beammeup Posted July 18, 2008 Posted July 18, 2008 New '08 GSA on the way. I like the look of the BMW Aluminum cases, but don't really want to spend that kind of ching. Micatech mounting system seems slick, but they're awfully big! Jesse's are nice, but I don't like the look of the mounting frame that's left visible when the cases are not installed. Happy Trails has cases that can mount to the stock brackets. Just how strong are the stock Aluminum cases in the event of a low speed washout or laydown? Would the Happy Trails on the stock mounts fare any better? Gotta order soon, so any advice is VERY appreciated
Semper_Fi Posted July 18, 2008 Posted July 18, 2008 You may want to repost same question on adv rider www.advrider.com (if you havent already) and get additional advise from those folks
Firefight911 Posted July 18, 2008 Posted July 18, 2008 Touratech!! I have these and love them. Bomb proof! LINKY
johnlt Posted July 24, 2008 Posted July 24, 2008 I currently have Touratech on my R12 GSA and they work fine. I had Happy Trails on my KLR and GSPD and they are bullet proof and quite a bit cheaper. I think you'd be happy with either.
Todd_Z1 Posted July 24, 2008 Posted July 24, 2008 Is that a motorcycle under all that farkle? Kinda hard to tell. I dunno it kinda looks like a firetruck but appears to only have two wheels. Cheers! Todd
Firefight911 Posted July 24, 2008 Posted July 24, 2008 Is that a motorcycle under all that farkle? Kinda hard to tell. I dunno it kinda looks like a firetruck but appears to only have two wheels. Cheers! Todd Big bear hug for you at Richard's tech daze! If you dare to show . . .
Joel Posted July 24, 2008 Posted July 24, 2008 Micatech mounting system seems slick, but they're awfully big! Got 'em on my GS (non A) and really like 'em, except for blocking access to the seat lock. They do hold a lot, and I like the side opening. I can vouch that they'll withstand a relatively low speed spill without much damage that I couldn't fix with a rubber mallet couldn't fix. Now the right case has "character." I had the OEM cases before (note, not the GSA cases), and I'm pretty sure the same gravity-assisted involuntary earth interface event would have thrashed the mount and the case. YMMV.
Todd_Z1 Posted July 24, 2008 Posted July 24, 2008 I dunno about bear hugs but how about a man-hug? Cheers! Todd
Whip Posted July 24, 2008 Posted July 24, 2008 I like these so much they are the only thing I kept on the entire bike.......Goby Bags
Firefight911 Posted July 24, 2008 Posted July 24, 2008 Woah!!! I don't recognize it all stock looking!
Bullett Posted July 27, 2008 Posted July 27, 2008 So, who besides Joel will admit to having performed the "drop test" on their GS panniers? The Micatech bags sound pretty good. Over on Advrider, the consensus seems to be the stock plastic cases are POSes. Many stories about broken bags and attachment points with the stock bags on a loaded drop. One would think the aluminum would be more forgiving, so long as the mounting brackets hold up. Which bags have been durable? There are also some complaints about water leakage. Which bags have not been water tight? Phil, are the Touratech Vega bags lined or coated to avoid the tarnishing problem that some report from aluminum bags? Thanks.
johnlt Posted July 27, 2008 Posted July 27, 2008 Upon returning on the Dalton Highway I stopped along the side of the road to air-up my tires. After airing up, I took my GSA off the center stand and down she went. A little too much crown on the sholder of the road. It was laying on it's side perched on the small Touratech crash bar bag on the front and on the Touratech Zega right side pannier. One minor dig on the bag and that's it. Amazingly strong. I just placed a Dalton Highway sticker over the small ding and all is well. You cannot see any dammage and the lid seals perfect. On another note, I forgot to latch the lid and it flew off at ~30 mph and slid down the road. Again no damage to the lid, it slid on the small "U" shaped handles on the top. On a negative note, they do not have any finish on the insides so you can get some aluminum tarnish on stuff. If you're concerned about that, either use a clear finish or powder coat them. Great bag.
Firefight911 Posted July 27, 2008 Posted July 27, 2008 Phil, are the Touratech Vega bags lined or coated to avoid the tarnishing problem that some report from aluminum bags? Thanks. I use soft case liners. You can also run down to the auto part store and by the bedliner in a can for $8.99. Just sprayed the inside of my trailer storage box for that very reason. No drop yet but Ewan and Charley took care of all field testing with no complaints so I figure I'm good with the Touratech!
JR356 Posted July 28, 2008 Posted July 28, 2008 Hi, Have the Happy Trails on GSA mounts on my 05 GS,pleased with them so far. Bike has had two 0 mph tipovers,no damage to panniers or racks.Have seen pics of higher speed laydowns and again,no damage to panniers or racks,except a few scratches to the panniers. Very good pricepoint,since you are just buying the bags,if your bike already came with racks. I would go with Micatechs as my ultimate setup,as I'm a chronic overpacker,I'm getting better though,really I am! JR356
flyingreg Posted July 30, 2008 Posted July 30, 2008 Touratech!! I have these and love them. Bomb proof! LINKY Can't see why you need so much gear just to ride around town and go to Starbucks now and then. I have the Micatech cases, they are sweet. Yes, they hold a good deal of "stuff" in them but are narrower than the handlebars. You did get a GSA for adventure touring, right? So, you need some carrying capacity, right? Don't discount them too quickly, they are truely bomb proof, best made cases I have seen, and look great too. Ask around and you'll see what I speak of.
KDeline Posted July 30, 2008 Posted July 30, 2008 Can't see why you need so much gear just to ride around town and go to Starbucks now and then. Well I need that much room to carry around spare antenna rings.
billy bee Posted July 30, 2008 Posted July 30, 2008 I have used System cases, TT Zegas, and Happy Trails panniers. Of those three types I like the Zegas the best. I have some experience with Jesses. I would bypass the Happy Trails boxes b/c the load-in/out sucks. Lift the lids and you'll see why. A lip rims the opening making it difficult to slide bulky things out easily. I like system cases, but they don't hold much, in part due to their odd shape. I did drop my GS in sand with the system cases on and nothing broke... but my ego. The Zegas are probably the lightest construction and weight of the boxes I have seen/used. That is good and bad: good b/c they are light; bad b/c they are thin-walled aluminum and more prone to denting/distortion. Nonetheless, that's what I settled on and I was very happy with them. They swallow tons of gear. The attach securely/easily. Getting loaded bag liners in/out is smooth and easy. THey look good. Jesse's are prolly the most sturdy, but they, too, are odd shaped and I would think they are difficult to pack efficiently, but have never used them. I did have a Jesse Top Box. Generally good construction. Hate that the corners are angled rather than square. It may make the box sturdier, but robs the user of space. THe Jesse rear compartment I had was crappy construction. Spot welded around the seams. The welds broke and I seam welded the entire compartment. Much better. Cannot comment on the Micatecs. Never even seen a set in person. bb
Joel Posted July 30, 2008 Posted July 30, 2008 So, who besides Joel will admit to having performed the "drop test" on their GS panniers? Just to clarify, my test was a lowside, 2-up, at approx. 20 mph, after losing traction in a rut that was filled with sand, on a rural dirt road. Tweaked the geometry of the side-loading door frame, but a few raps with the rubber mallet solved that. Still weather tight. No damage to the mounting bracket, that I could tell. My pillion has forgiven me. YMMV. FWIW, the Micatechs are powder coated inside with the same finish as outside.
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