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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Saddlebag recommendation?
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Message started by amx4080 on 07/01/15 at 16:35:34

Title: Saddlebag recommendation?
Post by amx4080 on 07/01/15 at 16:35:34

Hello from a new owner of a S40. I'm using mine for daily commuting, a 90 mile round trip, and would like to get a set of saddlebags to carry my laptop (14.5"x11") and my lunch instead of the backpack I am currently using. The Suzuki saddle bags look too small, but no dealer locally has a set I can measure and the Suzuki site doesn't list dimensions. My bike does have the frame to keep the saddlebags off the moving parts. Does anyone have a recommendation for what fits and could carry what I would like to carry?

Title: Re: Saddlebag recommendation?
Post by chzeckmate on 07/01/15 at 16:57:55

You got a price range or a budget you want to stay within? Do you prefer hard or soft bags? Will you be commuting rain or shine? Do you need them to lock? There are so many options.

Title: Re: Saddlebag recommendation?
Post by 1st2know on 07/01/15 at 17:57:36

A tailbag is an easy solution for commuting - it has four clips holding it snug to the pillion, and it can hold a lot.
I have the Saddlemen TS3200 Deluxe Sport Tailbag, it costs about a hunert.

Title: Re: Saddlebag recommendation?
Post by GBG on 07/01/15 at 18:31:49

I have these, and have liked them:http://www.amazon.com/Willie-Max-Standard-Saddlebags-SB802-05/dp/B000WJ7A5C/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1435800612&sr=8-3&keywords=willie+and+max+raptor+saddlebags

I did get lucky, and find an almost new set on Craigslist, but I was about to pull the trigger on a new pair anyway.

Title: Re: Saddlebag recommendation?
Post by Boogie_with_Stu on 07/01/15 at 19:43:46

Being that I want my Savage to keep it's "dated" (or what I call "classic") look, I wanted a set of bags with a little western/southern flair. I did not want to spend a bundle either.

Willie and Max are obviously some of the best bags out there, but they can be pricey.

I bought a set of bags off eBay after seeing pics of them on a Honda VLX and an old Kawi 500 Vulcan. They are PVC, not leather...and that had me a bit worried...but there was no need. These bags look and feel like high grade leather. They have solid plexi panels on the back to keep the area that mates up with the saddlebag brackets nice and flat. They have a treated underside for heat protection. They are zip off, with velcro on top of the zippers to hide them. They are lined inside with stiff plastic panels (not cheapo cardboard) and the have quick release straps under the traditional looking metal buckles. Oh, and they have removable handles so you can carry it like a briefcase ( I took those off). Thye come with a guarantee against fading, cracking or tearing.

All of that for about $90. I did order the larger size, so the rear turn signals are being moved down to the license plate, but all in all I am thrilled with the look and quality of these bags. I have a matching fork bag and I really like the way the bike looks with them....of course, this is ALL a matter of personal taste.

Title: Re: Saddlebag recommendation?
Post by chzeckmate on 07/01/15 at 20:25:46

I have these Willie and Max bags
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Willie-and-Max-Maltese-Cross-Compact-Slant-Saddlebag-Motorcycle-Luggage-/331538830472?var=&hash=item4d31411488&vxp=mtr
...and the matching fork bag/tool pouch
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Willie-and-Max-Maltese-Cross-Series-Tool-Pouch-/260570558858?hash=item3cab37318a&vxp=mtr

They're the perfect size and the quality is superb but I'm thinking of selling them. I want some glossy hard cases...Some people roll their eyes when I say that but, I just like that look what can I say.

Title: Re: Saddlebag recommendation?
Post by amx4080 on 07/02/15 at 08:38:52

Thanks for the responses, the idea for the tail bag was not something I had in mind but it looks like it will work very well and as a bonus be transferable on different bikes.

Title: Re: Saddlebag recommendation?
Post by Boogie_with_Stu on 07/02/15 at 08:39:55

Nice bags chzech...but $150 is a bit steep for me.

I also dont get the Maltese cross stuff. I've seen hundreds of accessories from tail lights to mirrors to decals. I dunno, it just gives me the "outlaw biker" kinda vibe.

