 New saddlebags - probably
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Dealer's almost finished quoting on the repairs to my bike - so far it's over $6000 (remember that's AU$, and the basic bike's $15500 here). However it seems there's no AU distributors for saddlemen and they can't replace my jumbo slant drifter bags. They rang me today to ask me what I'd like to replace them with. Their suggestion was Willie & Max (since they can get them here) but I'm not overly thrilled by them. I remembered they'd recently started stocking K-Drive bags, which I was lusting after about a year ago but at the time they didn't support our bikes. They've got slightly more capacity than the jumbo drifters, and has a lockable clip-on system without the yoke across the rear fender. It's not quite as invisible as the easybrackets when the bags're off, but it's far from obtrusive. It also means I don't have to muck around getting the easybrackets to fit with the towbar, or mating the brackets with the bags. Anyone got any experience with these bags? If I don't hear anything bad about em, I'll tell the dealer to go ahead with them. Matt
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 Re: New saddlebags - probably
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 42
Greenhorn
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Greenhorn
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 42 |
Matt, you can get the saddleman drifters from here http://www.justcruisers.com.au/ I got mine about 12 months ago, they took a few weeks to arrive but it was worth it. My wife has the K-Drive bags on her Volusia and they are the ducks guts, I wish they had been available for our bikes when I got mine. Cruser
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Re: New saddlebags - probably
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 407
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 407 |
I really like the look of those bags.
I wondered why the frisbee was getting bigger......and then it hit me.
'05 BA - Mulberry/Graphite,128 mains,42 pilots,TBS needles,drilled slides,debaffled stock pipes,Uni,no snorkel
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Re: New saddlebags - probably
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
Matt.
The K-Drive bags look sweet. Go for it. I have the Saddleman Desperado Jumbo bags with EZ Brackets and those I had to reinforce with Plexiglass. The K-Drive bags are good to go with no mods needed and are as big if not larger than the Saddlemans.
Glad to read you are making progress on getting your ride back in order. How are you making out? I hear no pain in your words, but you still must be the color I order my filets: Black-n-Blue!
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: New saddlebags - probably
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 89
Member
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Another vote here for the K-Drives. I've had them on the bike for a few months, and couldn't be more pleased. They are big, first of all. They lock onto the frame with a key, and come off in a moment. They seem to be quite strong and virtually waterproof, as well. A little pricey, but as in all things, you get what you pay for. You can get them from Brent at NewBonneville.com; he ships everywhere. Here are a couple of pics of the bags on the bike, and one of the brackets when they are off the bike. Personally, I like the look; they are heavy, hugh-quality chrome.   
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Re: New saddlebags - probably
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,753
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
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can the k drive bags be used with ez brackets?
Frank
(Former)05 BA tbike pipes, ai removed, Freak, mikuni hsr 42's, 904, ported/polished head, 1mm oversized valves
NOW-2010 silver and black tbird
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Re: New saddlebags - probably
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 89
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No, as the bags come with hardware already attached to the back of the bag: 
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Re: New saddlebags - probably
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 885 Likes: 2
3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 885 Likes: 2 |
I like the slip on and go design of the brackets.. what kind of hassle would there be to install them if you have the sissy bar/luggage rack?
Brad
To be old and wise, you must first be young and stupid.
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Re: New saddlebags - probably
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Joined: Jun 2005
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None, really, as they include different size spacers.
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Re: New saddlebags - probably
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
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Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
You could remove their hardware and install the ez bracket hardware? But why? HC150T1 : saddlebags set with Iparex 150 bags HC150AT1 : saddlebags set with studded Iparex 150 bags HCL150T1 : saddlebags sets with plain leather 150 bags. All prices are ex-works: without transport, taxes etc. and assuming that the amounts on their website are in €
HC150T1 $475 USD or $632 AUD HC150AT1 no price listed... HCL150T1 $641 USD or $852 AUD
As you could get some nice 10oz leather Carolina saddlebags for those USD prices! $314 USD : 
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: New saddlebags - probably
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,753
Loquacious
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Loquacious
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i just dont like the bracket staying on when the bags are off
Frank
(Former)05 BA tbike pipes, ai removed, Freak, mikuni hsr 42's, 904, ported/polished head, 1mm oversized valves
NOW-2010 silver and black tbird
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Re: New saddlebags - probably
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
I know what you mean. But look at it this way, with the hanger method you'll always want to have the bags on, so as to hide the fugly hangers. With the EZ brackets I hardly ever want to have the bags on! Makes for a perpetual dilemma does it not? Our rides look so sweet with no bags or hangers. But no bags mean no way to carry important stuff. Just ask dinqua about beer or motorsickle batteries! 
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: New saddlebags - probably
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,362
Oil Expert
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OP
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Quote:
Matt.
