While I don't exactly share Jeff's disdain (grin) for hard cases - I had
great sets of Givis on a Transalp & DL1000 - ,
I do agree that the added weight on such a relatively small bike like the
KLR is something to be considered.
A set of racks and hard cases weigh in as much as the tent, sleeping bag,
cookset, stove, etc... I'd be taking
on a camping trip. Maybe more. Or, like Jeff, I can cram a ton of gear in a
nylon bag, strap it to the bike and be gone with ease.
For little money and an uncluttered, unmodified bike when I don't need
luggage, the price was right to go without
hard bags for once.
Last week, the shop got in a catalog with a neat nylon travel bag from
Saddlemen : Their TS3200S Deluxe Tail Bag.
{Going into commercial mode here, sorry.}
It looked good on paper, so I ordered one. It's just under $100 retail and
about $80 at cost. Once it arrived, I saw where
the money went. It's big, expandable, has useful pockets, lots of included
quick release buckle/straps for mounting options,
D-rings galore for tying on stuff and even comes with a built-in water
bottle holder that folds up and velcroes out of the way when not being used.
The bottom has a channel down the middle so it sits over the back seat to
help hold it in place.
The cloth in that portion is kinda rubberized to keep it from sliding
around like, well, nylon on vinyl.
I thought it came with a rain cover in it's own little 4"X4" pouch. Only
after I got home did I realize it's actually a small duffle bag that comes
into
being when you unzip the pouch. Need extra storage? Pop that sucker out,
fill and tie it on the main bag.
I put a Eureka Solitaire tent, my cook things, hammock, summer weight
sleeping bag, ground cloth and a change of clothes in the big bag
and it was nowhere near full. There's room for food, tools, water - you
name it! Cinch straps compress the load to steady the bag
on the bike and it even creates a slight backrest for me when I'm riding.
eddie
> [Original Message]
> From:
> To: ; DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com>
> Date: 7/9/2009 4:19:04 PM
> Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Pelican cases. NKLR
>
> I have been reading posts for the past few years that talk about aluminum
> panniers and other ideas, such as Pelican cases. I have to ask, what is
> the fascination with hard cases? Security? On a motorcycle? I don't
think
> so. I had hard cases on a Goldwing I had some years back. I remember
> always having trouble fitting stuff in them. I have a Nelson-Rigg nylon
bag
> with about 5 side pouches, that expands to hold 2-4 bags of groceries or
a
> helmet, straps down to the KLR rear rack with included nylon straps,
weighs a
> couple of pounds, and cost something like $60 a couple years ago.
>
> The panniers are heavy, expensive, and because of their size, limit you
to
> what you can have in them. I have a few Pelicans for my high dollar
target
> pistols, but they are ridiculous overkill for a motorcycle. Those cases
> weigh something close to 10 pounds a piece, and more weight for the racks
to
> hold them. Don't forget that once you drill holes on those Pelican
cases,
> you kill any resale value.
>
> I, personally, think that the panniers I usually see used on KLR's look
> stupid. Clearly, the aluminum panniers I have seen, as well as the
pelicans,
> don't look stock, and look mickey-mouse. Why don't we all strap milk
> crates to the rear of our bikes, just like we did in the old days?
>
> What is so wrong about a few nylon bags? At least they are easy to
> remove. No wrenches required.
>
> Jeff A20
>
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