventually ended up with cracks in the boxes round the mountings. I think it comes down to too much strain over too small a surface area if the boxes are fully loaded. A better mounting system would spread the load around, perhaps including some of it underneath the box as well.
Other than that they are totally waterproof - though for some reason not sandproof. ------------------ Richb http://www.postmaster.co.uk/~richardbeaumont/60684/ |
Cheers guys - advice much appreciated!
Sounds like the TouraTech ones might be the ones to go for. Does anyone know of a showroom or somewhere I can see them "in the metal" before I decide to invest?? Thanks again! Matt |
just a tip if you are using aluminium panniers (e.g. the touratech's) then it's worthwhile using the inner bags - whether you buy theirs or make your own.
Without inner bags anything hard rubs against the aluninium and grinds up a very fine black powder - which turns every thing in the boxes black (and if it gets damp then slimy as well). |
Before you buy them, you should go and see Ernie at Overland Solutions in Sheerness (1 1/4 hours from London). I was down there today, top bloke and great kit.
I have the Zegas on my old bike, I reckon I'll end up with Ernies on the new one. Nick. ------------------ Nick Taylor www.exerro.com ------------------ Vehicle Specs |
Thought people might find this useful...
The mate I'm off to south america with has bought some Metal Mule panniers for his XT600E. I had a look at them last week and they are superb - extremely well made, solid, and with the little touches that show they've been thorougly thought out. The locking mechanism in particular is ingenious, simple, effective and durable. I spoke to the chap at metal mule who was most accomodating - and they're going to move the mounting blocks on the panniers to fit my touratech racks (very similar to the metal mule racks but not as well finished). Superb company, recommended! |
I’ve decided that I also want the TT Zega panniers. Since there are no local Touratech agents in South Africa I wondered if I could riddle you this…
Has anyone ordered the pannier and mounting set and have them send it to SAfrica / Australia / China …or any country with no local TT agents? Does it cost a small fortune in duties and take 11 months to deliver? Will customs officers completely dismantle it for hidden narcotics and trash it in the process? Does it come in a crap box that leaves the panniers all banged up before it even reaches the bike? I know I should probably mail TT with the same questions but I’d like to hear what you guys experienced? Thanks |
Before buying my TT (in UK) I also looked in SA. The KTM dealer in Joburg was selling KTM branded panniers that to me looked exactly the same as the TT's, just with a KTM logo.
They were more expensive in SA, but they were available. Check with the KTM dealer in Cape Town to see if he can get them in for you. |
Metal Mule are riveted together, not sure how flush the rivets are inside the case? If they're not flush, they could tear the contents up.
MM also have hinged lids, not a great idea if you're carrying a luggage roll that extends over the pannier lids, you'll have to remove the luggage rol to access the pannier. TT, along with Jesse & Verns panniers, have lift off removable lids that can also double up as a tray for food or bike parts if working on the bike. Jesse's are meant to be very good but expensive. Search here: http://www.advrider.com/forums/ Verns panniers also have a good reputation. Search here: http://www.ukgser.com/forums/ |
We are on our way to Argentina from Alaska, have the full Touratech setup, panniers and Zega boxes. Driving me nuts.
1. if u drop the bike (my wife likes to do it), the pannier frames are too small for the boxes, the boxes bend inward. works one or two times, but larger frames would make things better. i attached steel plates in the size of the box, that helps but makes the boxes much heavier. 2. In Central and South America u often push ur bikes into the Hotel reception or courtyard. to dismount the boxes u have to open the lit of each box. Do open ur boxes with clothing, food, maybe some electronic devices in front of the 10 kids who are always staying around ur bike and explain them that u are a poor traveller while they are starving whatching ur food. 3. If u have a large bacg with tent, sleeping back, matraze etc. crossing the seat laying on both boxes, it is hard to open them for the military checkpoints if u have to. so u have to dismount the bag first....annoying. 4 without the inside bags all stuff is getting dirty from the aluminum. even with, the bag rubbs on the aluminum, so after 6 month u just have to touch the boxes inside and u are dirty. so u have to put some stuff over it (tape or folie). I have seen the overland-solution panniers with modified Touratech boxes (how to dismound and open), would be my first choice now. Hepco & Becker is also an alternative. Good luck Martin |
ZEGA boxes aren't hard enough to ride with them in hard terrain like rocky desert. I was test it with my friend on rocky pistas in Marocco. After 4 weeks ZEGA boxes was tottally crashed and smashed. The are pice of junk now.
