Ghostdog
11-04-2005, 11:57 AM
After much time spent researching photos and reviews on the forums I decided to go with the Junior 40/30 pair of side cases for my DL650. The appearance was important for me but also wanted to make sure I had enough cargo space. Unfortunately, the latter was harder to do since I have never pesonally seen what 40L case would really hold. So I ordered a Journey 40L Top Case first. It has always been a toss up for me between Journey or Junior cases. I love the look of the Journey's silver and black but not the big handle or what appears to be extra plastic around their edges. The Journey topcase offered enough room to store my helmet and extras plus satisfies my need for the cool silver and black look. Plus it has a large reflector on the back as a bonus. And very quickly removeable. So after seeing what 40L is like I went and ordered the Junior Bags figuring 40L on one side and 30L on the other should still be more than enough room.
Upon their speedy arrival from eurotechmotorsports I was suprised they didn't seem bigger overall. Also surprised how small 30L is. The pics on the web had me expecting I was to receive two suitcase-sized packages. I was happy with what I'd received and frankly a little relieved. I think just having the boxier look to the bags uses their space more efficiently in a no-nonsense way. The next thing that really stood out for me is how more rugged they appear than even the Journey top case. The locks feel very sturdy. The plastic, double thick, could probably take a minor impact. This is the quality I was expecting in a $450 dollar pair of bags. Keep in mind, I only have the $150 Journey topcase to compare it to. I don't expect the topcase to take any impacts and it's on there sturdy. No complaints. Just surprised how much more rugged the Junior cases appear to be.
Couldn't wait to get my racks on and see how they look. If you don't know German for installing the racks, no problem. There is an English translation. Plus I'll post some pics of the install at a later time to help out. Though I will admit. I ended up with a few extra bolts washers in the end. And while I measured them all to get the right ones in, there still may be a mistake or two. But in reality there isn't that much to put together. Also there is a much needed latch hidden in a secret flat panel at the bottom of the inside of each case. Find the flat piece of plastic and try to reach under it. The little latch piece is in there. Chris at eurotechmotorsports.com was quick to help me find it. Thank you.
The cases snap in easily and are very sturdy on the racks. They lock to the rack and the cases carry a double lock. The side loading feature works nicely with the handy quick lock straps to hold everything in on each side. I have a full face Icon Mainframe helmet but cannot get it in either bag. That helmet has vents on the top so I tried a regular full face and still no luck. The 40L should definitely hold the helmet but I can't get it past the plastic lip around the edges. So if you are concerned about carrying your helmet make sure your top case has the room. Anyone else have luck with it?
I haven't loaded them up yet. Next weekend I'm going camping so that will be a good opportunity to see how they stack up with full contents and if the bike handles any differently. Plus this weekend it might rain so I'll take them out and about if possible. Overall I'm very pleased with this purchase. I think for the function and their fit on the bike with the 40/30 sizes they appear as if made for the DL650. They do not appear to be too big across the back or look disproportionate in my eyes. Plus I like the no nonsense look to them. The good part is they fit well with the look of the Journey topcase. Would I have gotten Junior topcase instead of the Journey if I could go back? Yes, if only based on the ruggedness. But some part of me just really likes the look of the Journey topcase, plus the large reflector was an added bonus. Must discount points for lack of a quick lock strap for carrying extra items and somewhat flimsy lock in comparison to the Junior case locks. So based on both appearance and ruggedness the Journey topcase was a good match with the Junior sidecases which I'm sure will take more of the brunt of travel in the future. And I think they can handle it.
Below are some thumbnails of different views. Click on them for a full size image. Please post here if you have any other questions. I'll write up more about the racks in the future.
