I think I've nailed it... A few pics of my trusty steed, in Southern Peru / Northern Chile.









One of these days, I might write up a full list of the mods on the bike and my thoughts / recommendations on them and others I want to do.

Paul

Paul,

Hello, nice photos.

How are the Magadan panniers performing?


Nick.

Glad you've sussed out posting pictures Paul - well worth it; they're excellent. Look forward to seeing some more and hearing a few tales of your travels in South America...

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Hi Nick,

Im told you're a man I should speak to regarding S Am!!

The Magadans.... Overall, I'm pretty happy with them. I was on Zegas for the first 6 months (until one decided to part company with the bike near Uyuni - didn't see / feel it go and never found it when I went back), and I feel a lot happier on the rough stuff with the Magadans. They attach pretty securely to the frame with only one horizontal strap and seem very well made and robust. I've gone down a couple of times in the dirt with them attached and except for the front pouch which was the impact point, there isn't a mark on them. And they hold a lot - Chris Scott did a test with water and found they could hold 40L.

There are only two aspects I don't like. I take them off every time I stay in a hostel and the velcro 'sandwich' system on the top straps is not convenient. With the velcro, it's a pain in the ass adjusting them straps when the panniers are on the bike, to get the optimal position. And with the Ten, I can't simply leave the velcro in place at the correct length for the bike and lift them on/off, because I need to thread the front strap under the pillion handles every time I fit the panniers. I'm going to look at putting heavy duty friction buckles on in lieu of the velcro, which will make things more manageable. Or take the handles off, of course - but I may have a pillion soon.

And I find the heavy duty w/p liners a bit too heavy duty. They top part is bulky, making it is difficult to roll the top down tightly: I doubt the waterproofness if the pannier were to be fully submerged; and because it can't be rolled down neatly, the resultant bulky top section takes up a bit of the pannier's internal volume. This is worse when very cold, as the plastic stiffens in such conditions. But this is easily rectified by buying a lighter-weight 40L drysack, or a number of smaller ones.

If the Giant Loop Siskiyou panniers had been available when I bought the Magadans, I would I looked very closely at them. Removing / attaching looks very quick and I reckon they would be very stable, especially with a pannier rack fitted. But I'm happy with the Magadans for now.

Let's talk S Am at some point. I'll be heading back to Peru and then onwards north in a couple of months - for now I'm static in Santiago.

Cheers,

Paul

Thanks Pleiades,

I assume the best forum for pics and tall stories is the Travel Log section?

P

Absolutely! We'd all love to hear some tall stories.

In fact this thread is probably better placed being in the "Tenere Videos & Pictures" section...

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Paul,

Thanks for the info about the Magadans. I think the GL panniers would give you more problems as they have a solid flap if velcro on each pannier, you would defo have to remove the handles to use them on the Ten.

I saw the Capt's post about me...... I was in Sao Paulo untill a couple of months ago, if you head over there then let me know as I can give you a couple of contacts.

As for the rest of SA then I've only visited a couple of places. If you haven't been to Bolivia yet then take a look it's worth a visit.

Any useful places and interesting routes you find then let me know please, anywhere in SA.

Did you travel down through Central America?

Have fun,

Nick.

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk 4

Hi Nick,

Not yet - I'm heading south to north from Ushuaia, but taking my time. 10 months and I've only made it as far as Cusco. Two weeks ago I did a u-turn and came back to Santiago - a beautiful woman got mixed up with my plans! But I'll be heading back north to Cusco and onwards in a couple of months, either on my own, with mi chicita on the back, or if I can convince her she may learn to ride and come with me on her own wheels!

I'm getting the itch to go to Mexico, but I'll make the call when I reach Colombia.

Best,

Paul