Moose Racks For DR650?
 

http://www.onestopmotorsports.com/pr...50SE-96-10.htm

Like in the link above.

Has anyone used these, quality, strength, issues?

Still looking at racks, would like to bring the cases more forward still so if anyone has any other good comparos would be great, looked and building my own but the cost to ship from New Zealand to Anchorage shoves that idea out the window.

Any input would be welcome, cheers gents and ladies.

Hi Guys,

I havent used the Moose racks, Im using Happy Trails which have been excellent.

looking at the photos of the Moose racks, the left rack looks like it is a long way out from the bike - not doing much for handling and theres more leverage and potential for the weight of a pannier to break something over rough pistes.

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/z...MooseRacks.jpg

Compare to a HT rack:

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/z...0/IMG_3832.jpg


I mounted our boxes centrally to allow my wife to sit on the back with enough leg clearance, but they could be mounted 2-3 inches further forward easily if you are riding solo:





http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/z...0/IMG_3833.jpg


http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/z...0/IMG_3836.jpg


Check out this forum for some more info on different set ups:

http://drriders.com/?sid=c723539578b...e8aee0d9e16627

I have Moto-sport racks.

http://www.mspanniers.com/images/bckt.jpg
Moto-Sport Panniers��� World Class Motorcycle Luggage

They don't stick out on the left side the way the Moose racks do. I like mine, although I have broken welds on both sides running hard cases. They have no crossover brace like the Happy Trails racks, so they are weaker when you fall on them.


The weakness that leads to them breaking may not be a bad thing, though. The energy of a fall has to go somewhere. Here's a pic from the DR thread on ADVrider showing a bent subframe on a DR after a crash. Some think that the Happy Trails pannier frame is too strong and transferred too much energy to the bike subframe. The DR subframe is welded on, BTW, so it is no easy job to fix or replace.

(Just another info point. Gipper's Happy Trails set-up looks like it was tested a few times and came out ok. :thumbup1:)


http://www.advrider.com/forums/attac...1&d=1307730969
the DR650 thread - Page 3345 - ADVrider post#50164


............shu

OUCH! that looks like a write off....

good points there Shu,

its good to have something weak in there to give and the HT racks are quite tough.

with both the more serious accidents ive had (amongst others) - one at 110 kmh( ish :innocent: ) on asphalt and the other getting smacked by a pick up truck :eek3: at about 30kmh the boxes absorbed MOST of the energy.

the rear frame did get tweaked on the faster crunch when the bike cartwheeled - im convinced the boxes saved the frame from being completely wrecked- all three were torn open and bent (but amazingly still on the bike)........absorbing a lot of energy - and had to be straightened with a hydraulic jack before welding :rolleyes2:

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/z...0/IMG_3839.jpg

the dr's frame is not as solid as a BMW or KTM adv , so a long pry bar was used to bring it back into spec and all welds were checked before the rebuild inspection.

if you are using soft panniers these would also take some impact. some riders strengthen metal panniers with internal plates around the mounting hardware, something ive avoided doing - keep a 'weak' link to absorb the energy.

holed metal panniers can be temporarily repaired and made waterproof again by cutting up engine oil containers and inserting the plastic with some construction adhesive/silicon into the holes - not pretty but works well. Ive also borrowed a few car jacks off peope to straghten out the panniers first.

You dont neccesarily have to mount panniers all the way forward - you will make it difficult to carry a pillion, which can come in very handy at times - just pack heavier items (tools,spares) at the bottom of the pannier towards the front (forward of the rear axle pin)and as close to the bike as possible and lighter gear (sleeping bags etc) away from the bike and further rear.

Heya Gipper and Shu

Great information thank you both.

We are planing on using the Caribou cases 40 L mainly because we can then keep the weight down and close in, they are 21.6 wide so narrower than a lot of cases, windage is a big consideration mainly for my wife so.

Pelican Based Adventure Touring Motorcycle Luggage - BMW GS, Kawasaki KLR, Suzuki V-Strom, Triumph, KTM

Gipper, can I please ask the dimensions of both your side cases and top case, and also the distance between your side cases at the top (to determine what case to use on top width wise) I really appreciate the information here and seeing the setup.

We have to pre organize and order the stuff prior leaving NZ and making sure it is in Alaska ready to take delivery and assembly (without horrifying mistakes :oops2: :smartass:).

I am guessing the moose racks were spaced to to keep equal weight but I guess that can be reasonably achieved by packing things in an orderly fashion

For our setup we intend to use side cases and top box, got an Ortlieb 35 L 620 bag for the tent, may get another for the bed roll.

Any other suggestion please put them forward, always good info.

Many thanks.

Hi guys.

some exterior dimensions l x w x h:

top box: 558x360190

panniers: 455x227x377

458 mm between side panniers.

I like the pelican cases for panniers, if they made top loaders id have been intereted in using them.

are you guys doing a blog/website for your trip?

Yet another good argument for soft panniers....


Cheers bloke

Nigel in NZ

Heya Gipper, cheers for the measurements, yeah prefer top loaders too but the case is then a 1440 which is 90 odd mm wider each side, trying to keep windage down a bit too.

Yes we will be running a RR on ADV and we will have our web site Two Moto Kiwis ..... what a surprise :smartass:

We are looking to be on the road for at least 1 year and maybe up to 2 (or more) $$$ permitting.

Planning to exit NZ end of April 2012.

I reckon it is a good argument to stay upright!! bier

Which part of NZ do you hang in Nigel?, we are in Wanaka.

Hi Andi. I'm in shakey town. It's not a fun place at the mo.

Cheers bloke

Nigel in Chch

Mate sorry to hear that, my whole family lives up there, they are totally totally over it, big bro lost his house and land.