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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.
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  #1  
Old 18 Feb 2008
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Thanks, fellas - typically useful replies - gotta love this site.

Looks like a good solution to the 'what the hell do i do with my laptop?' question. Now I just need to answer the 'Do I really want an incongruous briefcase permanently bolted to the back of my dirt bike?' problem...

Suerte, Dan

PS Matt - what are you riding these days? And where are you taking it next?
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  #2  
Old 18 Feb 2008
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Pack your laptop in with your dirty and/or clean clothes, seriously.
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Old 18 Feb 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lone Rider View Post
Pack your laptop in with your dirty and/or clean clothes, seriously.
And then just sling it in a soft pannier and forget about it? It will either survive or it won't, so cover losses by regularly burning pic cds and uploading words? That was my initial instinct - problem with being off the road for a while is the flirty distraction of too many fancy accessories...
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Old 18 Feb 2008
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Originally Posted by Dan 23 View Post
And then just sling it in a soft pannier and forget about it? It will either survive or it won't, so cover losses by regularly burning pic cds and uploading words? That was my initial instinct - problem with being off the road for a while is the flirty distraction of too many fancy accessories...
I use a soft rear bag (MotoFizz) and always pack my laptop inside a padded sleeve, then mix it in with my clothes inside the rear bag. When camping, I'll add the sleeping bag to the rear bag, like extra stuffing.
I've carried a laptop this way for 160-180k miles.
I think the Pelicans are heavy and constitute a large mass, especially with any foam padding.
As long as you can access your stuff, the fewer the number of bags, the better.
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  #5  
Old 29 Feb 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan 23 View Post
PS Matt - what are you riding these days? And where are you taking it next?
Still got the XT (I've got a sneaking suspicion I'm never going to sell a bike, still got the Enfield which was my first bike, waiting for the summer and cafe racer glory!)

Taking the XT on what was originally a straight 'there and back again' trip to the Alps for spring skiing but thinking Poland is kind of on the way...

What about you?

Matt
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  #6  
Old 11 Mar 2008
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The pelican cases are about 6mm thick in the walls - so really strong.

If you drill a hole in them then the life time warranty is void. I know someone was looking at a glue so they could still have the warranty.

I've been using two 1550s as side panniers - they have surived my abuse! A fall at over 80km/h in deep sand about 18 months ago - still water proof, some scratches.
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Old 11 Mar 2008
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Removable too
I use a pelican case as a top box on my Triumph Trophy. I drilled 4 holes in the case to line up with the slots in my carry rack. I then put an "eye" bolt in each hole so that when on the bike the "eye" stuck down through the rack.

I then took carrige bolts, however any type of rod having the right diameter would work, and put it through the "eye" bolts. I drilled the retaining rods for either a lock or a hairpin clip.

As long as you are careful where you drill the holes so that they are in the very ends of the rack slot the case cannot turn or slide. The rods stop it from bouncing up and it can be put on or off of the bike in a matter of seconds.

I mounted the "eye" bolts to the case using, from the outside in, nut, metal washer, piece of rubber, case, piece of rubber, metal plate between 2 bolts, lockwasher and then nylon self locking acorn nut.

Nut on the outside makes sure you can adjust the depth the "eye" bolt protrudes, the acorn nut on the inside is just to prevent rubbing something in the case.

Rick
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Old 26 Mar 2008
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I'm also thinking of adding a Peli case to the luggage rack of my DR650. The one thing I like about having my Ortlieb bag on the back is the 'backrest' qualities it provides on long rides so I guess you don't get that with a pelican (case) behind you?

Although there's some good descriptions of the different mounts people are using, any chance of some pics to help 'illuminate' the various mounting option that seem to work with these cases?
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Old 27 Mar 2008
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Hi Mike,

I'll try to post some pix this weekend before I head off to the alps. Mine is over the parcel rack area so you could still put a dry bag back rest in between it and yourself.

How's Australia?

Matt
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Old 27 Mar 2008
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Cheers Matt

Well only 2nd week into the new job here but will be good to start earning some cash again even though I'm quite alergic to working now. Did the Great Ocean Road last week, stunning scenery and great roads, am glad we did it then as the weather today reminds me somewhat of Bonny Scotland...
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