I'm beggining to prepare to around the world trip, and the first question is the luggage boxes. The boxes itself are almost same, but I'm in doubt with carriers.
So the question is - which of the various choice of the hard luggage brackets are the best - most durable and tough in a case of falling (and not bending subfame of course?) and not failing due to vibration - I have to go really LONG route..
(I think that I saw somewhere in Internet, that SW-Motech carriers were failed in a welding point couple of time.. but maybe I'm wrong.. )

I have a GIVI rack, it fits well and looks good but I think they have a week spot on the top. I'm going to get mine welded, more for peice of mind really.

well there is limited choice, deffinatley NOT the Yamaha ones! (which i have) but the expensive ones are the touratech (used in long way series)

http://shop.touratech.co.uk/zega-pro...er-system.html

but i found these which are a much more traditional system (in germany) and they look pretty good

http://www.off-the-road.de/XT-660-Z-...-Z-Tenere.html

I've had the Touratech ones on the bike for a few years.

They have been used to carry 38L ZegaPro boxes and they have no signs of cracks, breaks or bends. They do mount in three places and have a stabaliser bar at the back, so they are well put together.

I've had a few off-road incidents with then and they don't appear to be any of the worse for their experience. Yes, they are expensive, but the racks are the 18mm loop type that some of the soft luggage manufacturers are making mountings for (Kriega for instance). I wouldn't be surprised to see this type of mount become something of a defaco standard over the next few years.

As an improvement, I would think something that uses the two top mounts on the bike (the ones the OE pannier racks use) AND a third mounting to the point at which the rear hangers mount to the bike would be good. Today though, the third mount fastens to the rear hanger itself.

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>-------<

Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

Whilst it's of no help to you I made a set from 16mm tube and they have survived several crashes including a tarmac surf at 50mph during which they didn't even deform.
I would say go with something made of tubular steel, at least you can bend and hit it straight.

Funnily enough, that was exactly the rationale behind my new tail-tidy

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I spent a lot of money on travel and racing motorcycles - the rest I just squandered.

XT660Z - Commuter, Adventurer...Racer?

www.dashmoto.net

Other bikes >> MT-03 / CG125BR-J / ER-6F
Departed >> ZXR400L3 / EC300 / DR-Z400E / DR800S / GPZ500S / GS400

I've just ordered a set of pannier racks from a company called Heavy Duties ( www.heavyduties.ro) they seem to be reasonable quality and very cheap! The racks are 120 euros delivered to my door!!!! They said that they will be dispached on the 9th of July, so I'll let you know what they're like when they arrive. They also do 2 types of panniers, but only have the cheaper ones on the site at the moment. They also sell a main stand for the Tenere. btw, I have no connection to this company other than I have just ordered stuff from them. I'll let people know either way if it's good or bad!