--- In
DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Martin Gunderson" wrote:
> I recently purchased Wolfman Expedition Rear Saddle Bags and Tank
> Panniers for my 2008 KLR in preperation for a trip from LA to
> Honduras.
>
> My thinking was that they were advertised as water resistant to
> waterproof without the hassle of rain covers.
I probably would have gone with Ortliebs, which are advertised as
water PROOF, not water RESISTANT.
> My first question is does anybody have personal experience with this
> product at all, and how have you found them in general, and
> specifically in rain.
I have the tank panniers and the tank bag. In general I'm not overly
impressed by the mounting system for either even though they're
supposed to work on my '02 KLR, to the point where I don't use the
tank panniers anymore, I use non-waterproof Aerostich tank panniers
with plastic bag liners. The 'Stich's tend to fill up with water in
the rain so I don't put anything that would melt into them in case a
bag liner springs a leak (generally my engine oil, WD-40, and chain
oil goes up there in a big trip, along with a spare tube for the rear
if it's a *really* big trip, and a bag of tools that I'd prefer not to
get wet but it's no disaster if it *does* get wet). So it goes. The
tank bag doesn't mount well, but it's a nice size for a dual sport and
thus far hasn't gotten any water in it (but of course it is protected
by the windshield too, even my old non-waterproof tank bags rarely got
water in them). I'm not a big fan of tank bags but this one is a
reasonable place to stash my camera and sunglasses on a big trip so it
gets put up there every time I head off to put a couple thousand miles
on my KLR.
In general I'm not overly impressed by Wolfman's gear and prefer to
use alternatives when available. The Aerostich tank paniers are larger
than the Wolfmans and mount more easily, Ortlieb dry bags are
guaranteed waterproof and lots of folks here like them.
> My question now is to live with what I have, or is there really a
> complete solution that anyone feels strongly about. And yes....I want
> to stay with soft sided. I have a huge Givi Trunk up top for the
> delicate stuff.
A complete solution doesn't seem in the cards. I have a rather
mix-and-match luggage system for my KLR. Craigslist here in the Bay
area is a good way to get rid of stuff that doesn't work for ya
without the hassles of fleaBay...
-E