Zega Pro or Trax ADV?

[14s10]

I have searched extensively and know there are many threads on this topic. Still having a hard time deciding on which hard luggage to get. I've narrowed it down to these two options based on appearance and quality. Anyone have any insight on which one seems to be better or why to pick one over the other. I really like the removable Sw motech rack idea, but am concerned about the strength of the quarter turn fasteners that hold it on, are they strong and reliable to not break or come un fastened?

Also is the rack as strong as the solidly mounted touratech rack?

At this point I'm just doing street riding though someday I would like to venture into the dirt. I just want the rack and bags to be strong enough to handle a potential drop which could always happen.

I will be buying just a top case right now, and then the side cases a bit down the road additionally.


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[Rasher]

I had the earlier SW Quick Release (Pre Evo) rails on my S10 - still got them in fact, if you're UK based and want them they are for sale long with the panniers ::008::

They seem pretty strong, I would not say fit for a round the world tour and lots of off-roading as I doubt they would do so well in a crash as the more industrial stuff like metal Mule, but for road / gravel track use they seem plenty strong enough.

Panniers are also pretty decent, again not the best / strongest / most secure out there, but for the price they seem fine, mine never leaked and the capacity (37L / 45L) is very good - and the SW inner bags are fantastic and quite cheap - luckily for me they fit inside the KTM panniers perfectly so I can still use them.

The worst thing about them is the bolts that hold the top box rack on, they are made of a soft metal and when I wanted to remove the rack all quickly rounded off - so I ended up having to leave it on my bike for the next owner (I would suggest using grease or similar when assembling these if you may ever want to remove them again) but apart from that I have nothing negative to say after four years and half a dozen foreign tours.

 

[Madhatter]

cant go wrong with the zega pros... very strong , I like them a lot... will put a big dent into your wallet, they are pricey... the racks are well built and can serve as rear crash bars of sorts if your running on dirt without the panniers...

 

[Pterodactyl]

For many years I was responsible for housing at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. We opened our dorms to riders during the summer and would have 350-400 riders stay with us. Most were heading to Deadhorse and most were on adventure bikes with hard cases. I saw many bikes return to Fairbanks that had been dropped or had been in some other sort of misadventure. I noticed that hard cases that were essentially rectangular boxes did not hold up as well as cases with some triangular elements in their construction; meaning Jesse Bags. The rectangular boxers would often get tweaked enough so that the lid no longer sealed well. I do not recall ever seeing a Jesse with that problem. I saw one Jesse bag that had been ripped off the bike and was held on with tape and bungee cords when it returned to Fairbanks; the lid still sealed well. You cannot beat the immutable triangle.

 

[gunner]

I tried the TRAX panniers and found that they have one big flaw, the latch that holds them on the rack. The latch, located at the rear of the bag, bends easily. My first tip over was a very slow slide to the side in mud and the bracket bent so bad that it would not latch and hold the bag on the bike.

 

[LJM]

I also checked out about every alum. case out there & bought Holan. 2mm thick sides with 4mm bottom on top case & there much cheaper than the Zega pros. Holan used to make (or maybe still do) luggage for Tour tech. Anyway check them out if you haven't already. So many choices out there good luck.

 

[14s10]

Thanks for all of the suggestions so far everyone. I'm gonna keep looking for some used ones, and if I don't find what I want I'll spring for new

Rasher- I'm not in the uk, thanks though.


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[14s10]

I tried the TRAX panniers and found that they have one big flaw, the latch that holds them on the rack. The latch, located at the rear of the bag, bends easily. My first tip over was a very slow slide to the side in mud and the bracket bent so bad that it would not latch and hold the bag on the bike.

That's no good, maybe I'll stay away from those, sounds like there are various negatives said about them


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[jiml53]

Jesse's are all you need!

