F800GS with Wolfman

[Bury_Dave]

Here's some photos of the SW Motech rack. Taken today. Particularly for Westy :-)











Dave

[Westy99]

Thanks...looks like a hot setup. Wolfman bags were my intial choice but then I've spent the last year trying to decide if this is the way to go (the whole hard vs. soft debate).

[Bury_Dave]

Well, I've written and shown just about everything i can think of and my reasons as to why they suit me personally.

I've not slated hard luggage - i had it on my 1150GSA - but i don't need the same volume for every journey i need panniers for and i like the fact that when not needed, one rolls up and fits into the other and that rolls down again and takes little space in my garage or attic - I'm pushed for space and that is a great feature.

Also, personally, I don't need the volume of the big cases. I did Europe, camping, and only filled the 2 paniers and the top box not at all ! I reckon the max volume of the Wolfman are actually bigger than the 1150GSA cases. I have the space as and when i need it and not all the time.

Oh, and i forgot to mention that they are equally sized and shaped unlike hard cases that mould to around past the can !

The choice is yours and enjoy whatever system you go for.

Dave

[Maxacceleration]

Bury Dave, are you attaching your Wolfmans via velcro attached D-rings?
Seems a little sketchy in bouncing conditions or a get off...
The great thing of Wolfman side racks are the 100% secure mounting.
No not removable but solid crash bars also.

[WoodWorks]

Originally Posted by Maxacceleration

Bury Dave, are you attaching your Wolfmans via velcro attached D-rings?
Seems a little sketchy in bouncing conditions or a get off...
The great thing of Wolfman side racks are the 100% secure mounting.

Go ahead, guess how many times I've done this with bags attached with velcro D-rings.





Seriously, no worries.

[albany23]

Originally Posted by Bury_Dave

Here's some photos of the SW Motech rack. Taken today. Particularly for Westy :-)











Dave

Hi Dave,
First of all, nice bike!:) I see you went 'all off' (off-road,that is!), considering the TKC's.

I am all in on the whole soft luggage idea, and to add to your pro's, i can also mention the fact that hard panniers are more dangerous in a crash, as they are one more thing your leg can be trapped under. Another strong selling point is the pricetag itself. A decent set of panniers can set you bacj as far as 1000 Euro, if you go OEM or Touratech.
Wolfman's seem like great build quality, simple enduro oriented design , not to mention the good instructional videos they provide.
One question: i reside in Romania, and i can only get these via AdvSpec. Is that where you got them? Cause i didn't see the D rings on their page. I have a custom rack, and i need the rings also if i go in that direction.
My bike is also a bumble-bee, but i'm afraid ill go for the black version. Too much yellow...:))) Thanks for the great pics and write-up!
Ride true,
Mihai

[Bury_Dave]

Hello Mihai, and thank you for the kind words :-)

I bought the panniers from a member of the UKGSer.com forum. He bought them and then decided he wanted black so i got these brand new for the same sale price he bought them for from Adv-Spec - £135. The rack came from Adv-Spec directly. I think it was £186 plus postage. If you tell them it is for the Wolfman, they include the straps. And you are quite correct in your observations as to the quality of the panniers and rack - as well as the cost being hugely less than a hard case solution by any maker.

The crash advantage I think you are correct about but didn't mention it as I know there is a difference of opinion amongst some about that and didn't want to make that the focal point of the post with people simply posting that I was wrong about that. I KNOW I am right about everything else but haven't had an off with a hard and soft pannier system to make a proper conclusion (Thank God !)

@Maxcceleration ------ the straps are nearly 12" long and not your normal soft , fluffy velcro and it sticks to itself over the full length that they wrap around themselves so they ain't coming off anytime soon !! The thicker, industrial type velcro is also unlikely to get clogged with mud like the normal stuff you get on clothing etc. If you were really worried, you could run a tie-wrap around it and through the D-ring once installed (or even some electrical tape) but I've never felt it was necessary myself.

