Happy Trail Panniers

[nankoweap]

I sure wish there was a set of panniers out there that I liked well enough to throw some money at, but I simply haven't seen the complete package yet. I dig the Jesse's, but I'm not sure of the mounting hardware (I haven't seen it up close and the pictures don't do it justice, I'm sure.) Same goes for the other gear out there. I have Jesse's on the 02 GS and they've performed well the past ~10 years.

I plan on riding the Tenere in some hard conditions over the years and I need bags and mounting hardware that will not fail. I contacted the folks at Happy-Trail to see if they had plans to make panniers for the Tenere and here's their response:

------------------
Yes we are. We're scheduled to get our hands on a bike for two weeks in September and expect to make a full range of products for the bike. I'll keep you email on file and update you as we proceed. Thanks for the inquiry.
------------------

I put HT's on the VStrom and really liked the fit, finish and stability of the bags and mounting hardware. I'm going to try and hold out to see what HT comes up with unless I see something that really tweaks my mellon.

 

[dcstrom]

Jason,

I inquired with HT some time ago - at the same time I wondered if they would consider adopting a couple of features from Jesses? Namely, the chamfered lower leading edge (to make it less likely you'll break a leg by running over yourself with the bags) and the rubber seal around the lid instead of around the bag (shoving stuff in the pannier is a pain when it's constantly getting stuck on the rubber, and pulling it off.). Doesn't seem like too much to ask? The answer was "there will be no design changes".

If these things are important to you, you should ask the question. If their position hasn't changed, you might be looking at Jesses again...

Trevor

 

[switchback]

I put HT's on the VStrom and really liked the fit, finish and stability of the bags and mounting hardware. I'm going to try and hold out to see what HT comes up with unless I see something that really tweaks my mellon.

Really? I had Happy Trails on my Tiger. The racks bent when my bike was blown over by the wind in a parking lot. The lock mechanisms fatigued, broke and a lid went flying off without me knowing. Found it later after several cars and trucks turned it into a pancake.

Have I said how much I love my Micatechs! ::015::

 

[nankoweap]

@dcstrom... Agreed. It's small changes like that that improve the quality of the product. Ol' boy was probably tired of hearing that suggestion. I never had that problem on mine, though.

@swtichback... I never dropped the strom so no real life experience on that one. I've dropped the GS plenty, though, and both Jesse's lean in a bit. Gives the bike a little rear-end character. hehehe.

And, yes, I had a top fly off (because someone didn't batten down the hatch) and hauled ass. It got run over by a rig and was history. HT replaced it. While I was on the road that summer, I stopped in and they converted my bags to the newer, hinged lids. Much better.

I'm hoping some improvements have been made over the past 5 years since I've had them. I'd like to see integrated locks. Not sure if that's happening yet.

I reckon I need to see some bags in person before committing to a set.

 

[switchback]

Nice to know that HT made some improvements and yes they did replace mine as well along with the locking mechanisms.

 

[motocephalic]

Have you taken a look at Micatech? I could not be happier with mine.

I sure wish there was a set of panniers out there that I liked well enough to throw some money at, but I simply haven't seen the complete package yet. I dig the Jesse's, but I'm not sure of the mounting hardware (I haven't seen it up close and the pictures don't do it justice, I'm sure.) Same goes for the other gear out there. I have Jesse's on the 02 GS and they've performed well the past ~10 years.

I plan on riding the Tenere in some hard conditions over the years and I need bags and mounting hardware that will not fail. I contacted the folks at Happy-Trail to see if they had plans to make panniers for the Tenere and here's their response:

------------------
Yes we are. We're scheduled to get our hands on a bike for two weeks in September and expect to make a full range of products for the bike. I'll keep you email on file and update you as we proceed. Thanks for the inquiry.
------------------

I put HT's on the VStrom and really liked the fit, finish and stability of the bags and mounting hardware. I'm going to try and hold out to see what HT comes up with unless I see something that really tweaks my mellon.

 

[roy]

I have Happy Trails 7.5 Tetons on my DR650. They are the new style and I bought them back in May of this year. Their racks do not fit well on the bike. I had them send me two sets and both had the left bag angles down in the front and a tilt. Having said that they work very well and are super rugged. The lids are on hinges, never had any problems with the locks to date, they attach now with aluminum rotating blocks so no more cross threading the big plastic nut into side rack.

No aftermarket panniers or racks in my opinion are perfect. I had my worst experience ever with Jesse panniers on two different V-Stroms a 650 and a 1000. Both racks on both bikes required extensive modifications on my part for them to even fit. I said right then he will never see another dime of my money and I have held true to that statement. Oh and the locks fell completely off my Jesse bags. They were held on by epoxy. Another issue was my keys would work in other peoples bags and vice versa.

Back to HT, here is a few pics of my DR650 with the Happy Trails on it. I also have their top rack on it, very nice piece I later added a Givi top plate to the rack to attach my E460 on work commutes. The width at the rear is 33.5". and each bag holds 33L.

 

[nankoweap]

Have you taken a look at Micatech? I could not be happier with mine.