http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/9890/jun023mu.th.jpg (http://img20.imageshack.us/my.php?image=jun023mu.jpg)http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/8876/jun039gb.th.jpg (http://img20.imageshack.us/my.php?image=jun039gb.jpg)http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/4440/jun050cc.th.jpg (http://img20.imageshack.us/my.php?image=jun050cc.jpg)http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/4627/jun073hq.th.jpg (http://img20.imageshack.us/my.php?image=jun073hq.jpg)http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/3339/jun060wy.th.jpg (http://img20.imageshack.us/my.php?image=jun060wy.jpg)
http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/8070/jun015gy.th.jpg (http://img20.imageshack.us/my.php?image=jun015gy.jpg)http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/3463/jun083ir.th.jpg (http://img20.imageshack.us/my.php?image=jun083ir.jpg)http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/1293/jun108oz.th.jpg (http://img20.imageshack.us/my.php?image=jun108oz.jpg)http://img431.imageshack.us/img431/8727/jun111gn.th.jpg (http://img431.imageshack.us/my.php?image=jun111gn.jpg)
Upon their speedy arrival from eurotechmotorsports I was suprised they didn't seem bigger overall. Also surprised how small 30L is. The pics on the web had me expecting I was to receive two suitcase-sized packages. I was happy with what I'd received and frankly a little relieved. I think just having the boxier look to the bags uses their space more efficiently in a no-nonsense way. The next thing that really stood out for me is how more rugged they appear than even the Journey top case. The locks feel very sturdy. The plastic, double thick, could probably take a minor impact. This is the quality I was expecting in a $450 dollar pair of bags. Keep in mind, I only have the $150 Journey topcase to compare it to. I don't expect the topcase to take any impacts and it's on there sturdy. No complaints. Just surprised how much more rugged the Junior cases appear to be.
Couldn't wait to get my racks on and see how they look. If you don't know German for installing the racks, no problem. There is an English translation. Plus I'll post some pics of the install at a later time to help out. Though I will admit. I ended up with a few extra bolts washers in the end. And while I measured them all to get the right ones in, there still may be a mistake or two. But in reality there isn't that much to put together. Also there is a much needed latch hidden in a secret flat panel at the bottom of the inside of each case. Find the flat piece of plastic and try to reach under it. The little latch piece is in there. Chris at eurotechmotorsports.com was quick to help me find it. Thank you.
The cases snap in easily and are very sturdy on the racks. They lock to the rack and the cases carry a double lock. The side loading feature works nicely with the handy quick lock straps to hold everything in on each side. I have a full face Icon Mainframe helmet but cannot get it in either bag. That helmet has vents on the top so I tried a regular full face and still no luck. The 40L should definitely hold the helmet but I can't get it past the plastic lip around the edges. So if you are concerned about carrying your helmet make sure your top case has the room. Anyone else have luck with it?
I haven't loaded them up yet. Next weekend I'm going camping so that will be a good opportunity to see how they stack up with full contents and if the bike handles any differently. Plus this weekend it might rain so I'll take them out and about if possible. Overall I'm very pleased with this purchase. I think for the function and their fit on the bike with the 40/30 sizes they appear as if made for the DL650. They do not appear to be too big across the back or look disproportionate in my eyes. Plus I like the no nonsense look to them. The good part is they fit well with the look of the Journey topcase. Would I have gotten Junior topcase instead of the Journey if I could go back? Yes, if only based on the ruggedness. But some part of me just really likes the look of the Journey topcase, plus the large reflector was an added bonus. Must discount points for lack of a quick lock strap for carrying extra items and somewhat flimsy lock in comparison to the Junior case locks. So based on both appearance and ruggedness the Journey topcase was a good match with the Junior sidecases which I'm sure will take more of the brunt of travel in the future. And I think they can handle it.
Below are some thumbnails of different views. Click on them for a full size image. Please post here if you have any other questions. I'll write up more about the racks in the future.
http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/9890/jun023mu.th.jpg (http://img20.imageshack.us/my.php?image=jun023mu.jpg)http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/8876/jun039gb.th.jpg (http://img20.imageshack.us/my.php?image=jun039gb.jpg)http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/4440/jun050cc.th.jpg (http://img20.imageshack.us/my.php?image=jun050cc.jpg)http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/4627/jun073hq.th.jpg (http://img20.imageshack.us/my.php?image=jun073hq.jpg)http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/3339/jun060wy.th.jpg (http://img20.imageshack.us/my.php?image=jun060wy.jpg)
http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/8070/jun015gy.th.jpg (http://img20.imageshack.us/my.php?image=jun015gy.jpg)http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/3463/jun083ir.th.jpg (http://img20.imageshack.us/my.php?image=jun083ir.jpg)http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/1293/jun108oz.th.jpg (http://img20.imageshack.us/my.php?image=jun108oz.jpg)http://img431.imageshack.us/img431/8727/jun111gn.th.jpg (http://img431.imageshack.us/my.php?image=jun111gn.jpg)