Olympus Pannier Bags On My Old KLR 650!

[@oksannamiller2082]

Very helpful review! Thank you for sharing!

[@isaacwhull]

I have the exact same bags, I've had them for about 4 years, they're fantastic. I live the desert and what I noticed is there's no fading from the sunlight, no tearing of the material from the ultraviolet light. previously I had the Nelson-Riggs waterproof bags but after only a year the bags in spite of the very thick material tore very easily from sunlight exposure. the desert is very harsh and the Olympus bags still look new today. you might like the Wolfman Tank Pannier Base, the klr has a giant tank and I installed 8 liter Tusk bags on each side of the tank, plenty of knee room and for small and lite camping items it works great.

[@ShiftyMoto]

Question for ya! How did your bike handle the sand with the extra weight up front using that setup? Any extra brake dive or plowing?

[@isaacwhull]

@@ShiftyMoto for the Tank Pannier Base there's hardly any weight at all, for the 8 liter Tusk bags it really depends on what you stuff them with, the Pannier Base will accommodate really anything (bags or whatever) you strap to them, as you are aware space is also a problem. my suspension was shot when I bought the bike, everything leaked, I had it all rebuilt, I used Progressive springs on the front and a RaceTech spring on the rear, if I could do it again I'd used RaceTech for everything, the Progressive springs are too soft for the sand, some dipping on braking which affects control. my bike is a 1999, when I bought the bike it had PD (Paris Dakar) Nerf Bars from Happy Trails already installed, solid steel and they're real real heavy, that adds significant weight to the front end, but they're real nice (and expensive). when I bought the bike it seemed lighter, but now I'm 67 and it's not so lite so as I write I'm having a sidecar fabricated, should be ready next week! I'm opting for an Ural looking system but only a cage, no passenger, but the sidecar wheel will match the 17" rear Kawasaki wheel with both a front and rear spare tires, everything is switchable- I have a lot of gear.

[@isaacwhull]

@@ShiftyMoto I forgot, the Wolfman Pannier Base seems to be being discontinued and they're selling it for $50!, you can't lose.

[@SwabbyG]

Use the exact same luggage on my AfricaTwin. Great bags for the dollar! 👍

[@zionvillegirl]

Good job 👍

[@AT2021Rocker]

Buying gear when you are just getting into this activity is daunting. Biggest advice is buy the best gear you can afford and don’t skimp on capacity instead work on what you bring.

[@ShiftyMoto]

Facts! Learned that the hard way.