rotax engines and husqvarna

[Eric L. Green]

>> Why can't they make tank tops flat ? It's the best place to carry a >> load and is reassuring if you carry a phone, keys and a camera as >> you can always see it ! Plus the weight is up front.

Dirt-bike tanks are weird-shaped for a reason, to provide the maximum clearance for moving around atop the bike at the same time that they maximize fuel capacity. If the KLR tank was flat, it would have a sorta-sharp corner at its back. Well, guess what happens if you come down from a jump and your family jewels happen to be over that corner? OUCH! By running the seat up the tank a bit, and having the tank slant back by the seat so that you tend to be guided back onto the seat if you move atop the tank, you have a better chance of getting back with your fertility intact .

> Has anyone tried the Wolfman ExplorerLite bag yet?

Looks like a Wolfman Explorer with smaller side pockets. FIgure it'll fit like the Explorer, mount like the Explorer, etc., just a bit thinner left'n'right. Like the Explorer, it overlaps the seat slightly. I'm thinking it's just a bit *too* big... though undeniably handy if you're touring and need to carry lotsa stuff. -E

[Andrus Chesley]

Another direction you may try is Marsee Magnetics. I have a small one I picked up on ebay that I use on my KLR. Never have lost it and you can hike it up out of your way. Use to swap it between bikes but now the others have plastic tanks soooooooo. Andy in Louisiana

[plano93722]

I have the Dual-Star tankbag and have found it to be excellent, but with one major caveat. It is sturdy, very well built, reasonably compact in standard configuration and has an extremely large capacity when expanded. The 4-point mounting system (two straps come off the front of the bag and clip to the leading edges of the gas tank, two male clips at the back of the bag attach to two female clips on a harness arrangement under the front lip of the KLR seat), is extremely stable. I have never had the bag shift while riding, even at speed in strong cross winds. Gassing up is no problem: the front straps are quick and easy to loosen and detach, and the bag is stable and balanced when flipped back. The problem with this bag is that that the mounting system that makes the bag so stable also can make the bag difficult to attach and detach when the bag is fully loaded. The female end of the rear attachment clips are hidden under the front lip of the stock KLR seat, which must be pulled up to access the clips. When the bag is fully loaded and unwieldy this can be a problematical maneuver. I've spent 5-10 minutes grunting and cursing while trying to get the clips to attach on more than one occasion. I'll be damned if I will remove the seat just to put on a tank bag. It's not possible to move the under-seat harness forward, because it is a fixed length and clips to the back edge of the gas tank. Extending the underseat clips forward would move the entire bag forward enough to reduce steering lock, at least as I eyeball it. If anyone has a found a solution solution for this problem, I would appreciate hearing it. It appears the problem is even worse on a KLR equipped with a Corbin seat. Corbin seats extend further up the gas tank, and the seat pan is less flexible than the stocker, making the mounting process even more difficult, as I understand it. Rich Kickbush alludes to this situation in his review of the bag on the Dual-Star website, and he suggests contacting Dual-Star if you have a Corbin. When asked about Corbin compatibility, Dual-Star could offer no suggestions, saying only "Just keep trying, it's not easy but it can be done". Hmmm. The old "more-cursing-and-grunting-solution". I see. Thank you very much. On a long trip when attaching the heavily loaded bag I hate it with a vengence. The other 99% of the time I consider it to be a superb tank bag. YMMV Bob A17 Fresno, CA --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Steve H." wrote:

> > Forgive me for asking a same old question. I'm a tank bag guy and

am

> fed up with the jury rigged effort I now have. I use a perfectly > good tank bag from my Honda that was made to fit a flat topped

tank.

> I've adapted it to fit the KLR, but can't just take it off for a > coffee stop etc. Has anyone used the Dual Star bag made

specifically

> for the KLR ? I see there is a Wolfman that fits several models

with

> the same straps. Does it fit well ? > Why can't they make tank tops flat ? It's the best place to carry a > load and is reassuring if you carry a phone, keys and a camera as > you can always see it ! Plus the weight is up front. > > Thanks for any replies, Steve

[Steve H.]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "plano93722" wrote:

> > I have the Dual-Star tankbag and have found it to be excellent, but > with one major caveat.

