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Saddlebags?

  • Thread starter Thread starter petelister
  • Start date Start date
P

petelister

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I'm trying to decide on saddlebags for my '79 GS750L. I went to the Gallery, and it seems like GSers don't like saddlebags! All I seem to find are those hard bags mounted at an angle. Is there a reason for this? I need storage! Any suggestions from you guys with miles and miles under your belts would be appreciated.
 
Funny you post this. I'm in the same spot myself. How much space are you looking for? I tend to get pretty creative with this stuff, as the wife would, well.... you know, If I went and spent $100.00 ~ $200.00 on soft bags. I don't need much space for work commuting, just enought for the rain gear, and the odds and ends that may be brought home from the store. I've looked at many laptop computer bags that would do well, but a little larger than I want. I've settled on a couple (three actually) softside cooler lunch box's $7.00 ea. One for each side, one for the passenger seat. The color's actually match the bike!!!! In the process of fabing up some small brackets now, but I don't want a bunch of extra "crap" hanging on the bike if the bag's aren't attached. This project will probably turn out goofy looking as he!!, but worth a shot!!! Worse case is the kids will have new matching blue lunch boxe's thi fall!!!:-D :-D

ghwrenchit
 
I have picked up some generic hard bags, they kind of look like Concours bags, black plastic, they will each hold one full face helmet. I have a larger trunk, similar to the one listed on WCwhitney, it will hold two full face helmets on their side. I don't know how many liters of capacity I have, but I can pack a lot of stuff in them. Three bags together I got for less than $200. But of course, the black finish will never win any beauty contests. If you have all kinds of bucks, you could get a set of Monokey bags from=P~ GIVI.
 
These puppies are beauty, but aren't exactly cheap. As a GS'er, I got no problem with saddlebags!
ctbsb.jpg
 
The cheapo trunks now on sale at JCW's actually work. I installed a small one on the 550's rack. The small one hold 31 liters (about one helment) and the big one holds 40 liters (about two small helmets). The styling is blah and build quality is on the cheap side but for $55 for the small and $79 for the large how can you go wrong (compared to $300-$400 for a Givi).

I find a trunk is much easier to use on a day-to-day (commuter) basis than saddle bags. I have a pair of small soft bags too, but since I installed the trunk I leave them off.

If you do get these, make sure to apply blue loctite to the fastening hardware. Don't ask how I know about this. You should also grease up the locking mechanism as it is cheap diecast metal which deteriorates unless it is coated with something. In fact since I don't really remove the trunk from the base, I'm thinking of drilling a couple of holes and fastening the whole thing down. Just to be sure it won't pop off.
 
i have bags in the gallery....

i have bags in the gallery....

What are these, chopped liver? :)

Seriously, my was Bike of the month in 2005, and its in the gallery, too. I hope you saw it... yeah, most bikes dont' have bags, but some do!

IMAG0009.JPG


These are leather ones... I really like the look, and they work fine for what I do... I think they cost me $45 on ebay about 3 yrs ago... you can find vendors lots of places. Just shop around online.

Oh, sorry about the huge picture... didn't know it would be like that.
 
Saddlebags

Saddlebags

Man, that looks sharp! Did you have to rig up brackets or anything to make them fit properly? I'm trying to find saddlebags for my '81 750L.
 
Dennis Kirk has Nelson-Rigg Touring Saddlebags on closeout for $64.49. These are top quality large soft saddlebags and carry a 5 year warranty according to the site info. I bought the same ones from Dennis Kirk and they have a lifetime warranty. They come with waterproof rain covers.

I only use mine when I need extra storage space. They can but put on and taken off in seconds. This is a super good deal, and you can't go wrong with these as long as the size is appropriate for you.
 
More chopped liver.

Since these pictures were taken, I have moved the turn signals back to the license plate mount and moved the saddlebags back, too. This required fabricating some mounts to hold the bags off the tire and the pipes. Not too worried about how the mounts look, the bags are never off the bike.


.
 
Boondocks said:
Dennis Kirk has Nelson-Rigg Touring Saddlebags on closeout for $64.49. These are top quality large soft saddlebags and carry a 5 year warranty according to the site info. I bought the same ones from Dennis Kirk and they have a lifetime warranty. They come with waterproof rain covers.

I only use mine when I need extra storage space. They can but put on and taken off in seconds. This is a super good deal, and you can't go wrong with these as long as the size is appropriate for you.
Click to expand...

They seem kind of large though......but I'm interested. Have any pics of them on your bike by chance?
 
I got these Nelson Rigg Soft Bags Right after Christmas on Clearance from Dennis Kirk for $25. I have taken them on a Couple of 100-150 Mile Rides so far and they Work Great. On or Off in about 2 Minutes.

LastRide2006001.jpg


LastRide2006003.jpg
 
I figured I was in the minority--I'm just not that crazy about how saddlebags look, unless you have a full fairing and trunk and stuff along with it, and even then I don't really like the look of soft bags as much as hard bags.

When I'm driving around in my car, I usually haul around a backpack's worth of stuff or so, so I'm going to give this tailpack a try when it arrives on the 10th. It looks like I should be able secure it to my 650G without any problems, so here's hoping, anyway :D
 
marvinsc said:
I got these Nelson Rigg Soft Bags Right after Christmas on Clearance from Dennis Kirk for $25. I have taken them on a Couple of 100-150 Mile Rides so far and they Work Great. On or Off in about 2 Minutes.
Click to expand...


Did you have to move the rear turn signals? When I look at my 850 it seems like they're right in the way. The bags have to either go way forward or way back or sit right on top of them.
 
Nope, Didn't Touch a Thing on the Bike. The Rear of the Bags Butts up against the Backside of the Turn Signals. The Rear Bag (which is a Tool Bag) makes a Nice Backrest when Loaded Too!:-D
 
I have a pair of Givi expandables that I throw over the rear seat when I need that much storage, otherwise my old Bates trunk does me fine
th_suzieq002.jpg
 
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