Welcome to Tim's Trail-Dust

Tim Bernard is a rider's rider and Trail Dust a way to keep in touch with, and feature, riders who share his passion. Owner of happy-trail.com (the only place to outfit your dual sport bike) Tim's innovative aluminum panniers and rack systems have revolutionized the motorcycle luggage industry, and after 10 years he's not running out of ideas.

Where it Started

(Excerpt from Dual Sport News product review by Kurt Simpson - 1999)
Tim Bernard grew up in a world where people marry their high school sweethearts. A big date on Friday night meant a couple of Big Boy sandwiches and chocolate malts at the shop. His girlfriend got her hands greasy (along with everyone else) with round-the-clock preparations on a wrecked race car so it would be ready for the Saturday night A-Main. Not knowing any better, she grew up thinking that the smell of WD-40 was Tim's cologne.

Somewhere along the line, Tim grew up, got married, had kids, found The Force and, thankfully for many of us, dual sport motorcycles and especially, the Kawasaki KLR650. Tim's world is still populated with things like jigs and tube benders, Dzus fasteners, Full Bore wrenches, and quick-release latches. When you buy one of Tim's kits you are transported to a place where foul language isn't necessary to build things that stay together and go-fast. His kits come with everything but the malts.

Flash Forward to the Present

Tim and Sherry (she's the girlfriend who got her hands dirty, married Tim and co-founded Happy Trails) are thriving in Boise, Idaho where their shop and online store have never lost sight of the original purpose: to manufacture the finest custom engineered luggage systems and products to enhance the use, safety and enjoyment of your Dual Sport & Adventure Touring needs. Tim's tubular custom side racks, aluminum panniers, tail racks, engine guards and highway pegs are mandrel bent and aircraft quality TIG or MIG welded. All his aluminum and steel products use powder coat paint or are anodized. Aluminum panniers are powder coated or bare aluminum, your choice. All Tim's products are designed and built in Boise, Idaho and are backed by the happy-trail guarantee which customers tell him is a novel idea in this day and age of knock-offs.

Over the years Tim has expanded his web-site to offer many quality items from other manufacturers whose products he respects. Check out the store at happy-trail.com for a constantly growing selection of affordable and quality items for Dual Sport and Adventure Touring bikes.

Happy-Trail Panniers & Top Box on a KLR650