Yet another pannier thread - questions about Happy Trails, Touratech, Jesse

[Ron Earp]

I'm new to my Super T but within a few hours of use I think I've decided the stock luggage isn't for me. I'd like some decent quality aluminum units and it looks like the choices I have are:

Jesse: http://www.jesseluggage.com/yamaha-super-tenere/

Tourtech: http://www.touratech-usa.com/Store/3332/PN-052-361X/Zega-Pro-Pannier-System-Yamaha-Super-Tenere-XT1200Z-ES-All-Years

Happy Trail: http://www.happy-trail.com/aluminum-panniers-denali-tenere.html

Be great if folks that have one of these would write in about their experience. I've got some specific questions though.

*Near as I can tell none of these use the stock Yamaha mounts, correct?

*Jesse owners, does the side open box bother you? I think it would bother me but I'm not sure.

*Tourtech, it looks to me like their "one size fits all" approach to making boxes and mounts leads to an overly wide product. They have no exhaust cutout and the brackets look like they are spaced far of the bike. The site Anyone notice that?

*Folks that have bought from these companies, are the Super T boxes/mounts in stock? Just wondering how long I might be out of luggage if I unmount the Yamaha bits and sell them on.

*Any good pannier systems I'm overlooking? Prefer aluminum boxes not plastic even though I know the Pelican stuff will take anything. Now if Pelican made bike specific stuff.....

Thanks!
Ron

Edited to add in:

https://www.advmotorrad.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=59_81_82&product_id=590

and

http://www.globescout.com.tr/ - although difficult to find if they have ST panniers / mounts.

 

[AVGeek]

A popular choice here is the Bumot system. We have a vendor on the board that carries these, here is the link to his thread about the Bumots: http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?topic=11638.0

 

[EricV]

I have the Zega Pro boxes in the two smaller sizes, (31/36?), and mounted them a/I the passenger grab handles. Not a particularly wide set up. Perhaps you are used to boxes with exhaust cut outs? All of my bags are rectangular... Losing space just so the panniers appear closer to the bike never appealed to me.

The TT locks seem small and a little fussy, but have survived 100k miles so far a/o problems of any kind. The clear anodizing was worth the extra cost and has held up great.

My panniers stay on all the time, fwiw.

The other stuff is quite good too. I'd probably go with the Bumont if I was buying today. Much less was available in 2011.

 

[Ron Earp]

Thanks for that BUMOT suggestion. They look pretty decent, but they side open too, even the top case. Seems like side opening is the new thing.

The Happy Trails is one of my favorites now, but, do they really require a padlock to lock? No built in lock in the latch?

https://sites.google.com/a/happy-trail.com/happy-trails-products-wiki/panniers-top-boxes#TOC-Lids

"Lids
High quality cam latches give you the best gasket seal in the industry... our panniers and top boxes have no leaks! Each is lockable with two padlocks (not included). Lids come with footman loops for strapping on additional gear. 4 footman loops are standard on each lid."

 

[AlsoRan]

I'm on a second system, this time I went with the smaller size Zega Pro boxes mainly for their duarability. Thier overall width is slightly less than the handlebar / hand guard width. No big issues with them so far. The locks are a little fussy as others mentioned but not a big deal.

 

[BadNews]

Bumot Defender is top loading. I've had mine for a couple months and love them. Fit and finish is top notch. Mounting racks are rock solid. Highly recommended.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Ron - In this very sub-forum these same choices have been compared and discussed literally for years.


No problem with anybody who wants to comment, but Search Is Your Friend and you will see the pros and cons for each.

 

[pnelson]

You asked specifically about the side open Jesse cases and that's my favorite feature. It's very handy giving you two separate areas in each case, one in the lid and one in the case. The lids are deep enough to hold quite a bit of stuff. I use these spaces for things I want easy access to without having to dig through the rest of the pannier.

I've run into rocks with the Jesses, ridden many miles in rain and wet stuff, dropped the bike a couple of times on BDR rides and they still look great and have never leaked. I did add some stainless d-straps on the tops to strap more stuff down and pop riveted them in place with a dab of silicone to make sure they didn't leak.

Once in camp though, being able to open up the cases and have easy access to stuff is a real plus.

 

[Davesax36]

A popular choice here is the Bumot system. We have a vendor on the board that carries these, here is the link to his thread about the Bumots: http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?topic=11638.0

BUMOT!!!!

 

[Ron Earp]

That's a good point about the top opening cases to the side forming a platform and having storage space. I did not think of that. That makes side openers more attractive.

From what I can tell Happy Trails requires a padlock to secure so I'd eliminate them based on that "feature".