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Have just mounted a set of TT Zega panniers to my F650GS. Think they are great. Thinking about them, if you destroy them in 4 mo, I don't think any other pannier would not even be with the bike! Would hate to think what my bike would look like. Others have said they would take the panniers off if in real bad off road travel.
Has anyone painted or Powder Coated the inside of the panniers to stop the black powder problem? Norm |
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Jesse Luggage in the US sells panniers liners of some sort to prevent this I believe? </font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Hello. I built my panniers from scratch, but didn't have time to anodize them before my trip. Here's a quick, cheap solution that has lasted almost 15,000 miles already. 3M makes a spray glue in an aresol can called Spray-90. This is a contact cement. Cut some thick durable fabric oversize and completely spray one side and also inside the pannier. Apply the fabric and work into place making sure the glue sticks. Let the box sit open overnight so all solvents can vent away. The interior an be any fabric you choose, maybe crushed velvet??... |
For an even cheaper solution to the lining problem - I taped bubble wrap in mine, worked great and no need for the inner lining bags. That lasted about 3 months until I had to have some welding done to a pannier, then in Ushuaia, in a stationary shop I bought some cheap rubbery lining material and glued that on.
Next time I might even try that Blue Peter staple, sticky back plastic (British cultural reference, sorry) Expensive bags are a waste of money. ------------------ Richb http://www.postmaster.co.uk/~richardbeaumont/60684/ |
I agree with the above, mine have been lined with sticky backed plastic for 20 000 miles. I used the basic clear stuff from a stationers that we used to cover text books at school.
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RE the aluminum dust - there is a solution, and it never fails to amaze me that no one - especially Touratech et al don't offer it.
Just anodize them! It's easy to do before the bags are assembled, but now you'll have to completely disassemble them. Once anodized, you'll have no aluminum dust problem, and your gear won't be covered in black. Also the anodizing actually makes them stronger, as it in effect surface hardens the aluminum. You lose the shiny surface inside and out, the surface is a dull silvery sort of color. (Which is probably why Touratech doesn't do it - not so pretty/shiny) We then powder coated our boxes white, outside only. Very cool. (temp wise http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/wink.gif And my vote is always for removable lids - hinged sucks. And external latches to remove the bags from the bike so you don't have to remove the lids and half the contents as noted above by Martin. ------------------ Grant Johnson Seek, and ye shall find. ------------------------ One world, Two wheels. www.HorizonsUnlimited.com |
Grant, although it isn't anodizing, there is one company which offers a solution to the blackening problem. Happy Trails offers, as an option, powder coating of their panniers both inside and out; thus, blackening is taken care of.
Regarding Touratech panniers vs others, I've used the Touratechs extensively over some very difficult terrain (4WD roads over BLM and NFS land in the western US), and they are very good, but not the best in my opinion. The method Touratech uses to attach the bottom to the four sides is not as strong as Happy Trails and Jesse boxes, where all seams are totally welded. I think the HTs are significantly stronger. I've never used Jesse's, but I have friends who have them and the boxes appear very strong, although I've heard stories of the racks cracking. My choice is Happy Trails, which I believe to be an outstanding product (btw, I have no affiliation with HT, or any other company except as a customer). Just my $.02 worth. Mike |
Check these out:
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthr...threadid=40366 |
Hi MattB,
Just a quick reply to your post about the touratech boxes, I'm currently using a set with my KTM I've got four same key locks on the stock catches, have found them 100% water proof and as far as strength goes I use one of the boxes to sit the bike on to adjust chain, remove wheels etc. They get a total thumbs up from me. Cheers. Les. |
Metal Mules are the business. They can be ordered anodised to stop the black stuff. They are absolutely bombproof and as is said above they are very well thought out. Also, they have a great quick release mech which is also solid but means you can take them off easily - you find yourself using them as seats in the campsite etc. Considerably dearer than Touratechs but IMHO much better.
