Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Accessories Saddlebags Suggestions (one more time!)

All:

Just wanted to get some opinions on saddlebags. Finally came to the conclusion that riding back and forth to work with a backpack on is a pain in the a**. Just began my search and didn't really care for the Truimph bags. Seemed a little small and were more $$$ then I thought they would be. Not that I'm an expert on these things. Actually nothing could be further from the truth! Can I open this up for some purchasing opinions?

Looking for some soft bags that would mount on my 05 TBA and could be taken off when not needed (i.e. non-work days).

EZ-brackets for taking them on/off. If your shopping for bags by price - check out River Road bags- fake leather, keeps your stuff dry and have held up for a couple years no problems. Not the most beautiful, but usefull. Honda brackets work on our bikes- do a search here for which ones.

I like my small Triumph slants but use them for around town stuff and things I like to keep on the bike all the time: tools, air pump, rain suit, hat, extra gloves, towel, etc. I never take the bags off.

For larger bags that lock and are easy to remove, the K-Drive bags look neat:

K-Drive bags @ Brent's

I second the K-drive bags. They fit the lines of our bikes nicely. Are easily removed, come in two styles , one with studs and one without.

The bags leave little room for a passenger to access the stock footpeg location though.

I like just being able to unlock them and lift them off to do maintenance tasks around the azz end of the bike or just to unlock and carry with me if I have something of value in the bags.

Kevin, my wife is fairly small. Can you use the passenger footpegs in the standard location. I'm not sure I would want to move them, but I do ride 2-up a lot.

Guys,

Thanks! I'll check out the honda mounting bracket (Dealer really close to my house ie three miles away) and the River Road and K-drive bags. Thanks for the starting point!

Steve B.

Have fun. A decent set of bags helps ....whatever ya get. I use mine daily ...cant be without them.

I used these on my Harley and Sport bike when I needed a bag...most of the time I rode with no bags. They are soft throw over bags

http://www.tourmaster.com/xcart/product.php?productid=146&cat=31

http://www.tourmaster.com/xcart/product.php?productid=147&cat=31

I waited a year to put saddlebags on my America. I just couldn't find any that I liked the look of. To small, to big, to awkward, something. I finally found a set of Willie and Max Saddlebags that have a nice gray leather trim that matches the color of my bike. Got them from eBay for 20 dollars plus 20 dollars shipping. They fit right on to the standard saddlebag brackets as well.

Be Safe,
Sam

http://www.riverroadgear.com/rrweb.nsf/Products/269F3AE043D6E22F86257067007261E9?opendocument

Plus

http://www.leatherconnexion.com/Easy-Brackets-Triumph-Speedmaster-C213.aspx

Hi Bob,
When you installed your Triumph Slants was it necessary to buy any extra mounting hardware or brackets to install them or did everything you need come with the bags?
Thanks,

The Triumph bags come with all hardware and everything you need. The only thing I did additionally was I hot-glued a fitted neoprene pad to the bottom of the yoke that touches the bike. I had heard many stories of the leather and especially the laces marring the paint. I cut out the openings so the feet on bottom of seat fitted property. I like the bags - they do exactly what I wanted them for. Plus, I think they look good:

Thanks...Its good to know that ya dont have to spend an extra hundred bucks for mounting hardware after paying for the bags. I like your neoprene idea...where did you get it (the neoprene that is) ?

Don't look at www.leatherworksinc.com unless you want really nice bags. The 112 series looks real nice on the bike, the 112plus2 is a little bigger. Nice bags though

Hey,it's a Triumph,take the plunge and get the Triumph slanted bags,(panniers)get the 355.00 leather ones,not the fabric ones.They are very high quality,and you will leave them on always,like I do.Bro's neoprene trick is a good one,but fine dust is abrasive and will eventually get under there,try this-lay bags across fender and note the wear point and carefull and aesthetically lay down neoprene electrical tape.It will get scuffed and not fender,and you can peel it off and get the goo off with min.spirits,etc.

Just remember if you are considering slanted bags, most of the stuff that goes in them isn't slanted. I figured that out when packing for the Ga. rally.

1) Easy Brackets

2) Willie and Max bags

No question the easy brackets are worth every penny. Looks stock when they are off the bike, and they go on and off so easy it is never a hassle. Only way to go. No other brackets needed to keep the bags off the fender or tire.

