saddlebags

Any recommendations?

 

Eat less and watch the weight ?

 

yes

 

I'm pleased you recommend them.
I've been thinking about getting some for my Honda Shadow.
Strapping by backpack to the sissy bar every time I go out is getting
tedious.

Now does anyone have any specific recommendations, or things to watch
out for when buying saddlebags?

 

Very funny. When I manage to run more than a km at a time again that
aspect of my personal upholstery will take care of itself.

 

http://www.andystrapz.com/

 

My ex used to have what I called "Gene Autry,s saddlebags" between her big
toes

 

In aus.motorcycles on Mon, 7 Nov 2011 12:00:49 +0000 (UTC)

More information needed.

Generally I have found that if you are talking throwovers you want the
ones with the least complications.

I have a set of ventura ones that are probably 15 years old. They are
just two big bags joined by straps that are held together with velcro
for adjustment.

Lack of inner partitions makes loading them easy. THey are top
loaders, I dunno of any sideloading throwovers but someone's making
them I bet! They make it easier to pack clothing off the bike if your
packing is more than "cram it in" but painful to retrieve stuff when
the panniers are on the bike.

I don't have any bikes with high mounted pipes. The adjustable straps
mean the panniers can be hauled up fairly high but if your bike has
high pipes you have to be sure you get at least 2" clearance.

Mine are big square bags, a lot of them now are smaller "aerodynamic"
shape, you'd have to work out how much room you need.

Zebee

 

Running may not be the solution , running is very bad for the knees so
perhaps a softer form like fast walking ?

 

ewwww to much etc.

 

Yes I agree, it was too much for me too.

 

After going through two sets of leather saddlebags over the course of three years, I ended up settling on el-cheapo textiles: http://www.rjays.com.au/home/products/luggage-sports-saddle-bag.html

Granted, they're pretty crappy and definitely don't do the bike any justice (let's face it, a cruiser just doesn't look right with anything other than leather saddlebags), but they're a fraction of the cost and have actually outlasted the leather ones I'd had before.

A kick in the nuts for me is the fact that I paid $180 for a pair at MCAS - who've now reduced the price (presumably because of the strong AUD) to $100: http://www.mcas.com.au/_product.php?section=1&prodid=1001

Pros:
- Ridiculously cheap (the cheapest leather ones I could find are $300+)
- Expandable bags (undoing one zipper roughly doubles them in size)
- Removable bags (so you can take either or both with you as a suitcase away from your bike)
- Additional compartment comes in handy for tools, occy straps etc.

Cons:
- Cheap-looking
- Not waterproof
- Cheap zippers will fail in time

If you're not particularly worried about "image," these're definitely the way to go.

As I said above, I went through two sets of leather saddlebags in three years - first the lid straps would fall off, then the frame would sag, and within 12-18 months they're literally falling apart.

I'm on my second set of the RJays el-cheapos now, with the first set lasting roughly 2.5 years before the zipper on one of them failed. I only replaced the failed side, so still have the original (now 4 years old) on one side of the bike and the brand new one from the new set in my garage.

One thing you'll definitely need is stand-offs/brackets to mount them to - just throwing 'em over your seat (or under, as is my preferred method - as the bags can be easily removed [with a key] whilst leaving the mounting strap in place) will likely get them drawn into (and mangled by) your back wheel. Something like this should work just fine: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/230682778873 - $25 including postage.

FYI, I've got a Kwak Vulcan 800 Classic - not entirely dissimilar to your bike.

 

Someone else linked to Andy straps bags but they're designed for
dualsport use and probably wont fit well on sports or cruisers.
I used to have a set of Throwoever bags which had the "Motoline" brand
name. They were very good. I guess they're probably all much of a
muchness these days. Most big city bike shops have a good range.

Nev..

 

with the masses of info provided the answer suited

 

The Andy Strapz A Bag (or AA Bags), while not saddlebags, are a good fit on
a cruiser, and don't need any racks or mounting hardware. I just sit the A
Bag on my 'bitch pad' (apparently that's a Harley word), anchored to the
indicators and the sissy bar, and it does the job. Holds heaps and is well
designed.

betty
betty

 

"DM" wrote

Is this for the bike or are you asking for dietary advice?

Theo

 

"Zebee Johnstone" wrote

I have set that I made for Helen's V65SP about25 years ago. They are
quite stiff, square and top-loaders with no inner partitions. We
generally put her gear in plastic shopping bags before putting it in
the bags.

All you need is about a square metre of cowhide, some waxed cotton
thread, some leather lacing (best to cut your own) and you probably
want to tool some decorative artwork on the side. Use a good quality
leather sealer. We still use them occasionally.

Theo

 

You're right. They're a good fit on any bike because they have a rather
firm base which will sit nice and flat even unsupported.

If you're thinking of the "A Bag" be aware that Andy also makes a bigger
version of the same bag which is about 30% bigger than the normal one.
For some reason he doesn't list it in his catalogue but we've been using
a couple of them for years and they're top quality.

Nev..

 

30% bigger than than the A Bag? That must be massive! I was thinking of
getting the extension pack (what a simple but bloody brilliant idea - a bag
the same dimensions as the A Bag, and held down/anchored to the bike by the
weight/anchors of the A Bag!)

I _heart_ Andy Strapz!

betty

 

You assassin of the English language. ;-)

=================

Onya bike

Gerry