Which XT600E Panniers and racks?
 

Hello,

Sincere apologies as I'm sure this has been discussed many times before. I have searched and hunted and can't find the answer.

I need panniers and racks for an 02 XT600E. The only options I can find that definitely fit are the Metal Mule (WAY too expensive) and the Touratech (FAR too expensive).

The H&B or Alpos panniers from SW Motech would be more my sort of budget, but everyone I've called says there are no racks for the XT600, only the XT660.

Someone here must have been through this before and know a rack and pannier system that fits the 600E, doesn't break the bank, is sturdy "enough", is currently available and doesn't require me to learn to weld....

Definitive answers would be very much appreciated. Thank you!

Hey, there! 'Till june I rode a XT600E '03 and it did have a pannierrack from Hepco&Becker with Alu Standard panniers(which I fitted now on my XT660Z Tenere). To my knowledge there's still a rack available for the XT: try Hepco & Becker and KEDO - Performance Products . At kedo you can order the rack online, delivery(when in stock) within a week. The rack costs 179,- euro's, panniers 429,- euro's for a set(right 37lt, left 43lt). Hope this helps you, greetz, Hans.

im sure you can fit most cases to most racks with a universal fitting kit. they are pretty standard, with usually either 18mm or 15mm tubing. just have a look at this;
Niall Sommerville's Photos | Facebook
full sized suitcases! no problem for luggage space there

panniers
 

hi todderz you are in the same situation i was in, looking for some panniers that did not cost the earth, i bought two 25 litre ammo crates cost £15 each steel construction overcentre lock down lids waterproof ,bomb proof,africa proof, i had 25 crashes london to capetown and the only thing damaged was my pride !!, imade all the mounts up out of steel tube, only down side is they are a bit heavy , but thats the trade off , if you are interested i may be able to email some photos so you can get some idea as to how they look, good luck, freddy

Or post them here - I'm sure I'm not the only one wheo would be interested.

Very many thanks indeed! I have just ordered a rack and panniers from KEDO - hopefully the right ones, my German doesn't extend to knowing the difference between gepacktrager and koffertrager....

Still not all that cheap but certainly more realistic then Metal Mule, for which I would need to win the lottery...

One problem solved. I'll be back before long with the next one!

Once again - Thank you!

Glad I could help! Gepäckträger is luggagerack and Kofferträger is pannierrack, as you may have noticed by the price difference. Did you also order the alu panniers? Anyway, good luck with your new stuff and ride safe. Greetz, Hans.

OK, so I have what looks like a left hand pannier rail, a right hand pannier rail, a brace to connect right with left, and a rear rack. I have two aluminium panniers, and I have 3 bags of assorted screws, nuts, bolts, washers and various unidentifiable metal parts. I have a piece of paper with a diagram of something unfathomable, and a piece of paper with some German words written on it.

I also have a headache.

How the hell does this stuff all fit together? The bit that has me most stumped of all is how to attach the panniers to the rack. There is a lockable hinge kind of thing on the pannier. The pannier seems to sit loosely against the pannier rail, but at the "locking" end nothing fits. I have a couple of wedge shaped pieces of metal and the diagram seems to suggest it all fits together somehow but I can't figure it out at all. The metalwork of the rack seems to be in the way of where these metal wedges are supposed to go.

If anyone can help I will be forever in your debt! Anyone have any idea what I'm going on about?

Help!!! Aaaarrrggghhh!

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/1646/94569so1.jpg


Right, discovered that it's a lock plate fitting kit, as shown. But I can't figure out how to fit it.

Anyone seen this before?

Yep, these are the spacers, which gotta be mounted at the rear of the rack to fit the alu panniers(and their locks to secure them to the rack). The alu panniers seems to be a tad longer then the plastic(Junior etc) cases, so you'll need the spacers. If you got problems with the manual in German, send me a copy and I'll translate it for you(I lived in Germany for 8years, so that won't be a problem). Or you can send an e-mail to Kedo for an translation, they're very helpful people. Let me know, greetz, Hans.

