New Pelican-based Luggage System

Have you looked into the Cube Pelican cases for the top box? I think they have a 20" and a 24" cube. Would be tall enough to put a helmet in. Would need some extra support and probably have to cover the passenger seat area.

The cubes are a bit big and heavy. The mounting plate would have to span the passenger/pillion area to avoid rear sub-frame failure potential.

As a general update, the 1150GS system is heading to powder coat next week so it is a couple of weeks behind schedule but moving along. The F650GS prototype will be done this week and ready for testing. I have a 1200GS in the shop right now and am working on the initial design. The poor KLR is sitting outside and waiting in line behind the 1200GS.

-rog

Roger,
Looking forward to seeing that F650GS system available. Will the 1550's look too big on the 650?
In looking at the Pelican catalog, they now have a top opening case in a medium size, the 1430. Have you seen this case, and is it adaptable to your system?
Keep up the good work.
Don
'02 F650GS Dakar

Here is my setup. using stock G/S saddlebag brackets, and angle iron mounts, with a latch on the rear. The 1600's are a bit big, rear pegs not available for passengers, but the driver can put feet back there.

i sure like your latching system!



I can take more photos if interested parties want more info. My friend told me to get the 1600 case, but didn't realize he had the 1550 on his K100, so the 1550 case is probably better, but for solo riding, these work well. I rode 200 miles in washboard/dirt roads on the way home from Phoenix, and they stayed on through everything.

David

I think the 1430 is going to be just too small at only 17 liters, and it has no reinforced lugs on the back for solid mounting. The 1520 is going to be fine for a smaller thumper Dual Sport bike (i.e. DRZ) at about 25 liters. The 1550 is probably the best all-around Pelican case for motorcycle luggage in terms of size and cost at 34.7 liters, and this is what I plan to use on the F650GS, 11XXGS, 1200GS, V-Strom, KLR and other similar size bikes. The 1600 will take out the passenger foot peg unless it hangs way off the back (not a great feature) it is 47 liters.

-rog

David,
I love your 80GS! How many miles on it?
Henrique

+1 for the KLR

Seems like R100GS would be a good call, a whole lot of them out there
Pretty Please!

bookmark. too bad the mounting rack ain't for the KTM LC4s... but I need to get back to work before reading your thread.

Here are some pics of the F650/DAKAR prototype, testing begins as soon as the wind in Boulder retreats to something under 70 MPH.

Please note that we now use Hepco Becker side luggage racks for the BMW F650GS/G650GS/DAKAR.

Roger,

Your doing a great job! This is a fantastic option for many riders and I applaud you in taking this setup and bringing it to the market. If I can be of any assistance, you have my number.

Andrew

OK, finally got thru the thread, good job with offering a mounting system and upgrades for the Pelicans. I read that you are working on other bikes in the future. A couple of points/questions for ya:

1) your mounting system, it doesn't have a break away component does it? I am sure you have seen the threads discussing mounting Pelicans to bikes with ricardo eh? One of the bigger points we came up with is how to mount them so they can pop off in a spill and then be remounted in the field. How to do that and allow them to lock and be taken off quick and easily was the trick...

The point of the break away is to protect the rack and bike from the Pelicans, since they do not break or give so easily; if the Pelicans do not release upon impact and the impact is severe enough, then the rack and/or bike may suffer significant damage. This would be a must to gain my interest.

2) the top loader Pelicans would be perfect, if they were not so small. Did you ask Pelican how many orders you would need before they would consider building a custom top-loader for ya? Power in numbers! This would be the ultimate Pelican case for panniers and might boost you sales into the stratosphere.

3) when you design the racks are you testing to make sure the frame doesn't contact the rear wheel with full compression? Just asking since I don't think the cross member on your rack would work with the KTM 640s; maybe it would but I have heard that lowering links and knobbie tires are enough to make the rear contact the wheel well.

Popsicle,

The breakaway component is the compression lock mechanism. Currently I have it set for a 300lb maximum load. When this breaks the case comes off, and a simple nylon compression strap can be threaded through the bracket on the case to the rail and get you to your destination. Replacement compression locks will be available. I plan to include how to do this with the product instructions.

The 1430 Pelican top loader is very small. My relationship with Pelican has to grow significantly before cahnges to their product line will be implemented. If packed and loaded right, side-loaders are optimal, but I respect that everyone has their preference. I can't predict right now if/when a decent size top loader will come available from Pelican, Storm, or other.

For each bike I calculate, CAD layout, and physically test the maximum compression of rear suspension to ensure the cross bar does not contact the rear tire. Thank you for the heads up on the KTM 640, I will be watching for this one.

Hope this helps.

I hope your 300lb setting is conservative enough to protect the rack and bike; good job on addressing that detail. It sounds like an entire locking mechanism is required to repair the break away, that is unfortunate since the break away would be expensive to fix and bulky to carry spares eh?

Since you didn't say you had mined the ricardo thread, here is a link with many of the ideas I had reposted here and more:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=61381

I hope Pelican can be made to see the market for a larger top loader good luck.

Good info,

So the cam is the break away part? But the lock (mount) cannot be repaired? Just wondering what is needed for field repairs. The nylon strap is a good backup for emergencies, but if the lil' cam could be used to properly repair the mount in the field (or even the entire mechanism if its not too large for packing considerations) then that would be ideal.

Yes, typically the cam will bend/break, and it is very easily replaced with a spare in the field. If the entire compression lock itself were to break, you could quickly remove it and easily replace it with a spare in the field. In either case you can use the nylon strap until you got to civilization and I send you a spare. All these parts are small, light and inexpensive to carry as spares.

-rog

Waiting to see what you come up with for the 1200GS as I use these cases already for all my guns. The dual application possibility along with the fact I can ride my bike to the range would be awesome.

Tester in waiting..........

Noah

If I would have seen this thread before buying my 12GS system cases, I definitely would have waited.

That being said, I'm still *very* interested in how the 12GS cases and rack come out.

Very interested.