Pannier Opinions, please

[pqsqac]

That's too funny about your wife, I think mine would rather ride with me then drive with me! I'm going with 35's as well at 70L total we are still ahead of the OEM boxes which I think are a total of 64L. I agree that life time guarantee is a big seller plus Roger seems like a good guy to do business with. When are you thinking of ordering yours?

 

[keeponriding]

Old joke...I like fast cars and faster women...though at my age, I have to make do with fast cars...which she doesn't like at all. She also doesn't appreciate MCs...when I told her my first act upon retiring was to ride the bike to Alaska...she stopped, blinked and asked "Why?"...she's wonderful in all respects, but there are times I do confound her, just being me.

Roger has a 30 day return, and said as long as he asks Visa for credit within 60 days , he's ok (after that, VISA makes it a hassle and charges him fees)...so I don't want to order them too early....in case I put them on and really don't like them.

I was going to check delivery status July 6, my dealer thought he would know his receipt date 30 days ahead of time, and I would like to order 14 days before I pick up at the dealer.

What about you?

 

[fredz43]

Hey Fred where did you see the 1200 on the HB website I couldn't even find it listed in the drop down menu of bikes. Could you post a link if there are pics?
Thanks

The HB web site shows 30's on both sides for the XT1200Z. I thought that was strange,/quote]

When I was looking at these ,amotostuff had a link on their site to download the Hepco Becker catalog. When I saw the listing for 30 L bags on both sides of the XT1200z, I emailed amotostuff to ask them to measure the offest and that is when they replied that it was 25 mm more on the exhaust side. That is .59 inch.

It used to be you could click on the HB logo to get the catalog, but I don't see that now. I may have saved it on my home PC, I will have to look tonight.

 

[pqsqac]

Probably around the same time frame as you I want to get my financing in place for the bike before I make any large purchases of farkles. I'm hoping my dealer will give me a VIN when the time draws near than I can contact my Credit Union for the loan and have all ready when the bike pulls in.

 

[keeponriding]

I've got funds saved for farkles (at this point just bags, bars with fway pegs and skid plate) and bike downpayment; I'm financing through Yamaha (5.9% is ok)...I'm more waiting to see what everyone says about skid plate and bars.

I like the ADVRider plate and Motech bars...but am hoping additional comments help me solidify my decision...like this discussion on bags.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

That's too funny about your wife, I think mine would rather ride with me then drive with me! I'm going with 35's as well at 70L total we are still ahead of the OEM boxes which I think are a total of 64L.

So what is the deciding factor on selecting the 35 vs 36 vs 40. I have not yet studied these bags enough to know why to select one over the other. My concerns will be width and ground clearance when scraping the pegs through the twisties.

 

[pqsqac]

It's personal choice for the most part, The 35L are about the same size diameter as the OEM boxes. I didn't want to go too large in box size for a few reasons and felt the 35's fit my space needs for what I'm hauling and for the type of riding I like to do. I love taking corners also. All three boxes are the same thickness but they get bigger in diameter.

So what is the deciding factor on selecting the 35 vs 36 vs 40. I have not yet studied these bags enough to know why to select one over the other. My concerns will be width and ground clearance when scraping the pegs through the twisties.

 

[keeponriding]

I agree with Vince...plus, I'd like to keep my weight down. I find the stuff I need fits into 35ll and I also feel like the amount of stuff I end up packing tends to grow to fill the capacity available.

 

[tiogajoe]

I went with the 36l bags because they are almost 4lbs lighter than (per set) than the 35l. The HB rack is very sturdy. Capacity wise the are very close.

 

[pqsqac]

This is very good info, I think the 36l have the easier to use latches as well is that true?

I went with the 36l bags because they are almost 4lbs lighter than (per set) than the 35l. The HB rack is very sturdy. Capacity wise the are very close.

 

[keeponriding]

Well, shoot....the weight difference would make me go 36l too.

