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XL600 racks and panniers: H&B, AndyStrapz... XL600 racks and panniers: H&B, AndyStrapz...
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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 George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
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Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



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  #1  
Old 7 Jun 2008
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XL600 racks and panniers: H&B, AndyStrapz...
Hi everybody!

As a (new) proud owner of an Honda XL 600 LM (just bought it last Sunday!) I'm starting to think about some way of carrying my stuff around the world and all that.

My idea is to carry soft luggage, since I want to travel as light as possible, so that would probably mean some saddlebags (maybe Expedition panniers from Andy Strapz, or Touratech ZegaFlex) and some kind of bag attached to the back of the seat. Pretty much like everyone around I guess.

The thing is that I would need some racks to keep everything out of the reach of the exhaust, and the only racks made for this machine are the Hepco and Becker.

Has anyone tried them on? Do they fit properly on the bike? I heard something about they not fitting or something like that, and before I spend 180 € on them, I'd rather be sure they will fit...hehehe!!

I think Orrin travelled on this bike with H&B racks, so I'd love to hear some advice. It would much appreciated.

By the way, AndyStrapz Expedition Panniers, Touratech Zega Flex or something else??

Thank a lot guys!
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  #2  
Old 13 Jun 2008
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Will H&B racks fit the 1987 model?
I guess it is pretty difficult to find anyone who can answer these questions, but trying is the first step to get something, so I try...

I've seen in the Hepco & Becker website that they DO sell racks for the XL 600 LM, but, because there is always a BUT, they say it is for the 1985-86 model....Mine is 1987, so the question is:

Does anybody know if there is any difference in the back of the 86 and the 87 XL, or the rear footpegs, to think that this rack could not fit there??

If I'm lucky, there will be someone here who knows. If not...mmmhh, I'll think of something!

thanks and see you!
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  #3  
Old 14 Jun 2008
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I use the Moto-Sport Yukon II semi-soft luggage on my DR650. Really great compromise between hard and soft luggage.
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  #4  
Old 14 Jun 2008
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Hi Nadir,
I also have a XL600LM which i love. I have noticed that the back of the mk1 Transalps (XL600V) are very similar. You may be able to get the rack from one of those to fit.
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  #5  
Old 16 Jun 2008
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Hi, I also have an XL600lm and coincedendly Andystrapz bags and a Hepco becker topbox.
The top box and fittings were from an Africa Twin fitted with no problems, the racks to secure the bags and keep them out of the back wheel I made from some old BMW racks just move the brackets about and reweld.
As they carry no weight as such any one who can weld can do this for you cheaply, (it's not very skillfull engineering).
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  #6  
Old 16 Jun 2008
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thanx!!
Thankx guys!, I see a couple of interesting opinions around... Now I don't really have the time, but as soon as possible, I will be looking at the welding bussiness around town, there has to be some place to build something...for sure.

I am not sure, but I think that not so much is needed, just a metal bar from the rear footpegs to the back rack, with maybe a bend somewhere in between (and probably a link between both sides; How important is that??) and that should do the job, don't you think? What would be a good and simple design??

I guess the idea is to pack light. Otherwise I would carry Alu boxes. A set of Andy Expedition panniers, with the homemade racks, and a dry bag attached to the back of the seat, with maybe a plastic jerry somewhere for the longer stretches. I've seen a couple of threads about that here, also...

mmhh, anyways, any ideas are very welcomed!!

cheers!
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  #7  
Old 16 Jun 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nadir View Post
...just a metal bar from the rear footpegs to the back rack, with maybe a bend somewhere in between[...]

[...]mmhh, anyways, any ideas are very welcomed!!...
Well, I did not think that I would be the one to tell ME the new ideas





Anyway, I just came across this thing which is made by Riky Cross from Italy (I indeed hace a center stand in my XL made by these people) BUT which is NOT available for a Honda XL 600 LM. It is available for the Transalp 600, which might also fit...

I think something like that should be more than suitable for a set of soft panniers, should it not??

I think it is a pretty little light thing... Any opinions??
Last edited by nadir; 18 Jun 2008 at 19:21.
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  #8  
Old 16 Jun 2008
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"I am not sure, but I think that not so much is needed, just a metal bar from the rear footpegs to the back rack, with maybe a bend somewhere in between (and probably a link between both sides; How important is that??) and that should do the job, don't you think? What would be a good and simple design??"

That is exactly all you need, the link between the two is a good idea, that's what I have and it makes a big difference to the stability.
Mine are mounted to the passenger foot rests and the bolts that holds the rack to the frame.
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  #9  
Old 16 Jun 2008
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Thumbs up Trust your instincts!
I think you are on track. Trying your own ideas is very satisfying and sometimes you come up with something no one else has tried. I'm a huge fan of soft bags, and have been forever. I have a set of Andy Strapz expedition bags, and, per kind favour of a local HUBBer, will have a set of Yukon II bags to play around with soon (thanks mate!!!). It will be very nice to compare the two types. The Andy bags impress me hugely, if that's any help.

Cheers

Nigel in NZ
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  #10  
Old 17 Jun 2008
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Hey! Thanks a lot and of course I will go on thinking about some way to do it personally...if I have the time. Thanks for the advice on Andy panniers, also, I may give them a try.

Well, when you try the new Yukon II, please, tell us about it, ok? I'm pretty sure everyone here would like to know!!

ciao!
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  #11  
Old 17 Jun 2008
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Thumbs up
Another idea.



Nice bike that Honda XL 600LM - the ultimate overlander?

Simon
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  #12  
Old 18 Jun 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Simon Kennedy View Post

Nice bike that Honda XL 600LM - the ultimate overlander?

Simon
Hope so...
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