Do the Bumots have locks front and rear that have to be unlatched to open? It seems that way.

 

[BadNews]

Do the Bumots have locks front and rear that have to be unlatched to open? It seems that way.

Bumots have a very solid latching mechanism, both for the lids and to attach to the rack. Both the lid and the rack latches can also be locked with the included key. All the locks are included and are keyed alike. If you get the toolbox with your racks and cases it will also use the same key.
I always lock the cases to the rack, but I don't bother locking the lids unless I'm going to be away from the bike.
And yes, there is a latch and lock at the front and rear of each case.

It's all good, this was a "no remorse" purchase for me.

 

[Davesax36]

Do the Bumots have locks front and rear that have to be unlatched to open? It seems that way.

7 locks... 1 key. Well, Jason gave me like 20 keys actually, but I only need the one. Sometimes I'll just lock one side, sometimes all. The newer version (Defender) has the quick realease locking system to lock the cases to the rack. It's really awesome, and uses the same key. Bumot decided they wanted control of all the parts of their system, so they designed their own latches for the new systems. I played with it at ADVMotorrad with Jason, but decided on last year's version because they were on sale and what not. I would not hesitate to get the new ones. You can even order the old style tie-down brackets if you want.

Here's a link to my album with measurements of all the cases installed open and closed.

https://goo.gl/photos/JUn7FASXTiaoBAXD7

I'm not affiliated with the company. I might have ended up with Jesses if I'd not met Jason. I didn't want to pay the Touratech tax, and the givi's didn't interest me due to the mounting of the tie-down brackets (not that I've heard anything bad about them).

 

[Ron Earp]

Nice pictures, thanks for posting. You can't be showing width there at 59"?

Did your Corbin seat ever break in? My bike came with one but I don't think it is for me. I've had Corbins before on other bikes and maybe I've just changed in my preferences.

I'd say it is down to the Bumots or the Jesses. I like that Jesse is made in the states. I know the bike isn't but wish it was. Both Bumots and Jesses seem to have a proper construction. Any chance to relocate the Bumot latch to the back on the top box the way it should be (IMO of course! )?

 

[Davesax36]

Nice pictures, thanks for posting. You can't be showing width there at 59"?

Did your Corbin seat ever break in? My bike came with one but I don't think it is for me. I've had Corbins before on other bikes and maybe I've just changed in my preferences.

I'd say it is down to the Bumots or the Jesses. I like that Jesse is made in the states. I know the bike isn't but wish it was. Both Bumots and Jesses seem to have a proper construction. Any chance to relocate the Bumot latch to the back on the top box the way it should be (IMO of course! )?

The width is from edge to edge of the lids with the lids open. They are 38" to the sides of the cases, and I have the big ones.

My corbin came to me feeling a lot softer than the one on my v-max, so I'd say yes.

 

[dietDrThunder]

I bought my Touratech Zega Pro system used, and it is a very good system. Everything about it is tough as nails, and the fit and finish is beyond reproach.

That said, I personally believe that anyone who buys these new must either suffer from a traumatic brain injury, or be allergic to money. My setup, which is the 31/35, with lid nets, TT liners, and locks, is over $2000 shipped. Uh...I paid $6500 for the entire bike. If I were buying new, I'd want the Holan luggage because it mounts so closely to the bike. If I didn't have the patience to wait the 3-4 months it takes to get it, I'd go Bumot for sure. I've seen the Bumots in person, and like I said, I own the Zegas. I promise you, you're not missing a single thing by going with Bumot.

 

[Ron Earp]

I ended up going with the Bumots. I like the Jesse luggage, but the features of the Bumots are quite nice and I like the shape a bit better. The Adventure Bike TV episode was also helpful:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0eXYmGiaDg

Although many of their pannier rating criteria I don't much care about.

 

[FrontRangeRider]

You asked specifically about the side open Jesse cases and that's my favorite feature. It's very handy giving you two separate areas in each case, one in the lid and one in the case. The lids are deep enough to hold quite a bit of stuff. I use these spaces for things I want easy access to without having to dig through the rest of the pannier.

I've run into rocks with the Jesses, ridden many miles in rain and wet stuff, dropped the bike a couple of times on BDR rides and they still look great and have never leaked. I did add some stainless d-straps on the tops to strap more stuff down and pop riveted them in place with a dab of silicone to make sure they didn't leak.

Once in camp though, being able to open up the cases and have easy access to stuff is a real plus.

+1 I like the way they open. Nothing falls out when I open them and the storage space under the lid is very useful for easy access items. I like the easy installation and removal of the cases as well. I take them off when the bike is parked in the garage due to limited clearance to pull our other vehicles into the garage.