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Lockable top case or not? Lockable top case or not?
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Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? Anything to do with the bikes equipment, saddlebags, etc. Questions on repairs and maintenance of the bike itself belong in the Brand Specific Tech Forums.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
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Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 1 Aug 2009
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Lockable top case or not?
Hi,

I cant decide whether i should fit a lockable top box to my dr650 for a 3 week trip to Morroco.

I was thinking of fiitting a pelican case so i have some some form of secure luggage but dont know if its worth the extra expense and fitting hassle.

Do other people think its necessary for this sort of trip including some off-roading?

Cheers,

Stephen
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Old 1 Aug 2009
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Spain is the worst country for having things nicked off the bike, and is also most dangerous riding, especially the coastal motorway from Malaga to Algciras.

I prefer lockable, if not I'd suggest Packsafe. A tail pack might be enough if it's big enough.

Even though you may have dumped your main luggage you'll still need quite a lot of gear for offroad riding--loads of water, some food, first aid (proper kit not plasters and asprins), maps, tools, puncture repair stuff...

And you need to ride in Morocco with your documents with you all the time--driving licence, insurance, V5 (bike ownership papers), temporary importation documentation. Also your travel insurance details.
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Old 1 Aug 2009
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I've used a basic, plastic topbox for years and find it indispensable. It's a smallish Nonfango that easily holds a full-face lid and is 100% waterproof, in addition to being light (and somewhere to put stickers, he he) and secure - my Pacsafe is in comparison a pain to set up.
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Old 2 Aug 2009
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Thanks for the replies. I think now that i will fit a pelican case either the 1500 or 1520 1520.

They are not cheap i was quoted around £100 for a 1550 but im sure i will aprreciate the security aspect once in Morroco....its a shame ill have to drill holes in it as im sure i could find other uses for it when im not using it on the bike.

Someone at work told me about explorer cases Explorer Cases - ExplorerCases: Waterproof Cases and Boxes which look similar to peli cases - but are cheaper and can withstand a shark attack (see the website )
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Old 2 Aug 2009
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I use 1520 Pelicans on two bikes. In the States they're cheap, but I assume you've done your comparison shopping. I mounted them using stainless u-bolts and threaded knobs so that they're relatively easy to take off, but I very seldom bother. There are certainly more elaborate mounting schemes, but I'm into fast-and-dirty.

Pelicans are lockable, waterproof, easy to work with or modify, and indestructible. Their only real disadvantage as topboxes is that full helmets don't fit. This would definitely bother some, but I'm adjusted to the absence of helmet storage and don't even notice.

Oh, and for those who care about the looks of their bike, Pelican's are probably not the most elegant. I've got one on a KLR, where it looks sort've appropriate, and one on a Vstom, where it does not. I don't really care, but others might.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark
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Old 3 Aug 2009
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Don't Pelican now make a more cube shaped box? I'm sure I've seen one, although I think it was more expensive, but I remember thinking you could have fitted a helmet in it.

Oh and Steve, you can get little rubber "grommet" like things, but without the holes through the centre which you could push into the holes you've drilled into it for extended off-bike use, to get more for your money's worth.
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Old 3 Aug 2009
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Pelican do lack a more boxy shaped box around the 1400/1500 volume size. The cubes, I seem to remember, are pretty big for a top box. I'm thinking of putting a 1400 on the back of my dualsport bike for my UK-longwayround.
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Old 30 Aug 2009
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I just mounted a pelican case on my DR650. I got the case from a guy off ebay, for $30. I used hose clamps to attach it the the rack, plus fender washers(they are rubber backed), so the case is still water proof. All together it was under $40 Canadian, and 45 min to mount. I think it is well worth the time and money spent.
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