I'm using a backpack while riding for weekly overnight trips and to work (Cause I have to change clothes when I get there) and I use a small tank bag for local fun rides. I'm thinking I should consider some sort of saddle bag setup. The bags I've seen at CycleGear don't seem to be large enough to hold a can of soda, but a bigger bag would look stupid on the bike. Considering maybe the box type bag that attaches to the passenger seat, cause it's expandable,etc. and doesn't take up a lot of space. Maybe a sissy bar with the box type bag sliding on the rail?

What do you use? Which to avoid, downside? upside? HELP!

i got a set of river road slant bags 14" i think..they work/look great..
hard mounted to oem bag supports..didnt have to relocate the turn sigs.

Looks like a nice handy setup. I see you have floorboards what kind are they.

River road compact slant mediums are pretty much a perfect fit for saddlebags. Decent space.
Large saddlemens will require turn signal replacement or else no passangers. Front bumps up against the rear pegs.
Been looking at a size small tourmaster tailbag but cant remember the actual name. Got to find the catalog.

'I' went to wal-mart and got one of their $13 soft coolers, some upholstry thread and a couple of d-rings and curved needles.
Cut the lower leg off an old pair of jeans, closed one end and stitched it to the back of the cooler. Sized, it slides right over the sissybar and pad.
Added a d- ring at the two lower front corners.
Put two of those tarp straps with the ball on the end that are adjustable through the d-rings.
Slide the jeans leg over the bar pad, hook the bungies to your bag supports or other attachment point. Good solid hookup that will haul cold or hot food, rainsuit, clothes(keeps em dry to!), what ever you want. 12T x 10D x 12W. Expands another 3-4 inchs on top and 2in pouch on front, net bags on sides. Hold lots of goodies. Makes a decent backrest to. Plastic tub inside you can remove or leave that stiffens it.
Think it cost me about 20 bucks all told, two nights sewing and watching TV and one pricked finger(dont watch TV while sewing...lol).
I added two tabs on the bottom of the jean sleeve and a strap across the top so its easy on the sissybar and easy off. Nice shoulder strap to carry it with to.
It will hold as much as both river road med slant saddlebags will.
Black n blue so it looks good setting on the back seat as well.

Thumperclone, what part number are yours? Most of the RR are to soft/pliable that ive looked at without adding a stiff backboard.
Saddlemen large are nice but i really dont want to relocate my rear turn sigs.

jimsgirl wrote on 08/01/10 at 10:45:27:

http://www.dslretorts.com/Paladin/archives/000707.html

For my saddlebags.  They are Fake!  They only look like leather bags -- they are really hard cases.  I live in Los Angeles and I *need* lockable bags.  They carry 20 pounds/18 quarts each.  They disconnect for about 5 seconds if you want to ride naked.

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?board=tech;action=display;num=1177262289
   
Is a 21" Airline Carryon suitcase good enough for your clothes?

CeliaMarie wrote on 08/01/10 at 17:23:28:

Ok on the floorboards and that pack you got is all you really need.

I picked up a set of leather equine saddlebags cheap, put the strap under seat.  They are slim and on the small side but were fine for day to day commuting, I liked the looks of them.

I also have a larger pair of nylon bags which go over the seat and actually cover the leather bags. I havent had much occasion to use them.
however.

The small bags ripped and now I keep a backpack bungeed on

I used a trunk when I was riding the Savage. Currently for my Concours, I have a large trunk, two large saddle bags, two glove boxes and a large tank bags for trips, but for day to day commuting I only use the trunk and the glove boxes. The trunk carries my rain gear, and anything else I need (it's big enough for two ff helmets plus (so grocery shopping is possible. The glove boxes contain my insurance and registration on one side, and a flashlight and my side-stand puck on the other. It's nice to be able to reach those things without having to step off the MC I suppose if I didn't have them, I'd use a tank bag in conjunction with the trunk.