After Market Hard Luggage

tiogajoe

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Just to be fair.... I believe Caribou charges $30 for shipping. Putting the total price at $830. I believe the SM/rack would be about $50 less? The group buy on the Micatech bags w/ shipping to my zip was $970. I was interested in the Hepco Becker rack after reading on the Caribou web site that They feel the Hepco Becker would hold up better in the long run than the SM rack and the Givi rack. I have never owned any of them. This is my first ADV bike so I'm just doing my homework like everyone else. I will be using my bike in North Central Pa where the Marcellus gas drilling is hot and heavy. The Gas companys put an anti dust additive on the roads in the summer and cinder the crap out of them in the winter. Me thinks any Aluminum bag will not fair well over time? The Pelican cases in my situation seem to be the better choice. Still have not made up my mind.....open to any imput.
 

jajpko

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The S10 has aluminum parts, and most are powder coated or painted. The Micatech bags are powder
coated inside and out. I would think with proper care, and the powder coat, it would be ok. Just a
thought.
 

motocephalic

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Both options are good. It's up to you to justify the added expense of one over the other. Here is why I chose Micatech over Pelican system. I currently have the pelicans, and as I have said before, Pelicans can leak, as mine have, by landing in a river crossing with torque on the lid. It made the lid open slightly, and water got in. Pelicans can crack, as mine have done(hard use). I have not tried to have them covered under warranty, as I think my use has bordered on abuse. Mica's are an aluminum box, to be compared with Jessee bags, or Zegapro bags. Both of those are near the 1400.00 mark. Now we compare like luggage, and Micas are made in the USA. After closely inspecting the seams, weatherstripping, finish, design, mounting adjustments, customer service. I knew Micas would be best for ME.
 

Ollie

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Caribou updated their website to include a 35 and 36L cases that use Hepco Becker racks for the Tenere. I'm going with a pair of the 26L (storm version) and SW Evo rack and quick lock. The only thing I'm not so keen on is that my Raven bike is going to nothing but black from end to end. Anyone ever have the Pelican cases professionally painted?

http://cariboucases.com/store/?name=Catalog&mode=i&item=000358
 

ptfjjj

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Ollie said:
Caribou updated their website to include a 35 and 36L cases that use Hepco Becker racks for the Tenere. I'm going with a pair of the 26L (storm version) and SW Evo rack and quick lock. The only thing I'm not so keen on is that my Raven bike is going to nothing but black from end to end. Anyone ever have the Pelican cases professionally painted?

http://cariboucases.com/store/?name=Catalog&mode=i&item=000358
IMO, I think that the gray cases would look good on the Raven model. Have you considered that?
 

Ollie

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Yeah, I did consider that but the grey just looks a little dead IMHO. I just got off the phone with Bob Gould at Micatech and I think I'm going to go with the V2's. I'm going to have the sides powder coated black and the door silver. I think that will look good with the Alt Rider crash bars.
 

ptfjjj

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Ollie, yeah! I do think that the V2 look super sweet in black with silver doors. Nice choice, expecially for the Raven model.
 

switchback

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Ollie said:
Yeah, I did consider that but the grey just looks a little dead IMHO. I just got off the phone with Bob Gould at Micatech and I think I'm going to go with the V2's. I'm going to have the sides powder coated black and the door silver. I think that will look good with the Alt Rider crash bars.
Yeah, in the end I also went for the V2 cases. Pelicans are nice but for the price and reviews the Micatechs got my attention.
 

