Tesch Alu boxes or Touratech ?
 

Hi folks,

does anyone have experiences on travelling with alu boxes of Bernd Tesch and Touratech ? are there big differences ? both make a very good impression, so I dont really know which to choose. I want to travel the Panamericana with a Kawasaki KLR equipped with such boxes.
Also i would be curious to know which modifications to your opinion are absolutely neccesary to complete this tour on a KLR.

thanx for your comments !

Gijs

Tesch boxes are much stronger than Touratech and have few orginal features. I have Toratech (sic! http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/wink.gif)
Anyway Tesch boxes have bold front walls than Toratech, have place for special compartment for aluminium water/gasoline canister. The cap of this boxes can be a little tables... The constrution of Tesch boxes is better for extreme traveling, but they are much heavier than Touratechs! Touratech have one adventage - You can buy complete bike for Your bike, for Tesch I may can't get the racks for Your bike!

A friend of mine is riding from South America to Alaska and he has the Touratech bags. He hit one side on some rocks and can't get his to seal now.

After spending time with me in Phoenix and looking at my Jesse bags (www.jesseluggage.com), he's convinced that the best option are the Jesse bags.

Good luck!
Cheers,
Gerry

hi gerry,
i have checked out al jesse's site , but there isn't ?an e-mail address?
i have a BMW R80G/S 1986 the web site only covers the lter models
aby infop much apprieciated

The mentioned cases seem to be quite good!

I would just advice you to double-check what you need!
YOU CAN'T TAKE OF THE LIDS - as far as I have seen - and there are no LOCKS mentioned!
Check that out, before you buy!

You can get custom-made from Tesch anyhow...

Hi Gerry,
if you a local maybe you can help?i 've been an the al jesse site but can't find an e-mail address,my bike is a bmw R80G/S 1986,only the later models are featured on the site,
any info much appreciated

Al wants you to phone him, he doesn't have time to deal with email. http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/frown.gif

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Grant Johnson

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

One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Ah... sorry... been away for a few days.

There's an page for contacting him for addition info at http://jesseluggage.com/Question_form.htm

I beleive that forwards it to info AT jesseluggage.com

Grant said that they prefer phone calls... that's true but they do try to keep up with email also.

Locks: the handles have small locks. If I were worried about that, I'd add a clasp-type lock. No matter what kind of lock you have, they're all easy to break with a crowbar.

Thanx for all your input. i'll reconsider my options.
cheers
gijs

hi gijs,
for info on different alu cases you might want to check tourenfahrer 12/2001. there is an extensiv test on several brands except for the jesse luggage system. try kiwibob.de for info on that system. should you decide to buy the jesse system tell him i sent you. that way he might forgive me for not bying his cases at the GS meeting in belgium earlier this year. good luck on your choice.

Hi Gijs,

I ride a BMW F650 and my ZEGA boxes, which I bought second hand almost two years ago, have done more than 140,000km in this world so far (60,000km done by myself). I really recommend them and definitely also the Touratech rack that goes with them.

Just replace every second screw with one that goes through the adapter secured by self-securing nut from the outside. This should prevent them from breaking out when being overloaded.

However, one disadvantage is that you must take some of your stuff out of the panniers before removing them from the rack. Most of the time I just leave them on just taking out what I need.

Cheers, d
www.2-mad.com

We plan to test TTech v Tesch v Darrs on Desert Riders 2003. I'm the one with the TTechs on my XRL and expect them to be pretty mashed by the time we get back. An ill-fitting lid sounds like a likely scenario so in the meantime I'm getting Overland Ernie to make better mounting 'trays' as the orginal TT mounts look like they would definatly not survive the trip.

They are, of course nice and light

Chris S

www.desertriders.co.uk

Please, spare me ... :-) No more... Argh !!! We've been waiting for months for Ernie to start on our setups, complete new rear frame and mounted Zega cases. If it weren't for the local guys (yes, you Chris..) to jump the line, we'd have our setups by now ... :-) :-)

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Kevin

http://www.nohorizons.net

I've got some of the 43L Tesch boxes on my GS. They are extremely tough. I've only used them for short trips to Southern France and Spain so far. The mounting system is rather primitive though - 4 U-bolts, which bolt through 8 holes (that i had to drill myself) and round the rails (Hepco and Becker). The bolts are very strong, but at the moment they protrude several cm's inside the boxes (i'll get round to sawing them off soon). Not at all quick release!

Not sure if you getter a better system with Tesch's own (seriously tough) rails.

Rob

Sorry to push in there KB, but I hear its done now so he's had some practise and will get cracking on yours shortly, I hope;-)

CS

Yeah, I talked to Ernie the other day. Sounds like all he needed to do for you were the boxes, nearly done. We're looking forward to getting our setups. We'll post lengthy reviews on our websites www.nohorizons.net and www.dewildekim.com (in Dutch) when we get these things. My page will have a boatload of detailed pictures as well. This frame we're getting is a complete custom setup, hopefully it'll be the final answer in rear frame weakness for the G/S ...

