Questions about pannier mounting

Maoule · 01-13-2013, 03:10 PM

I'm in the process of installing Pelican 1550s on my '11 990R with Happy Trails SU racks...my question is, at what angle should they be mounted? Does it matter? I've seen several pictures of the KTM factory systems and the panniers seem to be angled to match the seat/decal lines. Is there a practical reason for this or do I mount them using the angle of the rack? Thanks!

Maoule · 01-13-2013, 05:34 PM

Anyone? bump

zeegman · 01-13-2013, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maoule

I'm is the process of installing Pelican 1550s on my '11 990R with Happy Trails SU racks...my question is, at what angle should they be mounted? Does it matter? I've seen several pictures of the KTM factory systems and the panniers seem to be angled to match the seat/decal lines. Is there a practical reason for this or do I mount them using the angle of the rack? Thanks!

My guess, and it is only a guess, is that it angled down in front to make it easier for passengers to get on and off and for you to swing your leg over it when getting on and off when you don't have a passenger.

Another thing to consider it the height the bags need to be to clear the road surface when you have the bike leaned over in turns. Not sure what the best height it should be for that.

MZ

Xtremjeepn · 01-14-2013, 09:22 AM

I've built several Pelican based systems for my various bikes and also have several factory systems. Honestly, I think its just personal taste based on the lines of the bike. Most seem to have some angle to them.

I angled the Pelican 1430s on my R1 to match the seat line.

The Pelican 1550s on my KLR were mounted low and with just a slight angle to match the seat since it was mostly just a pack mule. (

Stock bags on the KTM(as you pointed out)

Here are some stock BMW bags, angled to match the seat. But I think when these get the metal bags they are flat.

Maoule · 01-14-2013, 11:11 AM

Thanks for the replies. I was playing with the angles last night and liked the seat angle best. Because I couldn't come up with a reason against it, that is now the plan.

Xtremjeepn · 01-14-2013, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maoule

Thanks for the replies. I was playing with the angles last night and liked the seat angle best. Because I couldn't come up with a reason against it, that is now the plan.

Post up pictures when they are done

beergut · 01-14-2013, 11:24 AM

Tour-a-tech told me there is no right or wrong way to mount panniers. Generally, for 1 up riding, panniers are mounted level to the seat with TT racks.

Happy-trail will tell you that they mount theirs at an angle for 2 up riding.

Others will say that a angle mounted pannier is to clear heals when riding with the feet off the pegs.

I think it boils down to complete owner or manufacture preference. On my KLR, I mounted the front about 5" lower than the front.

Maoule · 01-14-2013, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xtremjeepn

Post up pictures when they are done

Will do... I received my fastgun locks today; made the lid keeper cables; just waiting for the puck mounting kit from Happy

Two Moto Kiwis · 01-14-2013, 04:34 PM

Another thing to consider is the weight height, if you are not needing the off road ground clearance then keeping them lower and forward will help your handling dramatically on the shingle or sandpits.

Just my 2 cents

Maoule · 01-14-2013, 05:52 PM

My thought is to keep enough room for the passenger pegs, in case, by some miracle, I convince my wife to ride again (she's still pissed about the the $13G

). After that, it's all about keeping everything down and forward. Thanks for the input...and hey, 2mK, you guys be careful out there and g'luck

Two Moto Kiwis · 01-14-2013, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maoule

Thanks for the input...and hey, 2mK, you guys be careful out there and g'luck

You are welcome and thank you so much, likewise to keep the rubber bits down .... it's cheaper

Xtremjeepn · 01-14-2013, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maoule

My thought is to keep enough room for the passenger pegs.....After that, it's all about keeping everything down and forward. T

I know lots of guys like the solo seat effect and its undesirable to ride your buddies around.......but......I've had to ride a stranded motorist/rider before so I keep passenger capabilities for emergency use.

WeBeRidin · 01-14-2013, 07:05 PM

You might want to consider mounting cases at the angle of your rack and symmetrical front to back. That way your cases can mount on either side of your bike and are interchangeable.

Xtremjeepn · 01-14-2013, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WeBeRidin

You might want to consider mounting cases at the angle of your rack and symmetrical front to back. That way your cases can mount on either side of your bike and are interchangeable.

FWIW none of mine are semetrical and I have not come up with a reason to need that feature yet.

