What are your favorite airhead sidecases?

[criminaldesign]

Smooches, and tons of space. Cheap, too, and a mere 11lb weight penalty.

Reflecto-tape. hockey puck/ Reynolds bag-to-bike interface.

Pennytech = more gas to put in tank and more to spend on important stuff (Alpha ignition, Omega charging system).

Tough.

great set up baldy. i was checking out you're process on ADV a while back. That was you right?

A buddy in Vegas has a throw over set up made out of mermite containers with drain plugs for his enduro.

 

[baldwithglasses]

Given that BMW only permits 22 lbs in its factory saddlebags, there's nothing "mere" about 11 lbs.

This, BTW, is not about the saddlebags but about the stability of the bike.

But, hey, who cares about engineering?

Hiya, Kent -

There's a method to properly packing the bags, too - keep the weighty stuff down and forward of the axle - kinda how when one loads a towed trailer behind a vehicle, the load stays towards the tongue for better control.

I have real-world experience that vouchsafes the efficacy of said design. 50k miles have shown me that the biggest things to consider are proper pannier loading/stuffing, and making sure the fasteners (grade eight or better, please) are secure.

There are those who may choose to pay a grand for Zegas or Jesses, and others who feel that the period correctness of Wixoms or Krausers are more appropriate. These bags - road tested, mind you - provide yet another practical solution for folks who wish to pack crap on their bike.

Besides- if I'm given the choice between paying a grand for Jesses, or $100 for ammo cans, which makes better sense?

My ideal setup- price no option- would be Caribou's Pelican case solution.

 

[baldwithglasses]

I will say that the bike acted like a huge sail. Made the trek from SE Colorado through OK to AR kinda annoying.

 

[SFAULKNER68]

I like the Touring Cases on my R80CS. They are roomy and quite durable. I use Kathy's liners in them (Kathy's are thin and fit well so make the most of the clam-shell design). On the tank, I have a tank cover, then Mountain Sun tank panniers and the BMW tank bag off my 1150GS. This set-up, w/ a small waterproof bag on the rear rack containing two bedrolls, did well on a two-up, 10 day, 3 state camping trip last summer.