Pannier Opinions, please

[doggrell3000]

thank you for the picture dcstrom .... i am wondering if the side cases shown in this photo are the touratech zega pros . or are these cases some other touratech model . they look very substantial . i also wonder if the case on the muffler side ( left ) is 38 liters and if the case on the right side is 45 liters . just judging from the picture i would say that mounting a 45 liter case on the left muffler side will not look too out of balance . so i am definitely going to go that route -- a 45 liter case on both sides . my other new bike is a bmw k1300s . i will be fabricating a custom mounting frame in order to attach a second pair of black 45 liter touratech zega pros to the k1300s . the bmw k1300s is being custom painted in an all black exterior finish because this bike only comes in a two tone grey which is fine looking but i am a black bike kind of guy . i am also removing the k1300s graphics and lettering and even painting the drive shaft black . these two machines will be my only rides for the foreseeable future but i am very tempted to add a third bike -- the kawasaki w800 -- if it ever becomes available in the usa . if i am fortunate enough to add the w800 it will not require any modification or luggage because it is mostly a city bike and i love the way it looks just like it comes from the factory . thanks for listening .

 

[zman68]

nice looking accessories .....
Lançamentos Super Ténéré 1200

http://www.roncar.com.br/loja/home.aspx?

 

[dcstrom]

nice looking accessories .....

http://www.roncar.com.br/loja/home.aspx?

Did you notice the price though? when converted from Brazilian Real, a set of bags and racks are over US$2k. Then you still have to ship them...

Trevor

 

[adventorider76]

With the news of the bikes about to be here. I let my impulse get the best of me and ordered the Zega Pro System today in andodized black. I think i'm going to be really happy with these panniers. Glad that decision is over with now.

 

[martinh]

Those Roncars are really nice looking. They are similar to Trax but look like the next generation what Trax should be. I like the rack also looked nice and close to the bike. Too bad they are not sold in the USA for a reasonable price.

 

[doggrell3000]

dear adventorider

i am going to order the touratech zega pros in all black . i will wait until my super tenere is in my garage . one step at a time . i will be mounting a 45 liter side case on both sides . i want to get as much capacity as possible because i will carry an arai xc ram helmet in each side case . i will also be carrying two rain suits and a full canvas bike cover and four one inch thick ten foot locking cables . that should just about max out the two 45 liter zega pros . i am also buying a second pair of 45 liter touratech zega pros for my other bike -- a bmw k1300s . the touratech sales guy has never known anybody who mounted a pair of black touratech zega pros to a bmw k1300s but he is being very accommodating and trying to assemble a set of mounting brackets that will come as close as possible to fitting the k1300s . the local bmw dealer here in manhattan is going to do some custom welding in order to make the zega pros fit on my new k1300s . they also custom painted the bmw k1300s in an all polished black exterior finish and eliminated all lettering and graphics . i will have the only fully blacked out k1300s with 45 liter touratech zega pros . my super tenere is raven color . the touratech sales guy made me a decent package deal for four black 45 liter zega pros with super tenere mounting racks and custom bmw k1300s mounting hardware . new york yamaha in long island city will mount all four zega pros on the bmw k1300s and the super tenere for no charge . new york yamaha in long island city ( ten minutes from manhattan ) has the lowest prices in the country and the best repair and maintenance garage you will ever need . i will post some pictures of the finished bikes . thanks for listening .

 

[sithspice]

Looking forward to seeing the pics after installation. I still haven't made up my mind on the panniers so I'll be really interest to see what they look like. 1" cables? Wow, glad I live in rural Nevada!

 

[Kevhunts]

Looking forward to seeing the pics after installation. I still haven't made up my mind on the panniers so I'll be really interest to see what they look like. 1" cables? Wow, glad I live in rural Nevada!

+1 I'm undecided too and need to see mounted pics. Especially the Caribou's with Hepco Becker racks!

