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Saddle bag help please

8K views 20 replies 9 participants last post by  larry31 
#1 ·
Hello everyone, I just received Cortech 2.0 sport saddle bags and would love to use them on my '09 KLR. I'm having issues keeping the bags away far enough away from the muffler. I tried searching the forum but nothing of use came back. Are saddle bag racks an unavoidable purchase?
 
#2 ·
Saddlebags



Check my KLR web page... http://www.powers31.info/2011_KLR650.htm
(Scroll down to saddlebag frames... about 3 pix's down.)

They work great for me. Even helps if you have to lift the ol'girl from a nap.
Gives a solid gripping point.
 
#3 ·
Thanks Larry, that's really helpful. Would you be able to go into a little detail on the process of manufacturing the SU racks? It looks like my saddle bags and yours have some major differences. I have I might have to make something different in order to make it work. I wanted to use the loop above the passenger pegs as a tie down point but I fear the straps will be too close to the muffler.
 
#6 ·
#5 ·
I think racks are the sensible option. So, naturally, I don't have them. ;)

The PO had some aging saddle bags on the bike when I bought it. There was no rack, but they seemed fine.

Then after two years of normal operation, on a well-laden trip, part of my side panel and part of the bag decided to melt away. Maybe one of the standoffs finally got pushed close enough to the exhaust, or maybe the bag sagged close enough to restrict airflow. I don't know.

I bent out the standoff for the side panel a little, and then built another standoff out of a piece of metal and a hose clamp. On top of all that, I put a $5 silicone hot pad, attached to the bike with a twisted up paperclip. I believe that's what they use on BMWs, as well. :thumb:

My aging bag is sagging more, especially since the plastic backing decided to bend up in the heat. I carry a short 1x4 for hoisting up the bike for flats, and I stand that up in the bag to prop it out a bit, as well.

Basically this is all adding up to me eventually buying replacement soft bags and probably a rack—just as soon as I run out of paperclips and duct tape. ;)
 
#9 ·
These might also be an option for you. I don't use saddlebags, but they would provide clearance away from the exhaust and they're also handy for lashing stuff down and as additional grab handles for, say, wrestling your KLR out of a mudhole.
The price is right on those. $100 to the door.

Downside: You have to take them off to remove the side panels.
That is an annoyance. If I had them, I might be encouraged to make a release for the seat that didn't require me to take off the panels.
 
#20 ·
Merry Christmas....justjeff
Merry Christmas to you and to yours, justjeff! May Boxing Day fulfill your every wish!

(In Canada, you may safely wish, "Merry Christmas;" however, here in the USA, uttering "Christmas" in a greeting may get one picketed and sanctioned by the American Civil Liberties Union, perhaps charged with some alleged Constitutional violation, maybe fined, and sued for discrimination.)

Merry Christmas, anyway! :)
 
#19 ·
That's good to know, thank you everyone :). It's my first KLR(second bike) and comparing with my car the temp gauge on the klr acts awfully funny (constantly moving needle) where the car always stats in the middle. My first bike was air cooled and had no temp gauge, but did have a fuel gauge....
 
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