| Author | Message | ||
     Skinstains |
Ok boys and girls, here's my question. I have a brand spankin' new 2009 XB12X being delivered to my dealer (Liberty) on the 12th of December. I had ordered the black "Outdoorsman" top and side bags. Having been to Liberty to spend more money at my local dealer that has nothing and hates women today, I had the oportunity to see "Courts" 12X with the black "Outdoorsman" top and side bags. They are substantially smaller than I was expecting. I plan on loading this bike up and going on a six to eight week trek covering the perimeter of the north American continent. Can any of you recommend a company that makes top quality top and sides that are larger than the Outdoorsmen bags ? I would also like to know of any that I should steer clear of. (Message edited by skinstains on October 30, 2008) | ||
| Andrejs2112 |
Are he Hepco-Becker bags still an option? I can pack a lot of stuff in mine. Aerodynamic too! | ||
| Ratbuell |
I believe overall capacity is the same - or VERY similar - from one set to another - the original H-B bags are more evenly sized (1/3, 1/3, 1/3), while the Outdoorsman bags are sized with much more space in the top box, and a slimmer overall profile due to smaller side bags (say, 1/2, 1/4, 1/4 for top, side, side). The nice thing about the original bags is, you can put a fullface helmet in any of the bags. Doesn't look like the side Outdoorsman bags will accomodate that...maybe Court can chime in on that though. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
I don't like the HB bags (original stock). I think they are poorly constructed and the latch system sucks. | ||
| Bertotti |
I use the oem bags all the time and have never had a problem with them. I can squeeze two weeks of groceries in them. The latch hasn't given me any problems but I always use force to wedge the bags close and never the latches to lever them closed. | ||
| Naboyd |
HB makes a set of side bags that look just like the outdoorsman version, but are much bigger. 40 liters instead of 30 liters, I believe. Not 100% sure about that. I saw them at Intermot in Germany a few weeks back. I had the original bag set and recently replaced with the Outdoorsman set. I am very happy with the outdoorsman. I can fit my full face helmet and my one piece Aerostich suit in the top case at the same time... just like I was able to do on my Ultra. On longer trips, I use a "t-bag" over the Triple tail. That is the only bag I take in the hotels. If you get one large enough, it doubles as a back rest. | ||
| Etennuly |
I also like the original H-B bags. But then I haven't had or seen the new ones. I broke one latch learning that it was not a lever to get that last 1/2" on an over stuffed bag. I have had no leak problems and to date, and I have dropped the bike to the left once and to the right once, sitting still with no more than a little scuff on the front lower corner of each. | ||
| Court |
The Outdoorsman are awesome. Dry. Large. Solid. | ||
| Hangetsu |
If you're willing to spend a little more coin, go for the Touratech Zega 41L cases. I ordered these along with my 09 12X and they're awesome. You'll have to get a little creative to mount a top case, but I have seen some sweet set-ups combining the Touratech side brackets with a Fehlen rear rack and Zega top case(my plan for the near future). Happy trains makes a sweet set-up for the Uly as well. Personally, i wouldn't go with the Outdoorsman or the HBs. They're fine enough cases, I just don't like non-repairable plastic and suitcase type opening. | ||
| Skinstains |
I think I'm gonna go for the H&B "Aluminum exclusive" bags in 40 litre for the right and left and 45 litre for the top. Does anyone know of a mount kit for H&B to Uly's ? | ||
| Crusty |
While everybody bitches about the Journey bags, I really like mine. I ride daily, and use the bike as my main transportation. They work well, hold more stuff than any other bags I've ever had, and look good. Then again, I might be the only person on this board who liked the Dunlop 616s (except for the short tire life). (Message edited by crusty on October 31, 2008) | ||
| Chrisrogers3 |
Crusty... funny thing, I still run the D616's. I have no issues with them other than the sidewall flex in the twisties. As for the bags. I absolutely love my original HB bags. They have not leaked and I have ridden through some torrential downpours. They have more than enough space for a 3 to 4 day trip for two people. They also take some pretty heavy abuse. I put mine down twice on a trail this year on some hardpack gravel roads and you can barely tell where the impact was. The downsides to them of course are the latches-I havent broken any but they are cheaply designed. The other downside is the retaining wires or whatever you want to call the straps that hold the bags from opening more than 90 degrees. Another poor design. All in all though I love my bags but of course if I had to do it over I would probably spend some more money and go with the touratech system. | ||
| Wbrisett |
While everybody bitches about the Journey bags, I really like mine. I would love mine, if I could figure out where the water leaks were coming from. They hold more stuff than the OEM bags on my 04 BMW RT, so they make packing for a long trip a breeze, and as somebody already mentioned, you can put a full faced helmet in any of them. That's also very nice. So, you're not the only one who likes them, but it would be awesome if they didn't leak. Wayne | ||
| Carbonsteel |
My only problem with the Journey bags, which is what I have on my bike, is that they don't hold up well in a fall and will crack like eggs shells if the bike is dropped. Buell doesn't support their accessories very well and parts cannot be had unless you can order the direct from Hepco, but that applies to both bags. | ||
| Ratbuell |
There's a replacement parts list somewhere for the Journey bags, I've seen it. I just don't remember where. They have part numbers for bag chassis, medallions, silver panels, latches...it's all there. I want to say it was on H-Dnet, but my password has gone wonky and our IT person hasn't gotten me back online yet so I can't verify that. Sorry. I also love my 616's  I've also had zero problems with the Journey bags. Again, I know not to close them with the latch, but no water issues or anything like that. The only thing I don't like is that you can "latch" the side bags to the racks, and they'll "stay", without being locked in place. Nearly got faked out one day because of my "one fluid movement" of latching and removing the key...now, I'm more careful. | ||
