Carabou Luggage

[tpak]

My slightly used S10 cam ewith them an dI love them. The removable locking system is excellent. I had a set of Seahorses (similar to pelican/skc cases) that I home brewed onto my Vstrom using the Happy Trails mounting pucks (cheap and do the trick) and while I could remove them it was much more hassle.

That being said, I dumped the Vstrom on a gravel fire road in early June doing about 30 and smashed the snot out of the on Seahorse case. Pretty much split one side of it in half and ripped it off of the bike. I was able re-mount it and Seahorse sent me a new case no question asked (not quite true - the only thing they ask was if I was OK) and shipped it n/c. Great company. I think the way the Caribou is mounted is superior and the case would not have come apart the way the Seahorse/Happy Trail combo did.

My only concern with these side loader plastic cases is waterproofness - in particular when they are overstuffed in the heat. So far so good but the seal is not that great ...

I'll see if I can take some decent pictures of both setups this weekend.

 

[DubbleJay]

I think it's great that you have found a way to save money, it's admirable. However I doubt if you can McGyver a latching system that compares to the Caribou system, but without question, Roger's system is solid, rattle/squeak-free, and quick and easy to operate.

I'm not a Richie Rich, but when I see a system so well thought out, it becomes one of the important things I'm willing to sacrifice for.

I've seen all of the systems and luggage, my choice will always be Caribou cases. Roger has nothing to fear with honest competition.

Absolutely your correct ::008::. Glad I can pick up that latching system on its own. I just havnt fully committed myself to the pelicans... To be quite honest, I am a very light packer... Ive undertaken many 3K+ trips without enough stuff to fill these bags and have never had want of anything. Im usually the guy whos up and packed in 5 minutes complaining while everyone else is taking their sweet riding time carefully packing their camp pillows and fold up toilets. So luggage is just not a priority... yet.

I spose Im hoping to find someone who hasn't the resources that others do even when the systems are a no brainer. If I had the money, believe me I would just order the Caribou... but I dont so the next best option is to emulate it as best I can. Used pelicans, the mounting system perhaps a used set of H&B's... Ive priced it out to about half the cost.

I do understand the value of their system and do not necessarily believe that they are over priced. Just wanted to bring up the fact that the caribou system is flexible, and buying the full $800 package is not ones only solution.

"Purchase power is not resourcefulness, and having a fat and reliable wallet aint gonna help you the desert." - My Dad, Bless Him.

 

[JTWY]

I'm a light packer to. The only thing I keep in my Panniers ( or Saddlebags ) is my cane , an extra sweatshirt , a pair of warmer gloves , extra pair of glasses ( both sun and clear , I use reader sun glasses ) and a tire repair kit.

 

[TierHawg]

I purchased a 36L Caribou set last year. The price was a little cheaper than metal bags, but that isn't why I went with the Pelican's. I figured they would hold up better over the long haul for me, and be easier to replace if ever needed. I don't have any issues with the side loading or the capacity. The only thing I noticed about the Caribou w/Hepco Becker mounts is they are a little wider than some of the other options out there. If I remember correctly, 38 inches width in front, 36 in the back. Also, its great to take the bags off and carry them in just like suitcases.

 

[JTWY]

I purchased a 36L Caribou set last year. The price was a little cheaper than metal bags, but that isn't why I went with the Pelican's. I figured they would hold up better over the long haul for me, and be easier to replace if ever needed. I don't have any issues with the side loading or the capacity. The only thing I noticed about the Caribou w/Hepco Becker mounts is they are a little wider than some of the other options out there. If I remember correctly, 38 inches width in front, 36 in the back. Also, its great to take the bags off and carry them in just like suitcases.

Awesome , looks great !!

JT

 

[BaldKnob]

I am a satified customer but went with the 40L cases and usually fill both (and Givi topbox) for camping. I really enjoy the light weight, ease of use and lifetime replacement policy. The lanyards are a bit cheasy, one of mine broke early and if you force the lid closed you will take in water. Put a little graphite lube in the locks and you will be a happy camper albeit a cold one for these next 4-5 months!

 

[JTWY]

I am a satified customer but went with the 40L cases and usually fill both (and Givi topbox) for camping. I really enjoy the light weight, ease of use and lifetime replacement policy. The lanyards are a bit cheasy, one of mine broke early and if you force the lid closed you will take in water. Put a little graphite lube in the locks and you will be a happy camper albeit a cold one for these next 4-5 months!

Thanks for the review on the Carabou luggage. They seem to be just what I'm looking for.

