Metal Mule for TTR600

**COUNTRYMAN** · #1 9 Feb 2006

Any comments on the MetalMule range of panniers and frames for the TTR600. Which size panniers would be suitable for the strength of the rear frame?

**Matt Cartney** · #2 10 Feb 2006

Not sure from your post wether you want opinion of Mules in general but if so: My buddy has them and they are better than anything else I've seen by a way. Really good fitting/locking system, robust, if I had the money they'd be whats on my bike...
Matt

---------

www.scotlandnepal.blogspot.com

**leigh** · #3 10 Feb 2006

For my money I wouldn't go with anything other than the off the road racks. They mount to the rider footpegs and the rear cross brace is one piece. Also you can mount the pillion pegs on to the rack for a more comfortable sitting position.

**Eriks** · #4 10 Feb 2006

Leight, I'm happy to know that you've been lucky. Then again, if you were not...
(check it out: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tst...ue/2005_10.php )

Not in a million years would I trust Off The Road with a single cent from my travel budget. My additional opinion is that their rack uglify the bike. I've now driven halfway round the world with a heavy loaded rack from Hepco & Becker (using their aluboxes too). The rack is neat, and proven reliable. No problems whatsoever. And I have the comfort of knowing that the Hepco & Becker people will be more than happy to help if I experience problems of any sort.

**leigh** · #5 10 Feb 2006

Point taken. I am surprised, I have had quite a lot from them over the years, with no problems, like you say, maybe I was lucky.
I have always been warned off the aluminium tanks anyway, prone to cracks and leaks. I went for the acerbis instead like yourself.
I guess the main reason I went for them in the first place was cost 599 euro for rack, 2 panniers, fixings and a rear rack too. They do have a bit of a "home made" feel about them but they are still going strong for now.....

**steves-ktm** · #6 10 Feb 2006

Countryman, I just put a set on my ktm and they are superb, they definitley add to the strength of my frame, i'm glad i forked out the extra cash for them,

on another note MAT CARTNEY: good luck on your trip, i live near the lammermuirs but i didn't think bikes could go on them?, i'd love to take the bike on them. any sugestions

**Matt Cartney** · #7 10 Feb 2006

Steves-KTM,
Er...well that's a bit of tough question. In the Lamms, like most of Scotland you're not really supposed to ride, well anywhere interesting.
However, occasionally me and a couple of mates ride up there and have a wee look round for ungated landy tracks and enjoy a quiet ride. It seems the farmers up there are pretty easy going, we even got talking to one guy who said he didn't really mind but there were pregnant sheep around at the time we were there (we couldn't see any but left anyway, his land after all!).
Basically we follow all the country side rules, ride quiet, don't tear up the tracks and keep a low profile.
As to where, well the couple of times I've been up I've just been following my mates so couldn't really say exactly. I'd just buy the OS map and go up and have a look round.
Matt

**COUNTRYMAN** · #8 11 Feb 2006

Thanks to everyone for the info on the racks and panniers, but do I go for the smaller panniers or give myself more space with the heavier bigger panniers? I will not be fitting a top box just a roll bag.

**steves-ktm** · #9 11 Feb 2006

i went for a 31lt skinny and a 38 clasic but i havent tried packing in them yet but there seems to be plaenty room. most of these companies say the optimum is a 38 and a 45 but as you'll see in the pic the 38 is pretty big
also you get loads of extended bolts and washers nut's etc for fitting.
see pic www.ktm-adventure.blogspot.com

p.s cheers matt i might head south as im not far from the pennines and i think most tracks are well marked on the os maps cheers

[This message has been edited by steves-ktm (edited 10 February 2006).]

[This message has been edited by steves-ktm (edited 10 February 2006).]