Looking for cheapish DR650 panniers

[firstaid_kit]

Hey there,

New here and just got myself a 2010 DR650 from Colemans Suzuki in Auckland.
Looking to get some panniers for it but not keen on spending $400. Anyone know of a good site/welder who has done theirs?
Would want to get hard luggage not soft

Cheers!

[R650R]

The words cheapish and good don't go together in this scenario... unless you are matesey with a great welder already unlikely to get something like this done for a dozen beers.
Best to buy something off the shelf than a budget job that might crack along the way somewhere.
Also guessing your an adv newbie have you considered soft luggage, hard panniers are good for breaking body parts when the bike eventually lands on you at some stage...
Every good DR owner should visit this place :) http://www.procycle.us/bikepages/dr650.html

[RMOTO]

Hey there,

New here and just got myself a 2010 DR650 from Colemans Suzuki in Auckland.
Looking to get some panniers for it but not keen on spending $400. Anyone know of a good site/welder who has done theirs?
Would want to get hard luggage not soft

Cheers!

Custom luggage is often more expensive than off the shelf. Here is an article of having a fabricator build a set of alloy panniers a few years back. I did the patterning but even then it was well over $2,000 to get them made up:
http://www.remotemoto.com/articles/fabricating-aluminium-panniers-for-a-drz250/

Choosing between hard and soft is personal preference. My preference is hard luggage and is explained in detail here:
http://www.remotemoto.com/articles/hard-luggage-versus-soft-luggage/

Building your own luggage could be an option if you have the time:
http://www.remotemoto.com/articles/building-adventure-bike-pannier-boxes-from-fiberglass/

One popular good value option is the WolfMan pannier racks and Expedition soft panniers
http://www.remotemoto.com/articles/wolfman-expedition-dry-saddle-bags/

Rough costs, around $400 to $600 will get you a good quality set of soft luggage, for a good quality set of hard panniers and frames you'll be looking around the $1,200 to $1,800 mark

As mentioned above, good and cheap are a rare combination. Quality has a price.

Best of luck with your new setup

Cheers

Josh

[pomgolian]

First panniers I used on my DR were bicycle panniers cheap from Kathmandu sale $50 I think, some truck strap webbing threaded through the pannier mounts on the bags to sit over the seat couple of mitre 10 strap clip buckles and bobs ur uncle they survived a couple of low speed offs and you need dry bags if it's raining but good entry bags that do the job.

Later I bought the wolfman waterproof bags & racks which are good just a little small and too many buckles & sit too high IMO

Still use the old bags as throw overs which need to be kept away from the exhaust by the bag top strap through the frame which keeps them low and forward.

[5150]

From what I have heard Ausie made Andy Straps soft panniers suppose to be good for the DR type bike. Few that have them, rave on about them. Personal preference me thinks, but if I was in the market then I would look at these.

[bart]

Here's what I use

304034


I would only use soft panniers as the bike already has enough pointy bits on it to break bones, and doesn't need any more. I tend to ride more tracks then road and have been known to fall off occasionally.

These cheap Oxford jobs don't need a rack, sit low and foward, and expand real wide if needed. Stitching is about had it, but for around $100, they've survived real well (about 5 years of abuse).

I'll be buying another set real soon.

[bart]

Here's a shot from the front. They expand a lot wider, but I tend to load them up and then pull the straps to shrink them in as far as I can.

304035

[clint640]

I've made several sets of pannier racks for various bikes, got all the gear to make hard panniers if I wanted to... $400 might almost buy the materials & hardware to make a decent but very basic set of racks & boxes. Add 2-3 days time (if your fabricator is real quick, probably more) & that's where your $1200-$2000 comes from.

If you need something lockable for around town a Givi (or similar) top box is probably the most economic option but will be sucky offroad. As noted above, for proper adventuring soft luggage is best for most. Then you just need a fairly minimal rack that will support the back lower corners of the bags.

Cheers
Clint

[Big Dog]

Here's what I use

304034


I would only use soft panniers as the bike already has enough pointy bits on it to break bones, and doesn't need any more. I tend to ride more tracks then road and have been known to fall off occasionally.

These cheap Oxford jobs don't need a rack, sit low and foward, and expand real wide if needed. Stitching is about had it, but for around $100, they've survived real well (about 5 years of abuse).

I'll be buying another set real soon.

Are they high enough the exhaust doesn't harm them? Or are they just resting on the exhaust?

I was thinking about using the freebies I got with the cb1300 on the DR350 but was reluctant to put them up against the exhaust. Maybe some universal brackets and modify them to reach around?

