do saddlebags cause overheating?

[rockiedog2]

Getting ready to try the Prudhoe Bay trip...wondering if I should go to a 16T front sprocket(43T rear) since by far the vast majority of miles will be highway, but with lots of gravel/maybe mud. Considering the heavy load, and drag of the aluminum panniers, I don't want to overgear the thing and lug it down. Also don't want to be limited to a higher than desired minimum speed if it gets really nasty. What would you guys who have done it recommend? Also I thought I would run the Bridgestone UHD tubes but the sizes don't match...will an 18 inch tube work in a 17 inch tire? Which tube for a 120/70/18 front...110/100/18? or ? Thx Joe

[Walter Mitty]

I did the trip using the equivalent of a 17T (actually 15/38), no problem. Once you get to Canada the speed limits will be lower and the same for Alaska. There ain't the need really for higher gearing to maintain 70+ mph. I had no problem with flats (knocks on wood) using cheap generic tubes. I did carry a spare front tube but neither it nor the patch kit got used. I would use the 16T you are gonna see lotsa long highways. rockiedog2 wrote: Getting ready to try the Prudhoe Bay trip...wondering if I should go to a 16T front sprocket(43T rear) since by far the vast majority of miles will be highway, but with lots of gravel/maybe mud. Considering the heavy load, and drag of the aluminum panniers, I don't want to overgear the thing and lug it down. Also don't want to be limited to a higher than desired minimum speed if it gets really nasty. What would you guys who have done it recommend? Also I thought I would run the Bridgestone UHD tubes but the sizes don't match...will an 18 inch tube work in a 17 inch tire? Which tube for a 120/70/18 front...110/100/18? or ? Thx Joe --------------------------------- Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Tumu Rock]

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

> > OK, I might be over thinking things, but here is my question; > > "I have a Happy Trails SU Rack and am getting ready to install Pelican > 1520's sold side saddlebags. So, does anyone have experience with, or > a guess, at whether side bags restrict air flow, or cause the buildup > of heat around the muffler, and cause overheating on long rides?" > > Just wondering? > > Eddie (03' KLR 650 - "la poderosa") >

I use soft saddle bags currently ($15 for the pair at a military surplus in NYC) and they didn't melt, so I wouldn't worry about hard bags... unless you're running a Supertrapp witht the external discs. Those push the exhaust out sideways and might cause problems. It did on my old KLR, but then again, that was with the fabric saddle bags. da Vermonster