The K-Drive bags look sweet. Go for it. I have the Saddleman Desperado Jumbo bags with EZ Brackets and those I had to reinforce with Plexiglass. The K-Drive bags are good to go with no mods needed and are as big if not larger than the Saddlemans.
Hey Moe...
Yup, I've been looking at these bags since before I bought my drifters and wishing they came to suit our bikes. Like you I bought the drifters before K-drive were available, so I'm glad I've had the chance to get them without it costing me a small fortune. I was planning on getting easybrackets to go with the drifters but the towbar on my bike has struts to bolt up to the last bolt on the rear fenders. Since I've also got a sissybar (with it's recessed bolts) it was gonna be a real pain to get the brackets exactly lined up - I would have needed custom spacers and modified brackets. The k-drive system doesn't have that issue coz the bags just clip onto the brackets regardless of the angle they are to the bike.
Quote:
Glad to read you are making progress on getting your ride back in order. How are you making out? I hear no pain in your words, but you still must be the color I order my filets: Black-n-Blue!
heheh yeah there's a couple of bits of me that aren't the same colour as they used to be - I got a bruise on the back of my thigh as big as my hand that's going from black to blue to yellow, and the doc gave me another week off work yesterday (paid) so if I'm real lucky I might have the bike back around the same time as I go back to work! Gonna have to play games with the front indicators and put the standard ones back on while I get new adapters made up to suit the OEM driving lights, but that's ok.
Matt
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Re: New saddlebags - probably
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Oil Expert
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Quote:
Another vote here for the K-Drives. I've had them on the bike for a few months, and couldn't be more pleased.
Hey Philip.. that's the response I was looking for. Thanks for the pics, gives me a good idea what I'm looking at - thinking I might go with the studded version, just to give them a bit more impact. These bags also mean I can do what I've been wanting to - and you already do - remove the pillion and ride solo with saddlebags.
Speaking of pics, any chance I can get you to take one of the bags from behind the bike? What I'm looking for is the clearance (if any) between the rearmost mounting bolt and the bag. My towbar's struts are about 3mm thick (about 1/8") and need to go up to that rear bolt.
By the way, that mulberry's a great colour... wish it'd been round in 04 when I bought mine.
Matt
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Re: New saddlebags - probably
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Quote:
i just dont like the bracket staying on when the bags are off
Like Moe said, the bags'll be on 99% of the time - my bike's a daily ride and I don't have a car so I need them all the time for things like wet weather gear, a bit of shopping etc. Only time they'll come off is if I'm off on an overnight trip and I want to take them inside, or for washing the bike, lubing the chain etc.
Either way, the brackets for these bags're pretty small and not ugly, so I don't mind leaving them off occasionally.
Matt
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Re: New saddlebags - probably
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: Jan 2005
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Quote:
Just ask dinqua about beer or motorsickle batteries!
Har har, I bet you thought I was asleep? 
A word to the wise is not necessary. It is the stupid ones who need the advice.
Pat
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Re: New saddlebags - probably
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Pat Pat Pat... you're not sposed to be making beer outa battery acid.. and especially not in ya saddlebags! Matt
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Re: New saddlebags - probably
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Joined: Jun 2005
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Member
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Here's a pic from behind the bike. I think there will be plenty of room for the tow bar. Also, in the event you want to bungee a soft bag to the fender behind the seat, or to the top of the bags, the brackets provide a very handy attach point for the bungee cords. 
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Re: New saddlebags - probably
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That looks great Philip.. thanks for the pic. I've made up my mind on those bags now - which is probably a good thing since I told them yesterday to go ahead with them.  Now I just have to decide between plain or studded. Matt
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Re: New saddlebags - probably
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 89
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Can't help you with that decision, of course. Personally, I made a decision early on that my America is the Anti-Harley -- therefore no studs. I also just got a Corbin seat (not pictured), and that's also sans studs. But studs do add a lot of flash to the bike, that's for sure...
Put up a pic when you've got the bike back!
Philip
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Re: New saddlebags - probably
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5
Complete Newb
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Complete Newb
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5 |
Are the bags on your bike the leather or the Iparex?
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Re: New saddlebags - probably
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 89
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Quote:
Are the bags on your bike the leather or the Iparex?
Iparex. It looks good, and is maintenance-free. I believe the buckle straps and handles are leather, though they look the same as the rest of the bag.
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Re: New saddlebags - probably
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5
Complete Newb
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Complete Newb
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Once the bags are clicked and locked, do they or can they slide up and down the length of the saddle bag guard bars from front to rear?
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Re: New saddlebags - probably
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 89
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I suppose that theoretically they could slide back and forth, but in my experience, they don't. After I put them on, I push them back away from the shock, and I've never noticed that they've moved. In any event, once they're on they only have about an inch to move either way.
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