Metal Mule Panniers
 

Hi all

I wanted to buy the Metail Mule panniers to fit my standard XT660R, unfortunately you also need to buy their exhaust ...

An option is to buy a third part rack and an (expensive) adaptor plate to fit their panniers. I cant find the third part rack (think it was a Givi) as the product code they gave me was invalid.

I'm disappointed as now I will have to get the Touratech which I dont fancy as much, although they are a lot cheaper, nearer �500 than the thousand pounds plus approx to but the MM stuff and exhaust. Even if I locate the third part rack I will still be paying nearly �1000 for a sub-optimal solution.

Are Metal Mule missing a potential market here ?

I would quite happily pay �700-�800 for a MM Rack and pair of panniers if they would fit my bike without changing the exhausts.

Cheers - Steve

Touratechs are sardine tins in comparison to Metal Mules and TT's customer service is CRAP.

Get in touch with Metal Mule and talk to Stuart to see what your options are. You need to see both TT's and MM's in the flesh to appreciate the difference in quality, then you'll know why MM's are more expensive.

Both me and the hubby have got MM's on our XT600's so we didn't have the problem with the exhaust. But, if that was the only option, we'd pay the extra for the exhaust.

One other thing - the panniers may be cheaper, but don't forget to add on the price of the inner bags with TT's which you have to have to stop the black dust getting on to all your gear. MM's are anodised as standard, so you don't need bags - or you can pay a bit more for powder coating. Anodised works just fine for us.

Have a look also at http://www.overland-solutions.com as they may be able to fabricate a frame for you.

I hear what you are saying and value your input .... I'm gonna have a re-think ... Cheers - Steve

Umm ... �1196 for the MM Panniers, Frame & Exhaust ... lot of cash but I may have to bite the bullet if they are that much better....

I should be on commission for these guys.

I've just uploaded some photos into an album for you to have a closer look at our MM's. I can take some more photos at the weekend if you want some close-ups.
http://picasaweb.google.com/Smokin.Lizard/MetalMules

I reckon the hubbys panniers have done about 12k miles since we bought them and 9k of those, he's fully loaded up. At least a quarter of those miles are off-road on the type of terrain you see in the pics.

Have a look at this site for product testing the exhaust: http://www.bikehigh.com/prod-tests.html

You're right - U should be on commission :-) Come pay day the cheque will be in the post to MM. Many thanks for the photos and links.

If you do order them, tell Stuart that Alison in Spain wants her commission - 2 of their bash plates will do nicely thank you very much. He knows my address!! :laughing6:

I shall tell him :-) I've had an email back from them with some more photos and it has totally made my mind up. I've uploaded the photos on my webserver (I'm sure they won't mind!) Great Pictures. Here's the links:

http://217.155.202.231/blogimages/me...e/pict2037.jpg
http://217.155.202.231/blogimages/me...e/pict2039.jpg
http://217.155.202.231/blogimages/me...e/pict2045.jpg
http://217.155.202.231/blogimages/me...e/pict2096.jpg
http://217.155.202.231/blogimages/me...e/pict2133.jpg

stevechol

i am also looking at the Metal Mule panniers for the XT660R when me and my brother get 2 for going to africa in 2 years time but the panniers are expensive in them selves i can under for a good quality product but why did they design it not to fit onto a standard bike. That then pushs the price up another �350 for an exhaust. Which when me and my brother will both be students is going to be alot of money.

I may have to see also have to consider a different bike for the trip as i have been informed that the cats in the exhausts may get clogged up with running the bikes on leaded fuel, unless i drill the cats out, :009: or buy a different exhaust:009:

Is there any other good metal panniers out there, as people as TT panniers are hard to take off, thin, filmsy, and over all crap.

It's worth having a chat with Ernie at Overland Solutions. I've seen some of the stuff he did on a F650 and he has put a lot of thought into his designs. He is also a bit pricey, but if you are going to be spending a lot anyway, you may as well get the prefect setup.