Wilsons Sandbox

I'm trying to evaluate the two following products based on webpage pictures. Are there any opinions out there that mght point to best choice? It looks like the happy-trails setup might be better if I plan on having tank panniers (likely). The sw-motech looks like it's more stout but with fewer mounting points but also has aux headlight mounts built into them. http://www.happy-trail.com/KLR650/PD-Nerf-Special-KLR650E.aspx http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productview/3809/653/ RJ Kochen 08 Kawasaki KLR650 * 99 BMW R1100rt IBA * BMWMOA * KCBMWMC * KC HOAME Club * AMA * RomeoRiders

I have the HT front PD nerf bars and the rear "OSR" (original side racks) on my 2006 and I like them.... and they have hit the ground (sand, dirt and hard stony dirt) on several occasions with no damage to anything (except for me). I have the 2006 KLR650 model of HT PD Nerf and OSR racks. If it was me I would lean toward those Happy Trails items. The 2008+ front setup pictured includes the footpegs and the skid plate for $299. That is definitely cheaper than what I paid for the comparable HT items for my 2006. Almost $100 cheaper if I remember correctly (the skid plate was the additional cost item on my purchase from HT). Also the OSR rear side racks for the 2008+ are about $100 cheaper than I paid from HT as well. So for $200 less you would be getting the comparable HT items for your model year KLR. Of course you may not want the OSR depending on what you were planning to mount on the rear of your bike maybe you would want a different model for mounting panniers or other bags, like their "SU" model rear racks or something. For my use (mostly trail exploration) the OSR rear racks were a match. I like them. -Mike

--- On [b]Sun, 11/7/10, Robert Kochen [i][/i][/b] wrote: From: Robert Kochen Subject: [DSN_KLR650] KLR650E crashbars To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Date: Sunday, November 7, 2010, 6:49 PM   I'm trying to evaluate the two following products based on webpage pictures. Are there any opinions out there that mght point to best choice? It looks like the happy-trails setup might be better if I plan on having tank panniers (likely). The sw-motech looks like it's more stout but with fewer mounting points but also has aux headlight mounts built into them. http://www.happy-trail.com/KLR650/PD-Nerf-Special-KLR650E.aspx http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productview/3809/653/ RJ Kochen 08 Kawasaki KLR650 * 99 BMW R1100rt IBA * BMWMOA * KCBMWMC * KC HOAME Club * AMA * RomeoRiders

I haven't used the HT ones. I have used the SW-Motech ones and they seem to do what they are supposed to do. I low-sided the bike once (gravel patch on asphalt) and they are intact (not so much for one of the aluminum panniers). The bike has been on its side perhaps 20 times or more fully loaded (HT/Pelican combo) including having to drag/rotate the bike on course gravel/dirt so I could lift it. The plastics, radiator, etc. are still fully intact and the finish on the guards is not bad, all things considered. Couple notes: * aux light mount location vulnerable to damage by projectiles, rocks, etc. (or the surface if they bike is on its side ) and vibrates a lot -- it depends what you are doing with the bike -- and what type of lighting. Highway/fog lighting OK, but for other lighting applications you might want the lights much higher. * foot peg mounts are acceptable on the SW -- I found them to provide just enough length to stretch my legs out on long stretches of interstate but, admittedly, other set ups I have seen look like they give you more leg room. Is there a trade off? Clearance? * as for luggage, I used some small ammo bags on the "loop" portion of the bars which was enough for spare inner tubes, and easy access rags. I know someone who mounted small pelicans here as well. Luggage fitment for other brand might be better. * the shrouds on KLR650 08+ are not symmetrical. The radiator side sticks out more. Therefore the clearance for the left side guards is tighter. Early on my plastic got a ground down a little by the guards (not particularly visible because of the guard). Maybe a rubber bumper or more carefully fitment of the plastic on my behalf would have help. * SW-Motechs make getting the shrouds off fairly difficult compared to w/o the guard. Someone with another brand will have to weight in here for other experiences.

On 10-11-07 06:49 PM, Robert Kochen wrote: > > > I'm trying to evaluate the two following products based on webpage > pictures. Are there any opinions out there that mght point to best choice? > > It looks like the happy-trails setup might be better if I plan on having > tank panniers (likely). > > The sw-motech looks like it's more stout but with fewer mounting points > but also has aux headlight mounts built into them. > > http://www.happy-trail.com/KLR650/PD-Nerf-Special-KLR650E.aspx > > http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productview/3809/653/ > > RJ Kochen > 08 Kawasaki KLR650 * 99 BMW R1100rt > IBA * BMWMOA * KCBMWMC * KC HOAME Club * AMA * RomeoRiders

Here we go again didn't we just have this discussion, Honda V4 great if your a class AAA rider 9ft tall "Blah Blah" Stelvio same,not knocking your info fred just the move to and the preponderance of big touring  / offroad bikes,More appropriat is the new BMW G650GS It's a little heavier than the KLR and more expensive, almost twice as much again i fear but has three different height settings for the seat, 29.5, 31.is standard and 32,5,fuel injection, heated grips,ABS standard,and they say it gets better milage than the KLR. So if your wallet has mucho dinaro rolling around in it the small Beemer might be the way to go,the Triumph is untested yet so who knows and i think the weight is up there with the other big rigs,maybe someone will get it right someday untill then we have our tried and trusted KLR with some of It's warts which are all fixable,i guess we all want to much,my 2c.                                                                                            Stu. To: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com From: moabmc@... Date: Mon, 8 Nov 2010 06:47:12 -0700 Subject: [DSN_KLR650] New Adventure bikes   Check out the latest adventure bikes from Honda, Moto Guzzi and Triumph:   http://world.honda.com/news/2010/2101102V4-Crosstourer/   http://www.motoguzzi-us.com/en_US/prodotti/touring/stelvio/stelvio_1200_4v/default.aspx   http://www.triumph.co.uk/usa/13594_13598.aspx Fred www.arrowheadmotorsports.com #ygrps-yiv-271788180 .ygrps-yiv-271788180ExternalClass #ygrps-yiv-271788180ecxygrp-mkp {border:1px solid #d8d8d8;font-family:Arial;padding:0 10px;} #ygrps-yiv-271788180 .ygrps-yiv-271788180ExternalClass #ygrps-yiv-271788180ecxygrp-mkp hr {border:1px solid #d8d8d8;} #ygrps-yiv-271788180 .ygrps-yiv-271788180ExternalClass #ygrps-yiv-271788180ecxygrp-mkp #ygrps-yiv-271788180ecxhd {color:#628c2a;font-size:85%;font-weight:700;line-height:122%;} #ygrps-yiv-271788180 .ygrps-yiv-271788180ExternalClass #ygrps-yiv-271788180ecxygrp-mkp #ygrps-yiv-271788180ecxads {margin-bottom:10px;} #ygrps-yiv-271788180 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