Happy Trails mounts suck

[shrekonwheels]

Had a set on my KLR which fit poorly, I did not know if at some point they were tweaked or something as they came with the bike although appeared to be new and unfit, took me a couple hours of tweeking to get them to fit.

Well I sold those mounts with my KLR as I did not feel like refabbing them to fit the Tenere and I would keep my Panniers.

Obviously ordering another set of Happy Trails mounts made the most sense. well I have to re drill the boxes, not that big of a deal, but the damn mounting tabs were not drilled out properly and their own mounting bolts will not fit thru, ok no biggy. I drilled out the holes only to find that they are about three eights an inch off, sooooooooooo I have to cut off at least one tab and reweld it, if I wanted to fab my own mounts I would have.

I wanted to ask for a refund but the 20 percent restocking fee is ridiculous.

 

[shrekonwheels]

Had a friend help me and we got them mounted.

Had to drill the four holes which attach to the rear handles, none were properly drilled out.

Overall once mounted the racks are fine, I am still irritated at the lack of detail from their fab shop however.

Will post up pics of the panniers on.

 

[advswede1981]

I also used Happy Trails for my KLR and I wouldn't recommend them to anyone.

 

[Cruiser1853]

Interesting. I have had 2 sets on 2 different GS's and a new set of Denali's on the S10 with no issues. Mine bolted up just fine although I did leave the grab handles off so I had to shorten up the rear bar that attaches both bags. Sorry to hear you had issues.

 

[Ramseybella]

Mine fit OK but they are a little shall i say not bomb proof looking construction, but my getting cut off by a 4x4 a couple months back and crashed they took the fall and slide well, no bends or cracks..
I would have asked for another set. ::024::

 

[Karson]

Had a friend help me and we got them mounted.

Had to drill the four holes which attach to the rear handles, none were properly drilled out.

Overall once mounted the racks are fine, I am still irritated at the lack of detail from their fab shop however.

Will post up pics of the panniers on.

So did you share any of your insight with them or just us?

 

[shrekonwheels]

So did you share any of your insight with them or just us?

My father was a Boiler Maker/Welder. If you have to tell someone who fabs something what they are doing wrong, they probably do not belong making it to begin with, nor are they probably capable of making it better.

But Yes I left a message, no reply.

 

[XtreemLee]

I also used Happy Trails for my KLR and I wouldn't recommend them to anyone.

I have the full set on my ES, I like the cases and mounts BUT, higher quality, better designed and better service is available, just not from HT...

 

[shrekonwheels]

I obviously will be sticking with what I have for now, but what do you feel is better?

 

[XtreemLee]

Umm Jesse...
http://www.jesseluggage.com/yamaha-super-tenere/

 

[Southern7]

+1 For the Jesse's, I have the 9 in. Safaris and their mounts are great and the install was easy too, just follow their instructions.

 

[advswede1981]

I really like my OEM boxes and mount. Couldn't be happier!

 

[krussell]

At least you didn't get the engine guards. Unless they've fixed it in the last year, is that they don't support the radiator. When you remove the left side factory engine guard to install them, the bottom of the radiator is no longer secured.

 

[Toxic Mark]

My DR650 has the SU racks, so I ordered SU racks for my S10 so I can use the same panniers.

Had to Dremel out the mounting holes, but they were lined up correctly. Once all mounted they seem pretty sturdy.

 

[14kmtnman]

I had the same problem with the new racks for the ST. I had to file out the holes a bit to make them round. I had the SU racks on my KLR full time for 3 years. Never had a problem, issue or concern. They held up to several crashes off road. I kept the panniers when I sold the KLR, so I just needed the racks. The panniers do have new coat of paint on them to make them look like new again (at least from a distance) ) Maybe its time to start adding stickers.

 

[offcamber]

Over the years I have heard some people praise thier product and other curse them.....seems the cursing out weighs the praising especially on cutomer service.

If something is made to fit a particular bike it should fit out of the box unless stated otherwise....JMO

 

[shrekonwheels]

I had the same problem with the new racks for the ST. I had to file out the holes a bit to make them round. I had the SU racks on my KLR full time for 3 years. Never had a problem, issue or concern. They held up to several crashes off road. I kept the panniers when I sold the KLR, so I just needed the racks. The panniers do have new coat of paint on them to make them look like new again (at least from a distance) ) Maybe its time to start adding stickers.

Ya, they held up well on the KLR on a couple of fall downs, the did get bent a bit but I would expect that from any brand.

Over the years I have heard some people praise thier product and other curse them.....seems the cursing out weighs the praising especially on cutomer service.

If something is made to fit a particular bike it should fit out of the box unless stated otherwise....JMO

I am sure most people do not have the tools, nor should they do even drill or dremel out the holes, and certainly do not have pipe benders laying around to tweak them to the proper position, annoying but it is dealt with for now.

 

[Snooze]

I ordered the HT brackets and the 9" Tetons. The brackets came in a week but were missing two L brackets. I sent an email and the L brackets arrived a few days later. Everything fit with no problems. My biggest problem is that I still have not received the panniers. Why does it take soon long between the time you order and when you get the panniers?

 

[Harry Dresden PI]

Had HT racks on my 2008 KLR650 worked great good cost

Have HT racks on my 2012 Dl650 works great good cost

Have HT center stand on my 2012 DL650 and okay product great price

Some Customer Service at HT has been lacking follow through on corrective actions on the center stand

The HT racks are strong and would buy them again

 

[North]

My only experience with HT was very positive. They got me pannier and mounting racks on short notice when Jesse couldn't. A+
Everything bolted right up, not perfect fit and finish but i'd rate that a B+
I lowsided at about 10MPH and the bags and racks held up fine. The pannier did get ground down on the contact and slide but any brand would have. A+

I'm happy with them...YMMV.