Cheers all,
Dave

[Maxacceleration]

Originally Posted by Bury_Dave

Hello Mihai, and thank you for the kind words :-)

I bought the panniers from a member of the UKGSer.com forum. He bought them and then decided he wanted black so i got these brand new for the same sale price he bought them for from Adv-Spec - £135. The rack came from Adv-Spec directly. I think it was £186 plus postage. If you tell them it is for the Wolfman, they include the straps. And you are quite correct in your observations as to the quality of the panniers and rack - as well as the cost being hugely less than a hard case solution by any maker.

The crash advantage I think you are correct about but didn't mention it as I know there is a difference of opinion amongst some about that and didn't want to make that the focal point of the post with people simply posting that I was wrong about that. I KNOW I am right about everything else but haven't had an off with a hard and soft pannier system to make a proper conclusion (Thank God !)

@Maxcceleration ------ the straps are nearly 12" long and not your normal soft , fluffy velcro and it sticks to itself over the full length that they wrap around themselves so they ain't coming off anytime soon !! The thicker, industrial type velcro is also unlikely to get clogged with mud like the normal stuff you get on clothing etc. If you were really worried, you could run a tie-wrap around it and through the D-ring once installed (or even some electrical tape) but I've never felt it was necessary myself.

Cheers all,
Dave

Nice Dave,
I have some commercial style velcro on another bike which works quite well but does give and needs tightening along the course of a trip.
I'm glad its working for you.

[Bury_Dave]

Max, this stuff isn't 'velcro' like with the fluffy and coarse pieces. This feels the same both sides but it grips on itself like a limpet. It really does have to be seen to be believed.

As with many things in life, friction is what it's all about !

Cheers,
Dave

[WoodWorks]

Originally Posted by Bury_Dave

Max, this stuff isn't 'velcro' like with the fluffy and coarse pieces. This feels the same both sides but it grips on itself like a limpet. It really does have to be seen to be believed.

+1 to what Dave says, Max. These velcro straps are more solid than the attachment points on the bags themselves. If anything were to go in a good biff, the bags would rip before the velcro straps. I have no doubt about that.

[Westy99]

Are those straps a Wolfman accessory or who make them?

[albany23]

@Dave:
Someine from Wolfman should contact you and send free stickers or smth, because that is great marketing!:)) Seriously, i am sold. One question: will the Drings work on any type of rack? Mine is local made(far better than many other bug names, as far as welds and material quality), but ill measure the loops tomorrow and see if it can accomodate the bags. I'm
Afraid the bag's width might be too small for these. We'll see.
All the best,
Mihai
Btw, these are Konvoi boxes and racks, local shop.


" 'cause tramps like us,
Baby, we were born to run. "

[WoodWorks]

Originally Posted by Westy99

Are those straps a Wolfman accessory or who make them?

They're made and sold by Wolfman. You can see their video about mounting them and confirm how bombproof they are here:

http://www.wolfmanluggage.com/Video/...WolfRackV.html

And Mihai, there's a bit in the video about measuring your racks to make sure they fit the bags.

[Ol'NumNuts]

@Dave @albany

+1 on that with all the marketing and advertising hype and crap we get bombarded with- I just really want to hear what real guys have done with the gear in the real world and everyone who has contributed has shared that, in spades.



Andrew


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[Bury_Dave]

Originally Posted by albany23

@Dave:
Someone from Wolfman should contact you and send free stickers or smth, because that is great marketing!:)) Seriously, i am sold.

I am not connected with Wolfman or SW Motech in any way whatsoever but if anyone here is, and would like to follow up Mihai's EXCELLENT suggestion, it would be much appreciated. Especially a discount voucher for an expedition roll top bag !! Nudge, nudge !!

I didn't try to act as a salesman but wanted to share my experiences of an excellent, alternative, set of panniers.

Thanks to those other contributors who have backed me up :-)

@ Mihai, if you call or email these people http://www.twowheeltrekkers.co.uk/contact.html they are a lovely, friendly and knowledgeable couple who can advise you (or anyone else for that matter !) on what syatems are compatible with which bikes etc and they carry far more kit than their website might currently suggest - including SW Motech racks and Wolfman Expedition kit. And they ship worldwide. Again, no connection other than to recommend good people to good people.

Dave