Hey guys - first-time poster here (be gentle)... I'm in some what of a similar dilemma, but have been between the Caribou (Peilican), Bumot, and Jesse - from least- to most-expensive. My previous bike was a 2004 BMW R1150R, and I had the BMW system cases for it. 90% of the time I left them off the bike - just used them when I needed them. However, I ALWAYS kept the old Givi top case on - and transferred it to the ST when I got it last fall.
Caribou/Pelican have a LOT of positives: virtually indestructible - won't dent or deform in a tip-over, built-in carrying handles, solid Hepco-Becker racks - that can be largely removed when not in use (no scaffolding), waterproof, USA company, etc. BUT... they're a bit boxy and aren't fitted around the pipe, so they hang out in the breeze more than the Jesses or Bumots. (38")
Jesses are gorgeously made, fit very tightly to the bike (33" for the 79L combo!), have a really cool mounting rack that actually looks good on the bike, are somewhat aerodymically angled, and provide more liters of packable storage per inch of width than just about anything out there. But... they're about 50% more expensive ($400) than the Caribou setup.
Bumots are kind of in the middle - very sturdy aluminum boxes, universally liked and well-reviewed, nice tight-fit to the bike (36"), and are kind of between the Caribou and Jesse case price-wise. Rack looks a bit more "industrial" when the cases are off the bike, tho.
Given that I will probably leave the cases off the bike when I'm not travelling, I'm leaning towards either the Caribous or the Jesses. Just need to decide how much money I'm willing to part with. ;D
Andrew
