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What top case and side panniers do you like best on your KLR and why?

34K views 22 replies 14 participants last post by  fradsham 
#1 ·
I am trying to get my 2011 KLR dialed in and want to put on some side panniers and a top box but can't decide which ones. I really love the look of the ammo cans but hear they are very heavy. I see alot of people moving over to the Pelican route but wonder if they are big enough? And not sure about the side loading. I like the idea of top loaders and have had Jesse's in the past and also the BMW Aluminums on some of my previous GSA bikes. But the whole idea of me selling my GSA's for the KLR was to save money and still ride with a smile since I know I don't have my entire savings account invested in my bike. lol.. So that takes me back to the ammo cans. Are they gonna be way to much weight for my bike with me on it? I already weigh in at 250 and am 6'5". I also want to add some eagle mikes raising links as big as he makes them... I can pick up some Pelicans for fairly cheap from some hookups I have but like I said I don't know if I would like the side loading. What's your opinion on side panniers? I plan on doing about 50/50 street and dirt.. Then the other option is soft luggage. Wolfman stuff seems real pricey. The Powder River side bags look decent and they are dry bags to boot but don't they they have the same carrying capacity as ammo cans..

Next topic is Top box. I would really like something that is decent size. To me the Pelican's just look funny on a bike and the GIVI's don't even get me started. lol.. It cracks me up when I see a bike with Ammo cans and a Givi top box. But to each his own and hey it's a KLR. It's not supposed to be pretty. I have considered the WalMart totes or whatever it is I have seen on a few KLR's but can't find them at any Walmart I have ever been to. What's your idea of a good top box?

As always Pics and links are always appreciated..

Hoping to buy a dirtracks pannier rack system for mounting my side panniers to.
 
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#2 ·
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This is what I have on my 2011. Pelican Storm 2600's, SW Motec side racks. SW Motec rear rack, SW Motec quick release case adapters. The cases are 35 liter capacity each. The quick release adapters enable the cases to be removed with the turn of a key for packing or taking into a Hotel/Motel. If you need somthing, just pop the case off and open it like a suitcase. No digging to the bottom of a toploader to find something.
On my 2003 that is more dirt oriented I have a set of AdventureSpec Magadan soft bags. There is no US distributor. I ordered them from Great Brittan and had them on my doorstep in 3 days.
Regards....justjeff
 
#3 · (Edited by Moderator)
This is what I have on my 2011. Pelican Storm 2600's, SW Motec side racks. SW Motec rear rack, SW Motec quick release case adapters. The cases are 35 liter capacity each. The quick release adapters enable the cases to be removed with the turn of a key for packing or taking into a Hotel/Motel. If you need somthing, just pop the case off and open it like a suitcase. No digging to the bottom of a toploader to find something.
On my 2003 that is more dirt oriented I have a set of AdventureSpec Magadan soft bags. There is no US distributor. I ordered them from Great Brittan and had them on my doorstep in 3 days.
Regards....justjeff
Hey Justjeff what is your opinion on the Pelicans? Do you like the side loading? Does everything come tumbling out when you open your case? Well I guess not since you have a quick release and can just take them off and set them flat. If they were more permanantly affixed to the bike would you still use them? Or would you look at top load options? Is the Storm 2600 same as the 1550 that everyone seems to use?

Thanks
 
#4 · (Edited)
I'm still trying to decide what luggage to run

I started with these Ex-CHP bags -


Then I went with some of these Seahorse SE720's - Great for around town but the side loading becomes an issue if packed full. Top Case is a factory Kawasaki soft bag. It's nice and expandable, but not very secure for leaving outside.


Then I tried the Wolfman waterproof Soft bags, but didn't like all the straps. This round I'm using a Pelican 1550 for a top case - I think it's heavy and that is what I don't like about Pelicans.


Sometimes I use these cheap Tourmaster bags I got on Craigslist. I don't like the way they sag with a load. Sometimes I run a cheap gun case for around town top case.



Current Favorite and most expensive Happy Trails 7.5 Wide. Only complaint is that the top opening is a little narrow.


Sometimes I use my Aerostitch Tank Panniers as side bags.


My current and most bada$$ top case is the Medium size by Micatech (they are no longer producing these) I have it on their KLR Rack and it's quick release with four 1/4 turn screws.


I think I have MC Luggage OCD...
 
#10 ·
Hidey Ho Neighbors,

Senior Cabrito has the market cornered in the KLR luggage department. I wonder if he has a picture with his bike loaded with all of his bags? Hmmmmm.

He is actually working on a retirement business....Luggage

Snakeboy66
 
#6 ·
I've got the Pelican 1550's and like them. The side loading isn't a big deal for me, I actually prefer it having had a set of ammo cans. I made mine removable on a Pack Rat rack. The left one I have my clothing in. The right one I put in tools and misc. stuff. When the bike is on the side stand the lean is enough so the stuff doesn't come tumbling out when you open the box. My brother made nylon bags to fit in his so that he doesn't have to remove the boxes.

For a top box I use a Givi but forgot the model. Was around $100 and my helmet easily fits in it.

Have a friend with a new model KLR that has a complete Givi bag set up. It's a nice system and comes compete with everything to install on your bike.

The Givi Canada web site has a building tool for specific bikes. The US site isn't as friendly.

http://www.givi.ca/en/moto.php
 
#7 · (Edited)
im using a traxx top box for around town its huge and packs alot of crap and i can lock it .. side bags now are wolfman expeditions and i love them after i had them swap out the plastic buckles for nice steel sinch buckles no i really can suck them in tight ..





 
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#9 ·
its kick butt , i froze my arse on all the inflATEABLES IVE TRIED I CAN USE THIS PAD IN MY HENNESSY HAMMOCK OR MY TENT WITH GREAT COMFORT AND WARMTH ..ITS LINED WITH A MYLAR COATING SO IT REALLY HELPS REFLECT BODY HEAT BACK AND PAD DONT GO FLAT MIDDLE OF NITE ..AND IN A HAMMOCK ITS LIKE HEAVEN ..
 
#11 ·
Hey Ho Dudes,

I mean I only have the pelican 1440 top loaders and made my my others.

Snakeboy66
 

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#19 ·
I'm thinking about getting the oem, they say klr on them looks nice, don't have to get side racks, and they have dual zippers, i dont think I would like the cases that just open from the top...

And before you jokers talk about my exhaust ideas..... I value your opinions and I am soaking it in, maybe stock ain't so bad..... At least until the warranty is up.....

Cheers
 
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