Already looking into Farkles for my future STROM. It's going to be purpose built for touring and once and a while 2up touring so I want the biggest storage I can get out of Top and Side cases. I am coming from an 08 R12GSA that I put full Jesse luggage on but am on a financial budget so have been looking at other styles(more affordable) luggage systems. One of the things I liked about the Jesse's was the top loading. The Caribou style cases that side load seem as though they would be tough to load and attach extra farkles to but I have no experience just observations. I am of course talking about while installed on bike. Do you basically need to take them off to access without everything falling out? Also anyone have any photo's they want to post up of their bikes with there big luggage? Not interested in Soft bags, hard luggage only. Also anyone with photo's of stuff attach to their Caribous? Fuel etc? Any info on what you like luggage wise will be appreciated. Also considering just buying Pelican because of price but not sure if there is any info on how to mount to brackets? Anyone have a photo tutorial on how to mount up pelicans and what brackets to use?

This has to have been discussed at length already.

But I love my top-loaders. Why? Simplicity: walk out to bike, open case, drop crap into case, close case cover, ride away.

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Top loaders make it difficult to get at small stuff that filters to the bottom and side loaders dump stuff out if opened on the bike. I like inner textile bags. They can be taken out and have compartments to separate small stuff into accessible areas while opening wide for large items. It's easier to stuff them full and get the single inner bag into the case. Givi has bags that are sized to be good fits inside hard cases. Givi Inner Nylon Bag - E52 Maxia, V46, E41 Keyless, E460, E360 Competition Accessories

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Pat- 2007 DL650A was ridden to all 48 contiguous states. 2012 DL650A is just getting started.
Nicknames for posting ease on my part, Vee = all DL1000s. Wee = 2004-2011 DL650s. Glee = 2012+ DL650s

Happy Trails clif-cut Denali top loaders with their bag liner kit. Not the cheapest option, but very rugged, water tight, and hold everything (including the kitchen sink).

http://www.happy-trail.com/Suzuki-VS...Strom1000.aspx

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I chose the Caribous and like them a lot. When detached, side loaders are far easier to load and organize. If you expect to open a side loader while attached, designate the right hand one, so the bike's lean angle on the side stand will help to avoid spilling. Caribou includes retaining straps that help further, and they are always improving their system.

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07 DL1000, all farkled up

I like side loading. I don't camp so I just take the side bags inner bags out and I am good. I use the fabric trader Joe bags with the Givi Side 35 L cases well

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K4 DL650

Here are pix of my 112 liter lockable aluminum powdercoated top box I built for an Aprilia Shiver and modified to fit my V-Strom. Ultimate in cargo carrying convenience and did not affect gas mileage after installation. Includes built in on board electric air compressor, power cable to attach to your battery and tire plugging tools in the tool box. I sold the Wee and this is available for $450. Carry more than normal side cases and a top box for much less money.

I had the big Givi side loaders, PITA to pack stuff in- even in a bag it was a nuisance.

I have gone over to Happy Trails top loaders [large ones].

I find it easy to drop bags in and can pack other stuff to fit in any gaps if I want and it doesn't fall back out when I open them.
Then stuff can be packed on top and tied down too, done right it makes good armrests for a pillion passenger as well.

Though not Stroms, there are plenty of pics of loaded bikes [KLR's] in the link below, these should give you some ideas to adapt to the Strom.

YOUR klr posing as a pack mule - KLR650.NET - Your Kawasaki KLR650 Resource! - The Original KLR650 Forum!

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Ock. in Oz
Australia, NSW, Windsor
ockerstrom@rocketmail.com

Member of The McGrath's Hill Mob.

Shiro Nakama Ju San

White '09 V-Strom DL650ABS, Blue '87 Kawasaki KLR650 [Sold]
Green '94 Kawasaki KLE500

"Normal" is only a cycle on the washing machine.....

If you wait, all that happens is that you get older.

I have side load cases but would really prefer top load. Either are better than nothing though...lol

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2011 DL650 (The Ghost)
1999 Suzuki Bandit 1200 (The wife's rocket)

I've had side loaders (used with form-fitting internal bags) on previous bikes and now have top loading aluminum cases (with form-fitting internal carrying bags) on the Wee. I prefer the top loading.

One downside to the top loading is that I have limited access when long items (tent, sleeping equipment, etc) are packed on the passenger's seat. It just means I have to plan a bit ahead.

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'12 Guzzi Stelvio NTX

'09 DL650 ABS (Sold)