Happy Trails Teton 7.5" Clif Cut Review

Fastring

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Joined
Sep 28, 2018
Messages
42
Location
Georgia
Here's my review of Happy Trails Teton 7.5" Clif Cut panniers on my 2014 S10:

1. What: Happy Trails Teton 7.5" Clif Cut panniers on Happy Trails SU racks with all Happy Trails mounting equipment. No paint, pre-drilled, matching locks.

2. How Much: Paid $559 new free shipping during their winter sale Dec 2018 and that included panniers, rack, locks, and mounting hardware. In the end, I wanted what I wanted but price is always a factor. I have bought both Givi and Jesse new in the past, so its more about getting what I want the first time over initial cost but the cost (very inexpensive) was a happy plus.

3. Mounting: I removed the passenger handles and reused the upper bolts vs using the HT provided. This brought the panniers in almost 2" narrower than HTs stock setup. This also forced messing with the rear cross brace. I was going to cut and weld but was able to bend/under pressure and drill new holes and made it work without breaking out the welder. I used the bolts vs the larger knobs for the top inside mounting to keep stuff from catching on the knobs inside the panniers.

4. Results: Super pleased. I like closing the panniers without having to lock them (Jesse, Givi) and they stay closed when riding. I like one key lock per pannier vs two (Jesse). Service/communication from HT and packaging was superb, no issues. I measure the width at just under 32" wide which is one of the narrower setups. Its not as much volume as others (26 liters each) but with the wider opening, it seems to work for how I use it and I like the narrow width.

5. Future Plans: Will use the "empty" space on the non-exhaust side with probably a tool tube or something. Thinking of mounting water bottle / thermos bottle on back of a pannier but may leverage the side/rear mounts of the aux fuel tank for that instead to keep panniers drill hole free. Water proof is a big requirement for me.
 

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Clawdog60

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Nov 14, 2018
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560
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east central "ILL"
Nice! I went with the non clif and I’m 9-1/4 wider than yours. Yeah mine is ugly wide but I was afraid I wouldn’t get all of my long trip stuff in them. What is the width of the bottom of each box? Im going to come up with others for daily use.
 

Fastring

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Joined
Sep 28, 2018
Messages
42
Location
Georgia
I struggled with size but errored on narrow. The main width is only 6", the top is 7.5" wide. For commuting, its perfect, maybe will get huge Tusk panniers for $220 later for camping. Or will get another set of bigger happy trails as I really like the panniers.
 

Byron

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Joined
Mar 2, 2019
Messages
85
Location
Saltillo, MS
I want to give a shout out to Happy Trails(HT). I ordered these same panniers and about a week later ordered a top box with the tail bracket. HT sent me an email saying that I will need the riser kit for the top box. Because I ordered these a week apart they were still working on the panniers order. I called and the sales guy told me that they were going to take off the extra set of matching keys for all 3 boxes and giving me the riser kit for free exchange. That was a deal for me because that kit is much higher price than the matching key set. So, HT is a good company in my book! I went with them because I have the HT center stand on my Vstrom. One of the springs broke and I sent them an email asking them the price to replace and they sent me a whole kit at no cost.
 
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Fastring

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Joined
Sep 28, 2018
Messages
42
Location
Georgia
Update:

I've been using the panniers for some time now and for one long cross country trip. Really like the panniers, for every day use its just the two happy trails panniers. For this trip, I had to carry way more stuff than for a normal work trip, so I put my Givi 52 (maybe 58!) liter trekker outback on top. For the travel time, all my gear was in the topbox, my work and "at destination" gear was in the two side panniers. I was able to fit all my clothes, laptop, laptop accessories, tools and two pairs of shoes all in the two HT panniers.

It was nice to quickly remove the givi (turn key, pull off) and take it into the hotel each night while crossing the country. Dont have that quick off with how I have the HTs setup (bolted) but was pleased I could leave them locked and no one would take stuff just sitting on the bike in not the best areas (cheap hotels).
 

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Nerd_ADV

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Aug 25, 2018
Messages
105
Dude thank you SO much for this review. The details you provided, along with the very clear pictures and measurements, are more helpful than you know. HT should hire you to redesign their site ffs.

But even now, I am undecided between the 7.5" and 9". -_-
 

Fastring

Member
Joined
Sep 28, 2018
Messages
42
Location
Georgia
Dude thank you SO much for this review. The details you provided, along with the very clear pictures and measurements, are more helpful than you know. HT should hire you to redesign their site ffs.

But even now, I am undecided between the 7.5" and 9". -_-
Oh good, glad the write up helped. I would error on narrower vs less narrow:
- forces you to pack less (I tend to fill what I have)
- narrow looks better (IMO)
- If you need storage for big/bulky, put that in the top bag
- if you really really regret not having wider, spend $209 shipped for a pair of med or large TUSK panniers and have both

I went this route and am pleased. I havent had the "need" for buying the TUSK or another set of Happy Tetons in wider. I commute daily and carry my clothes for my gym workout with me, carry laptop case, coffee thermos and usual tools and extra layers all in the cases.
 

Nerd_ADV

Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2018
Messages
105
Oh good, glad the write up helped. I would error on narrower vs less narrow:
- forces you to pack less (I tend to fill what I have)
- narrow looks better (IMO)
- If you need storage for big/bulky, put that in the top bag
- if you really really regret not having wider, spend $209 shipped for a pair of med or large TUSK panniers and have both

I went this route and am pleased. I havent had the "need" for buying the TUSK or another set of Happy Tetons in wider. I commute daily and carry my clothes for my gym workout with me, carry laptop case, coffee thermos and usual tools and extra layers all in the cases.
Indeed. I just placed my order for your exact bags. I mainly commute and do a good bit of splitting. Also prefer to pack light and a giant roll top duffel with these should be more than enough.
 

StanBo

Member
Joined
Apr 10, 2019
Messages
44
Location
Central NJ
Thank you very much for taking the time to post this and especially with the measurements. By chance I found this on a google search for "happy trails super tenere". I don't have my bike yet but I like to research as much as I can.

How do these compare to the Jesse for durability, fit/finish and water tightness?

I was planning on purchasing the Jesse setup but after seeing another S10 with a HT rack it dawned on me that this might be a better solution.

My DRZ400SM has had a set of HT racks on it for 5 years now. I love them. Was going to go with the Altrider top case mount to get the tool storage pouch like HT has on their racks.

Thanks again!
 

Fastring

Member
Joined
Sep 28, 2018
Messages
42
Location
Georgia
My decision was between Jesse and HTs for the most part. I purchased Jesses for my last bike that required panniers (KTM 1190ADVR), where I had the narrower of the two sizes. I LOVED the Jesses! The capacity for how narrow they mount is super. The storage in the lid is VERY handy. If this was a "travel" bike, I would have selected Jesse. What I strongly dislike with Jesse is the every day commuting use, being the latches. You have to lock the latches or they pop open while riding. For commuting, this is a big hassle. I leave my house at 530am and have no need to "key lock" the panniers as I dont stop before I get to work. Once at the office, I get off the bike and do not want to fiddle with key locks to open the panniers. Once at work, I leave the panniers unlocked in a secure parking lot. I only have to lock the pannier lids on trips. HT latches are so much better than the Jesses, despite looking"cheaper", they are better for every use case. If Jesse panniers used HT latches, I would buy the Jesses as I prefer the engineering required to make them mount super narrow and the use of the lid space to separate the cargo space.
 
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