Patrick - I am using the Moto-Sports pannier racks. I chose those because I didn't care for the rear stabilizing bar on the Happy Trails rack. The Moto-Sports rack doesn't have that and they seem quite strong as they are. I did not have to do any additional mods to mount the racks, they are basically bolt on, I just messed with some washers as spacers. I used a universal pannier mounting kit that I also got from Moto-Sports to mount the Pelicans to the rack. It consists of some large washers, flat hex head screws (for mounting to the top of the rack) as well as the brackets that work as the lower mount. To remove the panniers with the way I did it, you need to remove two hex screws from the inside of each pannier. Only takes a minute. I will probably still try to come up with a better quick release system (Jesse-like cam lock???), but this works well for my purposes now.

I haven't been in contact with the Caribou guy except about possible liners for 1520 Pelicans (he only has them for 1550), but he does sell his modified Pelican cases separately. I'm not sure if he has his rack system ready for the DR650 or not. I think his stuff is first rate, but I am more than happy with the setup I have for under $450 total ($200 for the racks, a little under $200 for two new generic 1520 Pelicans from the internet and about $50 for the universal pannier mounting kit).

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Pain in the Butte Ranch
Durango, Colorado