Right, it's umm, well, it's, umm, actually it's kind of simple, if you look at it the, umm, well, er, the right way up......

Doh!

:blushing:

Hmm, problem.

The rack doesn't seem to fit. You can see in these pictures that the front end of the rack is several inches wider than the bike. The only way of fixing it would be with very long bolts, and that can't be very solid.

Any ideas? Have I been given the wrong rack, have I got it in the wrong position, or is there some other way you're meant to fix it?


01022009061 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

01022009064 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Hi Al

Its designed to fit on the outside of the pillion grab rails

David

Doh!

<facepalm>

(I wouldn't be much good on Krypton Factor.)


Thanks, David!

Hi fella,
Hope you're enjoying your XT? I'm in the same boat that you were in! Could you list exactly what items you ordered so that I can follow suit? Many thanks! :thumbup1:

Same Problem as You guys for Panniers... Solved
 

I had same problem as everyone here looking for affordable racks and panniers for my 1994 XT 600E. So, after finally looking at many different systems all needed custom work to make fit....I made my own. Cost about $55-$60 USD in steel and the highest quality fasteners I could buy. I did not weld any of the frame. Used nylon locking nuts and lock washers at points that needed a bend or attachment. 11 and 12 gauge steel. Mounts in rear into foot peg mounts. (rear foot pegs removed)

I bought a vintage suitcase and briefcase to use as temporary bags when I was in Denver at a thrift store. It took me a full day to fabricate it and put it all together. I am testing now for strength with some short 100-200 mile touring runs. Whole system is pretty light. Might upgrade bags to 20mm Ammo canisters. I don't know that I trust the plastic suitcases for long tours. The one that is a briefcase takes in a little water because it has NO rubber seals or gaskets. I attached with rubber washers to my pannier frame. When I am sure its going to hold up, I will paint it flat black. Maybe get the ammo cans to hold more gear.

Getting lots of positive comments from touring people on new bikes with expensive systems. They seem to like the vintage suitcase and DIY look.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2472/...ae4d4cd40f.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2441/...61aae424aa.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3419/...391e9b9050.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3437/...39c9bca86b.jpg

That looks a really good system, neat and practical. Could you post some pictures without the cases in position, to show the structure better?

MATE !!

Forget it...

Just get some good quality soft bags...

I had metal mules on mine and they got trashed in a crash. I swapped them for some soft bags and my god ! WHAT AN IMPROVEMENT !! (and an EXPENSIVE lesson)..

The XT600 isnt great with big heavy boxes on it. It's a poorly suspended budget bike as it is, and the boxes make it HORRIBLE when the tarmac runs out..

I got these and they were FABULOUS !!! My trip enjoyment level rocketed when my bike got lighter and more maneuverable..

You just throw them over your shoulder when you find your hotel/campsite ! JOB DONE !

http://www.tourmaster.com/images/pro...h_rm_black.jpg

These cost me under £100 although I dont think you can get them in the UK, although you get the idea !

Keep you cash for petrol and beer :thumbup1:

I'd considered soft bags, but always came across the problem of how you keep them off the exhaust. On mine (Micron can) the bag would rest half on the zorst can and half on the little flimsy plastic panel. If I bought/made a rack, it would be purely to keep things in place and away from the hot bits - I'd probably go the soft luggage route as well. What I liked about 757's idea is that it is light and minimal - not like a reconstituted Forth Road Bridge which, you are right, would weight the back down something rotten. Plus you get a load more lashing points.

