Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear?
Touratech panniers - are they any good? Touratech panniers - are they any good?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
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.
Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



Reply
Page 2 of 3 1 2 3
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #16  
Old 25 Mar 2005
Steve Pickford's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Oxford, UK
Posts: 994
Quote:
Originally posted by Namron:

Has anyone painted or Powder Coated the inside of the panniers to stop the black powder problem? Norm
Jesse Luggage in the US sells panniers liners of some sort to prevent this I believe?

__________________
My photos: www.possu.smugmug.com
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 25 Mar 2005
Mr. Ron's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Vancouver, BC, for now...
Posts: 792
Quote:
Originally posted by Steve Pickford:
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="">quote:</font><HR><font face="" size="2">Originally posted by Namron:

Has anyone painted or Powder Coated the inside of the panniers to stop the black powder problem? Norm


Jesse Luggage in the US sells panniers liners of some sort to prevent this I believe?

</font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hello. I built my panniers from scratch, but didn't have time to anodize them before my trip. Here's a quick, cheap solution that has lasted almost 15,000 miles already. 3M makes a spray glue in an aresol can called Spray-90. This is a contact cement. Cut some thick durable fabric oversize and completely spray one side and also inside the pannier. Apply the fabric and work into place making sure the glue sticks. Let the box sit open overnight so all solvents can vent away. The interior an be any fabric you choose, maybe crushed velvet??...
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 25 Mar 2005
richardb's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: guildford, surrey, UK
Posts: 138
For an even cheaper solution to the lining problem - I taped bubble wrap in mine, worked great and no need for the inner lining bags. That lasted about 3 months until I had to have some welding done to a pannier, then in Ushuaia, in a stationary shop I bought some cheap rubbery lining material and glued that on.

Next time I might even try that Blue Peter staple, sticky back plastic (British cultural reference, sorry)

Expensive bags are a waste of money.


------------------
Richb
http://www.postmaster.co.uk/~richardbeaumont/60684/
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 25 Mar 2005
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: watford england
Posts: 174
I agree with the above, mine have been lined with sticky backed plastic for 20 000 miles. I used the basic clear stuff from a stationers that we used to cover text books at school.
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 26 Mar 2005
Grant Johnson's Avatar
HU Founder
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 1997
Location: BC Canada
Posts: 7,230
RE the aluminum dust - there is a solution, and it never fails to amaze me that no one - especially Touratech et al don't offer it.

Just anodize them! It's easy to do before the bags are assembled, but now you'll have to completely disassemble them. Once anodized, you'll have no aluminum dust problem, and your gear won't be covered in black. Also the anodizing actually makes them stronger, as it in effect surface hardens the aluminum. You lose the shiny surface inside and out, the surface is a dull silvery sort of color. (Which is probably why Touratech doesn't do it - not so pretty/shiny)

We then powder coated our boxes white, outside only. Very cool. (temp wise

And my vote is always for removable lids - hinged sucks. And external latches to remove the bags from the bike so you don't have to remove the lids and half the contents as noted above by Martin.

------------------
Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------

One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 26 Mar 2005
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Idaho, USA
Posts: 212
Grant, although it isn't anodizing, there is one company which offers a solution to the blackening problem. Happy Trails offers, as an option, powder coating of their panniers both inside and out; thus, blackening is taken care of.

Regarding Touratech panniers vs others, I've used the Touratechs extensively over some very difficult terrain (4WD roads over BLM and NFS land in the western US), and they are very good, but not the best in my opinion. The method Touratech uses to attach the bottom to the four sides is not as strong as Happy Trails and Jesse boxes, where all seams are totally welded. I think the HTs are significantly stronger. I've never used Jesse's, but I have friends who have them and the boxes appear very strong, although I've heard stories of the racks cracking. My choice is Happy Trails, which I believe to be an outstanding product (btw, I have no affiliation with HT, or any other company except as a customer).

Just my $.02 worth.

