Don't get us wrong socalrob. If those are the bags you can afford and want, that's fantastic and I truly hope you show them off here when you get em. RidingDonkeys offered an alternative solution for very little money....also fantastic. We here at CafeHusky are all about helping others get on our bikes and making them do what we want them to do within our personal budgets.....WITHOUT JUDGMENT. We teach, we share, we care for our fellow CafeHuskiers.
I've always like to keep weight low on the bike, primarily for balance purposes. Top boxes (not all) tend to catch a lot of air. I'll throw something up there when I need it, but not for everyday riding. Hard and soft bags each have their purpose. For this bike, I'll be doing a mix of roads, offroad, and even commuting. I've pretty much decided on the Ortlieb QLR2's for offroad and commuting. It will be nice to pull up to work and pull my "gym bag" off the rack quickly and carry it inside. On the days that I need hard bags, which should be minimal, I'm going to have a set of pimped out ammo cans. The goal is maximum versatility, and both having quick detach options will let me swap them between bikes.
It seems that 'adventure' bikes = adventure in outfitting them. Anyone have the internal dimensions on the larger ammo cans?
I've got pretty close numbers. I keep a document with measurements for most things military so when I have to pack an ISU, I can account for space. I think these are the external measurements, but the walls aren't thick enough to really make much of a difference. 20mm cans are 8.25x14.25x18.5 30mm cans are 9.5x14.25x18.5
You will need racks for the aluminum boxes as well, bringing the total cost to $1500 plus installation costs. If you have no time to tinker, I'd say at least 2 hours labor charge from the shop to mount the racks and boxes. They will look good going down the road for sure.
These are 7.5"x14.5"x17.5" 20mm (I think) cans on my wife's Versys mounted on a SW-Motech Evo-rack with the Happy Trails pucks: She has dropped the bike loaded and unloaded numerous times with the ammo cans mounted. The ammo boxes are incredible sturdy, almost indestructible. The SW-Motech racks actually bent at one of her get-offs and the ammo cans had just scratches and a very small ding. Biggest drawback is there weight: a whopping 20 lbs each! Aluminium boxes the same size weigh in at about 11 or 12 lbs I think but cost a lot more. To shed weight i started redesigning the boxes and ended up cutting off about 6 lbs: Ended up with this: Added hinges in the back and lockable, keyed-alike draw latches. They just need some final touches and a satin-black paint job and they are ready to go. Once they are painted they will look the part. Just started converting a set for my Terra. I think 14 lbs each is a manageable weight for some sturdy sidecases? Outfitting ones bike with luggage is a very personal thing. I really don't want to spend/don't have $1000 ore more on a luggage system for my hobby.
Nope. I just plan on building my own. The how will depend on the racks I end up with. Still holding out for Happy Trails.
I am happy with Zega pro panniers...as my daily truck. I will also have giant loop saddle as more demanding in Baja 100mile dirt tracks looking for places to paraglide the dunes on the coast will need rotopaxs on tt rack with gl-loops somehow over seat and on rotopaxs
I like Berg's stuff, and the price is competitive. They're minimally obtrusive with no bags mounted - and the Wolfman bags make a nice combo that can be done for a reasonable cost. Definitely the way I'm going to go.
Rack is very strong! ...and with my custom tail holder...tail is locked in no movement at all...me likey
No I sold em with the S10. I'm running Nomad Rider bags(GL Great Basin clone) on the TR, want to keep the weight down on the Husky.
