Luggage Suggestions F650GS (thumper)

[sportsbud1]

Looking at suggestions for luggage for my recently acquired 2001 F650GS. Bike is well kept (thought I am going to do the damn expensive fuel filer as it seems to run a touch funny and I am betting at 43k miles it's that). But I would not mind fitting some small lockable hardbags for city/ day riding... Trying to avoid soft bags but also not trying to spend the value of the bike on some bags... Any suggestions?

Also this seat concepts low seat has to go... the big hump drives me mad....

 

[akbeemer]

Happy Trails makes good side cases for a reasonable price, but they still are not cheap. Given that the thumpers have not been made for quite awhile, you may have trouble finding new cases in stock. Try looking for used cases for sale on BMW forums and eBay.

 

[fmdualexhaust]

I've been running these for 6 years.
Very happy with them.

Hepco & Becker C-Bow BMW F650GS, Dakar -'07 & G650GS '11-

Hepco & Becker C-bow carriers are discrete, unobtrusive, and yet a very functional luggage carrier built for all types of bikes. They are perfect for sportbikes and other smaller types of models that do not usually cater to aftermarket luggage systems. They are subtly designed so the carrier...

www.motomachines.com

Then pick your bags.

Motorcycle C-Bow Saddlebags - Luggage at Moto Machines

Shop Motorcycle Luggage & Bags - Free Shipping Over $149, Price Match Guarantee, and the Lowest Prices When Shopping for C-Bow Saddlebags.

www.motomachines.com

 

[shoot2miss]

Another vote for Happy Trails.

 

[sportsbud1]

Well local connections come through. Scored a set of oem vario cases from the G650GS for cheap. Now I think I will spluge for luggage crash bars because a break of one of those would be a $400+replacement

 

[sportsbud1]

I got them installed and put on the luggage guards.

 

[rwadamsidaho]

It look like you have found a great solution, with the case and added protection. I had the same cases for a few year without the protection and after several drops on the Idaho BRD and other forest service roads replace them with Happy Trails which were great but caused more that one bruise on the backs of my legs, but never showed any damage and protected their contents. I shifted to soft cases when I replace this bike with a 2019 F850GSA from Mosko Moto.

 

[sportsbud1]

Yea I wanted the bike for errands in the city and my short commute at times so the locking bags were what I wanted. The metal ones would be nice but I would be paying $1k for bags for a $2k bike... the math was not adding up... those luggage guards are $200 way less than new bags lol.

 

[1wheeldrive]

I bought a well used 2003 F650GS Dakar, which came with Touratech pannier racks, but no bags. I have an affinity for rugged thermoplastic cases such as Pelicans, but not enamored with their price. I decided on using the Harbor Freight Apache Extra Large cases, model #4800. These are super rugged cases, more so than Pelicans as they have 4 latches vs. the standard 2 per bag. And the big bonus is they can be had for less than $50;ea.

I fabbed up my own mounting system by tracing the inside of my pannier racks, and cutting a piece of 1/2” plywood go fit snuggly inside of the rack’s outer hoop. I then drilled holes through the plywood and case, and attached 3” lengths of aluminum bar stock to pivot around and clamp the case to the rack. I gave the plywood plates a good coat of black paint to help protect the wood from the elements, and hide my ghetto wood design. I also stencilled L and R on the painted plates so I could keep them straight.

I think they came out nicely, and have been highly functional on the bike. I could provide detailed photos of the mounting scheme if anyone is interested.