Hi All.
I am prepping my XT660R for a longer trip - having already mounted OTR panniers
http://www.off-the-road.de/XT-660/Lu...T-660-R-X.html

I was thinking about getting a 2in1 system but that will be too expensive - having to switch both exhaust system, pannier rack (to slim version) and bash-plate.

So, I now have above stated non-slim version - and I have come to the point where I am to decide which Aluminium Panniers to choose. I am looking at these as they are pretty cheap - they come in 33, 38 or 44 liter capacity:
http://www.off-the-road.de/XT-660/Lu...-panniers.html

I would prefer to have as slim as possible panniers (the 33 liters) but at the same time I would very much like to be able to put my helmet(s) in the sidecases - but that will only fit in the 38 liter version.
There is a difference of 5 centimeters in the depth (seen from the side)- 33L : 24 cm and 38L: 29 cms..

My question is therefore: What would you recommend? - Going slim or having the space for the helmet in the side cases?
With the 29 cm the broadth of the bike is quite substantial due to the pannier rack for the standard exhaust system...

Have anybody tried the panniers from OTR?

Thanks!

__________________
Pete, XT660R '07 - @8200 kms
Snorkel removed, Acerbis handguards, OTR Rack/Pannier rack, OTR sump guard, GIVI MonoKey topbox, Abus Detecto 8000, Navigon GPS.
Stolen at 2269 kms... found again 10 days later - not a scratch, and with a cover and the lock on it... Mr. LuckyMan

Hi

The standard OTR panniers are as stated in the link, similar to hepco&becker panniers. And as such, the quality is quite good.

But if I were you, I would look at panniers from Daerr. The are Cheap and the quality is good. The downside is you have to buy a pannier-rack and make some mounting brackets yourself.

http://daerr.de/suche3/57360B160edef.../Motorrad.html

Maybe go for the smallest you can get away with so you aren't tempted to save weight, width and bulk (and avoids the temptation to take to much stuff). You could buy a Lidsafe to stow you're helmet when you leave the bike parked up?

Thanks for your replies. I had some money credited at OTR so ordered the smallest of the cases (33 liters). I will look into the lidsafe!

__________________
Pete, XT660R '07 - @8200 kms
Snorkel removed, Acerbis handguards, OTR Rack/Pannier rack, OTR sump guard, GIVI MonoKey topbox, Abus Detecto 8000, Navigon GPS.
Stolen at 2269 kms... found again 10 days later - not a scratch, and with a cover and the lock on it... Mr. LuckyMan