 

[pqsqac]

Hey Anthony I'm thinking the same thing and I don't know if you know this but the 36L are Storm IM2600 Cases versus the 35L are Pelican 1550 Cases. Also if you haven't watched the video that Roger puts on check out the latch setup on the 36 versus the 35. The 36 are much easier with a push button setup but the 35 are a harder snap latch type. You can see Roger sort of push down hard with the 35L latch. For the same price we can increase to 72 Liters of space and save 4lbs. I even opened up the website of the 35's on the BMW 1200 and the 36's on the same bike just to compare the difference. You can see the 36L is slightly bigger on the bike. Here is the video link and both cases on the Bmer. One other note of interest Roger told me the 35L are a rougher flat black exterior but the 36 & 40's are smooth glossier black finish and if you plan on putting reflective tape on your cases Roger tested a lot of brands including 3M and only found one that would stick to these cases. I included the link for that as well. It's pricey for tape but at least it stays on.
http://www.youtube.com/user/cariboucases
http://cariboucases.com/store/?name=Catalog&mode=i&item=000011 35Liter on BMW 1200GS
http://cariboucases.com/store/?name=Catalog&mode=i&item=000108 36 Liter on the BMW 1200GS
http://cariboucases.com/store/?name=Catalog&mode=i&item=000378 Reflective Tape

Well, shoot....the weight difference would make me go 36l too.

 

[tiogajoe]

Not knocking the 35l. I realy wanted them in gray. The latches are finger smashers. I have the 36l storms in the basement ready to go. The only thing that I see different from other side racks are the cases come on and off the bike from the rear as opposed to lifting them off the bike. Might be a problem pushing the bike off the side/center stand until ya get the hang of it. heck it's a new bike, probaly should just knock it over as soon as I get her home Then that first drop is out of the way.

 

[pqsqac]

Thanks for the tip on the 35l latches they do look a tad tough to close in the vid. Can you explain this a little more what you wrote? Are you saying because of the cases coming off from the rear it will be hard to move the bike off the stands? I'm not following this color me dense.

Might be a problem pushing the bike off the side/center stand until ya get the hang of it. heck it's a new bike, probaly should just knock it over as soon as I get her home Then that first drop is out of the way.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Hey Anthony I'm thinking the same thing and I don't know if you know this but the 36L are Storm IM2600 Cases versus the 35L are Pelican 1550 Cases. Also if you haven't watched the video that Roger puts on check out the latch setup on the 36 versus the 35. The 36 are much easier with a push button setup but the 35 are a harder snap latch type.

Great video, very informative. I think of all three options available I would definitely go with the 36L case. Thanks for posting the vid.

 

[pqsqac]

No problem at all I think the 36L are my new choice as well. In the vid Roger calls the 36L Pelicans but the website says Storms so maybe they are Pelican Storms like make and model I'm guessing.

Great video, very informative. I think of all three options available I would definitely go with the 36L case. Thanks for posting the vid.

 

[Don in Lodi]

Xploremoto has more pictures up for the Jesse bags if anybody wants to see. $1250 though.

 

[mrpincher]

Re: Pannier Opinions, reflective tape

Hey guys -

That Solas reflective tape looks very similar in pattern, color, width as the stuff in Harbor Freight for $4.99.

http://www.harborfreight.com/2-inch-x-6-ft-red-and-white-reflective-tape-98314.html

I'm in the same boat as you fellas. I picked up some 40l storm cases and am going to mount them with the Twisted Throttle mount. I'll go pick up a roll of that HF tape and see how it sticks. Surely someone else already has tried that stuff??? I'll let ya know how firm she feels, attached that is. :

I went with the pelicans and went in it cheap. I intend to buy some metal panniers at a later date. I want to watch how the R&D unfolds over the next year or so. Maybe I'll be surprised with the pelicans and won't want to upgrade.?

 

[Kevhunts]

Re: Pannier Opinions, reflective tape

That Solas reflective tape looks very similar in pattern, color, width as the stuff in Harbor Freight for $4.99.

That tape may look simlar but it's not the same as Solas which is marine grade.
There are other types of reflective tape, some may even reflect more than Solas but, it's more about the adhesiveness?

Here's another source...http://www.identi-tape.com/solas.html

 

[keeponriding]

Thanks for posting the vid, Vince...I'm sold;

After watching the video, I'm going for the 36L...the price, lifetime guarantee and overall design have convinced me. Plus, looking at the mounting on the Beemer, it doesn't look like symmetry will be that much of a problem.

Now, to make a final decision on skid plate and crash bars!

Anthony