Also I have a cargo rack from a dr250 I have been meaning to modify to fit.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[Scubbo]

just get a big ass rack :shifty:

google DR BBQ rack

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/1717/481i.jpg
http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/6354/5e3e1q.jpg

[bart]

Are they high enough the exhaust doesn't harm them? Or are they just resting on the exhaust?

.

Here's a close up. They're about an inch off the heat shield. They only overhang the side panel by about 3 inches. My exhaust isn't standard though, so may be sitting in towards the wheel further than it should. The bag itself has some heat resistant padding along the inside and shows no sign of heat damage (I don't take the risk and always put my beers in the other panier though).

I've seen better set ups, but for the money, and the fact I only get away 2 or 3 weekends a year, this is ideal.

304043

[bart]

just get a big ass rack :shifty:



Lucky the DR's got bugger all power. With wings like that it'd likely take flight.


Or maybe they're trying to pimp it up with a bad ass spoiler. :shutup:

[JATZ]

I was thinking about using the freebies I got with the cb1300 on the DR350 but was reluctant to put them up against the exhaust. Maybe some universal brackets and modify them to reach around?

Also I have a cargo rack from a dr250 I have been meaning to modify to fit.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.
I think the ex has a set of DR350 racks I made. We used soft sport bike bags on them. There's pics here somewhere....

[Ally67]

I think the ex has a set of DR350 racks I made. We used soft sport bike bags on them. There's pics here somewhere....

Yes I've still got them 😎

[pete376403]

If you really want hard bags then Jaycar have Pelican lookalikes for about half the price http://www.jaycar.co.nz/productView.asp?ID=HB6385&form=CAT2&SUBCATID=986#1

I have a couple of these on my bike, clipping onto home built racks. Big enough for essentials, not so big that I end up taking too much, largely unnecessary stuff.

[Eddieb]

If you really want hard bags then Jaycar have Pelican lookalikes for about half the price http://www.jaycar.co.nz/productView.asp?ID=HB6385&form=CAT2&SUBCATID=986#1

I have a couple of these on my bike, clipping onto home built racks. Big enough for essentials, not so big that I end up taking too much, largely unnecessary stuff.

Mitre 10 carry a similiar range now as well at cheap prices

[Woodman]

Here's what I use

304034


I would only use soft panniers as the bike already has enough pointy bits on it to break bones, and doesn't need any more. I tend to ride more tracks then road and have been known to fall off occasionally.

These cheap Oxford jobs don't need a rack, sit low and foward, and expand real wide if needed. Stitching is about had it, but for around $100, they've survived real well (about 5 years of abuse).

I'll be buying another set real soon.


Tried those oxfords for the last DB1K. Went from brand new to fcuked in 4 days.

[bart]

Tried those oxfords for the last DB1K. Went from brand new to fcuked in 4 days.

I’ve seen you ride. You’re probably one of the few people who could fcuk a Sherman tank in 4 days.;)

[Big Dog]

You'd need a bit of Viagra to fuck a Sherman.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[Big Dog]

Yes I've still got them 😎

Odds of any pics?
I have still to decide if I will keep the dr or get a bigger bike probably a dr650. I like the 350 though and if I can make it into a weekender without too much drama may keep her. After all I've only had her 6 years.

Best I have actually done is go camping at the puke race track from west Auckland. I know not a stretch. Getting two packs, two tents, two pillows ( I used stiffed pillow cases with spare clothes in them but the missus had to have her special pillows ), two sleeping bags and saddle bags was the journey. The fiancé ( now wife ) was on her Ls so only took a pack. The two packs were tied together into tank saddle bags. The tents went across then back fender, my saddle bags went over those to keep the bags off the exhaust, sleeping bags on top and the pillows on the fuel tank.
Took all of my bungees and a fair amount of she'll be right.
Father in law had a big laugh watching me
Roll up like that. Took pity on us an threw our crap in his van on the way home.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[JATZ]

http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp201/ztaj/SAM_0171.jpg

http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp201/ztaj/SAM_0187.jpg

I cut and re welded a foot peg bracket on her one I think

[Big Dog]

Sweet. That is what I had in mind but could not really visualise. Simple, solid and functional.

Shouldn't be any where near the footpegs? Was that the pillion peg you had to cut?
Mine has attachment points on the subframe but no hangers or pegs. Just as well. My ass takes up most of the seat.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[JATZ]

Sweet. That is what I had in mind but could not really visualise. Simple, solid and functional.

