New Pelican-based Luggage System

[HiDesertFox]

Greetings!

I've debated over and over again, getting either alum. panniers or pelican cases. Came across the Caribou site and decided this is the product for me. At $280 (two bags only) for the Caribou's vs. $500+ for the HT panniers (only), plus if you go down, the alum. panniers dent where as the Caribou's (Pelican's) scratch. All one needs to do is sand out the scratch and it nearly looks good as new.

Placed my order this past week. Can't wait to get them.

Regards

[clydesdale66]

Hi Roger,
Are you still planning on doing a top case for the R1150GS??

Thanks,
John

[CaribouCases]

Originally Posted by clydesdale66

Hi Roger,
Are you still planning on doing a top case for the R1150GS??

Thanks,
John

Yes, I am. I'm trying to figure out how to add support for the rear tail rack on the 1150GS that is prone to breaking at the rear bolt flanges. I have a solution but I'd like to find a less expensive way to do it. So this is the hold up. Just a matter of finishing the '08 KLR design and then I can get to it. Sorry for the delay.

[Stinkerbelle]

Hello Roger,

It has been asked before but not for a long time, do you have plans for a kit for the 950/990 KTMs, Adventure in particular?

You asked if they com with luggage and the answer is, well sort of! KTM UK has been doing an offer where a 990 gets the Gobi (KTM branded Hepco & Becker, I believe) panniers & carriers thrown in for free on a new one (about £400/US$750 value).

They also offer quite a nice top box (KTM branded by Shad of Spain) and the sell KTM branded Alloy boxes (Zega/Touratech etc). Their own rack is the same as the Touratech one (branded?). Don't know if they're doing the same the world over!

My problem with all the panniers offered is the width. 38" is no good at all for Motorway filtering (I know rude and illegal, but kind of essential) or fuel consumption, aero-drag etc. Now I know we're talking about brands of big square boxes here, but these are UGLY and the pelicans look far better!

I put a Peli 1550 onto the factory frame yesterday with bungey straps and I reckon you could lose 1.5ins a side with a well designed carrier and some heat shields (essential with OE cans c/w mini-cat converters though with my FUEL cans or Wings or Akras you'd probably be OK.

PM me if you'd be willing to sell just the Peli mod and carrier parts or some dimensions to UK for some personal R&D. Cheers...

[joenuclear]

Roger,

Have you considered a top case for the Buell Ulysses?

[wheelsucker]

I know your hounded with questions but what about the DR650? I heard they were in the works but haven't seen them on the site yet?

[CaribouCases]

Originally Posted by joenuclear

Roger,

Have you considered a top case for the Buell Ulysses?

This is something I may look at again in the fall or winter.

[CaribouCases]

Originally Posted by wheelsucker

I know your hounded with questions but what about the DR650? I heard they were in the works but haven't seen them on the site yet?

We do not make a system for the DR 650

[miku]

Originally Posted by CaribouCases

Yes, I am. I'm trying to figure out how to add support for the rear tail rack on the 1150GS that is prone to breaking at the rear bolt flanges. I have a solution but I'd like to find a less expensive way to do it. So this is the hold up. Just a matter of finishing the '08 KLR design and then I can get to it. Sorry for the delay.

Hi Roger,

I'm also looking for a topcase for my R1150GS. I have the system side cases, though -- not your system. Would your topcase design work with them, or would i have to mount your sides instead?

I really like the penny-tech solution someone posted a while back -- they took a sheet of wood and mounted some hardware so that it clicked in place of the tool kit lid. But I'm not sure I'd trust that with a heavily loaded case on top.

I do prefer to have the topcase in that position instead of hanging off the back. That's what's stopping me from buying a Givi mount -- I have a pair of E50's but they get caugt in the wind when mounted so far back.

If you're keeping a list for the topcase project -- let me know when it moves forward.

Cheers
Michael

[induna]

Is the F650GS/Dakar (single-spark) top case compatible with Moto-Sport soft panniers (YukonII)?

Thanks.

[CaribouCases]

Originally Posted by displacedandbikeless

Is the F650GS/Dakar (single-spark) top case compatible with Moto-Sport soft panniers (YukonII)?

Thanks.

I don't know. Our bracket comes straight out the back from the two bolts on either side of the tail light. If you can stack our bracket on top of theirs in this spot, then it may work.

[CaribouCases]

Originally Posted by miku

Hi Roger,

I'm also looking for a topcase for my R1150GS. I have the system side cases, though -- not your system. Would your topcase design work with them, or would i have to mount your sides instead?


Cheers
Michael

Yes, our top case will work with stock system side cases.

[GeorgeWPretzel]

Originally Posted by Gadget Boy

Here's my experience with the Pelican cases as side panniers, and it's not all good, so this is a heads up to you, so you can maybe find a way to overcome this "problem".

I have a pair of well abused Pelican 1550's on my KLR. The problem that I encountered is that with repeated off road crashing, the bolts that hold the pelican cases to the mounting racks begin to enlarge the hole in the plastic of the pelican case. After repeated crashes, the bolt hole through which the securing bracket that attaches to the mounting rack is now elliptical because the securing bolt, I suppose, is stronger than the plastic of the case, so it deforms the plastic over repeated hard contacts.

I don't think anyone can ride the 1150GS in the rock climbs and technical single trails where I've ridden this bike, so it may not be a big issue, but I thought I'd mention it in case you want to somehow re-inforce the mounting holes.

As for the performance of the pelicans, they are strong, water and dust proof, but packing them requires the use of inner liner bags, or else when you open the lids, everything falls out.

Keep the good work, it looks good!

Is there a way to mount pelican cases without drilling holes in them?

[CaribouCases]

Drilling holes in Pelican cases is a non-issue for us. The method and hardware we use for Caribou systems ensures the case remains water tight and can sustain repeated crashes/impact. We use hard bushings in the mounting holes that surround the screw threads, therefore keeping the relatively sharp threads away from the case plastic. Large fender washers and/or backing plates are used as well. Then there are all the things we do to modify the Pelcian case for use as motorycle luggage; lid lanyards to keep the lid from swinging down, internal retention straps to hold your gear in the main cavity of the case, and locks integrated into the lid so you don't have to use pad locks.

Home-made versions of Pelican cases as motorcycle luggage have been done for a long time, some very successful, some not so successful as the post from the fellow you copied in your reply. It is a matter of doing it right. There may be a way to attach a Pelican case without drilling it, but the Caribou system requires drilling. BTW - Pelican still honors their lifetime guarantee , but no one has managed to break one of our cases, so it is pretty much a moot point. It would take a very, very bad crash to break one of these cases.

[Zapp22]

280??? I'm lookin' at $745.... what am I not seeing?

Originally Posted by idaho4me

Greetings!

I've debated over and over again, getting either alum. panniers or pelican cases. Came across the Caribou site and decided this is the product for me. At $280 (two bags only) for the Caribou's vs. $500+ for the HT panniers (only), plus if you go down, the alum. panniers dent where as the Caribou's (Pelican's) scratch. All one needs to do is sand out the scratch and it nearly looks good as new.

Placed my order this past week. Can't wait to get them.

Regards,

idaho4me