Hepco-Becker V BMW V Touratech

[niven770]

Hi,
I have a R1150 Adventure and have been looking around for an Alloy (easier to spell than aluminium) luggage system and top box. The choices seem to be limited to the 3 types in the topic heading. As it stands I fancy the Hepco-Becker 40ltr Exclusive type. Does anyone have any comments on the named systems, ie looks, value for money, robustness, fitting etc or indeed is there any manufacturers I've missed. Any help greatfully received.

Thanks
Davy

 

[MikeO]

I've used Touratech Zega Bags, Vern's Worldbeaters and Jesse's Odysseys (sp?). From a standing start right now I'd buy Jesse's without hesitation.

Mike

 

[niven770]

Mike,
Thanks for the info. Is there a Jesse supplier in the UK ?

Regards
Davy

 

[MikeP]

Mike,
Thanks for the info. Is there a Jesse supplier in the UK ?

Regards
Davy

If you go to www.jesseluggage.com there is info about the European dealer. A guy in Germany if I remember correctly? I bought the topbox mounting rear compartment through him.

Excellent service, the panniers look like a pair of coffins though!

 

[Tsiklonaut]

But are Oddyssey bags premounted on the frames when buying? I mean they look on R11GS like you can't open them if you have a wider big topbox which i'll have.

TT Zegas are the only ones you can custom mount in the frames, right? I.e. push them a little forward and more under to get more low-forward centre of mass and can open them with biiig topbox too.



Mo

I've used Touratech Zega Bags, Vern's Worldbeaters and Jesse's Odysseys (sp?). From a standing start right now I'd buy Jesse's without hesitation.
Mike

 

[Paul Narramore]

Davy

Jesse are located in Glendale, Arizona (www.jesseluggage.com) and are quite likely the best aluminium panniers money can buy.

A close second, and made in the UK, are Metal Mule (www.metalmule.com) with their unusual rivetted construction which makes damage repair easier. I'm not sure I like the boxy appearance though. The Jesse luggage have angled lids and lower edges.

Paul

 

[Deleted account W]

I've got the H&B Exclusives you mention. Took a couple of hours to fit, had a few problems with the replacement exhaust bracket they supply.

They're good quality, but they should be for the price.

They're fine for me, but I'm not going round the world or off road with them.

Good for camping weekends with a pillion and will be fine for a European trip next year stopping in hotels.

 

[MikeP]

But are Oddyssey bags premounted on the frames when buying? I mean they look on R11GS like you can't open them if you have a wider big topbox which i'll have.


Mo

Mo,

I have Zegas and bought the Jesse top box compartment so that anything I strap to the rear will be higher than the Zega lids. With a large Ortleib bag strapped on the rear carrier I can open either Zega without having to remove the bag.

The rear compartment is made by Jesse to raise the top box above the pannier lids.

 

[Tsiklonaut]

I must start building my own aluminium ones, just checked the prices of Jesses which are sky high rippoff. Zegas are a bit too pricy for me too... Don't want plastics indeed.

Unless someone sells his secondhands to me...?Haven't find any secondhand Mules/Jesses/Zegas alus yet.

Mo

 

[niven770]

All,
Thanks for all the replies, keep them coming. It does say one thing, everyone seems happy with what they have so it makes choosing no easier. I like the look of "whattons" bike with the luggage and like him I will be doing the Europe thing (I'm from Scotland) next year. I've done it around 8 times before all on sports bikes with throw overs apart from the last 2 years where I had a Pan European ST 1300 (which I've changed for the BMW Adventure). The Pan was a good bike but heavy and I like the nimbleness of the BMW. It's just a matter of finding the correct luggage.

Regards
Davy

 

[MikeO]

But are Oddyssey bags premounted on the frames when buying? I mean they look on R11GS like you can't open them if you have a wider big topbox which i'll have.

TT Zegas are the only ones you can custom mount in the frames, right? I.e. push them a little forward and more under to get more low-forward centre of mass and can open them with biiig topbox too.



Mo

Not sure what you mean (despite having read your post several times). Premounted?? They can only fit in one position, if that's what you mean, but that was true of the Touratech Special Set as well. I suppose you could buy all the TT bits seperately, or have your own frames made up, but the 'off the shelf' solution is not that flexible.

Jesse bags open sideways, so the problem you infer with the topbox doesn't exist (it is a problem with Vern's though).

