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Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? Anything to do with the bikes equipment, saddlebags, etc. Questions on repairs and maintenance of the bike itself belong in the Brand Specific Tech Forums.
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  #1  
Old 21 Aug 2008
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Hepco and Becker Aluminium-exclusive
After a pannier system, the H&B system is looking favorite was just looking between the Standard and Exclusive. Has anyone had the chance to do a comparison? I am looking for off road capable including of course the odd off

btw this is for a 08 Tenere

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  #2  
Old 21 Aug 2008
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I was going to get Metal Mules - certainly about the best I am aware of. A year ago, I visited their workshops to ask questions, inspect and see them being made. - but I am put off by their recent huge price hikes. I am now looking elsewhere.

At about half the price, I do like the look of these - RMS - Reinhard Guhr Rennsporttechnik

Their prices are good. The Koffer-Detailbilder photos show they are/will be very well made. 2mm Ali - therefore strong. They have their standard shapes or will custom build, with variations such as more streamlined corners edges (ie cut off), Powder coating in a huge palate of colours, inner seals, locks etc.

I particularly like (on their F650 Dakar boxes) utilising the space below the exhaust cans thereby providing a good volume, yet keeping overall width no more than handlebar width.

The only aparent downside I can see is they do not appear to be quick release and not transferable to other models of bikes. I plan to call in at the factory to inspect in the coming weeks and will report back accordingly.

An Email with questions to Roger (in English) was answered promptly - on a sunday!
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  #3  
Old 3 Sep 2008
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I have sent you a PM concerning H&B Alu Exclusiv boxes I have for sale.

Best regards,

Fabien
Last edited by fabienlegall; 4 Sep 2008 at 16:00.
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  #4  
Old 4 Sep 2008
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Hey mate

Could be interested too - can you PM me?

Thanks

J
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  #5  
Old 4 Sep 2008
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Wink J1mbo
Pm is now sent J
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  #6  
Old 17 Sep 2008
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H&B tackle
Hi there

I have the Expedition panniers (45s) and the large backbox (exclusive). Currently on a RTW (in Athens collecting VISAs at the moment).

The Rear box is good as it is large. It is also light as it is thinner material. It does bend if you push at it with your hand but it is big and light and should handle minor dings. You do not want a big (HEAVY) back box!

The expedition panniers are fine but they are heavy (relatively). The fit on the rack and come off quick. They are really strong. The beauty of them compared to the overpriced others is just that - they are affordable!

See Motorbins.co.uk for details and prices which I think are comparable with other suppliers.

You can see them on our site in various pictures.

www.worldtour.org.uk
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  #7  
Old 31 Mar 2010
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HB PAnniers
Just thought I would add an ending.

The panniers and back box completed 26,385 miles in the end and they were excellent - first class in many ways. I met a Swiss rider in Pakistan with the same set up as me and he too thought the same. The panniers are SO SOLID and survived everything thrown at them. The Swiss guy said they undoubtably saved his being in a spill - they took the brunt of the impact as he slid down the road. From my own point of view, when we came a cropper, they saved Cathy's right leg as the bike ended up on its side.

They are heavy in terms of empty weight and, I suppose, it involves the constant trade-off between weight, security and strength. It's a personel decision (soft versus hard) along with affordable verses silly money. These are affordable and, at the end of the day, we are talking about an aluminium box here - that's all. Unless, of course, they end up as a fashion statement!

Bertha the old R100RT is resting peacefully in the garage and I have taken delivery of an F800GS - why stop now, life's just getting interesting...............

A Blind Woman, Two Wheels and 25,000 Miles
Picture taken in Chilean Atacama desert - 600 miles of not very much...........
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  #8  
Old 31 Mar 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tony P View Post
I was going to get Metal Mules - certainly about the best I am aware of. A year ago, I visited their workshops to ask questions, inspect and see them being made. - but I am put off by their recent huge price hikes. I am now looking elsewhere.

