Function over Form.. Pelican Panniers on an FJR1300

[becoyote]

I know some of you will think this is the ugliest FJR on the planet, I think it is finally perfect.

I sold my FJR to buy a Tenere and after 2 years sold the Tenere to buy another FJR.

Favorite thing about the FJR was the power, smoothness and wind management.

Favorite thing about the Tenere was the simple but extremely functional panniers I had.

When I sold the Ten, I kept the luggage. I then took advantage of the good exchange rate right now and ordered the HB pannier racks from Germany.

Pannier racks went right on, even with a trailer hitch installed. The panniers are 40l each and it is a usable 40 liters. No more egg shape.

The hardware I had from Caribou had to be adjusted but worked well. Cases go on and off easily. The cases are lockable and can lock onto the bike.

I may switch to some different hardware after I am sure I am going to keep the set up.

I have two concerns, 1 being the heat from the pipes. I am going to do something to insulate the bottom of the bags. The second concern is that the rear turn signals are no longer visible from the side.

I was going to use my pelican type top box but instead I may keep the Givi 55 and add the admore led lighting kit to the box.

 

[LKLD]

Maybe not as aesthetic as we're used to, but I can see the practicality. TETO

 

[rbentnail]

Looks like you need to install about 47 more batteries to keep the front end down

. But hey, if you like it, that's all that counts.

 

[becoyote]

Looks like you need to install about 47 more batteries to keep the front end down

. But hey, if you like it, that's all that counts.

Only if I fill the bags up with lead.

On my scale the stock bags weigh 11.4 pounds each. The Pelicans are 12.2 pounds each. The tubular frames are extremely light. The stock bags to Pelican cases may ad 5 pounds total.

I doubt the big girl will even notice.

I may switch to 35 liter Pelicans if I can find some cheap on CL. In that case it will likely be even as far as stock weight.

 

[ericboutin]

Definitely interesting looking! Lol.....I think I'd go all the way and keep the Pelican top box over the Givi. Go big or go home right! Nice job!

 

[wheatonFJR]

Do you have dual sport tires to go with the ensemble?

I've found PR2 rears and T30 fronts do okay in the gravel, but always looking for options. You need to complete the package with some good grippers. I believe some Canuckians have some experience there to lean on.

 

[user 8909]

They look better than they did on the Tenere.

 

[becoyote]

No knobbies but I do have the MV top plate and I have the bars adjusted out kind of flat.

The FJR is for commuting, trips and going back and forth to my camp in WV. I have a WR250R there for anything more than just gravel.

 

[HotRodZilla]

Only looks a little more utilitarian. Whatever. If it works for you, that's all that matters. Those things look huge. Haha...Nice install!

 

[Niehart]

I think the bags are really ugly but work. But the best part about them is the Johnny Cash sticker.

 

[Brodie]

No knobbies but I do have the MV top plate and I have the bars adjusted out kind of flat.

The FJR is for commuting, trips and going back and forth to my camp in WV. I have a WR250R there for anything more than just gravel.

Perfect candidate for going darkside.

Brodie

 

[Warpdrv]

Curious the mounting hardware on the bags of how they connect to the FJR.

Did you have to alter it, or drop on.

 

[becoyote]

The Hebco Becker racks install on the bike in about 15 minutes. No alterations. At that point you could purchase any Hepco Becker bag and drop them on similar to a givi set up.

The hardware that attaches my bags to the rack is made by Caribou. A little pricey but it was already on the bags which came with the Tenere when I bought it used. If it didn't I would use something like the happy trails mounts or even stainless u-bolts.

It took a little bit of fussing to get the bag mounts attached to the bags so that the bags sat on the racks like I wanted them to. At this point I could switch back and forth from stock to Pelican in about 15 minutes.

HB Pannier rack install

https://www.hepco-and-becker-luggage.co.uk/library/pdfs/65045160001.pdf

https://cariboucases.com/

Happy trail mounts

https://www.happy-trail.com/happy-trails-pannier-mount-kit.html

 

[MrZappo]

Not my style but I like your style.

Very well done and very functional. I envy the utility of it. The stock panniers loom good but in reality are pretty cumbersome.

 

[Bill Lumberg]

Look good. Function great. Super heavy.

 

[becoyote]

An extra 5 pounds tops....

 

[Bill Lumberg]

I must be thinking of some of my larger ones. The ones that easily put me over max weight (100 surcharge) at the airport. I love me some pelican and storm cases. If I could find an adapter that would work with an SR357, a pelican or storm case is what I'd run most of the time in place of my E55.

 

[Uncle Hud]

I ride with a Pelican 1520 topbox -- thanks, Petey -- that's considerably smaller than what you have. What on earth do you put in all that space?

 

[becoyote]

The side cases are 40 liters each. The top box I am using is 35 liters. It is actually about 5 liters less space than with my stock bags and givi 55.

Much more practical in packing and use.