Author |
Message |
Alershka
| Posted on Monday, June 23, 2008 - 05:26 pm: |
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When I originally got my 2006, I really wasn't interested in luggage. Now, as gas prices rise, I'd like the flexibility to leave my car home more often. So, I've been looking at getting the Buell side bags and top case. When I told the wife how much they cost, she was a bit put off. She said that she would accept the purchase if they could be used on another motorcycle. I'm assuming that since they are rebadged Hepco-Becker Journey's, this shouldn't be a problem but I wanted to see what the consensus is. I don't think I'll be moving away from a Buell for my next bike but you never know. Also, I know a lot of people have recommended the Caribou cases. I'm assuming that the level of difficulty to install them is above that of the Buell part but I'd like opinions. Thanks. |
Doncasto
| Posted on Monday, June 23, 2008 - 05:35 pm: |
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I have been happy with my Caribou cases, and although the installation instructions did require some head scratching, I managed to bolt them up in about 3 hrs. of farkle pace time. They have been flawless and I have never had any reason to regret my decision to buy them as opposed to the Buell offering. On a recent trip to the Pacific Coast I found I needed more luggage space. I was able to fabricate a support bracket for a "tour pack" case (Pelican Case) which can be attached and removed from the Caribou brackets and frame. The top case did so well that I am now considering purchasing another Pelican case large enough for a helmet or two. YMMV . . .photos available upon request |
4_pete_sake
| Posted on Monday, June 23, 2008 - 05:39 pm: |
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I just posted my recent purchase.... http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142 838/370412.html?1214175490 Givi is the way I went because I didn't want side bag right now. 2008 Ulys can run with a solo top I have read but the dealers were unable to order it that way.... both side bags or all three was the only option. I got my set-up through Twisted Throttle.... good prices and helpful staff... they are near you in Rhode Island. you can't go wrong really I think, but it ain't gonna be cheap if you want more than minimal liter capacity. Cheers-pete |
Bertotti
| Posted on Monday, June 23, 2008 - 06:17 pm: |
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I have the Buell bags but if I had it to do again I would of got the HB aluminum bags that are big and top loaders. The clamshells are ok for groceries but I can't help but think I would of been better off with the top loaders. Now if these Buell bags could keep their current shape but work as top loaders I'm there. |
Iugradmark
| Posted on Monday, June 23, 2008 - 06:43 pm: |
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Bertotti, Which mounts will work with the Uly and take the HB aluminum bags? |
M_singer
| Posted on Monday, June 23, 2008 - 07:50 pm: |
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Just an FYI the original caribou rack is no longer being made for the Uly. I spoke with Roger @ Caribou and he told me that there will be a set of caribou cases released shortly that will work with the factory H&B racks. The Factory H&B rack is very well made and easy to install. I recently purchased full 3 case H&B setup from another Bad webber. The factory side cases are larger then the Caribou cases but the Caribou cases are much more rugged. |
Jayfredweb
| Posted on Monday, June 23, 2008 - 10:04 pm: |
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I'm torn between the the Touratech Zega Panniers (Ugly but functional, +top loading) and the Caribou system. Has anyone had experience with either set-up on the Ulysses? To me the Zega's seems to be more functional although the Caribous might be more durable. I'm not worried about looking pretty... |
Bertotti
| Posted on Monday, June 23, 2008 - 10:40 pm: |
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Iugradmark, I have not tried them yet but from my research it seems you can retro fit cases or the stock Buell racks to take them. There is a thread here where someone did that the only problem was the cases opened backwards. I think if a person had a little welding skill they could make them work anyway they want them to. The HB site had a pic of the kit needed at one time also. I still do not like the Stock top rack because of the way it is made the triple tail can not be put back with it on and the case off. Guess I am just weird. |
Iugradmark
| Posted on Monday, June 23, 2008 - 10:45 pm: |
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Bertotti: Thanks. I don't have any luggage and I understand that you cannot just purchase the racks for the Buell. I think the strategy of other bag manufacturers relying on the buell racks may be flawed since we cannot buy them without also purchasing the luggage. |
Irelage
| Posted on Tuesday, June 24, 2008 - 01:12 am: |
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Originally had the Buell cases until the latches kept breaking. Then went with the Caribous. They took time to put together but the fitment was perfect. With the ULY bags I had to bend and force them. I absolutely love the Caribous though they are limited in size. I augmented it with the Wolfman Timberline Duffle for the perfect combination. http://www.wolfmanluggage.com/Tail/TimberlineDuffe l.html My Caribous are bullet proof and serve as a great frame protector. I think they match the spirt of the bike. (Message edited by irelage on June 24, 2008) |
Ft_bstrd
| Posted on Tuesday, June 24, 2008 - 01:24 am: |
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Were I to do it over again, I WOULDN'T have bought the Buell bags. I truly don't like the Journey bags because the latch system is absolute shite. There is never a time that I close and latch the bag that I don't worry about the latch breaking. Why the hell you would make it out of plastic I'll never know. I would look at any of the other H&B options, Caribous, etc. I would NOT look at the Journey bags. |
Tigomoto
| Posted on Tuesday, June 24, 2008 - 07:09 am: |
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I had been torn between the Touratech Zegas and Happy Trail panniers. I finally ordered the HTs with the powder coating. About $ 300 cheaper than the Touratech panniers - with added $ for powder coating. Still waiting for delivery -- 4 weeks so far. |
Old_mil
| Posted on Tuesday, June 24, 2008 - 08:05 am: |
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A Fehlings rack + stormcases will put hardbags on your Uly for half the cost of OEM bags. Another good alternative - depending on how often you are going to use them and what you are going to carry - are cortech soft bags. |
Gtmg
| Posted on Tuesday, June 24, 2008 - 09:17 am: |
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I did not realize the fehling racks would accept other luggage besides Givi?? interesting. Don't you have to buy some more things like pucks to take the storm packs? The caribou guy does a lot to the boxes to make them motorcycle worthy though. Wish he still made the racks. I really wish that someone would make a rack that would take the HB Junior Flash boxes. I just think most other are too big or too square. (Message edited by gtmg on June 24, 2008) |
Curly
| Posted on Saturday, June 28, 2008 - 09:41 pm: |
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i love mine and no broken latches.