[This message has been edited by topper (edited 18 July 2005).] |
Topper,
Is that you Daz old man? matt |
Hi,
I would say never use touratech. I have had panniers on order for 6 months and still cannot get a response as to when they will be available. You will be in Buenos Aires by the time you receive them. |
Hepco & Becker
Just met a young lady from Switzerland with Hepco & Becker panniers. I must admit, the way they're attached to the rack is intriguing. It isn't shown very clearly on their homepage http://www.hepco-becker.de/_eng/frameset.php but works basically by hooking the box into the rack at the front end. At the rear end there's a catch on the box that clips into the rack and can be locked. Thus the panniers can be taken off the rack without having to open them.
Price level's similar as TT. They seemed to be quite sturdy, being heavily reinforced at the base. What I didn't like was that the lid were hinged. So it cannot be removed. I myself am quite happy with the Zega panniers. Dropped the bike dozens of times and the bike plus luggage weighs just under 300kg. Haven't had the probs Martin describes. Re aluminum dust - I stuck adhesive foil on the inside which does the job. But bags are much more useful, so I eventually decided to invest in a set. Allows you to keep the panniers on the bike. Hans |
The main problem with the Touratech panniers in my opinon is the upper mount. The hand nut compresses a small wave washer under it allowing a lot of flex in that area. After a while the mounting point deforms the pannier to the point of where the frame bar rattles around and the clamp doesn't engage it. Add some dirt and it starts "sanding" the aluminum away. It is also important that the pannier sit flush on the frame to begin with. Poor mounting ends up accelerating the problem. My remedy was to create a polymer spacer that engages all mating surfaces of the hand nut to the pannier. This then distributes the clamping load across the entire area. They can even be used with the stiffening bar that Touratech sells. I'm in the links section here if you want to see what I've done.
Jon Ladd |
I've Touratech Zega's on my V-strom, love them, quite tough, dropped the bike on them many times no problems. I used epoxy paint inside no black marks.
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Paint it black
I painted my Touratech panniers inside with Ace Hardware aluminum siding paint. Prime first then use a light color for light reflection. The paint gets beat up with use so touch up every 20K miles. Worked well for me. No prep needed except a wash before priming. Did two coats.
Problem solved. Bill. |
I just came back from a 10 month tour through Europe/Middle East/Asia. I have Touratech's and a frame from Overland-Solutions. The frame is top notch, the bags are shit. I picked both, so I can't complain. The TT bags are riveted, not welded. See pics on my website for some damage.
I am tossing them and getting custom ones made. I thought a lot about the specs, and here is what I am going with: - 4 loops on top of lids, same as Zega cases, in similar positions - Lift-off lids with 1 centimeter overhang - Weather stripping on inside of lids for waterproofing - 4 small loops on narrow sides of cases, 8 loops in total per case (strap holders, fuel bottle attachment option) - Protex locks - Flush-mounted support plates for locks, most importantly for attachments to frame. (8 locks in total, same key, 2 locks to hold bag to frame) - Minimize protrusions on inside of bags to prevent wear of articles bouncing up and down while riding - 35 L left and 41 L right - BMW R80G/S - Outside lower rim of bags at 45 degree angle (2 cm width), not straight welded - Weld all joins, not tack welded or rivited - All welds polished to look smooth - Annodize all pieces - 2 mm or thicker material? Best aluminium... http://tinyurl.com/3xh7sp |
Tesch
http://www.berndtesch.de/English/Boxes.html
These are the best looking ones I have seen upto now. The racks are immense and the boxes too. lots of options available too. I will be gettting some for my XT600E pretty soon. |
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