Again, a matter of personal taste. I ride a motorcycle for fun. I ride for relaxation. I like to tinker with stuff. I am definitely NOT a biker.

I wear engineer boots and a Cortec jacket with hard plates in the elbows and shoulders along with some mid-back support. It's also got reflective panels. You'll never catch me wearing denim or colors. Oh, no tats either :P

I'm sure some of our guys here are deep into the "biker lifestyle". Thats cool, to each their own. No offense intended.

Title: Re: Saddlebag recommendation?
Post by Boogie_with_Stu on 07/02/15 at 08:47:40

If you are still looking for bags, here is a nice set of used W&M on ebay....great condition at about half price.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/WILLIE-and-MAX-MOTORCYCLE-SLANT-ZIPPER-UNIVERSAL-SADDLE-BAGS-HARLEY-RIDER-USA/151721667959?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D32237%26meid%3D45fa9fbd09a543258fc971d58bd5e37f%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D5%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D141702976059&rt=nc

Title: Re: Saddlebag recommendation?
Post by chzeckmate on 07/02/15 at 08:59:59

2825252D232F673D233E2267393E3F4A0 wrote:

Thanks. The first thing I did was remove the maltese crosses. I felt like it was too cliche (No offense meant to anyone who like them) for me. I also wear a Cortech jacket with hard plates and full back support. I'll admit I'm not ATGATT but I am ATGMOTT (All the gear most of the time). I do have some tats but they're meaningful and simple...no flames, skulls, or logos. I'm a simple guy with simple tastes. I'm shy and I prefer not to stand out. I ride because I have a nagging compulsion to do it. It's not a lifestyle for me. Something about riding and working on bikes is just changes my whole mood. When I can't ride for awhile I'm really grumpy and irritable. I need two wheels, the open road, and the smell of fuel, oil, and exhaust regularly or I can't sleep.

Title: Re: Saddlebag recommendation?
Post by Boogie_with_Stu on 07/02/15 at 16:09:49

chxechmate, you and me are brothers from another mother my friend. I couldnt have put it better myself :)

You are quite a bit younger than I am but we seem to be cut from the same roll of duct tape lol

Wear your armor, ride safe , and keep the rubber side down my friend!

Title: Re: Saddlebag recommendation?
Post by chzeckmate on 07/02/15 at 19:18:44

262B2B232D2169332D302C69373031440 wrote:

chzeckmate, you and me are brothers from another mother my friend. I couldnt have put it better myself :)

You are quite a bit younger than I am but we seem to be cut from the same roll of duct tape lol

Wear your armor, ride safe , and keep the rubber side down my friend!

I couldn't agree more. In fact, I think all of us who ride and wrench compulsively are brothers born from the same mighty piston stroke of the motorcycle gods. I can feel the common bloodline in so many ways. From the very simple things, such as passing another rider and getting and giving the wave (you know the wave), to the visceral reaction you get if you see a biker stopped in the breakdown lane and the unspoken rule that you must stop and ask if he needs help, to the everyday things like visiting this forum and sharing the laughter, stresses, successes, disappointments, creativity and experiences of other riders. There is something different about us that binds and relates us. It's impossible to put it into words but we know...despite whatever differences we may have, we instinctively know each other on a very deep level. There's something almost primal about it. I think it's pretty awesome.

Title: Re: Saddlebag recommendation?
Post by Art Webb on 07/02/15 at 20:44:53

333F2A66626A62520 wrote:

If all you want to carry are a laptop and lunch, the factory bags are enough, and look / fit very nicely on the bike
if you want to carry groceries, camping gear, or much more than a laptop and lunch, they're a bit small here's a pick of them of my bike when I bought it
http://i675.photobucket.com/albums/vv114/jwebb1931/S402_zpsc871770a.jpg (http://s675.photobucket.com/user/jwebb1931/media/S402_zpsc871770a.jpg.html)

they are 13" tall, 10" 'long, and 3 1/2" deep
currently I'm using Coretech 'sport' bags as the factory bags are too small for the sort of stuff I carry, but they are nice and seem like good quality bags
I could toss em back on the bike and get a pic from the side if you like, I just use my bags in 'throw over' mode