happy-trails vs. jesse?
 

so after doing all the homework i can on the internet i can't decide between the happy-trails aluminum panniers or the jesse bags. i have an '05 f650 dakar. are the jesse bags really worth the extra $500?

Jesse:
Lids are lightweight 1.5mm 5052 aluminum with the bottoms made of 2mm 5052
Happy Trail:
All our boxes are TIG welded of .080” aluminum

Sounds like a big difference. Whats the conversion in " vs mm?


[This message has been edited by costa (edited 14 July 2005).]

From onlineconversion.com: 0.08 inch = 2.032 millimeter

I have Happy Trails panniers and am very satisfied with them. I've seen but never owned or used Jesses. They appear very strong and are well liked by some friends who have them. I have heard stories of the racks cracking but have no specific information about that.

Are the Jesses worth the large difference in price? For me they aren't because the HT panniers are an excellent product, but that's just my opinion.

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Mike

[This message has been edited by liketoride2 (edited 14 July 2005).]

From onlineconversion.com:
0.08 inch = 2.032 millimeter

So the Happy-Trails are actually thicker than the Jesses? Interesting

I have the HT panniers and while the boxes themselves are very strong, I have had problems with the racks cracking at the points where the Givi accessory holes are drilled through the tubing. Its easy enough to repair by welding though.

Both Jesse and HT make strong boxes, but really look at the difference between the racks, they are very different.

And if you haven't already, also check out the Hepco Becker aluminum panniers, they make a great system too that's worth checking out.

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Dave
www.mototrekker.com

Dave, which holes in the HT rack are you referring to? The HT panniers on my KLR mount by the retaining bolts (with plastic knobs attached) threading directly into the racks. If the Givi bags use other holes, after hearing of your experience I wish I had reinforced those areas with welds before I shipped the bike to Russia. If you could describe the holes you mentioned I would be appreciative (perhaps I could have the welding done in Vladivostok if the holes you mention are not used by HT panniers).

As I mentioned in my post above, I've heard and read of Jesse racks cracking. I hadn't previously heard anything about HT racks breaking, but of course any rack can crack given enough stess.

Are Hepco Becker panniers the same as Zegas, sold by Touratech in the US? I had a set of these on a F650 Gs and found the racks to be extremely strong, but the boxes themselves were not as strong as either HT or Jesses, IMO (the bottom seams on the Zegas are riveted and not welded). I hit one of these on a rock and it totally caved in and was unusable, whereas I believe either the HT or Jesse panniers would have survived with less damage. Of course, their racks might have cracked, but the Zega rack, although somewhat bent, survived largely intact.

Dave, I would apprecitate any feedback. Thanks.


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Mike

[This message has been edited by liketoride2 (edited 17 July 2005).]

The Jesse's are a much more well finished product. They fit closer to the bike, and have a release system where if the bike falls over the bags pop off preventing damage. I took a trip with a guy who dumped his bike numerous times, and it realy works quite well. As you have seen in the pictures they have a more finished look, with chamfered corners. If fit and finish is important to you, go with the Jesse's.

The early HT boxes were known for the weld seams cracking, but that doesn't seem to be a problem anymore.

Having said all that, being the cheap bastard that I am, I have HT's on my KLR, with 25,000 miles on them and no problems. They bolted on in very little time, and I have been pleased with them, but I do think you get what you pay for.

Mike,

On my HT rack, there are the threaded inserts where the HT panniers attach to the racks with the plastic knobs/bolts. My rack did not crack here.

There are also additional holes in the rack which I believe are for the GIVI mounts. Maybe you do not have these extra holes. My rack cracked in two of these locations, one on each rack. Each crack was probably due to dropping the bike. And try as you may, you WILL end up dropping your loaded bike many times on your trip.

Since you have already shipped your bike, I wouldn't worry too much at this point, just keep an eye on things and if you notice any cracks, a local welder should be able to fix this very easily. Welders are available in just about every town you will ever encounter.

I repaired one of my cracks already (reinforced with welding), but the other one is still cracked and it still seems to be holding up ok. If it gets worse, I will have it re-welded. But I wish they would have only put these extra holes in upon request...

Regarding the Hepco Becker panniers, they are completely different from Touratech. The nice thing about them is they have a slick quick release mechanism which allows you to take the panniers on and off instantly. I wish the HT panniers came on and off a bit easier as I frequently have to take off the panniers to get though doors, etc. Eurotech in California sells the HB system for many bikes.

But overall I am happy with the HT system and I am pretty confident that it will hold up for the duration of our trip, well, maybe with the assistance of a few local welders along the way...

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Dave
www.mototrekker.com

Thanks for the info, Dave. I may go to a welding shop in Vladivostok to have my sidestand shortened, and if so I may as well have the areas you describe strengthened (an ounce of prevention, etc.).

Thanks again.



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Mike