| Author | Message | ||
     Old_mil |
Well, it's time for me to add some hard bags to the Uly so I can do some traveling this summer. I've looked at the various options and am having a difficult time deciding. Weight and how they affect the CG is an issue as the Uly as it is is at the upper end of what I can ride height wise and I don't want to end up with a bike that has CG issues that I drop. I think the touratech bags look the best, but they're also the most expensive...and I also like to buy American when possible. Thoughts? | ||
| Erz |
I can only speak to the Caribou bags. I have a set and LOVE them. They will not hold a helmet however the pelican bags that the caribou system uses are indestructible. Ask any professional photographer which bags are used to transport camera gear across the globe and he will tell you pelican bags. Another plus - the latches will NOT break. I have over packed these bags more than a few times and as I said you can not break them. Another plus is the frame system they mount on. Very clean looking on bike versus the factory bags. Only downside is they do not have the style factor of the factory bags since they look like big attache cases. | ||
| Old_mil |
Did you notice any difference in how your Uly handled after adding the Caribou bags? Specifically, was it any harder to hold up while stopped? | ||
| Bearly |
Just got back last month from a 3500 mile trip last month from my home in Northern VA to Dallas Forth Worth and back. I had all three Factory bags on. There were pretty heavy all three of them including some heavy canon camera gear and riding clothes to go from 30 deg to 85. So anyway we made four passes altogether through the Dragon to the peg. I I was amazed how well it did through the twisty stuff with all that weight on. I had the rear spring cranked as if I was riding two up of course. Although it felt like a different bike get all that weight off of the bike, I would do it again. AS far as the bags, the Buell bags have a little engineering left to do. The latches seem to be the weak point. Especially it seems to me, in cold weather. I've broken two latches so far right at the hinge point where the tiny little pieces of plastic rap around the tiny little hinge pins. It has happed to me opening and closing the side bags, and it's always been fairly cold. So I always have a bungee cord around the handle when riding to keep them closed if the latch breaks on the road. I would hate to let 5k worth of camera gear hit the road. It is harder to stand up with more weight on the bike. The side factory are pretty low but, if your vertically challenged, you'll want to pack lite. Hope that helps. | ||
| Erz |
NO, none what so ever. I did jack up the rear pre load according to the owner's manual guidelines. | ||
| Ridetherejk |
I have Touratech cases on my 1150 GS and love them. They only hold some full face helmets though, so don't count on yours fitting inside. However, they hold sh*t loads of stuff. I've had over 100 #s of stuff in and on each case. The best thing for me is that they are top loading. I have used Givi cases and don't like the way they load. I use my cases for anything that will fit. I once took over 50 vice grips to a friends house. The welding style. Just pop open the lid and throw them in. with side opening, you'd have to take the case of to fill it. But be prepared, you will here a lot of comments about those "coolers" on your bike. And I've used them for that too. Dropped the bike twice on each side and the cases are fine. Just some small marks but no dents. Price is high but when I get a new bike "ULY", I'll get them again. | ||
| Old_mil |
What about the added weight of the Touratech cases? On their website, I only see the saddlebags, but I've seen pictures of the GS wearing a Touratech top case as well...do they have an option with which you can add a matching topcase? | ||
| Windrider |
Old_Mil, Isn't it great to have such nice choices in hard luggage for the Uly? I have a set of the caribous and they are great. Very tough and they also keep a very narrow profile. When the bags are on, the widest part of the bike is the handlebars. I also like how the caribou rack doesn't ugly up the bike when the bags are off. Caribou doesn't have a top case option so Caribou bags are for the more minimalist traveler as they hold the least of the available options but for my taste they are near perfect. The factory bags are cavernous. If you need a lot of space the factory bags with the top case are hard to beat and they look great but I personally don't care for how wide the back of the bike becomes with them. There are also a lot of durability issues with them. Happy Trails products are always really good and if you want a big platform on the back to throw a dry bag over with a tent/sleeping bag they do that. You have to loose the triple tail to go with Happy Trails bags. You just have to decide what is most important for how YOU are going to use the luggage. There is no best choice for all. | ||
| 1stxb |
Expensive but excellent bags... My new kid with Zega's on first trip through the Adirondacks..  | ||
| Irelage |
I had the factory bags but returned them because of the latch failure issue. I then bought the Caribous. I love them! The engineering is wonderful and the fit is perfect. I also have the Happy Trail SU rack on my KLR and I am going to replace them with the Caribou so I can switch my cases between the bikes. Both the Buell factory rack and the Happy Trail rack had to be forced into place. The Caribou system has multiple points of adjustment making it a perfect fit every time. If I ever get a GS I'm sure I can transfer the stuff over to there as well. The Caribous are the last set of luggage you will ever need to buy for your adventure IMHO. The thinner profile makes it easier in the California commute to split lanes. Either system didn't pose an issue with balance or drag with the bike. I didn't know they were on the motorcycle. (Message edited by irelage on June 07, 2007) | ||
| Badmojoe |
Greetings all , I have the OEM HB Beull bags on my bike and I am starting to really question the durability of the latches after I broke one while literally breathing on it. That being said I was wondering about the HB GOBI and the Touratech Zega bags...specifically if they interfered with rear turn signal location. Thanks!  |