 

[terryth]

I am getting the sw-motech quick lock racks to use some Hepco Becker Junior flash cases that I all ready own from another bike, it will be interesting to see what they will look like on my raven ST. I don't really like using side cases day to day unless really needed for the extra luggage space over just a top case. With the quick locks, most all the side rack hardware comes off easily with some heavy duty 1/2 turn dzus fasteners. These racks have lots of options to work with quite a few different brands of cases.

http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productview/5690/821/

http://secure.capitalcycle.com/Hepco-Becker-Junior-Flash-30-Saddlebag-Set/productinfo/610.233+00+09/

 

[simmons1]

I am going to use my old GIVI's that I bought used and have been on 8 different bikes of mine. Unless I am traveling, I only use the top box.

 

[dcstrom]

I'm waiting on my Jesses which I ordered on the second day after they started taking orders (same thing I did for the S10!). I spoke to Rick from xplorermoto.com at the BMW rally last weekend about the delivery schedule. Jesse fitted up the racks on a demo bike early in the rear, but since then hasn't been able to get hold of a bike. Rick has an S10 on order for himself so he said as soon as he gets it he'll be making the ride to Al Jesse's place for final tweaks on the rack. Soon after that (fingers crossed - Jesse schedules sometimes slip...) the bags and racks should ship. Rick said that he'd taken orders for 100 sets! Hopefully they will be shipped in order and I'll be one of the first...

That order of 100 sets of Jesses raises an interesting question - assuming most of those are in the US, and guestimates for the number of S10's sold seem to be around the 1000 mark - that would mean 10% of all US S10's will be wearing Jesses. I can't see that, given that few on these forums have said they've chosen Jesse bags. So that might mean that there are a LOT more than 1000 S10's sold? 3000 anyone?

Trevor

 

[maddog5150]

I'm waiting on my Jesses which I ordered on the second day after they started taking orders (same thing I did for the S10!). I spoke to Rick from xplorermoto.com at the BMW rally last weekend about the delivery schedule. Jesse fitted up the racks on a demo bike early in the rear, but since then hasn't been able to get hold of a bike. Rick has an S10 on order for himself so he said as soon as he gets it he'll be making the ride to Al Jesse's place for final tweaks on the rack. Soon after that (fingers crossed - Jesse schedules sometimes slip...) the bags and racks should ship. Rick said that he'd taken orders for 100 sets! Hopefully they will be shipped in order and I'll be one of the first...

That order of 100 sets of Jesses raises an interesting question - assuming most of those are in the US, and guestimates for the number of S10's sold seem to be around the 1000 mark - that would mean 10% of all US S10's will be wearing Jesse's. I can't see that, given that few on these forums have said they've chosen Jesse bags. So that might mean that there are a LOT more than 1000 S10's sold? 3000 anyone?

Trevor

DC, Please post pics as soon as you get your Jesse bags! I have been going back and forth about what bags to get on my Tenere, but I am 99.375% sure that I am going to go with the Jesse Odyssey II, in black. The pics they have up on Xplorermoto just aren't that great. Let me know what you think of the install as well, I had heard in the past some people had a heck of a time getting it all together.

Thanks!

 

[elizilla]

I am going to use my old GIVI's that I bought used and have been on 8 different bikes of mine. Unless I am traveling, I only use the top box.

I don't have the bike yet, but I am already mentally farkling it. I am planning to do the same, since I'm already blowing more dosh on the bike than I ought to, and I already have this Givi stuff. But I have been looking at all the pictures or all the different luggage, and it seems to me that I could easily modify or create a sidecase rack set that would place the cases symetrically on the bike. And then I could add some item on the inside of the rack, on the non-exhaust side of the rack. Like one of those rectangular flat gas cans, to make use of the space. Or a thin flat toolbox or some sort. Tools and spare fuel are both heavy items that would be better to place closer to the center, too.

Or am I reinventing the wheel here? Anyone done this?