| Firstbatch |
Court, those new Outdoorsman side cases sure look good in the picture.....I have not had the chance to see them in person....really would like to get a set as the original Journey never looked real good to me .....absent the tail bag, do you recommend the Outdoorsman side cases as a good everyday style case? | ||
| Naboyd |
Firstbatch: I know you put this question directly to Court, but I will chime in here as Court and I may be the only non-Police ULY owners with the Outdoorsman Bags. Yes, I believe they are great everyday style bags. They are not huge. But, I keep a few essential tools in one side which I seldom ever get into. I keep an extra set of gloves, helmet shield, etc. in the other side and still have room for my lunchbox. The topcase is simply massive. I can fit the biggest laptop bag I own in it with room for a jacket plus room to spare. | ||
| Froggy |
As for the repleacement parts: http://froggypwns.com/buellpdfs/Ulysses_side+topca se.pdf and http://froggypwns.com/buellpdfs/E-Teile%20Journey- Koffer%2042_610.080.pdf | ||
| Crusty |
Carbon; several Badwebbers have laid their bikes down on the Journey bags, and the bags have not only held up well, but saved the bike from significant damage. They're a lot tougher than you think. | ||
| Ulywife |
several Badwebbers have laid their bikes down on the Journey bags, and the bags have not only held up well, but saved the bike from significant damage. We can attest to that! Those bags saved the frame on the Uly allowing us to put the bike back together and keep riding. | ||
| Luftkoph |
I havn't had any prob. with my journey bags in two years even two up on a two week trip and you know how a chick can bring a lot of stuff.and for the support wires go to your local ace hardware and and make them out of steel cable. | ||
| Chrisrogers3 |
They're a lot tougher than you think. +1 As yooper71 can attest to this he was about 50 yards behind me when I took a pretty good spill on the trail and actually heard the crash. I was tooling along about 30 mph and the front tire washed out and I was down quicker than I could even react smashing the right side of the bike into the gravel and whatever else was there. I thought for sure my riding would be done for the day...much to my surprise I picked the bike up to find that the bags had some nice deep scratches but nothing was broken. The bags took all of the force of the fall and they held up amazingly well. I didnt even break a foot peg (which they break in garage tipovers)! So anyway I love my journey bags. | ||
| Xbimmer |
and for the support wires go to your local ace hardware and and make them out of steel cable. That's what I did:  Two built for the cost of one new plastic one with s/s cable, make the loops just tight enough to slip over the riveted washers. Contrary to what some more pessimistic types have claimed when the lid is dropped hard they don't yank out the rivets. The leaks in mine appear to originate from the lower corners where the crappy gaskets fold up at the bends, creating a gap. And I've assured that they are fully seated, they weren't as new from the factory. Aside from that, and having to baby the latches, and the poorly made mounting brackets, the only thing I don't like about the Journey is it's FAT, and makes for precarious lane splitting sometimes. However they hold a lot of stuff and they're on the bike 99%. If I had to do it over again, and Buell will sell the Outdoorsman mounts w/o the bags, I'd go that route and get the large HB Juniors and topcase from and outside vendor. Anybody got a nice pic of the XP mounts without the bags? I'd like to see how the turn signals look with the bike naked... | ||
| Court |
The Outdoorsman bags are simply fabulous. I hope, perhaps this weekend subject to school work, to start writing about my Ulysses experience. I've got a lot to share.         | ||
| Ratbuell |
Court - that top case is a freakin' MONSTER. I can see the side brackets are different...don't suppose the top case attaches to the same bracket as the Journey, does it? I gotta get back to work so I can start looking stuff like this up on my own..... | ||
| Carbonsteel |
You could stuff a body in that top case. | ||
| Carbonsteel |
Crusty, I dropped mine in the the nice soft mud and the case cracked and the lock broke. I have been unable to get a replacement lock as Buell refuses to sell just the lock and latch itself and they want me to buy a whole new bag. I can order a replacement from Hepco, but it would not be keyed the same. | ||
| Crusty |
Another thought: the Buell Outdoorsman bags are Hepco & Becker 30 Liter Junior bags (at least the side bags are. H&B also make a 40 Liter Junior bag which is roughly 4 inches wider that the 30L. bags (the height and length are the same). I don't know if they'll hold a helmet, but you might prefer them. They'd fit on the same mounting racks. I don't know why you can't get a replacement latch. My dealer got one for me with no trouble at all. I think it cost around 20 bucks. When I painted the grey inserts, I was able to get the Buell logos for them. I believe that just about every part is available. Maybe the parts guy at your dealer doesn't know the correct way to order them? I bet if you talked to Buell Customer Service, they'd be able to help. (Message edited by crusty on November 01, 2008) | ||
| Mad_doctor |
Court, I've never seen bags on a piano bench, How does it handle? (LOL). Now I am in Asheboro N.C., And "Delks" army surplus just got a new shipment of Metal ammo boxes. these things are almost indestructable, but a little on the ugly side. The only problem, is you have to build your own mounting brackets. and YES they are totally waterproof. | ||
| Court |
>>>>as Buell refuses to sell just the lock and latch itself Hogwash. Drop me a NOTE The piano handles fabulously! . . . . but it has a 7' wheelbase! I carefully unpacked everything . . . . laid out and inventoried all parts and took about a hundred pics during the install. The bags are perfect for me. I can put a cover and all my law books in the bags, I get to school, take the cover out, put the Aerostich in, cover the bike and I'm good to go. |
