Another saddlebag option

Hi all,

There was a post on the 'other' Ducati forum by an air-cooled hyper owner who mounted a set of Pelican hard cases on his bike. His are permanently mounted, but I think I could use the OEM locks and fasteners to mount a pair to the Strada bag mounts. Might need a spacer or two, but it looks quite easy. And much more ADV style, compared to the stock bags!

The Pelican iM4520 cases have the following advantages:
(a) they should be narrower than the handlebars when installed - makes lane splitting ('filtering' to those in the UK) much lees scary.
(b) they are 100% air and watertight.
(c) they are securely lockable.
(d) they are nearly indestructible and will not turn purple in the sun.
(e) a pair is only $200 at various camera stores, without the foam inserts.

The only disadvantage I can think of is that they are only 9" deep so they won't hold a helmet. But they do hold 32 liters, have a lifetime warranty, and are made right here in the USA....

PS the lower fastener kits were quoted at $23 per side by my dealer, and another $170 for the lock kit. Might swap the latter back and forth, to keep the same key.

I'm attaching the pic, hope the OP doesn't mind!

ambientscape said:

Doesn't look like it will fit any helmets?

Click to expand...

Only ones like this....

I am also looking at the Pelican 1460 as a rear box, which appears just barely big enough for one full-face helmet. Unfortunately, the bigger ones are really heavy due to the handle and casters.

I have two Pelicans now, one with our now-ancient SLR kit and one with my field microscope (for koi pond calls, I am a certified Koi Health Advisor) and both are grey. They have been 100% durable and protective.

wait, oh never mind...

I made a cardboard template, and found a problem. I did not take a good look at the RH side, as the other side faces me when I am admiring it in my garage. The muffler is too high; the tops of the cases would have to be two or three inches above the seat and that is a deal breaker with the wifey. She has enough trouble climbing up there already.

I've only needed the bags once since I bought the bike more than a year ago, so I'm not losing any sleep about it. And they'll never fade in the box...

GTHawk said:

been thinking about this. My main concern is the mounting hardware uses a lot of plastic and am woried it will not hold up. I have not taken apart so any one know how solid the stock mounting hardware on the bags is ?

Also considering its just 3 bolt points, wondering if there is another mounting kit for pilicon cases we could use.

Click to expand...

Have you taken a look at the hardware from the inside? There is a zipper on the inner liner for access. The bits look plenty strong for a reasonable load on semi-decent roads. That means no anvils, etc. and not too much washboard.

I gave my bags a test last summer, two-up with all our gear and clothing for five days in them plus the tankbag. We did some fire roads, and one stretch of 'pavement' that was 50% potholes. Thought I'd bent the front wheel a couple of times. No problems other than the usual sticky latch.

That said, these bikes are not serious ADV off road tourers. It's much more about style. If you want a really serious load-carrying off-roader I suggest you look at Rokon...