Both problems, weird and inexpensive, have been solved by Caribou Luggage Systems. This company has combined Pelican Cases with removable hardware and side racks, renamed all the "Caribou Luggage System" and nearly doubled the price over what it costs for non-system Pelican cases and racks. In December of 2008, Pelican Products acquired Hardigg Industries and now Caribou offers Hardigg cases, very similar in design and cost to Pelican cases, as an alternative. Pelican Cases are respectable now, even showing up on BMW motorcycles. A modest marketing campaign and at least one magazine article must have gotten a little attention. People once came up to my motorcycle asking if I had Pelican Cases; now they ask if I have Caribou Boxes.

"The world's toughest luggage system." That's the tag line and new mantra for adventure touring-types with their finger on the pulse of new trends. Note the pedestrian term "luggage side racks" has been replaced by "luggage system." Understandable as Caribou is after all a Boulder, Colorado company and communication would naturally be in Boulder speak. Perhaps the "tough" claim is based on the Pelican case itself which does have an established, international reputation for toughness. And Caribou now calls their Pelican cases Caribou "cases" rather than Caribou "boxes." Smart move. The intended customer base probably likes to believe they "think outside the box."

Cynicism aside, the Caribou Luggage System is nice, probably as tough as competitor "systems" and not even unreasonably expensive compared to many alternatives with one notable exception: if you like the Pelican/Caribou case you can do it yourself for little more than half the price. Less than half if you don't mind them permanently mounted! Using the 2008+ KLR650 as an example, there are several racks suitable for attaching Pelican cases, ranging in price from the $170 Givi to the $245 quick-detach SW-Motech. Each have customers believing their choice to be the "world's toughest racks." I don't know who makes the toughest rack and won't know until I see the science: controlled testing, not anecdotal testimonials. Won't happen and who really cares? They will all bend with sufficient abuse. Any reputable rack -- Caribou, Givi, Happy Trails, PackRat, SW-Motech -- should last indefinitely for ordinary adventuresome activity barring serious accident. Hard core adventure riders, those who actually intend crossing continents or circling the world, will do their own research and make their own decision. Hype won't be a factor.

Famously rugged, Pelican cases are ideal for motorcycles and can easily be attached to any of many side racks by anyone with an idea where the bag looks good without interfering with the operation of the motorcycle and the ability to drill a few holes in plastic. Pelican Cases are especially suited for use on the excellent quality SW-Motec Quick-detach side racks as bags and racks can both be removed in a few seconds if desired. The "little more than half price" claim above is based on a 2008+ KLR650 using SW-Motech quick disconnect side racks for $245 from Twisted Throttle and Pelican cases from all-pelican-cases-4-less.com at $86.61 each for 1520 cases and $96.97 for the 1550. These cases offer 25 liters and 32 liters of volume respectively, adequate for short solo travel or day trips but I would consider either size small for serious long-distance travel or extended 2-up touring. (Caribou claims 35 liters for the 1550 Pelican case. The inside dimensions are 18.4"L x 14"W x 7.6"D -- you do the math.) The quick disconnect feature of SW-Motech racks eliminates the need for expensive case removal hardware and, as some hardware requires, obtrusive fasteners inside the case.

1520
Outside Dimensions: 19-1/4"L x 15-5/8"W x 7-5/8"D
Inside Dimensions: 17.9"L x 12.7"W x 6.7"D [capacity 25 liters]
Empty case price as of October 2009: $86.61 each
Colors: Black, Silver, *Yellow, *Orange, *Desert Tan (* special order)
[Actual shipping weight for two cases has been less than 20 lbs.]
Price of 1527 fitted Travel Bag for Pelican 1520: $75.21 each
1520 Pelican case and 1527 liner: picture 1, picture 2. [A later pair of Travel bags had a red interior rather than blue].

1550
Outside Dimensions: 20-3/4"L x 17-1/4"W x 8-5/8"D
Inside Dimensions: 18.4"L x 14"W x 7.6"D [capacity 32 liters]
Empty case price as of October 2009: $94.02 each
Colors: Black, Silver, *Yellow, *Orange (* special order)

I find mounting obvious and easy. After installing the racks, I fasten the cases in place with double-sticky tape, bungie cords, straps, whatever, until I'm sure I have them in a position I like. I mark one case with a white grease pencil through appropriate holes in the rack. I drill the holes in that case and, after double-checking the fit and position, lay that case on top the other case, back to back, lid open and mark the 2nd case through the holes in the 1st case. Pelican Cases bolt easily to SW Mo-tech, Givi and Happy Trails SU side racks, the three brands I've used depending on availability and whether or not I wanted the cases and racks easily removable. I prefer bolts with rounded heads, mounted with the heads inside; body washers on the inside seem a good idea, self-locking nuts or Loctite is advisable, On Givi racks, two widely-spaced bottom bolts with two closely-spaced top bolts -- determined by existing holes -- have proven durable. I haven't found it inconvenient to have Pelican cases not easily removable but if I do want the cases to be easily detachable I use the SW-Motech racks which can be removed in seconds.

I'm not going to praise these Pelican cases too highly. We live in an age of prosperity. People seem to have an insatiable need for specialized equipment and clothing for whatever activity they engage. I feel certain there will be resistance to believing gear that wasn't designed for motorcycling can be adequate, much less superior. Further more, at $173.22 for a pair of hard cases, how can this system possibly be acceptable. On the other hand, riders attracted to the practicality of these cases will surely appreciate the value of this do-it-your-self installation. I've just installed SW-Motech side racks and 1520 Pelican cases on my new 2009 KLR650. My cost:

Two 1520 Pelican Cases with shipping from California to Colorado: $190. SW-Motech side racks from my local dealer, Davis Service Center, Montrose Colorado: $245.00, no shipping. A few nuts, bolts and washers I already had and my total cost for side racks and cases was $435.

There is one consideration that could be important to people living in more urban areas: the only locking capability I will have, should I need locking, will be padlocks. Where I live and ride, I don't need or want my bags locked. However, had I needed convenient locking capability, I could have made do with padlocks (not and idea that appeals to me), searched for a locking mechanism I could install myself, or ordered the Caribou System for $770 + $35 shipping and the system would come with integrated lid locks, lid lanyards and internal elastic retention straps. The locks would be nice if I needed them; I've removed elastic retention straps from cases I've owned that had them; lid lanyards could be easily and inexpensively added to Pelican cases but I've never bothered.