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Holan Nomada Pro 2 Panniers

11K views 17 replies 6 participants last post by  vinnyvavoom 
#1 · (Edited)
I felt that my strom needed some added carry capacity and decided on the Holan Nomada Pro 2 Panniers. There were a few reasons that elevated the Holan panniers over other options.
1. I like the cutout that "tucks" them into the bike.
2. They are supposed to be symmetrical.(I will know more after they are installed)
3. the 31 liter cases (right side is smaller for muffler cutout) do not make the bike exceeding wide.
4. They have an option for white, my strom is white ;)
5. Compared to other quality aluminum cases, they are fairly priced.

I ordered them mid-January from Holan in Poland and they took about a month to arrive (shipping took 8 days). They arrived today and I could not wait to unpack them. I believe they may have been made to order which is why the long delay. At first look, the wait was worth it. They appear to be quite well made with a very good finish. I took pictures that follow. They came with stickers which immediately were removed.

This is the whole kit (also a dog chew bone in upper left of pic) once unpacked:


I noticed when I first saw the pic it looks like a smiley(not intentional), is this an omen? :smile2:

Follow this link for all the images of the "unpacking":
Holan Nomada Pro Slideshow by vvollero | Photobucket


I will take more pictures as I install the cases and provide more information as I it becomes available. Stay Tuned, the wait will not be long!
 
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#3 ·
You and me both!
 
#5 · (Edited)
I said it would not be long and, fortunately, I had a little time tonight, the cases are installed. :grin2:

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Just one pic here although there are a bunch more on the original photobucket link. Short review is the are very good to excellent. A couple installation hurdles but nothing bad. I will provide much more detail when I have time to write the long review. Wish I could ride her...:crying2:
 
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#6 · (Edited)
#7 ·
An installation overview and first look review.

The installation of these panniers is fairly easy. Two bolts under the rear rack/grab handles and one at the footpeg mount per side. Plus two bolts on the bar that goes between the racks. Of course, this was not quite that easy. First off, the lower exhaust cover requires removal or a slight modification. I chose the mod route. Shaved off a little plastic with the trusty dremel tool (this was not the first and most definitely not the last time it will be used on my bikes).

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Once this was cleared for the bar, I found the bolt holes that line up under the rear rack on the muffler side were spaced ~1/8in too wide. Easy fix once I found the right items to do the work. A couple twists of the wrench and voila! Not sure if the spacing was a mistake at factory or due to shipping half way round the world.

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Everything else was as expected and perfect. I really like the fit of these panniers. They keep the width of the bike down but provide the extra space I wanted. I am undecided on my feeling for two things regarding the design of the mounts.

1. The lower-forward mount for each side carrier is located below the footpeg on the footpeg bracket(red circle). I think it would have been stronger utilizing the bolt at the green circle but there may be some trade off to pasenger leg room.
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2. The support that goes between the left and right carriers goes outside the fender. This seems to be a good option but I do not "love" the looks. On the postive side, it may help protect the rear fender in case a bicycle rear ends me. ;)

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The cases work well with the bike overall, I peeled off the nomada stickers and plan to add some reflective vinyl to increase visibility. They seem to be well constructed and fit nicely on the racks. The racks will need touch up paint from time to time, there is already a couple scuffs from me putting the cases on and taking them off. The lids open and close forward or back and come completely off as well. I have a SHAD SH50 case on the top and I can open the lids forward without any interference. If I open backwards they bump the SHAD at ~75 degrees open (maybe I will come up with a way to hold them open rearwards or maybe not). I like the contrast of the white paint and the black lids. Obviously, the white paint is not pearl like the strom but looks good anyway. Once it gets nice and dirty, no one will be the wiser. ;)

I did not get to ride her with the cases, as the weather just broke and I took them off. Bike was brought to the dealer for the recall work.

I will update this post in a few weeks after I have had a chance to use them and ride around with them. Also, I did not get exact overall width measurments which I will post once I get the bike back. Based on the eyeball view, the numbers posted on the Holan site seem correct but I prefer a tape measure.

If anyone has specific questions they want answered, fire away and I will do my best.
 
#8 ·
Would it have been possible to mount the bags so they were level to the ground? I always wonder why folks want slanted bag mounts. You wine glass will slip down the grade.
When I put Sea Horse bags on the factory racks I made them level. I don't wanna have stuff slide off the slant.
 
#9 · (Edited)
Would it have been possible to mount the bags so they were level to the ground?
The answer is twofold.

1. I chose to purchase the "symmetrical kit". This comes with the right side pannier cut and carrier designed to hug the muffler. This lends itself to be installed on a forward cant to coinside with the muffler and match the line of the passenger seat. These cases come predrilled and setup for immediate install on the carriers.
http://holan.pl/en/v-strom-dl650-2012/2161-pro-pannier-system-for-dl650-2012-with-2x31l-nomada-pro-cases-black-frame.html#.Vsz-MvkrJhE

2. They also sell an asymmetrical carrier kit which provides a "flat" mounting surface for the cases. In this case, you can purchase the cases with the mounting kit not attached from the factory and drill your own holes. Then you can mount them on any angle/height you choose.
http://holan.pl/en/v-strom-dl650-2012/2167-pannier-system-asim-for-nomada-cases-for-dl650-2012.html#.Vsz-ZfkrJhE
 
#10 ·
Interesting symmetry, The original Suzuki bags looked fine on the racks but after the crash the Sea Horse bags appear to be wider at the front of the bag than at the rear.
I really only notice when I look at the back of the bike.
Perhaps the slanted bags cut the air better and are more aerodynamic?
 
#12 ·
Perhaps the slanted bags cut the air better and are more aerodynamic?
More Aerodynamic? Different effect on the flow of air for sure but I cannot fathom those cases can ever be called aerodynamic. ;) Being that the panniers are only 31 liters and are about 36 inches wide, they are fairly snug and should not be horrible. Once I get the bike back and spend a couple hundred miles on it, I will provide more info.

Looks good. I like the idea of having symmetry and decreased width.
AGREED!
 
#13 ·
Update after a couple thousand miles and many commutes to/from work.

After removing the stickers from HOLAN and adding mine, they look like this now.







PS - all the stickers are reflective.



They are holding up well to the task of everyday use. No leaking in the rain or plowing through puddles. I washed the bike with a hose and they did not leak one bit. They are fairly easy to remove when required (chain maintenance). I really do not have any complaints yet. I will post again with more miles and provide an update.
 
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#15 ·
"They are mounted this way to give the passenger room for their leg and foot on the foot peg."

A bag seller told me the angle was to avoid dragging the bag on the ground in steep turns.
My BMW bags were always Horizontal to the flight path and the wife passenger never had a foot peg problem.
I still suggest having a level place is mo bettah! Besides it looks more simetrickle.
 
#16 · (Edited)
The bags were drilled and configured from the factory. I will say that they work perfect as is.

Note: At high speed, the slight tilt forward provides down force on the rear tire which increases traction for braking and poor weather condition. Oh sorry, my apologies, it is my fat ass that increases the down force and this occurs at ALL speeds. :)
 
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#17 ·
The bags were drilled and configured from the factory. I will say that they work perfect as is.

Note: At high speed, the slight tilt forward provides down force on the rear tire which increases traction for braking and poor weather weather condition. Oh sorry, my apologies, it is my fat ass that increases the down force and this occurs at ALL speeds. :)
Dang! I was already to call "bullshit" until I got to your disclaimer. ;)
 
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