Hepco Becker Xplorer Luggage Review

We have one of the first sets of Hepco Becker's new Xplorer Side Luggage stateside in the shop. Here is a review of this new product that we plan to carry in our line.

These are the 40 Liter cases, they are also available in 30 Liter that are about 3" narrower per case. Nice packaging, cases arrived all the way from Germany unscathed:

Anodized Aluminum and ABS plastic construction, riveted and seam sealed. Angles create a stronger box, and the black/silver creates a sharp looking case...


Waterproof Lid seal uses a lip with a triangular protrusion that seats into a rubber gasket in the lid...


You can see the indentation left in the rubber seal from the triangular protrusion, this is an extremely effective way to keep water out.


A clever lid hinge design allows you to remove the lid easily....


Hepco Becker clearly did some work on their latch mechanism, it is now beefy and strong with billet aluminum and steel. Nice tie-down loops molded into the plastic around the top of the lid...


Same key locks the case to the bike and locks the lid shut, handles fore and aft, right where you need them...


External Dimensions are approximately:
40 Liter - 19" x 11.5" x 15"
30 Liter - 19" x 8.5" x 15"

The openings are nice and big (40 Liter shown below)...



Multi-Language Instructions, English Included!


Here's how a set of 40 Liter cases look on my bike. They will fit all Hepco Becker racks. Note that you could put a 30 Liter case on the exhaust side and reduce width by about 3"....







Although not as strong as our flagship product the Caribou (Pelican-based) luggage we offer (nothing is that strong), these are very well made and functional top-loading aluminum/ABS cases that are the best in the business, and the look is exceptional. They have many nice features lacking in most aluminum cases including anodized inside and out to prevent your gear from getting all blackened, truly waterproof lid seal, removeable lid, molded-in handles, single key system, beefy latches, and very high quality materials and workmanship. We'll have these in stock and up on our web site www.cariboucases.com shortly. $345 + shipping and tax for each 30L case and $355 + shipping and tax for each 40L case, please note pricing is subject to change so check our web site for final pricing. Thank you!

Those look great! any idea on pricing?

Pricing added, but always check our web site for final and latest pricing.

Thanks!

Hi Roger.Here is a pic of the xplorer 30l on the 990.

Nice pic! Thank you.

These will not fit the factory KTM racks?

Yes the will fit the factory KTM 990 racks and the factory Buell Ulysses racks.

how do they compare weight-wise to the Caribou cases?

Any idea when you might be getting the top case?

They are about the same, within 1lb +/- depending on the Caribou case you choose.

-rog

Current estimate is late this year, December.

-rog

Thanks..

These look great!

I'm still undecided between these and the TRAX cases. Anyone care to offer a comparison?

Additional pics (ideally on a Tiger 1050) would be wonderful!

40 liter on left, 30 on right, just fitted A bit annoyed that they came with one key for each pannier... and not a matched set :dog

The few folks I know have nothing nice to say about their trax cases....

Do they make a mount for a F650/F800 Twin?

Yes they do. Please see this item on our web site...

http://cariboucases.com/store/?name=Catalog&mode=i&item=000215

Thank you.

-roger

Beware. If the plastic parts that the hinges and case lock crabs get damaged, there is no way H&B will help you. According the H&B Germanty these cases are "non repairable" because of the way they are glued together. I begged them to sell me the plastic bits that comprise the lid locking system but they were not interested.

No more Hepco & Becker for this boy.

Jim Williams

Reviving an old thread, I was looking at these as it was suggested to me as a good option for a top box. I did read somewhere that the hinges were a weak point. Anyone else have insight on the H&B top box?