Having initialy felt a little let down by Touratech USA (who it turns out want 30% more money then the kit costs in Euros!), I now view the decision to cancel my order a blessing, as I was always in two minds about the Zega panniers (I love their simple shape, but the catches/locks are crap, and the bare metal leaves dust all over your kit inside)...

However, having studied all the other options, I do consider the Touratech pannier frames are the best design/most sturdy - the cross brace doesn't hang down and require you to keep the silly low number plate, and the framework itself bolts to the correct holes on the bike subframe, not on top where your top-box might go, eh Metal Mule?!

However, while the Metal Mule boxes do look a bit like ammo cases, I am warming to them - and they are one of the few companies who produce a slim pannier too of course...

So, this rather longwinded intro leads me to one key question - does anyone know/tried if you can fit Metal Mule panniers onto Touratech frames? - ie. is the rectangular frame section the panniers attach to the same shape/size? I know they are both constructed from 18mm tubing, but what I want to know is if the fixings on the MM boxes line up and attach to the TT frames?

Wouldn't that be nice eh?

xxx

__________________
"Where we're going, we don't need roads..."

JennyDakar.com

I can understand where you are coming from Jmo. My bike was the prototype for the MM system and I also had my concerns that they had not used the original Yamaha frame fixings. But in their defence the framework is extremely strong and they have a rear carrier frame that fits where the top box would go. In fact it is made for their top box and is very sturdy.
I have been in direct contact with Paul from MM and he told me that there was a lot of messing around to access the bolt holes that go through to the silencer (does that make sense?) and "people don't want to take their bikes apart just to put bits on"!, that is why they decided to use the current fixings.
Anyhow as I do have MM panniers is there anyone out there that has some Touratech frames that we can try and fit the two together for Jmo?
Don't all shout at once and consider that I'm at Huddersfield, we could meet up have a cuppa and get some pics. Just an idea, but this weekend would be good.

Steve, we are using the SW racks with Caribou cases and these racks fit in the original holes provided for the frames. To access them you need to take off the rear mudguard then its easy. Takes about 30 minutes so I would not think this a big deal.

The problem with the MM is that if you use a Givi top box as most of us do then you need to use the same mounting point as the MM frames.

So its very odd that MM have done this the other way around...

Jmo,

Why dont' you use the TT Pannier Fixing kit to fit the MM panniers?

http://www.touratech-usa.com/instl/l...5D7Bqoy3D231BB



Nick.

Thanks Steve - I can appreciate what Paul is saying (actually I can't, it sounds like a lame excuse to make people buy they top rack as well to be honest... ahem) - and I see they've done the same thing with the rack for the F800GS too, which I'm sure is something the manufacturer/s would never do themselves.

Don't worry, I wasn't criticising the integrity of the MM frames, I've visited MM myself and am always impressed by their workmanship and devotion to the cause, it's just the aesthetics that bug me in that instance (tart that I am x).

As for using the TT fixings Nick, the point of using the MM cases is for their quick realise system (using a handle secured by the lid) and attachments (take a look at their website if you aren't familiar with it) which is very study and simple to use by all accounts - if I was going to use the TT puck system (which you have to access from inside the cases), then I would look at other (regular) pannier boxes - if only to save money!

Now, if someone developed an (external) quick release system to mount Pelican cases onto the Touratech rack, now that really would be something!

Right, in the meantime I guess I'm off to pack my Ortlieb bag for another big adventure...

xxx

__________________
"Where we're going, we don't need roads..."

JennyDakar.com

jmo
I too have been going down this same route.
I too am going to chop the tail and noticed that the TT frames are better for this and I prefer the frames fixing points to MM.
However as far as I know the MM cases come with their own mounting system, which if you were to use the TT mounting system, which personally I don't like! you would have to remove.
So we really need someone to try MM cases with TT frames (has anyone got TT frames yet?
Maybe Paul at MM would help, but I fear he isnt going to promote using any one elses frames?

I had a good look at the MM cases and do consider them way above anyone elses cases (even at the price) I too want 31Litres.

Exactly - that is what I was saying above - silly to pay for the QR system that MM have developed if you're going to have to remove it! (actually, it might be feasible to buy blank panniers form Metal Mule, although I imagine they would be loath to sell them without their own fixings - and rack!)

Hopefully SteveD will get his cup of coffee with someone with Touratech frames - any version should do as the rectangular loop section is all the same size from TT (they even sell it as a blank so you can make up your own frames)...

xxx

__________________
"Where we're going, we don't need roads..."

JennyDakar.com

OK, must admit I had no idea how the MM panniers fitted, cus at 1200 notes for a set of panniers (OUCH!) I had never considered them !!

But, just looked at the website and the Qfit system does look quite sexy...


Nick

Soooooooo like I said, is there anyone within a reasonable distance that will meet up with a bike with Touratech frames that we can compare and resolve this issue? Get some pics and try and come to some sort of conclusion? Just an idea.
PS I have some smaller Pelican Boxes that I got for my little SRX6 (which has now gone), which would make much better short weekend luggage carrying and especially for light off roading (plastic and water sealed). I am trying to think of some sort of method to attach to the MM frames without drilling thew boxes themselves. Will post pics when (if) I get this done.

Ok, having now had a gander at the MM website the solution should be easy.

The fixing brackets appear to be rivetted onto the pannier, the MM frame is 18mm, same as TT.

So, just ask MM if you can buy the panniers without the fixing brackets fitted. (Or probably better with just the top 2 fitted as they appear to have to go at a set distance from the top of the pannier due to the locking mech.

Then just fit the other brackets to the panniers to suit the TT frame.

https://www.metalmule.com/index.php?...=985&Itemid=26

In the photos above you can see that you could fit the bottom 4 brackets to suit the TT frames quiet easily.

Job done!!


Nick.