Shouldn't be any where near the footpegs? Was that the pillion peg you had to cut?
Mine has attachment points on the subframe but no hangers or pegs. Just as well. My ass takes up most of the seat.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.
Yip. It was a pillion foot peg bracket I moved. On the mk1 model (hers)
Mk2 (mine) attached to the lower side cover bolt. The top mounted to the sub frame bolts. Easy to get on and off.
They were crash tested a number of times and held up nicely.
The left hand side stuck out a bit too, to keep things aesthetically pleasing and you could put a thin fuel can inside it.
I still have a soft spot for the 350, great wee bikes. The 650 was just an appliance.

[5150]

If you really quick. Good deal this.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/parts-for-sale/panniers-bags-carry-cases/auction-791341029.htm

[Big Dog]

I don't know what mark. Just that it is an august 99 DR350X, if it were an electric leg it would be a DR 350 SEX.

That always amuses me. No one ever has parts unless I say it is for SEX.

Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[TLDV8]

From what I have heard Ausie made Andy Straps soft panniers suppose to be good for the DR type bike. Few that have them, rave on about them. Personal preference me thinks, but if I was in the market then I would look at these.

They are certainly robust and come up for sale used now and again around the $200 mark, not sure what they cost now but were around AU$350 when I got mine in 2008 (iirc)
I got Moto Sport racks from the USA at the time.
Both have turned out to be a good investment along with the Belstaff Adventure jacket and Wolfman tail bag.

<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c345/manurewa/DR%20General/IMG_2515Small.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_2515Small.jpg"/></a>

[Eddieb]

Cheer Jatz for the pics, I need to set some luggage racks up on a DR250S Djebel

[Big Dog]

That is what the luggage rack hanging in the shed is off.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[Eddieb]

That is what the luggage rack hanging in the shed is off.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

A Djebel? ever considered parting with it?

[Big Dog]

I originally acquired it intending to modify it to fit to my DR350.
I had assumed it was a standard part?
Given I haven't got around to fitting it in 6 years, I could be open to offers or trades.

I'll try and get some pictures tomorrow.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[firstaid_kit]

Wow, forgot I had started this thread!

Some really good ideas in there guys cheers for that!

My mum was wondering what I might like for xmas so will send her some soft luggage rack links heh

[Big Dog]

A Djebel? ever considered parting with it?


I originally acquired it intending to modify it to fit to my DR350.
I had assumed it was a standard part?
Given I haven't got around to fitting it in 6 years, I could be open to offers or trades.

I'll try and get some pictures tomorrow.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

Tomorrow said I. 'Twas a lie.

Here are some pics. It would not fit the DR350, just in the pic for scale.
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/10/29/5bbabb3d5b36c68a93b2d875fe4b1e7d.jpghttp://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/10/29/581115e001633bb6654b1b6cc348e036.jpg

When I acquired it I intended to make use of a friends pipe bender and welder to make something similar to http://www.mmotoparts.com/product/side-carrier-for-suzuki-djebel-250cx. These days they are so cheap I would probably just buy them and modify the rack to fit with the addition of a couple of spacers and a grind.

On the other hand the rack it self is bloody expensive to buy. So if it would help you out let me know if you want to make an offer or do a trade.

I could do with:
A size 12 Ventura sport rack, prefer chrome to match the L brackets but whatever you already have.
Or a throttle cable pair for a DR350.
Or a seat cover for a DR350.
Or let me know what you have to trade.




Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[Big Dog]

Sorry again for the delay. I just kept forgetting until like 1 am.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[Eddieb]

ah yeah thats the stock top rack. I thought you meant pannier racks sorry.

[DR650gary]

Tomorrow said I. 'Twas a lie.

Or a throttle cable pair for a DR350.


Not looking for a trade but I do have a universal twin throttle set I bought to make up for a ZRX1200 so they are longish. The kit has all the nipples etc and you just cut and assemble to the length you want.

If keen, drop me a not and I'll dig it out and take some piccies.

Cheers

[Big Dog]

ah yeah thats the stock top rack. I thought you meant pannier racks sorry.
No dramas, I will continue thinking I'll get a round tuit one day.

[Big Dog]

Not looking for a trade but I do have a universal twin throttle set I bought to make up for a ZRX1200 so they are longish. The kit has all the nipples etc and you just cut and assemble to the length you want.

If keen, drop me a not and I'll dig it out and take some piccies.

Cheers

All about the $$ if cheap enough then I could be keen. The only reason the DR never gets ridden is I have no money to fix this short list:
* Find and replace leaking oil line, may just replace them all given they are all the same age and will be equally perished.
* Oil change and general service.
* Throttle cable - Second time I have parked up the bike only to find the blasted throttle cable is seized on return.


Post getting it going again:
* Sort the rack out.
* new seat cover.

Poor mans project bike....:crazy:

[DR650gary]

Will have a scout around and see if I can put my fingers on them.

Cheers