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Dirtbagz or Wolfman Expedition Panniers? Help Me Decide!

CJBROWN

CJBROWN

Husqvarna
AA Class
Now that the bike is all dialed in and setup I'm working on a way to carry more gear to enable camping off the bike. I've got the rack setup, can use a rotopax fuel, duffel, or Wolfman Rolie for day trips. Works really well.

For side bags/panniers I really can't decide between the Wolfman Expedition bags and Dirtbagz Rangers. Berg is finally done with the racks for Wolfman so that is actually now an option.

Wolfman:
(BTW, do these make my rear-end look fat???? :busted:)


Dirtbags:

TE630_lg.jpg


IMG00350-20110915-1616.jpg


Although these bags are not loaded they still appear to be a bit slimmer than the Wolfman setup.

Here's what I've come up with as pros and cons for each...

Wolfman pros...
waterproof
packs tight to the racks
large capacity with the Expedition bags, or use large Rolie bags for a more compact set
can add fuel bottle or water bottle holsters for more capacity
Racks can be used for hauling other cargo, pax, pellican boxes, etc.

Cons
seems like they stick out too far
lots of straps, although I really like the medium Rolie bag I got, they work REALLY well
Seems like it rides further back and higher than Dirtbagz
Cost - they are quite a bit more than Dirtbagz

Dirtbags pros...
Simple and slim profile
one bar left when the bags are removed
Cost - $250 for the whole setup is a bargain. About 40% less than Wolfman Expedition saddle bags

Cons...
not water proof
reports of broken support bars particularly if you lay the bike down on them
finicky zippers
Did I mention not water or dust proof?
Sometimes they look like they hang funky particularly when fully loaded

So, I'm in a real quandry. Each has it's merits, one costs a lot more. I'm not sure how often I'll actually use them, but probably a few trips a year. For either I'll add a top bag for extra capacity, and plan to leave the most of it campside for any really tough trail riding. The bike doesn't handle all that well with even just 30lbs on the rear cargo rack. I can't imagine doing any kind of really tough trail with a full load.

I've read dozens of posts all over the internet, pros and cons for each, and each has their following. Both seem to have really good customer support, and both are made in the USA. And yes, Eric at Wolfman has been sewing up the bags for DBZ Products since the beginning.

It may just get down to cost vs. how much they'll get used and I'll end up with Dirtbagz. But I really like the way the roll top bags from Wolfman work, and the added versatility of their design. Plus they're waterproof! But then I really don't like riding in the rain. Then again, if you get caught out in a down pour it would be nice to be able to setup camp with dry gear.

Is there something I haven't thought of?
Which way would you go and why?

EDIT: BTW, here's a really good pic of Pinocono's Dirtbagz setup, from the top:

DSC00047.jpg
 
I thought I was sold on the wolfmans, after carrying some load with some correct bags, I don't think the wolfmans all lOaded up would be light enough. But they are water proof. Using the DBZ rack to push the bags out with the wolfmans bags is an option I'm considering now. Curious to see what others think. This a common question I have a feeling.
 
Wolfman and Dirtbagz are both local outfits, I've had excellent products and service from both. If I was doing luggage for a 950 Adventure or SE, it would be Wolfman.
I've used the Dirtbagz on four or five different dirtbikes/dualsports in the 600 range....and I prefer them on the smaller/mid size bikes. I also use the Dirtbagz duffel for weeklong camping in Baja type trips. They hold what I need and don't budge.
I'm also more likely to leave the Dirtbagz on day to day, with tubes and tools and cold weather layers and stuff.

If I need something waterproof, it goes in a plastic bag before loading - but stuff doesn't usually get very wet unless I get stuck in the Rio Grande or something :D
 
That helps a lot Blake, makes a lot of sense. I'm not too worried about the water proofing thing either...like you say, just bag up anything that needs to stay waterproof.

After reviewing Picono's post and pics I'm just about sold on the the Dirtbagz.
 
I'm thinking Wolfman. Waterproof = good, dust is not a huge problem around here. Did I mention I live in a Northern Rainforest. But I do like how narrow the Dirtbagz are.

Just another opinion.
 
kirbybikes said:
I'm thinking Wolfman. Waterproof = good, dust is not a huge problem around here. Did I mention I live in a Northern Rainforest. But I do like how narrow the Dirtbagz are.

Just another opinion.
Click to expand...
That's a good point, the region you live in would definitely enter into the equation. It doesn't rain much down here, so I can compromise there a bit. I will most likely get a waterproof duffel bag for the rack, and a couple dry bags for stuff that goes in the Dirt Bagz, should wet weather be in the forecast when I go riding.
 
Maybe those that own either the Dirt Bagz or Wolfman product could post the width measurement of their set up measured at the outside of the framework and also at the outside of the packed bags....
 
Watching with interest as i was also looking at those 2 options.
At this stage i am leaning more towards the dirtbgz option as they are slimmer/lighter and cheaper.
I have always put a rubbish bag inside for waterproofing so this seems an easy option to continue with.

Are there any photos of the dirtbagz racks on their own without the packs on them.

Most of the time i would not have bags on the bike for day trips so would not want big chunky racks.
 
That sure is a lot cleaner than the big hoops, huh?

BTW, got a nice reply from bigdogadventures.com - Mark Sampson on an inquiry earlier today about his setup. Nice site, good info on how he setup and rode his WR-R all over the continent.
His nod was to Dirtbagz although he ended up with Wolf's in the end. He said 'I know you're going to have a lot of fun on it' (the TE630's). Check out his website.
 
CJBROWN said:
Do you have to lose the passenger foot pegs to mount the DBZ bars?
Click to expand...
No, they share the pillion peg mounts.
The right side mount is a bracket that bolts to the pillion peg bracket and provides an outward facing threaded hole for the forward DBZ mount.
 
You can keep the footpegs, or remove them. If you remove them, you need to find/make a spacer for the left side. I removed them since nobody will ever ride pillion on my bike. I used a turnbuckle nut for a spacer.
 
The wolfman racks are ready but cost as much as the whole DBZ setup. :cry:
The bags are another couple of hundred.
 
Those photos are excellent and provide a much better perspective of the width. The Wolfman racks appear a bit narrower than the where the plated inserts end in the driver footpegs.
 
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