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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 21 Aug 2008
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Wolfman Tank Panniers

The last piece of equipment I need for my DR 650 is a tank bag / panniers. I quite like the idea of the tank panniers as they are out of the way. I have a large plastic tank on the bike and worry that the tank bag will not sit well and cover the fuel cap.

I have seen the Wolfman Tank Panniers which look like they might do the job. Anyone used these or have an alternative?

Thanks
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Old 21 Aug 2008
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I have a KLR with a plastic tank and I use a Wolfman Explorer tank bag on it. The bag has four point mounting and does not move around. When needed I use some cloth saddle bags to carry my spare tubes, tent footprint and rain jacket. These were free, came witha parts bike. I modified the center web to fit over the filler neck [made a hole, then stiched fabric tape over the edges where I cut] then I stiched the web double to shorten the length.One strap around the front keeps it from sliding back.

The plastic cap has a fitting for a line. I put a long hose on that and siliconed it so it wouldn't come off. The bag does lay on it ,but I haven't had any venting issues.

I tried to attach a photo but I can't make it work.
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Old 24 Aug 2008
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I use the Wolfman tank panniers on my KLR650. Work a treat. In fact they are the one bag that stays on the bike all the time. They are very basic design, but seem to hold up very well and with some effort, mount very solid and secure.

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Old 24 Aug 2008
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I am using the Aerostitch ones.



They have some stiff plastic insert in them which keep the the contents reasonably dry even in bad rain - and as the bottom is not waterproof, fluid gets out quickly, too.

But the reason I love them is that the plastic inserts keep the bags rectangular. You don't have to pack the bags carefully - open the lid, throw in your bottle of vodka, close the lid, that's it

(I try to keep them fairly empty in be able to just throw in stuff like grocery without having to think)

Lars
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Old 24 Aug 2008
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Thanks for the replies. I have two questions on the tank panniers:

- Do they make the bike unstable - is the weight in the wrong place?
- Do they interfere with the riding position - I worry they might knock against my knees?
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Old 25 Aug 2008
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Since you'll have most of your luggage behind you and even behind the axle of the rear wheel, weight within the tank panniers should actually improve handling.

I heard riders complain about tank panniers rubbing on their knees. I wonder why they do not shift the panniers towards the front wheel?

Personally, I don't have that problem.

Lars
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Old 30 Aug 2008
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I have quite long legs (35" inseam) and rubbing was an issue for me. After a little creative mounting, I came up with an arrangement for my KLR that provides me adequate knee clearance (as you can see in the pic).
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