JT

 

[rush2112]

I am a satified customer but went with the 40L cases and usually fill both (and Givi topbox) for camping. I really enjoy the light weight, ease of use and lifetime replacement policy. The lanyards are a bit cheasy, one of mine broke early and if you force the lid closed you will take in water. Put a little graphite lube in the locks and you will be a happy camper albeit a cold one for these next 4-5 months!

Any chance of pics on the bike? I'm torn between 36 and 40.

 

[Siseneg]

I haven't ordered yet, and have the same dilemma about 36 vs 40. The size specs for the cases are on the caribou site. I think it's 21x16 vs 22 x 18.5. Both sizes are 8.5" deep. He does make a note that the 40s will limit the foot room on the pax pegs.

 

[rush2112]

I haven't ordered yet, and have the same dilemma about 36 vs 40. The size specs for the cases are on the caribou site. I think it's 21x16 vs 22 x 18.5. Both sizes are 8.5" deep. He does make a note that the 40s will limit the foot room on the pax pegs.

No pics needed. The last comment made my decision. 36L it is....

 

[thfraser]

I haven't ordered yet, and have the same dilemma about 36 vs 40. The size specs for the cases are on the caribou site. I think it's 21x16 vs 22 x 18.5. Both sizes are 8.5" deep. He does make a note that the 40s will limit the foot room on the pax pegs.

Siseneg - I have the Twisted Throttle version. But if you want to see them in person, we could arrange a meet up.

 

[JTWY]

No pics needed. The last comment made my decision. 36L it is....

I'm gonna go with medium size panniers as well.

JT

 

[Tippo]

Consider ordering the case liner for your right hand bag. I use this bag for stuff I need to access while on the road (jacket liner, lunch, spare gloves, etc.) No problem with stuff falling out on the road. They make a nice inner bag that I use in the left hand case. I leave the (usually dirty) cases on the bike when I go into a motel and just carry the nylon inner bag (w/ shoulder strap that I added). I am very happy with my 36L cases and Hepco-Becker rack.

Jeff

 

[BaldKnob]

Here is a pic with passenger peg out that shows the amount of foot space. I have sat on pillion just to see if the cases interfered with my boot. I wear 11 Sidis and they fit fine so unless you're dating a WNBA superstar, you should have plenty of room.

 

[JTWY]

Thanks Jeff ,
I'll keep that in mind.

And thanks for the picture Baldknob.

JT

 

[Scoop47501]

Have the 36 liters on my Tenere. Tough as nails. While back I was riding two up on some river bottom roads and rode through a very large puddle. Made it through until I got to the other side and my road tires did not care for the wet clay. Left right left right and down I went on the left side. Wife rolled of in the mud laughing . I was pi$$ed as I thought I surely tore some thing up. Bike rested on the crash bar and my Caribou. Bike was a muddy mess and we lifted it up made it home and hosed it off. Case showed no damage even though the back half of the bike was fulling resting on it.
Would buy again in a heart beat.
Scooper

 

[patrickg450]

Here is a pic with passenger peg out that shows the amount of foot space. I have sat on pillion just to see if the cases interfered with my boot. I wear 11 Sidis and they fit fine so unless you're dating a WNBA superstar, you should have plenty of room.

so what size casse is it? gonna make me a purchase here in about 2 weeks for Xmas.

 

[Curt]

A friend did a lot of research and got the Caribou 36L side case system. I'm very happy I went with them too. The 36L have particularly nice latches. I've heard other cases' latches are difficult to operate and hurt the fingers. These open and close easily, and come on and off the bike like suitcases with the greatest of ease.

I've dropped the bike on each side with very minor damage to the cases. I'm pretty sure metal cases would have been dented and scratched until ugly. These Pelican cases can be wiped with Back To Black until they shine and scratches are rendered invisible from afar.

Since they're slightly flexible, one can over-stuff them once in a while. Yet they don't deform permanently, and remain water tight. Mine have never shown any signs of leaking. They also have pressure equalizers.

I highly recommend going with the snap-in liners that they'll install for you. They significantly multiply the usefulness of the cases. Besides keeping things from falling out, they protect the hinges from opening too far. I can take home up to 8 bags of groceries by leaving the cases open (supermarket is a short distance away).

Disadvantages: helmet doesn't fit in (so I keep a helmet cable lock in there); liners often pinch and have to be pushed in when closing the cases (not too big a deal); the latch hook snags on things being removed from the case (annoying); the locks are primitive (I found my key to access the sprinkler boxes in a local park ;D).

 

[patrickg450]

so getting the 40L cases is not worth it?

 

[BaldKnob]

so what size casse is it? gonna make me a purchase here in about 2 weeks for Xmas.

Patrick, cases in the pic are 40L and are worth it.