I changed from Zegas after an off - they did not survive the event (low speed, tarmac) nearly as well as I would've liked. Jesse's are far hardier, IMO...

Mike

 

[MikeO]

All,
Thanks for all the replies, keep them coming. It does say one thing, everyone seems happy with what they have so it makes choosing no easier.

Errm, no. I rate Jesse's, but don't rate Vern's or Zegas.

Mike

 

[Tsiklonaut]

Mike,

i mean premounted if the factory has already drilled 4 holes into each panniers to mount them on the frame with mounting kit, so you can't change the position of the panniers anymore. But TT sells the set you can drill your own prefered holes to fit the panniers in the way you like, right(?) Does Jesses do the same - selling the boxes undrilled? It seems to me on the pictures that Jesses pannier shape is too complex to fit on multiple position as flat-sided Zegas can be(?) (Jesses seem to have those massive cut-outs on those mounting sides and seem to fit only into 1 position on the frame - no palyroom to drill own custom holes for mounting kit) They seem to bit too rear-positioned to me with stock setting

But it's good if you can open them with huge topbox on.

About resistance - maybe it's better to get Bernard Tesch panniers then, they're 3mm aluminium if i'm not mistaking - the most resistant boxes on the market(?) Those are probably the most crash-bomb-proof if to count often falling. Not that expensive too.

Mo

Not sure what you mean (despite having read your post several times). Premounted?? They can only fit in one position, if that's what you mean, but that was true of the Touratech Special Set as well. I suppose you could buy all the TT bits seperately, or have your own frames made up, but the 'off the shelf' solution is not that flexible.

Jesse bags open sideways, so the problem you infer with the topbox doesn't exist (it is a problem with Vern's though).

I changed from Zegas after an off - they did not survive the event (low speed, tarmac) nearly as well as I would've liked. Jesse's are far hardier, IMO...

Mike

 

[Slim Chance]

Jesse's don't bolt onto their mounts. They attach with cam-locks that make removing them a snap. They are very secure when installed. Their postion on the bike is not adjustable.

I have T/T Zega cases on my 950 KTM and Jesse's on my GS Adventure. I think that both are good, but I would give the nod to the Jesse's for being the better design. They mount lower to help keep weight lower, are narrower, yet hold the most.

Can't offer any experience with the H/B bags.

Slim

 

[Chisurz]

When asked about alternatives to the plastic panniers offered with the 12GS, my local dealer suggested http://metalmule.co.uk/index.htm as being better, lighter and built in the UK...

I have not had any personal experience of them, but they may be an alternative to your listed choices. A report back on what you eventually choose and why, would be helpful...

Chis

 

[niven77]

I have a few criteria that I would like to be met before I choose.
I need the capacity to allow for a 2 week trip 2's up.
I think it's important how the bike looks with the luggage fitted.
I fancied the Hepcko kit as it looks good (I think) and they also make a top box that matches.
Panniers need to be of the same size on both sides (don't fancy the idea of a left one smaller than a right one). "Gotterdammarung's" Zegas also look very good but they don't make a top box.
Jesse's do look like coffins and a bit narrow.
BMW luggage looks to fit the bill but there even more of a rip off than the rest.
Metamule, are both panniers the same size ?

Thanks
Davy

 

[cookie]

there is a zega top box. 2 sizes IIRC.

 

[laughingBob]

I used Touratech 'Zega' panniers for three reasons.

1. The weight was signifiantly less than some other ali' available at the time.

2. The lids aren't hinged so you can tie stuff onto the lid and when you need to get at the inside you can lift the lid off rather than having to take it all off.

3. The last and for me the most important reason was that, because of their uniform shape, they lend themselves to making or, as in my case, having pannier frames made. The weak point with any ali' pannier system isn't the panniers themselves, but the frames. I had mine made by Ernie at 'Overland olutions' at the same time as having the sub-frame braced.

If your not overlanding/RTW I suppose none of this really matters though

 

[ag1s]

Mo,

I have Zegas and bought the Jesse top box compartment so that anything I strap to the rear will be higher than the Zega lids. With a large Ortleib bag strapped on the rear carrier I can open either Zega without having to remove the bag.

The rear compartment is made by Jesse to raise the top box above the pannier lids.

God-damned,
what screen is that, may I ask?

a.