The home brew R1 and KLR racks and bags ended up being side specific due to the way it had to mount to the bike. Which I'm sure the factories run into the same issue and that is why the factory bags on the KTM and BMW Dakar are both side specific too.

Grizzz4440 · 01-14-2013, 07:41 PM

Make them level with your top box, then U can stack more gear on them 4 that adv. ride.

01-13-2013, 03:10 PM	#1
Maoule ^OP Adventurer Joined: Nov 2012 Location: KCMO Oddometer: 89	Questions about pannier mounting I'm in the process of installing Pelican 1550s on my '11 990R with Happy Trails SU racks...my question is, at what angle should they be mounted? Does it matter? I've seen several pictures of the KTM factory systems and the panniers seem to be angled to match the seat/decal lines. Is there a practical reason for this or do I mount them using the angle of the rack? Thanks! Maoule screwed with this post 01-15-2013 at 07:21 PM

01-14-2013, 09:22 AM	#4
Xtremjeepn Motorhead! Joined: May 2008 Location: SaddleRock, Colorado Oddometer: 1,377	I've built several Pelican based systems for my various bikes and also have several factory systems. Honestly, I think its just personal taste based on the lines of the bike. Most seem to have some angle to them. I angled the Pelican 1430s on my R1 to match the seat line. The Pelican 1550s on my KLR were mounted low and with just a slight angle to match the seat since it was mostly just a pack mule. ( Stock bags on the KTM(as you pointed out) Here are some stock BMW bags, angled to match the seat. But I think when these get the metal bags they are flat. __________________ Cole Ford<----my iPad app ...and iPhone version .....Android Tablet version 06 KTM 950 Adventure(The Fainting Goat) 02 F650GS DAKAR 2 KLR650s Travel bikes http://coffeemotorcycleswine.blogspot.com/

01-14-2013, 11:24 AM	#7
beergut Thumper Joined: Dec 2009 Location: Indiana Oddometer: 354	Tour-a-tech told me there is no right or wrong way to mount panniers. Generally, for 1 up riding, panniers are mounted level to the seat with TT racks. Happy-trail will tell you that they mount theirs at an angle for 2 up riding. Others will say that a angle mounted pannier is to clear heals when riding with the feet off the pegs. I think it boils down to complete owner or manufacture preference. On my KLR, I mounted the front about 5" lower than the front. __________________ '04 KTM 950Adv KTM rotopax mounting plates

01-14-2013, 04:34 PM	#9
Two Moto Kiwis Homeless Somewhere Joined: Apr 2007 Location: Wanaka, New Zealand, Currently RTWing Oddometer: 1,629	Another thing to consider is the weight height, if you are not needing the off road ground clearance then keeping them lower and forward will help your handling dramatically on the shingle or sandpits. Just my 2 cents __________________ Cheers Andi & Ellen...Two Moto Kiwi Grüvers .....somewhere Two Moto Kiwis Home Page For More Of Two Moto Kiwis Photos

01-14-2013, 05:52 PM	#10
Maoule ^OP Adventurer Joined: Nov 2012 Location: KCMO Oddometer: 89	My thought is to keep enough room for the passenger pegs, in case, by some miracle, I convince my wife to ride again (she's still pissed about the the $13G). After that, it's all about keeping everything down and forward. Thanks for the input...and hey, 2mK, you guys be careful out there and g'luck

01-13-2013, 05:34 PM	#2
Maoule ^OP Adventurer Joined: Nov 2012 Location: KCMO Oddometer: 89	Anyone? bump

01-14-2013, 11:11 AM	#5
Maoule ^OP Adventurer Joined: Nov 2012 Location: KCMO Oddometer: 89	Thanks for the replies. I was playing with the angles last night and liked the seat angle best. Because I couldn't come up with a reason against it, that is now the plan.

01-14-2013, 07:05 PM	#13
WeBeRidin n00b Joined: Apr 2012 Oddometer: 4	You might want to consider mounting cases at the angle of your rack and symmetrical front to back. That way your cases can mount on either side of your bike and are interchangeable.

01-14-2013, 07:41 PM	#15
Grizzz4440 Over the Hill (Wild Bill) Joined: Aug 2008 Location: Ko-Kwill,Or. Oddometer: 99	Level Make them level with your top box, then U can stack more gear on them 4 that adv. ride. __________________ Grizzz Ride Hard, Shoot Straight, Speak the Truth = Cooper

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