Thanks for posting a detailed review. That really helps in making a decision. It sure looks like a great bag, but one of the things I want is to be able to remove it easily and carry it into restaurants etc. Maybe this isn't the best choice. Steve

[dumbazz_650]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Tengai Mark Van Horn wrote:

> At 8:47 PM +0000 1/21/05, Steve H. wrote: > >Forgive me for asking a same old question. ... I see there is a > >Wolfman that fits several models with > >the same straps. Does it fit well ? > > Wolfman has a KLR650-specific harness to mount the Explorer tank bag. > I am quite satisfied with it. > > Mark

Wolfman is THE bag for the KLR650. Good quality materials, good construction, good fit, easy to use. I have had mine for 3 years and routinely beat the crap out of it, left in the rain, left in the desert sun, dusted off the ice, spilled beer and soda from leaking cans, hosed off the dust, bugs, mud, etc. It works and it's a custom fit for the KLR tank. Does need a rain cover to be secure from heavy rain. Wolfman guys have a very good rep for service -never heard anyone complain about failure to fix an issue that came up with their bag -I'm feeling warm-n-fuzzy just typing this. Only caveat: If I were on world tour, I might look at the Dual-Star unit as it's a bit larger, similar fit and finish, but more $$. It also needs a rain cover. But more weight on the frontend does effect the handling, so there's that to worry about. Dont listen to me though, I've only tried about 7 tankbags on the KLR. MarkB

[Don Bittle]

> > >> with one major caveat.

It sure looks like a great bag, but one of the things I

> want is to be able to remove it easily and carry it into restaurants > etc. Maybe this isn't the best choice. > Steve

I too am in the market for a bag. I too have decided against Dual Star. Maybe if enough of us think this way, they will make a design change. don

[nakedwaterskier]

wolfman is the only way to go...my kawasaki one sucked and broke in less than 6 months Jeffrey nakedred04

[Scott Critchfield]

I couldn't agree more...Wolfman tank bags kick bootie, and they're worth every penny. Scott -----Original Message----- From: dumbazz_650 [mailto:dumbazz_650@...] Sent: Saturday, January 22, 2005 1:11 PM To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Tank Bags --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Tengai Mark Van Horn wrote:

> At 8:47 PM +0000 1/21/05, Steve H. wrote: > >Forgive me for asking a same old question. ... I see there is a > >Wolfman that fits several models with > >the same straps. Does it fit well ? > > Wolfman has a KLR650-specific harness to mount the Explorer tank bag. > I am quite satisfied with it. > > Mark

Wolfman is THE bag for the KLR650. Good quality materials, good construction, good fit, easy to use. I have had mine for 3 years and routinely beat the crap out of it, left in the rain, left in the desert sun, dusted off the ice, spilled beer and soda from leaking cans, hosed off the dust, bugs, mud, etc. It works and it's a custom fit for the KLR tank. Does need a rain cover to be secure from heavy rain. Wolfman guys have a very good rep for service -never heard anyone complain about failure to fix an issue that came up with their bag -I'm feeling warm-n-fuzzy just typing this. Only caveat: If I were on world tour, I might look at the Dual-Star unit as it's a bit larger, similar fit and finish, but more $$. It also needs a rain cover. But more weight on the frontend does effect the handling, so there's that to worry about. Dont listen to me though, I've only tried about 7 tankbags on the KLR. MarkB List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: www.dualsportnews.com List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html Yahoo! Groups Links

[Gregory Caruso]

Check out this site, a frend told me about it, several different types of tank bags. Greg --------------------------------- Yahoo! Mail goes everywhere you do. Get it on your phone. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[game_warden2]

Does anyone know of a good Tank bag. I am looking for one that the map case is actually usable and that has several pockets. Thanks, Mike