I loved the MM panniers but wasn't keen on having to have their exhaust (extra cost and many comments on poor performance).

I went with the Hepco and Becker panniers and top box and the associated frames from www.offtheroad.de.
They may not be quite as robust but mine have seen me around Denmark, Sweden, Norway and a quick trip to France and they haven't leaked and look almost as good as new. They're a good price too...

Agreed, Greencat
 

I can recommend Hebco and Becker.

Payed around 550 pounds for the rack, 2x43l alu panniers, AND a center stand. Took me maybe 20 mins to put it all on. Fits like a glove. I like the quicklock system that allows you to unlock the mounting with a key, after which you can simply lift off the panniers and use them around the campsite as chair/table/whatever. Takes about 10 secs to remount them and lock the clasp with a key (so you can leave it unatended without someone running off with them).

As for their durabillity I haven't had them long enough to say. But a friend of mine who has the same system, dropped on his side when he hit some diesel in a soft turn, doing around 60 kmh. They pannier took a good dent, but it stayed on there.

Incidently; whichever pannier system you're choosing, don't take plastic. Metal is so much easier to repair. But some people just don't care for the metallic look.

I too am not keen on putting the exhaust on. I will get some info on the H & B stuff, seems a good alternative.

Very quick response from Off-the-Road. 2 x 38L Metal Panniers, the Frame Kit, 2 x Inner Bags and Delivery - approx �502 ... seems excellent value for great kit and no new exhaust needed ....

just make sure Thorsten has it in stock before signing on the dotted line, some people have waited over 3 weeks for delivery, is fast when the stuff is in stock but a bit slow when it isn't

Yeh, thanks for the heads up, I remember you saying something similar in the past - got quoted 3-4 days. Cheers - Steve

Don't forget to add a few days for money transfers.
I payed by PayPal and although it looked like the payment went straight through it actually took about 3 or 4 days.
Thorsten will keep you up to date with progress though if you email him.

Mcthor

just reading through your info on the Hepco and Becker panniers and looked at the website they seem to be very nice but what do you think of quality, as you said before you are also looking at doing africa so they will have to be able to with stand a little rough and tumble do you think they could take it?

Just not liking the idea of having to spend �1000 to get the MM panniers rack and having to buy the exhaust just to get them to fit. But then reading about the cats in the exhaust clogging is a bit of a worry as exhaust cans can be expensive. And if buying the H and B panniers still means having to get some sort of exhaust with out cats in them.

Just to be clear...the H & B panniers and frames no not require any mods to be made to the bike or exhaust. I've fitted mine to my bog standard XTR and they've seen me around Scandinavia and a bit of France and have been water tight and solid as a rock.

cheers green cat for that, think these panniers sound like the ones to go for now, instead of the MM panniers.

I pm'ed you green cat about your rack that you have fabricated to the front of your bike, can you send me a few more pictures of this and give me a bit of info about how you made it, attached it to the bike etc. Cause i will need some thing to take the weight off the back wheel when we are touring africa and this looks as if it would do the trick. any info would welcome.