| Author | Message | ||
     Trojan |
We are seriously thinking about developing an alternative luggage system for the Uly based on the tried, tested and extremely strong Touratech aluminium pannier boxes. For those not familiar with these items, they are used by pretty much all of the long distance adventure riders, including Ewan McGregor and Charley Borman on the 'Long way round' journey. They are very tough yet light, and offer many flexible options and accessories that can be added as you wish. We would offer the pannier frame, either on its own so you can source your own boxes, or as a complete kit. We would welcome any comments, thoughts and feedback that owners may have on this idea. Thanks Matt    | ||
| Thunderbox |
Looks like a really strong set of bags. I wouldn't purchase them as they just don't do the Uly any justice. Buell went out of their way to make a great looking bike and these bags wouldn't do it for most. I am sure some offroad purests would love to have bags like these but this is my feedback as you asked. | ||
| Trojan |
Hi Thunderbox, Thanks for your candid feedback. Personally I think the Buell bags, although undoubtedly excellent, look a bit too road biased (as if taken from a VFR800)and not entirely suited to the general look and image of the bike. Having had bad experience with side opening panniers in the past I prefer top opening boxes every time now. | ||
| Spoof |
I think some alternative, perhaps aluminum, panniers would be a great option to have available. However, I think if you search a world travel site like horizonsunlimited.com you'll find the touratech zega boxes are considered to be the weakest of the bunch. They are, in fact, more prone to damage than plastic hepco beckers. There are a few brands, like Al Jesse and Happy-Trails that make stronger boxes with some superior engineered features. | ||
| Thunderbox |
Top openers are good untill you want something from the bottom of the bag then it all comes out to get at it. Also in the rain they are not as good for obvious reasons. There are stronger by design and a malfunction cannot or shouldn't cause all your stuff to fall onto the road. Some pros and some cons. Side openers work more like traditional luggage and are very easy to load and unload your belongings. | ||
| Henrik |
Al, I believe, mentioned other bag models in the Hepco-Becker line-up. I don't know if it's the case, but if the mounting brackets on the Uly matches some Hepco-Becker standard, then maybe it'd be an easy swap for other H-B models? http://www.hepco-becker.de/_eng/gobi.html The Touratec Alu bags sure look the business and would be a good option depending on what kind of riding you're planning with your Uly. I agree that they're a bit too utilitarian for "mostly street" type touring. Henrik | ||
| Jim_sb |
Henrik, Excellent point. I suspect the cheeseheads are already thinking along those lines. And they would be astute to be doing so. Regards, Jim in Santa Barbara | ||
| Lowflyer |
I like them (probably would buy a set), but I bet you will have a hard time selling them to the average Uly owner. I think the demographic for Uly buyers is not the same as the for the GS. Your average GSer is a utilitarian freak with a semi-wannabe Drakar/Baja-racer personna. They are the Jeepsters of motorcycling. Jeepsters being the guys who mount snorkels, large metal racks, and bumperjacks on their grocery getters. I don't mean any of that to sound bad. Uly buyers, at least so far, are average (30-something to 50-something) guys looking for something different. I think a lot of us have been sport bike/standard owners that have matured to the point that we are too old for an R1, but still feel too young for a Road King. I could be wrong, but I think most Uly buyers are going to want to maintain the aesthetics over the utility. Oh, and BTW, the Buell bags have no speed restrictions. That would likely be a pre-requisite for any self-respecting Buelligan. Good luck! | ||
| Trojan |
Thanks guys, and in particular Spoof, for your comments. I got in touch with TimBernard at Happy-Trails to see if they have anything planned and guess what? They are launching their new luggage rack system for the Uly TODAY in Nevada....go figure. Price will be the same as their KTM LC8 kit that they already offer. There will be details and pictures on their web site at www.happy-trail.com in the next few days apparently. I think we may well offer this to European buyers in place of what we had planned originally. I understand Lowflyers comment regarding the aesthetics, although I think this type of luggae may well sell better in Europe, particularly Germany and France, where the whole big traillie/adventure bike has a massive market share. (Message edited by trojan on September 23, 2005) (Message edited by trojan on September 23, 2005) | ||
| Trojan |
Here is a pic of their KTM kit. Price in the US for the complete rack/pannier kit is US$855.  | ||
| Jim_sb |
That look is too utilitarian for me. Even on my dirt bike. For my DRZ I'm going to get a Pro Moto Billet rack (and the KTM pannier supports which I will adapt as req'd) and toss on some soft sided luggage. See: http://www.promotobillet.com/shop/item.asp?itemid=50 I have several friends using this setup and it works well in the dirt. Light weight too. I like the factory luggage for the Uly. Regards, Jim in Santa Barbara | ||
| Milar |
Hi Matt, There might be market for products that make the Uly more "dirt worthy." You might talk to your wheel suppliers about some nasty looking, black wire wheels in a 19"/18" configuration. They'd look great and improve offroad handling. Maybe a solo seat and larger luggage rack. Maybe a small fuell cell for more range. M | ||
| Spoof |
And how's about carbon frame covers for the wide frame sections not covered by the puck---maybe even aftermarket footpeg brackets offering a greater (and less brittle) method of protection. There's a thread on advrider now about a bracket cracking in a 0 mph tipover--probably a bit of a fluke (and on concrete) but if an actual vulnerability did exist, aftermarket options would be exciting, practical and offer a real styling alternative to what is, in my opinion, the ugliest part of the bike. Also, Happy-Trails offers a pretty much universal top box to match their varying aluminum panniers---I wonder if something in a top box more specific to the Uly might night be a compelling complement to the HT boxes? | ||
| 2hogs |
Hey Matt, I'd like to see some top loading cases for the XB12X, as my Road Glide has them. I'd really like to see quick detachable mounting brackets with, if possible, a system that allows you to mount the brackets for just a top case, or just side cases, or all three. I hope to pick my orange XB12X up tomorrow or Sunday, and have been thinking about detachable brackets since putting my deposit down. Cheers | ||
| Badtat |
I'm considering a Uly and would love for someone to develop a mounting system for the Touratech bags. Will just move them over from my F650GSD. | ||
| Branebanger |
I'd like your mounting suggestions for this: http://www.sailgb.com/p/12v_portable_refrigerator_rc_1500_egp/ i know everyone thought i was joking last time i posted it, but have you tried to get a set of bags? one guy I spoke to said his shop told him 30 days, he put a deposit, and next thing you know he's not getting his until january. ouch | ||
| Bosh |
I saw a uly on the freeway the other day that was fitted with what looked like the Gobi cases from Hepco-Becker. They looked great. |