 

[fredz43]

I haven't had any experience with the Zego Pros. I have had Trax Evos and now the Trax ADV's. Since you asked about the Trax ADV's specifically, I can tell you that they are a lot stronger than the original and Evo Trax due to different construction and are completely waterproof, to the extent that sometime when opening the lid, I notice a bit of a vacuum and so it takes a bit more to lift it. As for the racks, I had them on my 2012 for 34,000 miles and now have another set on my 2014 with 20,000 miles. I have only tipped the bike over once with the bags on and that was in my garage, so I can't attest to a tip at speed. No damage to bags or racks on that easy tipover. The latches that secure the lid and secure the bags to the rack are heavier than on the EVO' Trax. As far as the 1/4 turn fasteners for the quick remove racks, I have never had an issue with them. I substitute one fastener on each rack with the optional keyed fastener for a little more security.

 

[Baja Explorer]

Zega Pro is the way to go. I have mine for 4 yrs now. Pricy ? true but you get what you pay for.
I love them and use them on daily commute and trips.

 

[14s10]

I'm still looking around trying to find a used set, but if I go new leaning towards Zega Pros since I like the looks a lot or the Trax though a little hesitant because I've heard some mixed things about them. Everyone seems to love jesses but I'm just not sold on the looks of the curved edges.


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[fredz43]

I'm still looking around trying to find a used set, but if I go new leaning towards Zega Pros since I like the looks a lot or the Trax though a little hesitant because I've heard some mixed things about them. Everyone seems to love jesses but I'm just not sold on the looks of the curved edges.


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If you have heard mixed things about Trax, it is undoubtedly about the original and the EVO models. The latest ADV Trax, which is what you have for a subject of this thread are completely redesigned and quite an improvement, so in your research, make sure that you are looking at the Trax ADV. Since they are a new model, I doubt that you will find used ones, though.

 

[airmed]

After much research, I'll be purchasing the Trax Adventure series. The only thing I don't like about it (small) is the side case mounting system doesn't connect in the back (joining both sides). I believe the Touratech Zega does.

 

[14s10]

Yeah I do like those, just have a little doubt still about the strength of the mounting given their on a quick release rack, which is also a cool feature at the same time. I know Gunner said that the latch bent after a tip over, not sure if those were the ADV models or not? But still considering them as an option. I trust the Zega Pros are a bit more proven and been around longer and maybe a bit stronger, but convenience of the quick release rack sure is a plus. Never thought this would be such a hard decision.


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[14s10]

I tried the TRAX panniers and found that they have one big flaw, the latch that holds them on the rack. The latch, located at the rear of the bag, bends easily. My first tip over was a very slow slide to the side in mud and the bracket bent so bad that it would not latch and hold the bag on the bike.

Were these the Trax ADV model?


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[fredz43]

After much research, I'll be purchasing the Trax Adventure series. The only thing I don't like about it (small) is the side case mounting system doesn't connect in the back (joining both sides). I believe the Touratech Zega does.

Hey, airmed,

I see you are in Staunton, IL. I grew up there and now live in Hillsboro. If you want to see the Trax ADV's in person, I can show them to you. BTW, the Trax quick release racks have a fender mounted bracket that connects the two sides. I have used that system for over 50,000 miles with no problems.

 

[airmed]

Hey neighbor, I'd love to see those boxes. Yeah, I just saw a picture and noticed they do connect. That pretty much solidifies my decision. After thinking about some of the comments, I do try to predict certain things, but I can't base everything I do on "what ifs." My plan isn't to drop the bike, therefore I have to go with the boxes that fit my style, and TRAX are the ones.
We'll try to figure out a time to meet. Thanks for the offer!
Jon

 

[fredz43]

Hey neighbor, I'd love to see those boxes. Yeah, I just saw a picture and noticed they do connect. That pretty much solidifies my decision. After thinking about some of the comments, I do try to predict certain things, but I can't base everything I do on "what ifs." My plan isn't to drop the bike, therefore I have to go with the boxes that fit my style, and TRAX are the ones.
We'll try to figure out a time to meet. Thanks for the offer!
Jon

PM sent

 

[airmed]

After meeting Fred and seeing his SW-Motech Trax Adventure setup, I ordered everything today. They're really nice, and have all the features I'm looking for. Nice to meet you, Fred, and thanks for the sale!