 

[fredz43]

The Hepco Becker racks are symmetrical. Don't know if they have a gas can to stick in there.

 

[EricV]

So many choices! After reading this thread, the ADV threads and poking about for a while, I was still torn about the panniers. I've seen the Micatech ones up close and personal on a friend's Strom and they are built like a tank, and weigh about as much too, compared to the Zega Pros. Coming from the FJR, I'm soooo tired of side opening cases. The pelicans are out for that reason alone, though I do have a 2620 Storm case as a top case on the FJR, which may move over to the Super Ten at some point, depending on space.

The Jesses look damn good, but they are really larger than I want. Sounds different from the needs of some folks here, but after 10 years of endurance riding, I pack light and don't want huge hips on the girl. In the end, top loading, good quality, smaller cases, and availability were all a part of the package. I ordered the Silver powder coated Zega Pros in 31/38L last night and got an email this morning that the 38L bag is back ordered, but is coming in next week early and should ship out next week late. Also got a call this morning that my Raven S-ten is here, so looks like my little camping trip to Eagle Lake, CA on the 18th will be on the new bike. It's nice when things come together!!

The Zegas aren't cheap, and then you add in locks, which are extra. I do like the higher ground clearance though and being able to open the lid from either end, or take it off all together. And I didn't have to pay extra for the top loops like I would have on the Jesse bags. Thought hard about black on the Raven, but went with silver after recalling that first black helmet I had long ago. Never bought a brain cooker again, and stuck with white or silver since then. I likely won't have temp sensitive stuff in the bags that much, but the sliver will likely be noticeably cooler than the black inside.

I'm really looking forward to getting out and riding this bike in the dirt. I just wish those SA crash bars were easier to get and getting here quicker. :-[

 

[Buckeye71]

I am going hold off until Jesse comes out with the smaller Safari system. I am also a little curious to see what Happy Trails will have availabe here in the near future.

 

[EricV]

I am also a little curious to see what Happy Trails will have availabe here in the near future.

I spoke to Happy Trails a couple of weeks ago and since they didn't get a pre-production bike to play with, they need a bike before they can put something together. Not quoting them, but usually the person that lets them use their bike for prototyping gets a good deal on the product.

The only thing I didn't like about the HT bags were the lip around the bag since the seal is on the bag, rather than the lid. Great quality and decent pricing. I've seen a bunch of their F650/800GS stuff in person and its very well thought out and produced.

 

[keeponriding]

I know you said you don't want side openers again...but, I love the Storms I got from Caribou on the ST.

Lots of space and they don;t feel heavy on the back. I like the Hepco racks and the ease of putting them on and taking them off. They are perfect for me and just what I wanted.

 

[doggrell3000]

dear ericv

i am also getting a raven super tenere . i am also mounting touratech zega pros but i am going with 45 liter side cases on both the left ( muffler ) side and the right side . i need to maximize the carrying capacity of the touratech zega pros because each side case will be storing an open face black arai xc ram helmet ( one in each case ) , a first gear rain suit ( one in each case ) , four ten foot cable locks ( two in each case ) and a full form fitting canvas bike cover . i am ordering my touratech zega pros in black which i believe will more blend in with the black raven super tenere exterior and therefore seem to " disappear " . no doubt my touratech zega pros will get quite warm when parked in the summer sun but i do not believe the silver touratech zega pros would have the same aesthetic appeal ( for me at least ) when mounted on the raven super tenere . this is just my humble opinion and i am the kind of guy who buys all bikes and cars with totally blacked out exteriors whenever possible . i would love to see some pictures of your touratechs when they are mounted on your new super tenere . congratulations on your new bike !

 

[Don in Lodi]

I know you said you don't want side openers again...but, I love the Storms I got from Caribou on the ST.

Lots of space and they don;t feel heavy on the back. I like the Hepco racks and the ease of putting them on and taking them off. They are perfect for me and just what I wanted.

Any pictures up yet?