Zulu

When I take the suitcases off I will take more pictures. But its pretty simple. just take angle iron (steel), a grinder with a diamond cutting blade, and a measuring tape and start at the hole where the blinkers are attached and work your way down to the top foot peg hole. (on the exhaust side I used the lower exhaust mounting screw for the low point) cut one half of the angle (one side of the L shape) to bend. Then run a flat piece of steel from the foot peg bolt or lower exhaust mount hole (that is your lowest connection point and run up to your highest point). drill holes and screw that piece on. I will take some pictures. then you will need to run a piece across the back for support. you will be buying some longer screws for the foot peg and lower exhaust holes and bout 1.5" spacers and washers.

* note I changed my original design after a 175 mile trip yesterday. i originally had the rear support piece going on the inside of the rear fender near wheel. Well big bumps bent that piece. so today I made a new one that goes outside the fender.

Soft bags..require some sort of framing to keep them off the wheel and off the exhaust. The cheapest rack I found was about $125 and they are for the new XT225s and require modification. so, by the time you spend for all that, and then $100+ for soft bags...you are in to the whole system for $250-350USD You can use a system like mine for soft bags also.

mine was cheap and light (frame maybe 5lbs / 12kilos )...that's the selling point. And, after my trip yesterday I feel really confident in my system. Speeds up to 70-75 mph and they hung on there good.

Here's a picture of the new rear support bar moved outside the fender. And some pictures of the rack from the inside so you can see my design better. I used 1.5 inch spacer at the lowest attachment point to give it the room needed to make it wide enough to miss the exhaust and the plastic on side of bike.

In the last two pictures (last pic in next post) you can see the right side with a support piece and on the left side there is one to fill in where i cut half the angle to bend. on the right side i did. wanted to see how both would hold up.

757


.

reposted one from above because it was sideways

then the 2nd pic is off the left side with corner bracket to compensate for the cut steel

after the ride yesterday, i dont think this was even needed.


757



.

oops that one didnt make it. here it is

Thanks for the pics, 757. It looks just the job for a lightweight application like I am looking for. I would guess that after you had got all the dimensions and angles right with it bolted up, you could run a welder round most of it to make it permanent.

Next question - how do you attach the cases?

Z,

Yes you can spot weld joints to make it more permanent for sure.

The cases... I just determined where I wanted them to hang and drilled a hole through the case and the newly constructed frame. You can drill the frame first then hold the case up and use a pen to mark holes on case and drill it second. Then used bolt, rubber washers (on inside of case and outside), steel washers (push against rubber washers) and a nylon lock cap nut.

So from inside the case to out sequence like this ( bolt head,metal washer, rubber washer, case body, (now outside case) rubber washer, metal washer, (through the frame) metal washer , locking nut.


hope this helps.

757

Thanks. I can see a winter project coming up. I think I'll probably stick with the soft luggage, but the light frame to support them looks excellent.

They look very smart Ted. I have a pair of Oxford Sports panniers which I'll try and fit first, although I'm not sure about the width fitting over the rack I'm going to get. All being well, the money saved can go on a bash plate or Garmin satnav!
Where did you buy those panniers? They look quite deep. How do they compare for size against a pair of Oxford Sports panniers? Final question; do you use any sort of heatshield? I have a Remus can on mine, as well as the stainless headers. :thumbup1:

Had a problem a couple of years ago on a last min dash to skegness. My mates backed out so i asked the wife along for the trip. threw a pair of soft panniers on and headed off. At the first fuel stop noticed that the paniers had moved and were sitting comfortably around the exhaust with both of my wifes dresses (one apparently her favourate) ever so slightly burned and all of here make up melted.

Obviously i wasn't the most popular chap then, even after a stop on the way to buy repacement clothes.

On reflection the options i now had were 1, not take the wife out on the bike again, or 2, make up some sort of protector.

So option 2 it was. I decided to make a template from 15mm copper pipe i had kicking round in the shed. 1m of pipe, 4 elbows and 2 tee pieces, a bit of soldering and the frame was made.

i fastened it to the side rail bolts, just flattened the pipe coming from the tee pieces and drilled a hole. Simple. lasted about 2 years and cost about £3. where as i'm sure the misses stung me for about £150

Paul

I don't know how they compare as I havnt used the Oxfords. These cortech ones are brill. I was lucky that an American girl brought them to BSAS for me after my Metal mules got turned into scrap metal in a crash..

