Saddlebags

[geobiker]

I am looking to put some soft saddlebags on my bike this year. I don't see to may xs11s with soft bags. The saddlebags don't have to be huge but of a size that would allow me to take a weekend trip, or carry small stuff back from the store.

I currently have a Saddlemen nylon tailbag and am leaning toward nylon, however faux leather (vinyl) would also be okay.

Any recommendations or suggestions?

Would I have to manufacture a support to hold the bag out away from the shocks?

Thanks!

[Rasputin]

I have a set that are like or the same as these.
http://www.gearscanada.com/products/...addle-bag.html
I got them with some other stuff I bought as a lot. If these would do you PM me and we can discuss it.
They appear as new and they also were presented to me as having only been on the bike once for a test fit.

[BA80]

I got mine from HERE. Better prices and they have whole sets of luggage for less made of PCV. I have leather though.

Went to the local Yammi dealer and talked to them and got a set of supports for an old Virago that bolted up with minimal problems.

[Elevener]

I nave had two different sets. My recommendation would be to look at the zippers. My Cortech have nice big zippers, Cant remember what the other was but it was name brand with small crappy zippers. After a trip with a bungie cord holding them shut they went in the trash.

[b.walker5]

I have these ... http://www.motomail.co.nz/estore/style/drsppannier.aspx no brackets or supports needed, they just throw over and attach with some 'D' clips. Had em for 10 years and never had a problem. They're Aussie made but GIVI have the same thing, and should be available in the States.

[DAVINCI]

I got mine from HERE. Better prices and they have whole sets of luggage for less made of PCV. I have leather though.

Went to the local Yammi dealer and talked to them and got a set of supports for an old Virago that bolted up with minimal problems.

Hey, Greg. you remember WHICH year/model Virago? I'm going through the same thing and had made a set of supports from round stock. It works, but I'd like something better.

[BA80]

No Randy actually I never really knew. I went to K & N Yamaha and was talking to the owner and asked him about some supports. He went off into the back of the store and came out with an OLD package that had been opened and reclosed with boxing tape and was covered with dust. He said he thought they were for an old Virago and we matched them up and they were pretty cose to the mounting points so he sold them to me for like $30 I think.

Here's some pics from when I first put them on. I have since removed the stock turn signals and moved the bags back.

[trbig]

Whichever you choose, I would suggest finding a set that have some sort of internal stiffening. I ride rain or shine, and the set of leather bags I put on my XJ look pretty sad at this point. With weight in them, then getting wet, then drying... lots of times... they get mishapen. I drilled some holes through a piece of aluminum sheet and through the bottom of the bags and riveted that there on the inside of the bag because the bottom of the bags would now sit on my exhaust. It reshaped them a bit and it's better, but it would have been better to do it before it got all stretched and wallowed out.

The sun is also heck on the leather, so keep it oiled up with some product of your choosing.

[jetmechmarty]

I have Willie & Max slant bags on my bike. They hold up very well. They fit on my SG with no modification other than a wire support brace. Each bag is big enough to fit an entire sandwich.

[trbig]

You sure look cute in them chaps, Marty..

[barrelguy]

Hey - I have a set of never used leather bags I bought for my SG. Fit great with no mods needed. I'd like $100 and I will send you pics later today.

[jetmechmarty]

You sure look cute in them chaps, Marty..

LOL! That's my wife.

[trbig]

You sure look cute in them chaps, Marty..

LOL! That's my wife.

"That's a jo.. I say.. that's a joke, son!" Foghorn Leghorn

[fredintoon]

I am looking to put some soft saddlebags on my bike this year.
Any recommendations or suggestions?
Would I have to manufacture a support to hold the bag out away from the shocks?

Hi Geo,
what us cheapskates do is check out the soft bags that Harbor Freight and similar bargain stores sell for ATVs They look just about the same as bike bags and tend to cost only half as much.
Soft bags may or may not need supports to guard them from the shocks, depending on how soft they are and how they are mounted.
What's far more likely is that you'll have to move the rear signals from where the accursed stylists put them to somewhere sensible.

[ManagerMike]

I picked a set of leather throw overs from a local leather store and made supports from 1/8" aluminum sheet metal and put the turns in the bags themselves: