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
In a message dated 7/9/2009 1:00:14 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,
pentax@... writes:
I ordered a pair of 1450 cases for the '08, and then sent a message to
Tim at Happy Trails about the mounts.
The result was that I got back a note from Happy Trails telling me what
I needed at $50, (this goes on 3/4 inch square tube racks), which are
now ordered. Total price about $320 all up.
******A note for Canadian KLRistas. I checked prices at a bunch of
places on the net, and although the prices were lower than Custom Case
in Ontario, some of the shipping fees were lethal. One company had low
pricing, but the shipping fees were $138 US !!!. Custom Case shipping
fees are zero, this could be a special, but worth checking if you are in
the market.
That should be at least useful info for those of us that are allergic to
the cost of aluminium cases.
DC
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