Follow on from "What Panniers..?"

[trotsky]

I am looking to replace a set of system cases with something larger and more robust (to handle about three weeks of travelling two-up) and the "What panniers do you use?" thread has been very useful. It's fairly clear that an aluminium case system is the preferred option but I come up against variations on that theme that I'd like some opinions and views on.

There are, I believe, two ways of doing this. The route taken by Metal Mule and the Touratech standard panniers is an "asymmetric" system with a 30-something litre pannier on the exhaust side and a 40ish litre on the other side. The frame holds the smaller, exhaust-side pannier away from the exhaust itself. The second option is the model used by Civil's Cajasahel boxes and the Touratech Sondersystem with two similar sized boxes with an exhaust cut-out and an extension for the exhaust to dump the hot gases out past the back of the box.

I'm not looking for particular advice on which system to choose; if the asymmetric system seems better I'll probably buy Metal Mule and if the exhaust cut-out approach seems more sensible then I'll go talk to Civil - those look like the best option on each side for what I want and what I want to pay out. I'd just like to understand better what the strengths and weaknesses of each alternative is.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of each option? A friend of mine used to design exhaust systems and he was very negative about any modification of the exhaust so I don't know how helpful or even potentially damaging the exhaust extension would be over long periods. Do I need to think about fitting the pannier racks for trips and taking them off when I'm not using the cases, or can I leave them on all the time? I remember at least one thread about heat from the exhaust damaging the frames. How much heat will I absorb through the cut out on a standard exhaust and how careful will I have to be? How much of a pain is the cut-out when it comes to packing compared to the rectangular box internals of the asymmetric system?

Most important - what difference will I see in weight carrying - how many bottles of wine can I carry if I do a quick cross-channel raid down to the Chateaux?

Now come on, be helpful...

 

[sproggy]

There's a third option - using an exhaust lowering kit. This would allow you to use full (and equally) sized panniers on both sides. Since all the lowering kit does is change the angle of the can, the exhaust would still be operating as the manufacturer intended.

 

[trotsky]

There's a third option - using an exhaust lowering kit. This would allow you to use full (and equally) sized panniers on both sides. Since all the lowering kit does is change the angle of the can, the exhaust would still be operating as the manufacturer intended.

Damn, thought I'd spotted all the angles.

Hmmm, not sure I want to lower the exhaust - I do intend to go off road with this thing and don't want to compromise that too much, which I think the lowered exhaust might do.

 

[the civil one]

Shameless

The big differance is when filtering .
89 - 90 CM , side to side.
And do consider resale value.

 

[the civil one]

self promotion

The Caja Sahel as Std . will also take a Fall , quite well.
The Weight is down to you , i recomend not less than 2.5MM gauge,
which i know is overengineered , but it works.

 

[SEGREQ]

I have purchased a set of Metal Mule panniers + top box for my R100 GS. the top box being the last edition on Saturday.

My reason for going for MM as opposed to the Touratech was simply the ease by which you can remove the panniers after a ride without the need to get a spanner out and start disassembling the pannier as in the case with TT.

The MM panniers can each be removed in about 5 Seconds, but when secured to the bike cannot easily be removed, therefore secure if you park up and want to explore an area on foot.

Their strength has been borne out this week when white van man removed me from my GS whilst stationary, the pannier put a beautiful crease in his wing and failed to cause any damage to the pannier.

Width wise my boxes are slightly wider than my pots.

If you havent spoken to Paul @ MM give him a ring a damn good bloke and very helpful, quite happy to discuss pro's and cons between different panniers.

Apologies if this is not as technical as you might have wished, but if it does what it say's on the tin then it's good enough for me.

SEGREQ

 

[Twotter]

Damn, thought I'd spotted all the angles.

Hmmm, not sure I want to lower the exhaust - I do intend to go off road with this thing and don't want to compromise that too much, which I think the lowered exhaust might do.

It depends if you want to go off road whilst you're off on your holidays. I've got a Wudo bracket which allowed me to use full size system cases on the Garmisch trip. Since getting back home I've taken it off as I don't need the panniers at the moment. When I do need them it's an easy job to fit the bracket again.

 

[MasterDabber]

My reason for going for MM as opposed to the Touratech was simply the ease by which you can remove the panniers after a ride without the need to get a spanner out and start disassembling the pannier as in the case with TT.

I've got the TT asymetrical panniers and there is no need for spanners to take them off. In each pannier there are two knurled rings that are turned by hand and outside of them a nylon nut which I only hand tighten onto the knurled ring. That appears to be ample and I've never had them come loose. Therefore the put on/take off time is minimal.

 

[DavidHale]

A forth option is to get the MM ones with their (scorpion) exhaust, which allows a symetrical set-up (sorry, no pics, cos I'm at work). This way you get two v. large panniers at minimal width.

I'll also second the comment about Paul at MM - top bloke and very helpful. Even returns answer-phone messages!

 

[trotsky]

Thanks for all the advice folks.

A short chat with MMC has convinced me that there is no great issue with the exhaust extension, though I think I might combine that with a y-piece swap for the cat and get the final setup dyno'd, to be sure, to be sure.

That means that the best set of boxes for me is probably the exhaust cut-out version. Seeing as how almost any trip out from where I live is going to entail some filtering for in the first twenty-ish miles the narrowness of the bike probably matters.

Since Civil has started doing pretty coloured versions

I have asked him to do me a set.

It really did come down to a choice between Civil and Metal Mule and it's size that matters, regardless of what I've been told...

 

[Deleted account 240901001]

Thanks for all the advice folks.


Since Civil has started doing pretty coloured versions

...

Oi !! Hands off them.... they're mine...

 

[trotsky]

Oi !! Hands off them.... they're mine...

Where are you going to mount four cases?

(Obvious answer - on two bikes...)