I had the bent metal mule pannier frames to act as a heat shield although you can easily make or buy some cheap pannier rails...

I really do urge you to go soft .... The weight and size of hard boxes is a nightmare and when/if you crash or even fall, they often bend and the brackets snap etc.. With softbags, the WORST that will happen is a rip or tear which is SOOOO easy to fix yourself.

The wieght saving is brilliant too making your XT handle much better offroad and when you drop the bike, the soft bags just absorb the crash and save the bodywork ! BONUS

Finding someone who can sow is about 1000000x easier than someone who can weld aluminium !!

As for security, Pacsafe work if you're paranoid but I would just have a lockable topbox for any valuables and just use the side bags for clothes, books, etc etc ! But I have never had anyone try and get into my bags anyway...


Before !!! £900 Aluminium luggage

http://www.touringted.com/_gallery_/...serialNumber=2

After a crash !!

http://www.touringted.com/_gallery_/...serialNumber=2

http://www.touringted.com/_gallery_/...serialNumber=2

I admit this was a high speed crash on sand/gravel but the bust luggage made the trip a nightmare until I could replace it !!

Cheers fella's. I hope there were no long term side effects of that little off Ted?! I can't see how Metalmule can justify their prices. The current price for that setup is circa £1200! My estimated cost is around £450 all in, with soft bags obviously, pannier rack and a half decent top box or pacsafe type soft bag on top.
The spending just keeps on going... :funmeterno:

Naaah Im fine.. .I bounce well :)


The guys at MM are very helpful, friendly and genuine travellers. Their stuff is very well made but I think its more suited to glossy magazines than the wilds of the world. It's too complicated and difficult to repair.

Can they justify their prices ??? Well, as long as Mr BMW 1200GS keeps buying their gear at those prices to show off at the local pub, why would you charge less ??? Profit isnt a dirty word when you're trying to put bread on the table.

As for your budget....

Softbags = £150 (MAX)
Racks = £100 (TT do racks for XT for £220 I think)
Top box and carrier= £50 (Ebay)
Pacsafes = £60 for 2

You can EASILY do all this for £450 or less. :thumbup1:

Sorry, just saw this. Will look up the details for you. Prob too late, but may help someone else.

Although - I'm moving more towards the soft-luggage camp.

Hello everyone,

I got the H&B rack for my XT but the instructions are :eek3:

I figured they may be in German but also assumed that there would be a diagram to go with them intead of just written instructions.



4 Sechskantschtauben M 6 x

auf1en Ober die Auspuffbefestigung am

Rahmen mit der lnbusschraube M 8 x 20 montiert. Der vordere seitliche Befestigungswinkel des
Koffertragers wird aul1en Ober der Auspufftopfbefestigung montiert. Die dicke Original-U-Scheibe
kommt darunter, die Befestigung erfolgt mit der Originalschraube.
Die vordere Rohrstrebe des linken Koffertragers wjrd an der hinteren oberen Verschraubung des
SoziusfuBrastenauslegers verschraubt. Die Strebe wird zwischen Rahmen und Ausleger
geschoben; zur Verschraubeung die Inbusschraube M 8 x 25 verwenden. Unter der vorderen
Befestigung werden 3 U-Scheiben

0 8,4 als Abstandshalter zWischengefOgt. Zur Verschraubung

ebenfalls die Inbusschraube M 8 x 25 verwenden.
Der vordere seitliche Befestigungswinkel des linken Koffertragers wird auBen Ober der
Haltelasche des KotflOgels montiert. Hierzu die Sechskantschraube M 6 x 25 verwenden, von
innen eine Karosseriescheibe

0 6,4 x 0 18 mm unterlegen.