Mike
__________________
Mike
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 2 Apr 2005
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Donegal ,Ireland
Posts: 16
Check these out:
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthr...threadid=40366
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 5 Apr 2005
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Suffolk, GB
Posts: 18
Hi MattB,
Just a quick reply to your post about the touratech boxes, I'm currently using a set with my KTM I've got four same key locks on the stock catches, have found them 100% water proof and as far as strength goes I use one of the boxes to sit the bike on to adjust chain, remove wheels etc. They get a total thumbs up from me.
Cheers. Les.
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 18 Jul 2005
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 2
Metal Mules are the business. They can be ordered anodised to stop the black stuff. They are absolutely bombproof and as is said above they are very well thought out. Also, they have a great quick release mech which is also solid but means you can take them off easily - you find yourself using them as seats in the campsite etc. Considerably dearer than Touratechs but IMHO much better.



[This message has been edited by topper (edited 18 July 2005).]
Reply With Quote
  #25  
Old 18 Jul 2005
Matt Cartney's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Edinburgh, Lothian, Scotland
Posts: 1,350
Topper,
Is that you Daz old man?
matt
__________________
http://adventure-writing.blogspot.com

http://scotlandnepal.blogspot.com/

*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!
Reply With Quote
  #26  
Old 22 Dec 2006
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 3
Hi,
I would say never use touratech. I have had panniers on order for 6 months and still cannot get a response as to when they will be available. You will be in Buenos Aires by the time you receive them.
Reply With Quote
  #27  
Old 23 Dec 2006
Vaufi's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Munich, the beer capital
Posts: 1,051
Hepco & Becker
Just met a young lady from Switzerland with Hepco & Becker panniers. I must admit, the way they're attached to the rack is intriguing. It isn't shown very clearly on their homepage http://www.hepco-becker.de/_eng/frameset.php but works basically by hooking the box into the rack at the front end. At the rear end there's a catch on the box that clips into the rack and can be locked. Thus the panniers can be taken off the rack without having to open them.

Price level's similar as TT. They seemed to be quite sturdy, being heavily reinforced at the base. What I didn't like was that the lid were hinged. So it cannot be removed.

I myself am quite happy with the Zega panniers. Dropped the bike dozens of times and the bike plus luggage weighs just under 300kg. Haven't had the probs Martin describes.

Re aluminum dust - I stuck adhesive foil on the inside which does the job. But bags are much more useful, so I eventually decided to invest in a set. Allows you to keep the panniers on the bike.

Hans
__________________
Only when we pause to wonder
do we go beyond the limits of our little lives.
(Rod McKuen)
Reply With Quote
  #28  
Old 9 Jan 2007
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 2
The main problem with the Touratech panniers in my opinon is the upper mount. The hand nut compresses a small wave washer under it allowing a lot of flex in that area. After a while the mounting point deforms the pannier to the point of where the frame bar rattles around and the clamp doesn't engage it. Add some dirt and it starts "sanding" the aluminum away. It is also important that the pannier sit flush on the frame to begin with. Poor mounting ends up accelerating the problem. My remedy was to create a polymer spacer that engages all mating surfaces of the hand nut to the pannier. This then distributes the clamping load across the entire area. They can even be used with the stiffening bar that Touratech sells. I'm in the links section here if you want to see what I've done.
Jon Ladd
__________________
Upgrade your Touratech Pannier's Mount: Pucks Thread
Purchase Here
Reply With Quote
  #29  
Old 12 Jan 2007
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: ojai, ca usa
Posts: 19
I've Touratech Zega's on my V-strom, love them, quite tough, dropped the bike on them many times no problems. I used epoxy paint inside no black marks.
Reply With Quote
  #30  
Old 19 Jan 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Tomahawk,Wisconsin
Posts: 222
Paint it black
I painted my Touratech panniers inside with Ace Hardware aluminum siding paint. Prime first then use a light color for light reflection. The paint gets beat up with use so touch up every 20K miles. Worked well for me. No prep needed except a wash before priming. Did two coats.
Problem solved.
Bill.
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 2 of 3 1 2 3

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 10:33.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top