tiogajoe

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Just an FYI I ordered a set of Caribou Luggage this after noon. The 36l side cases are now available in colors. Got a set of siler/grey and a Hepco Becker rack $846 to my door.
Now all i need is the bike to put them on. ::)
 

doggrell3000

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i have been looking at all the side cases and top cases online . i have plenty of time to choose among them because i will not be getting my super tenere any time soon . one criterion that i have for side cases is wide width . sw motech micatech metal mule and other all aluminum side cases each offer large boxy pieces with 45 liters or more . these models are 11 inches or more wide . i want to use my side cases to securely store my two arai xc ram open face helmets . i plan to place one helmet in the left 45 liter side case and one helmet in the right 45 liter side case . i do not yet have the two helmets or any side cases or even a super tenere in my possession . this temporary state of affairs makes speculation about the helmet storage capacity of the various side cases difficult . will any 45 liter aluminum side case contain an average size open face helmet with the lid fully closed and locked ? i do not know the width of the arai xc ram open face helmet . i do not know the exact interior width of most good side cases . has anyone tried fitting an open face helmet inside a 45 liter aluminum side case ? i doubt if a full face helmet will fit inside an 11 inch space . in fact the interior of these side cases will be even less than the published width measurements of 11 inches . i can't help thinking that a typical open face helmet would fit inside an 11 inch wide box . what is the general consensus on this obscure issue ? thanks for your opinions .
 

rem

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Well, after reading your post, I waddled down to my motorsickel room and gave it a go. I have a Micatech big one .. V2 - 45L ?? and I have a Shoei full size visor type helmet. It won't go. I think it will fit inside the case once it gets in there, just, but I can't get it through the opening. Almost, but no cigar. Now consider it's early and Im moving slow. I'll try again after I wake up, but I'm thinking not. This isn't an issue for me as I don't tend to do that, but I also have a 46L Givi top case and the helmet goes in there just fine. So there you go. R
 

doggrell3000

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thanks rem . that was quite helpful of you to actually physically go and try putting your full face shoei in the large micatech . your reported results are not encouraging . from what i have read the micatech v2 model has a side door which is probably less than 10 inches wide . a full face helmet like the shoei would be larger than my arai xc ram open face helmet . so i am not entirely disappointed in your initial attempt . i am probably going to buy a metal mule max pannier luggage set . the 45 liter metal mule side case ( 11.3" wide ) opens from the top and should have easier access than a slightly smaller side door . so maybe a helmet can fit inside . i will occasionally use the matching metal mule 32 liter top case which is known to contain most helmets . but i will not always ride with the top case mounted on the super tenere and must depend on the two side cases to store my helmets . the two 45 liter metal mule side cases with the matching 32 liter top case plus mounting rack plus luggage rack plus special all black powder coat paint plus all available accessories is a real bargain at only $3500 ( or more ) not including shipping direct from merry ol' england . this luggage set is about twice what i paid for an entire motorcycle in 1987 .
 

rem

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Yeah, no kidding on the cost of stuff these days. I still remember nickel Cokes and 25 cent haircuts. But then, I'm older than dirt. Anyway, regarding the helmet, it was very, very close. The little air control sliding plate right at the top of the helmet is what kept it from going in. I tried several different angles but no go. But as you say, might work with a different type of helmet. R
 

rem

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Okay ... I went ALL THE WAY downstairs again. boy, the things I do for you guys. ;D Measurement of the actual opening is 16" by 9.25" or thereabouts. Best I could tell. It's dark and I'm old, but pretty close. There is kind of a parallelogram thing going on with the opening. Anyway, there you have it. Judicious use of a hammer may improve your odds a little, but ... well, I'd give it a lot of thought first. R
 

tiogajoe

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I take that back guys. Roger informed me today that the 36l sidecases are only available in black. I had been cosidering the Pelican 35l which are available in gray but weigh 2lbs more per case. When your adding crashbars,skidplates etc this stuff adds up. I went with the 36l in black. Should have them later next week.
 

switchback

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That is strange because you can order the same case elsewhere in colors. Available in Black, Olive, and Yellow. Two colors in the list that would go very nice on a S10.
 

tiogajoe

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Sorry I should have said it was not available in grey. I did see the black, yellow and olive drab. I did not discuss the other colors with Roger.
 
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