At about half the price, I do like the look of these - RMS - Reinhard Guhr Rennsporttechnik

Their prices are good. The Koffer-Detailbilder photos show they are/will be very well made. 2mm Ali - therefore strong. They have their standard shapes or will custom build, with variations such as more streamlined corners edges (ie cut off), Powder coating in a huge palate of colours, inner seals, locks etc.

I particularly like (on their F650 Dakar boxes) utilising the space below the exhaust cans thereby providing a good volume, yet keeping overall width no more than handlebar width.

The only aparent downside I can see is they do not appear to be quick release and not transferable to other models of bikes. I plan to call in at the factory to inspect in the coming weeks and will report back accordingly.

An Email with questions to Roger (in English) was answered promptly - on a sunday!
Metal mules arn't as good as people say. I'd say their quick release system is a massive NEGATIVE as if you bend, knock or damage it, you can't get the box on the bike. That "system" is too fragile with too many working parts for me. It's clever but made for "the look" rather than the job.

I know by experience !
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Old 1 Apr 2010
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Originally Posted by *Touring Ted* View Post
Metal mules arn't as good as people say. I'd say their quick release system is a massive NEGATIVE as if you bend, knock or damage it, you can't get the box on the bike. That "system" is too fragile with too many working parts for me. It's clever but made for "the look" rather than the job.

I know by experience !

Ooooh Teddy Ted Ted... I just can't let that go...
These Metal Mules have done 50,000 miles across Africa and the Americas, and I suspect they have another 50,000 in them. They've been in several inadvertent non-vertical excuse-me's, including being ripped off the racks on both sides in the Sahara and Ruta 40.

The quick-release has needed screwing back on once or twice, and the rack on one side is slightly bent from a surprise visit to a ditch in Panama, but everything still works perfectly. They shoved a bus out of the way in Cartagena with a firm elegance.

However!!!! Now they're so unbelievably expensive I'd have to buy something else, and obviously the fact that mine are magnificent doesn't negate Ted's experience with them.

I've definitely saved myself some bruising (at least) in the leg department by having them on.
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  #10  
Old 1 Apr 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sime66 View Post
Ooooh Teddy Ted Ted... I just can't let that go...
These Metal Mules have done 50,000 miles across Africa and the Americas, and I suspect they have another 50,000 in them. They've been in several inadvertent non-vertical excuse-me's, including being ripped off the racks on both sides in the Sahara and Ruta 40.

The quick-release has needed screwing back on once or twice, and the rack on one side is slightly bent from a surprise visit to a ditch in Panama, but everything still works perfectly. They shoved a bus out of the way in Cartagena with a firm elegance.

However!!!! Now they're so unbelievably expensive I'd have to buy something else, and obviously the fact that mine are magnificent doesn't negate Ted's experience with them.

I've definitely saved myself some bruising (at least) in the leg department by having them on.
Well, either you were very lucky with them, or I was VERY unlucky with them. Probably the latter !

My first 2mph topple in sand pulled the left hand case off along with the mounting lug on the case... NOT HAPPY !! I only dropped the bike.

Second (ok 65mph) crash completely destroyed the same case leaving it misshapen. They are tough.. as in it's IMPOSSIBLE to straighten them (even by MM themselves..they had my box for 12 months and couldnt make it straight).. Impossible on the road if you really squash em. It still closes if you sit on it but it wont lock and obviously I cant fix them to the frame because I cant sit on the box (to attach it) unless it's on the floor.

Third 30mph topple on gravel pulled the lid off the other one. It mangled all the "quick release mechanism" . Ok, i could repair it but I had to take it off and hammer it.. Not easy without a workshop. I was lucky I was near one.

I just dont think they need that quick release mechanism. Ratchet lids and a touratech style of attachment would work MUCH better and much simpler. And as for the price !! Who the F**K do they think they are ! Shame on people for paying it.. HORRENDOUS !!

I think I was probably more unlucky than others but I know as soon as I ditched them for softbags, I had no problems at all.......

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Old 1 Apr 2010
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I guess I've been extremely lucky and you've been extremely unlucky! I agree about the price. Scandalous!
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