PS: Nice book Chris, got a copy hanging around here and have read most of it.


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Kevin

http://www.nohorizons.net

well, I went for Touratech cos they lie between Tesch and Darr in terms of weight and design. oh, and they were available immediately. the original catches were rubbish, but Ernie of Overland Solutions has done a top job in replacing them and building a superb rack for them. I hope they'll stand up to my riding "style".

for those such as Kevin that are waiting for Ernie's workshop ... hang in there! he has really done me proud!

Rich

Hmm .... I am frustrated reading all this. We were supposed to have our stuff by late August, worst case. Hell, we're 3 months further and all I hear is people being happy with their stuff. I wonder when OUR boxes and rear rack are FINALLY going to get started on. It better be worth it, but it'll be too late for my buddy Jan, as he's leaving on holiday for 2 months, to Patagonia. He really had wanted to take a tour of southern Europe to test the gear and the bike, leaving around right now, but he has nothing in terms of luggage etc. At least I got an e-mail from Ernie asking about dimensions for the shock, which I promptly replied to. That was 20 days ago, and I’ve inquired since, no replies. But well wait … maybe it’s like good wine, the longer it takes the better. But in the mean time I have a fully rebuilt bike sitting there, sans rear end. Right now I hope to get it all before Christmas. The positive news is that his stuff seems to be good …. Argh, all right then, we’ll wait.

PS: Getting a complete custom rear frame, Touratech boxes, seat adapter for the solo seat, top rack etc. etc. The works. Bloody expensive, but we don’t feel like welding when we’re in Timbuktu, I suppose.


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Kevin

http://www.nohorizons.net

And just when I press the f&cking send key on the previous message, I get this from Ernie. He must have read my mind ...

<PRE>Hi Kev, Info you gave about shocks was what i was after, i just needed to
know how much of a larger spring you guy were going to use than standard
(just to make sure it clears on full travel!!).Your bikes are being
fabricated now. Chris Scott picked his up a couple of days ago, go to his
Desert riders web page and go to XRL prep to see the kind of fabrications he
got, I think hes happy with it. Things here are going absolutely "LOOPY" (i'm
now booking for beginning of March and have three more people comming down
for a coffee & chat, just to see exactly what they want before they book
up!!), ****private snip****

i just totally enjoy being in my workshop
fabricating overland bits & bobs, coffee when ever i want and music blaring
out - exellent.Im going to send you some pictures of *** Private snip *** and you can also see work shop in some of them, it
looks so different now from when i first got it and totally gutted it!! All
the best Ernie.

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Kevin

http://www.nohorizons.net

Tesch boxes

I'm Zega system owner, but I made some rack with alloy plates for my friends. I copy this from photos from Africa. This kind of rack with place for spare wheels 10l canister and stuff on top on each side. I have pictures of it. This is bullet proof and best than any boxes!!!!

If you need them for pub-cruising: the Tourategs will do.
If you need them to survive the Sahara, Amazone or some slippery andean mountaintrack: go for Tesch.

Mine survived a 5 metre drop of an ethiopean cliff and protected the bike from what otherwise would be have been serious damage.

Using Tesch boxes myself and looking at the Touratech boxes on some of my mates africa go'ers it does seem to be the more solid choice. The Touratech bottom especially is not very solid, usually needs alu welding or some rivets to get it back together again after a couple of crashes.... Also its constructed from thicker aluminium...

Well, all this is great info however, I still have a few questions. I am going to be replacing my Touratech's early next spring before the riding season kicks into 6th gear as they are completely hammered. They have served and saved me well but a few good hard falls have ended their touring and serviceable lives. Most of what I hear from other riders out there is that the Tesch Cases are bomb proof, albeit a bit heaver. As of yet, I have not seen a set in person. I have visited the web site and it is a little bit vague as to how the mounting system and rack work plus attach to the bike. It was a bit hard to dig thru the entire translation but I think I got the gist of what was trying to be conveyed but questions remain. The removable fuel/water tanks are nothing short of genius in simplicity and solve many otherwise expensive, complicated and potentially dangerous problems.

My questions are,

1)How much wider or narrower are the Tesch TTT-4 cases on the bike, a BMW R1150GS Adventure, compared to the Touratech's 41 Liter Model?

2)Can they be mounted to the Touratech Case Rack I already have on the bike, or is that a mistake and why so. I see I can buy the mounting hardware kit from Touratech to be mounted on any other case for $60.00 a side? Is this a bad idea to use this hardware with a Tesch case if they fit my existing racks?