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Gwis2
| Posted on Saturday, June 28, 2008 - 10:43 pm: |
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Curly - please tell me about that back rack behind the triple tail and the yellow triangle thing...looks like a guy riding a motorcycle, or falling OFF one! And how do you like the beads? |
Fubar
| Posted on Saturday, June 28, 2008 - 10:51 pm: |
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I have the standard cases and *really* wish I would have gotten a top-loading model. Touratech or Happy Trails would have been at the top of the list. |
Gwis2
| Posted on Saturday, June 28, 2008 - 10:54 pm: |
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Tigomoto - I too have taken an interest in the Happy Trail bags. I got the Buell bags with the promo but sold them at a much reduced cost then list (or apparently GAVE them away since the board member hasn't paid me yet ) but was going to "flip" them for the Happy Trail bags which I like better. But a 4 week wait - damn! |
Curly
| Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 08:39 am: |
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Gwis2, the rack behind the triple tail is the mount for the Givi top case mounted on a Fehling rack. All hardware was purchased from Twisted Throttle, who gives you those little yellow triangle stickers when you buy stuff. I have enough of them to sticker everyone here. |
4_pete_sake
| Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 08:53 am: |
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Curly- Which side cases are those exactly, and where is the top case/which top case??? -4_P_S oh yeah and it seems like you didn't have to relocate the turn signals after all. That was a turn off for me orginally. (Message edited by 4_pete_sake on June 29, 2008) |
Gwis2
| Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 08:53 am: |
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Curly - Thanks for the response, I didn't recognize it. I guess the promo Buell bags that I received were made by another manufacturer. I looked at them only briefly before mailing them back out, but didn't recall seeing a plate like that. I've heard mostly good things about twisted throttle, I might have to try em' someday. Do the beads really help on long runs? |
4_pete_sake
| Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 08:59 am: |
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Gwis2- Stock Buell top case doesn't use a mounting plate like GIVI does to my knowledge. Next time you see someone with bags on look under. -4_P_S |
Gwis2
| Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 09:17 am: |
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Pete - looks like that plate alone would be handy as hell even WITHOUT the bag on it. Sort of serves the purpose of the triple tail in that position, while still leaving the triple tail as a back rest... |
4_pete_sake
| Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 09:34 am: |
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Gwis2- While the Plate may appear useful the Rack alone is better, but once you mounting the mounting plate you don't take it off. I don't know if you check out the thread I posted above or not but there you can see the rack itself in pictures. Curly added the side racks as well. At a glance the factory rack and rack system Curly and I are using seem very similar, but allow for different and perhaps more luggage options. Givi has more options than Hepco and Becker. Now that I have the top case and have been using it for two weeks or so .. I can't imagine riding without it. Makes riding anywhere and everywhere easier and more fun. Cheers-Pete |
Curly
| Posted on Monday, June 30, 2008 - 02:50 pm: |
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The Givi sidecases are the E360 and I run E460 for the topcase. Either can be used as top or sidecases. I went with the 360's as sidecases because they have a slimmer profile than the 460. The instructions say to relocate the turn signals but I didn't see the point as they do not contact the bags and can still be seen very well from behind. As for the Beadrider, i like it a lot because it allows air to circulate between that hot seat and your butt. |
Cityxslicker
| Posted on Monday, June 30, 2008 - 04:40 pm: |
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I know I like the caribous
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Roostre
| Posted on Monday, June 30, 2008 - 10:52 pm: |
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Has anyone tried fitting the Hepco & Becker aluminum top loaders (35 or 42 ltr) to the Buell racks? http://tinyurl.com/3g2a5o This seems like it would be an elegant solution. I am assuming that the latches are more rigid on the alum boxes. Does anyone know the differences between the standard and exclusive models? |