[dsn_klr650] how to lower a klr650

[Robert Kochen]

I will eventually add bags to my 08 KLR and have been looking at options, Pelican vs. Wolfman Expedition. I actually like the looks of both and cost is not out of the question for either. Installation looks to be a bit more complicated with the Pelican cases. Any pros or cons for either? Weight issues? Easily removable? How about something I haven't looked at instead of Pelican or Wolfman? RJ Kochen 08 Kawasaki KLR650 * 99 BMW R1100rt * 81 HONDA CB900C IBA * BMWMOA * KCBMWMC * KC HOAME Club * AMA * RomeoRiders

[John Biccum]

Attachments : Pelican cases are cheap, light and nearly indestructible.  They do a very credible job of protecting your legs in the event of a drop.  They are completely watertight and the latches are very “positive” (you will never have the latch in a half-closed position, unlike the Givi).

 

Whether they are easily removable is determined by how they are mounted.  The Caribou setup I have on my KLR allows the bags to be removed in seconds without tools.  The setup I have on my WeeStrom uses the same Pelican cases  (1550s) as I have on the KLR but reuses the Suzuki factory case mounts.  These cases are “10-minute removable” but I have yet to find a reason to remove them.

 

I just wish the lid on the 1550s was an inch or so deeper so the case could swallow a full-face helmet.

 

IMHO Pelican cases  are [b]much[/b] better motorcycle luggage than bespoke motorcycle luggage such as the Givi, Hepco-Becker, etc.  They are much like the KLR-and for that matter many KLR owners-: unattractive, cheap and practical J

 

 

[b]From:[/b] DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com [mailto:DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com] [b]On Behalf Of [/b]Robert Kochen [b]Sent:[/b] Saturday, July 31, 2010 7:55 AM [b]To:[/b] DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com [b]Subject:[/b] [DSN_KLR650] Pelican or soft bags

 

 

I will eventually add bags to my 08 KLR and have been looking at options, Pelican vs. Wolfman Expedition. I actually like the looks of both and cost is not out of the question for either. Installation looks to be a bit more complicated with the Pelican cases. Any pros or cons for either? Weight issues? Easily removable? How about something I haven't looked at instead of Pelican or Wolfman? RJ Kochen 08 Kawasaki KLR650 * 99 BMW R1100rt * 81 HONDA CB900C IBA * BMWMOA * KCBMWMC * KC HOAME Club * AMA * RomeoRiders

[sh8knj8kster]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Robert Kochen" wrote:

