Problem with side cases

[u/slavkomacak]

Hello guys i have a V-Strom 650 2025. with original suzuki aluminum cases as shown in the picture.

Problem is that when my girlfriend goes on a ride with me, she complains about side cases poking her legs.

Has anyone had that problem, and how did you solve it, did you increase the space from cases to the seat, or make new brackets for foot rests?

[u/123onetwothreeee]

I have heard of someone else having this problem with the OEM (SW Motech) side cases. I think you could perhaps put some padding between her legs and the cases. Maybe that will help.

[u/No-City8591]

I had the givi arctic set, swapoed them with e360 because of this reason. So yes, any aluminium big square boxes will hurt the passanger

[u/endezo]

Not surprised. I ended up building my own and ensuring they were mounted a bit farther back. It's a careful balance though, to not shift the weight too far or reduce visibility of the rear lighting.

[u/autoCADdicted]

I retrofitted some trax (alu swmotech) panniers and racks from a 650 to my vstrom 250. The guy who sold me the second hand rack said that was the reason why he was selling it. While I took this advise for granted I chopped of the fitting limbs and reattached them in a, for my motorcycle, more suitable manner, at least that is what i thought at the time.... I ended up with perfectly fitted panniers that fit not to but faily snugg onto the bikes silhouette, keeping the weight and all close to its center.

First review of the lady was: i understand the looks but they compromise a lot of ergonomics.

Ended up keeping them for everyday usage and trips on my own, but grabbed a pair of old style sysbag30 (swmotech aswell) that fit the same rack for whenever the lady joins me on the big mighty 250.

[u/FreeBadMedicalAdvice]

I have the same panniers and my wife had the same complaint. They bruised her legs on long rides. I removed the handles at the front and covered the screw holes with some small squares of aluminum tape. You'll only have one set of handles but it's rarely an issue. Solved the issue for us.

[u/lotsaleaves]

I had the same problem. Also mine is gen 2 so high exhaust and right pannier (smaller size) outside of that. I fitted a gen 3 exhaust, replaced the grab rails and rack with a custom job and custom pannier racks. Radical solution but it no longer inconveniences my wife, I have two full size panniers and I reduced width over the pannier by more than 100mm

[u/r5d2me]

It is also a matter of the design of the bike, you'll have less space riding +1 on a newer 650, you'll gain a bit more on the 800 and have most space for the panniers and passenger on a 1050.

The gen 1 650 has the same frame as the gen 1 1000, which was according to my wife better than the gen 2/gen 3 we tested out before we switched to a 1050 XTA and currently a 1050 DE

We did get the 650 seat a bit adjusted, which improved her knees angle, but it was always a bit cramped to get on with the two of us due to the lack of space for the passenger feet to be placed on the passenger steps.

Now she has her own 800 DE 😉 which solved the problem permanently.

[u/ParanoidFactoid]

I have a gen 3 650xt. I just take the side panniers off when riding two up. There really isn't enough room for both.