Nun die Blinker an den Haltelaschen der Koffertrager wie original montieren und die Blinkerkabel
zusammenstecken; sie mOssen nicht verlangert werden.
Heckverkleidung montieren. Die Haltegriffe an den vorderen Verschraubungen wie original
montieren. Die hinteren Verschraubungen der Haltegriffe geschieht zusammen mit der
GepackbrOcke.
Die Aludistanzen

01509 x 13 mm in die Bohrungen als Abstandshalter einsetzen, darOber die

GepackbrOcke schieben. Zur Befestigung die Sechskantschrauben M 8 x 65 nebst U-Scheiben

verwenden.

Now Google Translate has turned this into something 1/4 understandable but I'm a bit concerned about just putting it together 'my way' as it will be supporting a fair bit of weight and I don't want it to snap because of how I put it together.

I emailed H&B at the start of the week regardiing instructions but as yet had no reply. Does anyone know where I can find an English set or at least a diagram?

Many thanks,
Joe

Google translate :)

Hi,

Tried Google Tranislate, which has made the instructions semi understandable. TBH armed with those it will probably be OK, but it would have been nice to have had at least a diagram included.

I had the same problem, and with a bit of editing Google translate did quite well.

It's actually quite easy once you offer everything up and figure out what's what.

Some pointers:-

The rack attaches over the original pillion grab rails - there'll be a big gap if you don't have them.

The middle attachment point on the exhaust side fits to the rear exhaust bracket, but it didn't fit mine very well at all, required a bit of bending.

Here's the best photo I could dig out.
IMG_1481 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Thank you Todderz, very helpful :thumbup1:

I notice that the indicators are gone now, are they meant to be relocated to the tabs with holes in that poke out rearward from the original mounting place?

Yes, that's right. Here's another photo.

IMG_1489 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Brilliant Todderz, thank you.

At the moment I've only got the rear rack installed as I don't need the side racks quite yet. But as the tabs to relocate the indicators are on the side racks I've had to use the original indicators as mounting bolts. Do you think this will be OK?

No idea, but it is a good question. I'm not an engineer, but the hollow indicator bolt is probably not rated for the same stresses as the solid bolt supplied for use with the pannier rails.

On the other hand, I'm pretty sure that Kedo sell the rack separately, and that would probably mean that you have to use the indicators in their original position, so it's probably OK. Bear in mind the stated weight limit though. I think it's only 8 or 10kg?

xt
 

looks like the hard cases saved the bike and probably teds neck. my opinon on hard or soft luggage just comes down to personal choice and which bike you intend on using.hard luggage on a 125 would be overkill.

SEeing as this thread has been bumped I'll add the pictures of my Hepco and Becker rack fitted to my bike.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...t/Rackrear.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...arck_right.jpg

Ok gents….as I'm not at all familiar with the 1VJ, would a rack from a 1VJ (rear top box style only) bolt up to a 1990-94 600E without mods to the plastic???

Yep, i know it's a long shot but you gotta ask :thumbup1:

Rod

I'm no expert on frames for the 600E, but I bought an official Yamaha rear rack for my 94 (3TB) - the only one they list for the entire XT range. I can tell you that it does not fit the 1990-94 3TB without modification - a piece has to be cut out of the tailpiece plastic on the left side, and the front right-hand bolt needs to be packed out with about 20mm worth of washers in order to fit. I suspect (i.e. wild guess) that it is designed for the later 4TP model.

Having said that, it is still firmly attached after 2-3 years and does the job. It's rusted badly, though, and I have repainted it twice.

Thanks mate i thought as much, have a jeiger on me!

Rod

Well, this is the rack i bought, (Hepco & Becker) it's claimed to be for a 1VJ but…..

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t.../Untitleda.jpg

As you can see it looks to be identical as the rack for my 91 600e (H & B photo) and even with postage will come in well under half the new price :thumbup1:

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t.../Untitled2.jpg

Nice rack!

:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

Hi All

This is my setup, super light and simple. I have i orlieb dry-backs in the army back to keep every thing dry.

Christian :mchappy:

The tester
 

Well the rack came and it fitted just peachy bier

Here is a couple of quick and dirty snaps, the "top-box to rack" lock does get a little dirty, but has a cover so no major issues!

Also makes a great place to store the "anti-joy ride device" :cool4:

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t...psb237c87f.jpg

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t...psf81daf72.jpg

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t...psb1ca159e.jpg

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t...psc26e2980.jpg

There is an extension for the rear fender that will probably would do the job... although it is damn ugly (I've got it on mine).

Christian, looks nice and certainly light. btw, where's near Geneva? I'm actually in gva. bier

Esteban

Hepco&Becker rack (needed some persuation to fit properly) and homemade (not by me) alu-panniers, made to my meassures/specs. Bike is a 4pt xt600e with acerbis 23ltr tank, laser produro exhaust, ect ect....

They are very narrow compared to other panniers, and are taller and deeper, which I think suits me/my bike better. They work flawlessly, and its so easy to pack ya' stuff, just toss it in there and go riding. 2 locks on each pannier, one for locking the lid, and one for locking the pannier to the rack. One key simply operates all locks. http://peecee.dk/uploads/102012/panniers.JPG

http://peecee.dk/uploads/102012/panniers.JPG]

I'm going for Giant Loop Great Basin's... the thought of adding a new metal frame work isn't attractive to me. Neither is the thought of heavy, rigid Alu boxes and the incredible hassle that would ensue if you had a mild crash. Also doesn't look fun riding a bike like that, may aswell go in a convertable ;)

I know the Loops are pricey and there is trade off security wise, but seems like the simplest and lightest solution. I think my mind is set. hah.

This video was the tipping point for me. This does not look fun, AT ALL..

Can never get vids to embed on here for some reason: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhwWRxDU-aE

I beg to differ....

My bike with above panniers, the picture is actually from the same trip. 2 weeks in south eastern europe. Properly suspension-setup helps a lot.

Anyway, heres a little helmetcam-video i made. Nothing really fast or anything, but f&#ck me it was fun.
Mountainroads in Slovenia:

Contour | Stories | De fede sving i Slovenien FILE0023

And here is some gravel from Romania, jump about 1/3 into the video:

Contour | Stories | Romanian farmerdate 1/3 FILE0010-1

I had to packeverything I needed for 14 days, it would be a real hassle for me, not to be able to just grab it in one of the panniers. Also its 100% water and dustproof. And as you said, for preventing theft, nothing beats bolted on panniers.

perhaps they can deform if you crash hard enough, I just havent seen a lot of stories regarding that scenario. One could turn it around to a good thing, it must meen that they protected the bike during the crash. Perhaps even prevented a cracked sidecover ect? its the is the glas half-full/half-empty story. It depends how you look at things.

Interesting points. I guess I'm too used to my RM125. Everything looks like a pig! haha ;)

I have been looking for pannier rails which would fit my bike , could you possibly point me in the right direction please.

Ps. I have a xt600 4pt 2003 with the factory top rack fitted already.
Cheers.

Maybe look at hepco and becker mate

Pannier Racks for Yamaha XT 600 E Type 3TB 1995 and newer - Pannier racks - Luggage - Vehicle equipment | Touratech Ltd

Expensive, but....

Cheers, they are expensive but ideal!
Thanks.

£80 cheaper than the Toureatch and come with the top rack!

Hmmm?

Anyone know if these are any good? or as good as the Touratech?

Thanks.

I use soft ortlieb throw overs. Simple reason is that you can crash and no damage will ever be caused to your bike, and oh, shiny metal ones scream "money" and "worth stealing". Border guards have seen all this before, normally with the GS crowd, and expensive looking accessories generally necessitate a bribe or limited assistance. Ortlieb are cheap too at £130 all in. You don't need a rack, just a bent bar. Done.