> > I will eventually add bags to my 08 KLR and have been looking at options, Pelican vs. Wolfman Expedition. I actually like the looks of both and cost is not out of the question for either. Installation looks to be a bit more complicated with the Pelican cases. > > Any pros or cons for either? Weight issues? Easily removable? How about something I haven't looked at instead of Pelican or Wolfman? > > RJ Kochen > 08 Kawasaki KLR650 * 99 BMW R1100rt * 81 HONDA CB900C > IBA * BMWMOA * KCBMWMC * KC HOAME Club * AMA * RomeoRiders >

~~~A set of 1430 Pelican cases came installed on the KTM ADV I picked up in Baltimore earlier this month. I took a few pics of how they're mounted and put them in a set on flickr- http://www.flickr.com/photos/26137108@N04/sets/72157624498770621/ A set of Gobi bags also came with the bike. The 2nd owner of this bike installed the Pelican cases. First owner used the Gobi's for a short while then sold the bike to the PO (whom I bought it from). The PO didn't care for how wide the bike was with the Gobi's, so he bought and installed the Pelicans. The 1430 isn't a very large case in any direction but a pair will hold quite a lot This is my first experience with Pelican cases on a motorcycle. So far I like them. Ease of use (latching and unlatching the top loading lid) is intuitive the way the latches work Jake Reddick Fla. Be Who You Are and Say What You Feel Because Those Who Mind Don't Matter and Those Who Matter Don't Mind http://www.shakinjake.blogspot.com/

[David Critchley]

I found that the volume of the 1430 cases is exactly the same as my old soft bags, and they have the virtue of being waterproof. DC D Critchley

On 31/07/2010 13:35, sh8knj8kster wrote:   --- In DSN_KLR650%40yahoogroups.com, "Robert Kochen" bobkochen@... wrote: > > I will eventually add bags to my 08 KLR and have been looking at options, Pelican vs. Wolfman Expedition. I actually like the looks of both and cost is not out of the question for either. Installation looks to be a bit more complicated with the Pelican cases. >

[Shane]

Robert The one thing you didn't mention is the intended use of the bike. Do you intend to travel, or pose? Will you be touring GringoLandia, or enjoying the true freedom of a Third World Country? The Pelicans are without question the best for real touring. In a Third World country you can expect to find your soft bags cut open and cleaned out. In GringoLandia a theif will simply jack the entire bike, LOTS of that here in S. FL.! The soft bags are easier to deal with, and cheaper. Hard cases can be dangerous in some situations. Personally I strap a 1550 Pelican to the top rack and go. If it won't fit I don't need it. But then I have not yet done more than 15 days touring continuous. I travel a bit more spartan than average though. I was sent to Kenya by a customer in my shop to collect a truck in '99. I was 3 months- rebuild the engine & brakes- and sell the truck. I took a single backpack only. That included tools, some parts, 3 days food, all clothing and camping gear.

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Robert Kochen" wrote: > > I will eventually add bags to my 08 KLR and have been looking at options, Pelican vs. Wolfman Expedition. I actually like the looks of both and cost is not out of the question for either. Installation looks to be a bit more complicated with the Pelican cases. > > Any pros or cons for either? Weight issues? Easily removable? How about something I haven't looked at instead of Pelican or Wolfman? > > RJ Kochen > 08 Kawasaki KLR650 * 99 BMW R1100rt * 81 HONDA CB900C > IBA * BMWMOA * KCBMWMC * KC HOAME Club * AMA * RomeoRiders >

[RJ Kochen]

Message Shane, One thing I don't consider myself is a poser. Had to chuckle a bit when I read that. Butt, on the other hand I doubt I'll be in too many third world countries. I do have a trip planned to Prudhoe Bay in a year or two. Maybe a border to border ironbutt ride as well so I may indeed be in Mexico.   I hadn't thought about the theft aspect and I guess I should. Leaning toward the 1550 Pelican cases.   RJ Kochen 08 Kawasaki KLR650   *   99 BMW R1100rt   *   81 HONDA CB900C IBA   *   BMWMOA   *   KCBMWMC  *  KC HOAME Club   *   AMA   *   RomeoRiders

-----Original Message----- [b]From:[/b] DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com [mailto:DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com] [b]On Behalf Of [/b]Shane [b]Sent:[/b] Saturday, July 31, 2010 8:48 PM [b]To:[/b] DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com [b]Subject:[/b] [DSN_KLR650] Re: Pelican or soft bags   Robert The one thing you didn't mention is the intended use of the bike. Do you intend to travel, or pose? Will you be touring GringoLandia, or enjoying the true freedom of a Third World Country? The Pelicans are without question the best for real touring. In a Third World country you can expect to find your soft bags cut open and cleaned out. In GringoLandia a theif will simply jack the entire bike, LOTS of that here in S. FL.! The soft bags are easier to deal with, and cheaper. Hard cases can be dangerous in some situations. Personally I strap a 1550 Pelican to the top rack and go. If it won't fit I don't need it. But then I have not yet done more than 15 days touring continuous. I travel a bit more spartan than average though. I was sent to Kenya by a customer in my shop to collect a truck in '99. I was 3 months- rebuild the engine & brakes- and sell the truck. I took a single backpack only. That included tools, some parts, 3 days food, all clothing and camping gear. --- In DSN_KLR650%40yahoogroups.com, "Robert Kochen" wrote: > > I will eventually add bags to my 08 KLR and have been looking at options, Pelican vs. Wolfman Expedition. I actually like the looks of both and cost is not out of the question for either. Installation looks to be a bit more complicated with the Pelican cases. > > Any pros or cons for either? Weight issues? Easily removable? How about something I haven't looked at instead of Pelican or Wolfman? > > RJ Kochen > 08 Kawasaki KLR650 * 99 BMW R1100rt * 81 HONDA CB900C > IBA * BMWMOA * KCBMWMC * KC HOAME Club * AMA * RomeoRiders >

[Jud]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Robert Kochen" wrote:

> > I will eventually add bags to my 08 KLR and have been looking at options, Pelican vs. Wolfman Expedition. I actually like the looks of both and cost is not out of the question for either. Installation looks to be a bit more complicated with the Pelican cases. > > Any pros or cons for either? Weight issues? Easily removable? How about something I haven't looked at instead of Pelican or Wolfman? > > RJ Kochen > 08 Kawasaki KLR650 * 99 BMW R1100rt * 81 HONDA CB900C > IBA * BMWMOA * KCBMWMC * KC HOAME Club * AMA * RomeoRiders >

For me, the choice is always between Givi E21s and Ortlieb clipons. The E21s usually win out, in part because I have to remove the Givi wedges and spools from my racks to make the Ortliebs fit really well. I also like the appearance of security that hard bags give in an urban commuting environment. But the biggest point in favor of the E21s is not their top-loading convenience, but their relatively small size, which discourages me from bringing way more crap than I need. As for my choice of soft bags, the Wolfmans make no claim to be waterproof, while the Ortliebs really are.

[fasteddiecopeman]

Robert, I'm a fan of soft bags, MAINLY because they shouldn't break your leg if you go down with them on your leg. Ed

[Tengai Mark Van Horn]

But, they also can protect your leg (and stay intact) if you go down with them not on your leg. Mark At 5:14 PM +0000 8/1/10, fasteddiecopeman wrote:

>Robert, >I'm a fan of soft bags, MAINLY because they shouldn't break your leg >if you go down with them on your leg. >Ed

[skypilot110]

Pelicans or Aluminum give you some crash protection but also allow you to lock your stuff. If you are not going out of country this may not be that important. If I am south of the border I lock everything important. I have also had the bike proped on the panniers once or twice to fix tires and change oil Softbags on the other hand are easy to pull off if you just want to go explore in the surrounding towns. You can even pick them up and carry them into work wich makes an easy way to carry a laptop, papers and a luch Comes down to what you are doing with the bike.

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Robert Kochen" wrote: > > I will eventually add bags to my 08 KLR and have been looking at options, Pelican vs. Wolfman Expedition. I actually like the looks of both and cost is not out of the question for either. Installation looks to be a bit more complicated with the Pelican cases. > > Any pros or cons for either? Weight issues? Easily removable? How about something I haven't looked at instead of Pelican or Wolfman? > > RJ Kochen > 08 Kawasaki KLR650 * 99 BMW R1100rt * 81 HONDA CB900C > IBA * BMWMOA * KCBMWMC * KC HOAME Club * AMA * RomeoRiders >