iamchris wrote:

hyperboarder wrote:

I think the Adventure bags are Trax IIRC.  They can leak but are decent.  I'd take a good look at Happy Trails or Jesse if you want hard bags, Giant Loop or Wolfman if you want soft.  I got my scratch and dent Happy Trails for like $580 to my door and they're bulletproof.

What's your opinion of the Givi Trekker set?  So far, I'd like to get a 46 L one for up top and two 33s on the sides.  Is there any reason you didn't mention Givi?  I like how easily removable the cases are as I don't plan to leave them on the bike unless I really need them.  On initial look, it doesn't look like the Happy Trails or Jesse hard bags have that option.

I don't particular like plastic luggage, but Givi owns that side of the business, I hear they make good stuff.  My thought process is if I dump the bike on dirt (which is inevitable) I can hammer a metal pannier back into shape.  Plastic certainly has some really good advantages though.  If you're looking to go that route check out Pelican cases (and their various other names) as well as Hepco Becker, both are also well reviewed.

Regarding the removal of hard cases, Givis are easy and quick, but Jesses and HT's aren't bad.  Both are very similar, basically threaded knobs on the inside of the case, 2 on each side.  Unscrew those, rotate the case out and pull up and they come right off.  Top boxes are a bit more involved, though a lot of folks run aluminum panniers and a plastic top case.

I no has modeysikul.  Going to pick it up Friday on my day off.  If I don't freeze to death or die on some road salt, I'll post pics then.

I had Givi too....nice stuff.

When buying a MC always get gear thrown in, especially when buing when it's cold. Friend just got Manyunk Triumph to throw in a leather riding suit so he could take his new Daytona home....in 30 degree weather.

Wheelies

Sorry I missed this thread, but I'm glad you chose the 650 over the 1000.  The 650 has always been one of my favorite bikes.  Once I move out of my apartment had have a place with a garage I'll probably be in the market for one of these....though I could park it in my apartment. 

Ride safe, hope it treats you well.

Last edited by Someguy (2013-03-31 11:45:38)

scot_douglas wrote:

I have Givi cases - they got their shit tugethah!

I'd rather have AL boxes, but mine came this way, so be it...

Why do you say that?


I took the bike home on Friday and it currently has somewhere around 270 miles on it.  I went on a 150 mile local scenic route around Lake Canandaigua.  I left when it was 60° and dry, and about 30 minutes in, it was down to 45° and rainy.  I came upon one road marked "dead end" and turned around.  I then promptly realized that I'm doing it all wrong and went down every dead end I could find and saw lots of lakeside houses; some very nice, some very chintzy.

I did absolutely zero route planning, and that turned out to be a be a mistake.  I tried hugging the lake as much as possible to see all the houses, but that ended up taking me to a seasonal access road that was due to open the following day.  I decided that having ridden the bike for 100 miles so far, not yet having put on my crash bars, and being an amateur rider in general were perfectly fine qualifications for embarking on this trip.  It's an adventure touring bike anyways, right?

I passed the sign, and a quarter mile later, the asphalt with sparse gravel cover turned to dirt with sparse gravel cover.  Then it was muddy with gravel.  I realized that I was in over my head as soon as I started going uphill in the slippery mud as I almost slid out the rear wheel, even with very light throttle application.  I barely made it up!  I kept on trekking, but a mile or so later encountered a much more steep hill.  There was absolutely no way I would make it up without toppling.  The 9-2x would have been fine, but I was way too inexperienced for this in the wet, especially with new stock tires..  I turned around and snapped this pic of the wimpy hill on the way down that almost claimed Carl's first scratch.  Yes, my bike is named Carl.  Anyways, the hill seemed much steeper in person than it does in the pic.  I'm not that green.

After this, I backtracked to the north corner of the lake where I first started.  I had to warm up in a Burger King for an hour before I could head out again.  I had installed hand guards with the hope that they'd help the cold weather riding, but they do nothing for my thumbs and finger tips.  Heated grips will be ordered today.  Also, BK coffee actually isn't too bad at all.  After I spent 5 minutes with the hand dryer in the bathroom drying out my neck gaiter and gloves, I headed back out.  I checked maps online and planned a route that would actually take me all around the lake.  Unfortunately it wasn't as scenic as I would have hoped; at times I was a mile away from the shore.  But I didn't give up, and I made it around.

Here's some random shots from the day.  Nothing too purdy, but I was quite enjoying my first mini adventure.  Can't wait to do it again.



















First fill-up!









No longer clean.





finishing mileage







I'm hooked.  So glad I bought it.

Last edited by iamchris (2013-04-01 11:42:49)

This. 

Hey hey...I gotta tell ya, bike's got a sweet name

Looks fun. I was expecting a steeper hill! 

Nice! I would suggest reading up a bit on non-paved riding, changes with the variables. I like engine braking down the hill but with ABS it wouldn't be as necessary.

You kiddin' me?  Friday was beautiful here!  Just a few layers and I was quite comfy.

Yesterday sucked, though.

I want moar pics.