I need to take a closer look at the Micatech setup. Let's see... Went here... http://micatech.net/ and looked at the V2 cases. They look good and the price is just about right too. I don't want huge bags on the bike and these seem about the right size.

I'm wondering, though, what the underlying hardware looks like, attachment points on the bike and on the bags? Is it a rugged setup? Are the bags water tight?

 

[doctorj]

I need to take a closer look at the Micatech setup. Let's see... Went here... http://micatech.net/ and looked at the V2 cases. They look good and the price is just about right too. I don't want huge bags on the bike and these seem about the right size.

I'm wondering, though, what the underlying hardware looks like, attachment points on the bike and on the bags? Is it a rugged setup? Are the bags water tight?

Jason, I've had Jesse bags and liked them a lot too. Now I like the micatechs very well. However, they use the SW Motech brackets which I think are very good but there is a bit of splay on the right side. In other threads, I think they know of it, but won't help me now. If SWM peeps make a change, I bet the nice folks at Micatech will know about it right away.

doctorj

 

[motocephalic]

I need to take a closer look at the Micatech setup. Let's see... Went here... http://micatech.net/ and looked at the V2 cases. They look good and the price is just about right too. I don't want huge bags on the bike and these seem about the right size.

I'm wondering, though, what the underlying hardware looks like, attachment points on the bike and on the bags? Is it a rugged setup? Are the bags water tight?

The hardware is motech, it uses mushrooms for very quick on/ off feature. It has 4 possible mounting selections. And they are hardcore rugged anodized aluminum. They are probably one of the most water tight bags out there by design. I have tested mine is severe downpours for multiple days. To boot, the company owners are real riders, and they offer outstanding service. I'll be glad to send you pics.

 

[Brntrt]

I have always been a fan of the simple plain aluminum pannier. I had a set of HT 7" Tetons on one of my KLR's and got along well with them. No leaks even after several offropad misshaps. These are some tough boxes. The problem with HT's are the same as all hard bags, off road they create a hazard in that your leg/ankles get caught under them while paddling . Not fun. That being said I anxiously await HT's offering. S/B priced very competively and I might be tempted to buy a set for commuting.

 

[sail2xxs]

I had HT panniers on my KLR and my 800 GS, and had no complaints after a combined 50K+ miles of riding with them. I have a set of Zega Pros on order, but am seriously considering ditching them and going with the HT set up as soon as it becomes available. Tim runs a great shop, has excellent customer service, and won't make you wait 2-3+ months for the priviledge of spending 15% of the bikes purchase price on apair of aluminum boxes.

Chris

 

[Brntrt]

I had HT panniers on my KLR and my 800 GS, and had no complaints after a combined 50K+ miles of riding with them. I have a set of Zega Pros on order, but am seriously considering ditching them and going with the HT set up as soon as it becomes available. Tim runs a great shop, has excellent customer service, and won't make you wait 2-3+ months for the priviledge of spending 15% of the bikes purchase price on apair of aluminum boxes.

Chris

::026::Yeah, what he said.

 

[Brntrt]

An update.

We have it in Fabrication as of two days ago. I'm hoping to be able to provide production dates next week. We're building pannier kits, SU (Side Racks), Tail Plate Systems, Engine Guards, Skid Plates and more. Thanks for your inquiry. I'll shoot you an email just as soon as I have something.


Thanks,





Kurt Simpson
Happy Trails Products
11777 W Executive Drive
Boise, ID 83713
208.377.8771 Ext. 108
800.444.8770

 

[1200ST]

I inquired with H-T for Panniers and this is what they suggested....
Odd, that Kurt suggested I buy the H-T Tetons and did not even mention that a new system was in development per this thread.
I have the GIVI racks mounted, nice set up, fit well and will accept most panniers. With the GIVI #PL367 Racks, The Right Hand Side is 1.8 inches inboard more than the Exhaust side.

----- Message -----
From: Kurt Simpson
Sent: Tuesday, October 4, 2011 9:24 AM
Subject: Re: Yamaha super tenere

Mark, our Teton series panniers are by far the most popular of our aluminum pannier luggage systems. You could choose a 10.5" for the non-exhaust side and a 9" for the exhaust side. You would need the .625 puck kit here. Thanks very much for your inquiry. Kurt Simpson

 

[Brntrt]

I inquired with H-T for Panniers and this is what they suggested....
Odd, that Kurt suggested I buy the H-T Tetons and did not even mention that a new system was in development per this thread.
I have the GIVI racks mounted, nice set up, fit well and will accept most panniers. With the GIVI #PL367 Racks, The Right Hand Side is 1.8 inches inboard more than the Exhaust side.

----- Message -----
From: Kurt Simpson
Sent: Tuesday, October 4, 2011 9:24 AM
Subject: Re: Yamaha super tenere

Mark, our Teton series panniers are by far the most popular of our aluminum pannier luggage systems. You could choose a 10.5" for the non-exhaust side and a 9" for the exhaust side. You would need the .625 puck kit here. Thanks very much for your inquiry. Kurt Simpson

Don't know what to tell you. I have been in contact with Kurt for close to a year on their developement for the XT1200Z.