3)What is the typical lead time for an order?

4)Does anybody have any experience with the Tesch TTT-4 Universal Tanks? Are they spray lined or just raw aluminum inside? Do they leave a taste in your water? and what the heck is a TTTank Shutter? A tank lid or what? Is this needed?.... Help!!!!!

I am new to this site and want to quickly say what a great resource it is and how glad I am that I was referred to it. I only wish I knew more about it a few years ago as I could have avoided much of the learning curve from the school of hard knocks some of us seem to have to go thru. Thanks to everybody that makes this site possible thru their continued contributions!!! - Randall

Randall, welcome to HU!

Thanks for the compliments on the site! It's been a lot of work, (yes we are full time running it) but the support we get from visitors makes it work. Also of course the support we get from our various advertisers, plus the Souk - http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/store/ helps pay for it all. When you buy something from one of our advertisers - and Tesch and Touratech both are - please let them know where you got the information that helped you decide to buy from them!

And don't forget to send your friends around to the site. Check out the Communities, and the Travellers Meetings also.

To answer your questions as best I can:

1 - similar, plus or minus an inch or so. Partly depends on the racks you use.

2 - can be, yes, using Touratech mounting hardware. Tesch boxes come undrilled, so mount as you choose. The big debate is whether or not you want the boxes to come off in a crash or not. If not, then they provide some protection for you in a crash, but are more susceptible to damage themselves, or bending the rear sub-frame. If yes, they are damaged less, but you have less protection. Your choice. Touratech mounts are designed to probably pop off in a crash - Tesch are NOT.

3 - a long time. Then double it. Order WELL in advance. http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/icons/icon4.gif Lie about when you absolutely have to have it. http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/frown.gif

4 - Raw. Yes, just like any ally. Tank shutter? I think it's a spare cap (SHUTter) for the tanks. Personally I would NOT buy the tanks. ANY leak inside your boxes is going to be very unpleasant, esp. if it's gas. The amount of times you'd NEED the tanks doesn't make it worth while imho. You can ALWAYS buy a plastic container for water or gas as needed when you need it and then toss it when done. In Africa for instance before a long stretch without fuel or water there will be people selling containers, at the other end there will be people buying them back.

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Grant Johnson

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

One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Grant, http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/cool.gif
Thanks so much for the info, just what I was looking for! I will order my new boxes within the next few weeks and we will see how it works out on the geological time line for delivery. I will be sure to relay the fact that Horizons Unlimited contributed positively to my purchace decision by all means. I will be investing some hours on this site over the next few days getting caught up on the shared experiences and information offered here, so you may hear more from me. Again, I am so totaly pleased to have found Horizons Unlimited, what a fantastic resource! Cheers!
Paint up, rubber down, key on. - Randall
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

Forget the ALU boxes. I used the GOBI system of Hepco & Becker. They are waterproof even after several accidents, real top loader and with one take they are fixed on the bike or taken of (with a good lock). And, the best is: they are cheaper than the ALU Boxes...

Ride save
jochen

http://www.eurasien-tour.de

JoeDakar, http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif
Thanks for the input. I did have a chance to view the GOBI system by Hepco & Becker as I met a person riding with it. They had nothing but poitive things to say about it and it appeared to be of sound design. However, I remain attracted to the Tesch cases. They are a little more traditional and that appeals to me having had good experiences with my present aluminium cases. Call me sentimental, anyways the Tesch cases have been paid for and are now on order. Thanks again for the input, it is appreciated. Paint up, rubber down, key on. - Randall http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/cool.gif

Check out www.projectvnd.com for bomb-proof, stylish, hand built, lockable, removable lid, rugged frame, alu boxes in the UK.

I have just fitted them to my BMW GS Adventure before I set off for Africa in November.

If Vern doesn't have any pics, I can e-mail to you.

Greetings, rickx!

ProjectVND - they seem very attractive/good alternative option. BUT, what are the price of two boxes together with the frame, can anyone tell? Can't find any pricelist on their website... http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/frown.gif
Also what sized there are available? Or I can order a custom size? That's very expensive product to buy i guess(?)

Margus

http://www.projectvnd.com/Saunders6a.jpg

The answer I got from Vern is this
The panniers cost £600UK and that is every fitting you need to ride away with. The only modification you need to do to your bike, is fit the small touratech indicators to the back www.touratech.de .

Alpos alloy boxes - at a quarter of the price.
You're not going to pay £600 are you?

I agree with Denis, as the owner of Alpos boxes and would suggest they are just as good as Touratechs. They are on a Touratech frame though. Oh, just as a wee note, the indicators Touratech supply with their racks are the crappiest things on the planet. Both of mine have split at the neck and are currently held in place by sparkies tape! (They've done about 5000 miles)
Matt