follow up suggestions for new textile riding gear?

[steve pye]

Anyone currently using these bags? Any comments? I just got home from three weeks on the road and my El Cheapo saddlebags have had it. I'm most curious to know if the bags are easy to get gear in/out of once they are properly attached to the bike. Any pointers appreciated, Steve [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Jeff Saline]

On Sat, 19 Aug 2006 00:04:58 -0300 "Steve Pye" writes:

> Anyone currently using these bags? Any comments? I just got home from > three weeks on the road and my El Cheapo saddlebags have had it. > I'm most curious to know if the bags are easy to get gear in/out of > once they are properly attached to the bike. > Any pointers appreciated, > Steve

<><><><><><><><> <><><><><><><><> Steve, I and a few other listers are using them. I've never heard anyone say anything bad about them. I think you could do a search of the archives using Archive Quicksearch at: http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/klr650_data_search.html and read some of the posts about them in the last year. You can also see pictures of Steve Rankin's bike and also my bike with Ortliebs in use by viewing the De Tour photo album in the group photo section. I can easily get stuff in or out of the bags and they keep stuff dry. The bags are durable and hold up to reasonable use very well. Steve and I both use a bracket under the right bag to keep it off the muffler. I also use a bracket under the left bag so I have a way to secure it a bit more and keep it from doing the elephant ear flap. They are easy on and off. Best, Jeff Saline ABC # 4412 South Dakota Airmarshal Airheads Beemer Club www.airheads.org The Beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota 75 R90/6, 03 KLR650, 79 R100RT

[Blake Sobiloff]

On Aug 18, 2006, at 8:04 PM, Steve Pye wrote:

> I'm most curious to know if the bags are easy to get gear in/out of > once they are properly attached to the bike.

My one "complaint" about the Ortliebs is that it isn't as quick to get stuff in and out of them as it is with hard bags, since you have to roll the top of the bags three times, then clip each end in place, and then, if you don't like things flapping around, clip the top center strap and then snap the two snaps on the hand grip. On each bag. I'm getting faster at it, but it sure isn't as fast as flipping a couple of latches on hard bags. However, you'll have a good look at a 1911 if you try to separate me from my Ortliebs. -- Blake Sobiloff http://sobiloff.typepad.com/blakeblog/> http://sobiloff.typepad.com/klr_adventure/> San Jose, CA (USA)

[Andrus Chesley]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Steve Pye" wrote:

> > Anyone currently using these bags? Any comments? I just got home

from three weeks on the road and my El Cheapo saddlebags have had it.

> I'm most curious to know if the bags are easy to get gear in/out of

once they are properly attached to the bike.

> Any pointers appreciated, > Steve

Been using a set for the last 4 or so years and love them. I picked up a set of braces for the rear to replace my old SU ones and like them much better with the bag now. Andy in Louisiana

[Ben Salazar]

The drybags are great, but I had a couple of issues with them while riding across Mexico. If you're gonna lay em over the seat to detach em quickly from the bike don't let the velcro belt fasteners sit in the sun because the glue will soften, and pull apart, also the plastic clips will stop springing back after a while. I replaced some of them with clips off of a jansport backpack, they were exactly the same and I carry extras. I've had mine for five years of heavy use. I doubt there's a better bag for duelsport. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[E.L. Green]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "rick" wrote:

> The wife and I both wear Kili Jackets, > I'm not sure what your mean by not durable. Our FG stuff is pretty > tough and we'll be taking it with us starting Dec. 1 on our trip > through Mexico to the Panama Canal and back, a 3 month trip.

The older design of the HT overpants would rip around the pockets, near the belt attachments. You apparently have the new design, which moves the belt adjusters to the sides and adds a bellows there. This should prove more durable. We'll see. As for the jacket, mine looks very ugly and faded after two years of rain and sun, has loose threads, frayed cuffs, and otherwise looks pretty nasty. I have approximately three times as many miles on it as you have on your FG stuff though, and as I noted, they've apparently made some improvements over the past two years since I bought mine. I must say that it is quite rainproof if you properly wrap and close the vents, and ventilates surprisingly well as long as you are moving. The collar is a PITA though -- it really needs to be a little taller with a better closure, as is, wind tends to come down it. -E