I've put down a deposit for the tenere 700 rally (not yet sure if I'll take it upon delivery).

Anyhow, I need to make a quick decision on choice of panniers and racks. As is, my choice stands between OEM Yamaha (Givi?) & SW Motech. I also have to decide whether or not I should get the luggage rack, and from whome.

The OEM I believe is more expensive, though not enough to impact choice. The OEM does however lack the feature that motech has for easily removing the rack (seems cumbersome on the OEM). This Motech feature is by itself enough for me to go Motech. On the other hand, the muffler side pannier on the OEM has a cut out to bring the pannier in closer, and with symmetrical distance on both sides. This OEM feature is enough for me to go this route... And here lies the choice.

As I have never seen any of the options IRL, I can't really make an informed decision without your help.

I guess Motech is in a slight lead. My main concern is wheather the lack of the cut out will make the bike noticably wider in total or asymmetrical enough to one side to make it matter. For one thing it could look strange. More importantly I am worried about bike handling and stability, as well as impractical width. With wide and offset weight, as well as asymmetrical wind resistance... and again looks. Does it matter?

I really liked the looks and quality of my Touratech panniers on my F650GS Dakar, and would be happy to buy it again if it was not for it lacking both of the main USPs of the first mentioned alternatives. That Dakar however was symetrical with two mufflers (actually one side being a mock muffler with a catalytical converter - 5hat I converter). Anyhow, the Touratech (economical) is not compatible with the Motech racks, and they also lack the cut outs of the OEM's as well. The Holan, same issue (great value though!). Metal Mule, how ever great the qualitt may be - not interested (for many reasons). Same goes for Jesse's.

As for soft panniers: Kriega, Mosko, and LoneRider was something that I considered all the way up until I was ready to pull the trigger, when I decided to fall back upon aluminium. Had the LoneRider come out with their quick release system (still in development), I probably would have gone for that in combination with the Motech rack. Aluminium can't be beat to keep otherwise honest people fron trying to get into my luggage, and in terms of convenience, and a bunch of other attributes, it also wins. Soft's greatest attribute for me was to protect my legs from injury. Although having other winning attributes as well, it boiled down to convenience and security on one side, and protection from personal injury on the other - the first was most important - but 8nly just... I mention all this in case you think I should consider other options besides Motech or OEM.

If there are similar options to the racks that motech offers, and a great panniers with the cut out - then I would be very interested. Until then, please help me choose between the two options mentioned in the beginning.

Oh, I have a parallel discussion going on the xt660z panniers choice (My girlfriend is also in the market for a bike). The OEM panniers in that case just didn't cut it, so choice is made. Anything but OEM! For the T7 however, the OEM option seems well built - just not as practical as Motech.

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