Go with as big a bags as you can find, and I would not recommend real leather, as you said you commute, and sounds like you want something you can use and abuse. You will find the Willie and Max bags to be a great bargain, and when they get wet, or dirty, you will not have to worry about them, or what's in them. I abuse the heck out of mine - overstuffing them and such, and after a year and a half, it looks like they are going to last quite some time. Very sturdy construction with the corrugated plastic shape retainers providing the muscle.

I ordered from the Willie and Max website, but most bike suppliers offer them at discounted prices year round. I caught them on sale on the W&M website by chance.

Get The Hooker to go under your seat to bungee other items to. I should have, and still intend to.

If you want a way to put large rectangular bags on, with EZ Brackets, you will have to make the turn signals narrower. I wish I had known this. One interesting way is Brent's device at:
http://www.newspeedmaster.com/html/license_plate_relocator.html

With the narrowed turn signals, size of the rectangular bags and obstructions from the bike should not be a problem.

I just looked at FastEddy sports. He has XL Saddleman bags for $199 plus free shipping. what a deal

Anyone try these from Kuryakyn? Gran thow over bags. They tout don't need any hardware or brackets.

No, but they look like they would holds lots of stuff.

I fell on to this site called Leather Club Inc. The prices are unbelievable. Saddle bags for 50 bucks. Tool bags for 10. Has anyone ever bought from these guys?

I really love this so-called glove bag by TBags. I have carried my tools and a gallon of kerosene, and still had room for other stuff. With the capacity, it doesn't overwhelm the bike, and I don't have to struggle cleaning my rear wheel and accessing my chain as often is the case with bags hanging down.

I use a Bikers Friend bag on my TBA. You don't need a sissy bar or luggage rack..they install easily. I know they are available ion 4 sizes. I use a large, it holds all I need for work and when I remove my work stuff, my helmetand jean jacket fit inside perfectly. It has side pouches inside and out for little things like sun glasses, pens etc. They also have an adjustable backrest.

I have the Standard Touring Bags from Willie and Max - the deepest, flat-bottomed bags they offered. Straps and buckles with the plastic quick disconnect hidden under the straps (kind of renders the so-called lock useless if one could undo the buckle and open 'er up?), but I have thought several times over the last year that the simple hook-and-loop (velcro) closures would be more than adequate, and certainly more convenient at times....

UNTIL,

I want to over-stuff the bags and have to use the strap to crank down the flap because I can't fasten the plastic clips because the bags are too full

or UNTIL

the hook and loop wears out or weakens and fails to hold the flap down at speed

Security really is not an issue - I never worry about anybody trying to mess with my bike or get into my stuff while it is parked somewhere and I am away - and I'm in HOUSTON. I just don't think too many people are going to mess with a man's bike, but maybe a a large rally somewhere it might be a different story.

The bags I REALLY liked, but was a little hesitant to try the EasyBrackets with, are the:
Oxford Sport Saddlebags

Bags from Leather Neck Jim ($199) (www.leatherneckjim.com)
shown here on my America with EZ Brackets

For economy, Willie & Max
http://www.buywillieandmax.com/cat_slant.cfm

In regard to saddle bag mounts ie the easy bracket ,can you still use them in conjunction with the standard saddle bag bracket. And if not is the mounting plate on the easy bracket big enough to stop the saddle bag flapping in towards the rear wheel etc. My current bags are'nt as stiff as the new type so i would be relying on the bracket to keep the upright

No you don't use them with the standard bracket. And if you use plexi glass or aluminum as a reenforcement inside your bag you'll be fine.

So what ez brakets work on the TBA? Or can't I be lazy & not do the search

You find a source for EZ Brackets, and they will (should) list the America or Speedmaster for fitment. The mounting bolts will be longer if you have a sissy bar, so that matters.

I bought mine from Willie and Max, but hey - your on here - Google it.

These will fit

http://www.foxcreekleather.com/300.html
The above is indicated for our bikes with backrests, which may mean the bolts are longer. The fore & aft position of the mounting pins remains constant.

These are designed for our bikes without the backrest
http://www.foxcreekleather.com/299.html

The price shown includes shipping. At $150, that sounds right. The cheapest I've seen them is $145 without shipping. Perhaps someone knows of a better price. They're not cheap, but they should last a long time.

I just finished shoring up my heavily over loaded low end bags with inner & outer plastic panels. They came out pretty good, if I do say so myself. A little black Krylon Fusion paint on the outer panels, and they're fairly inconspicuous.

I noticed my r side Saddleman Jumbo Drifter is hitting my
new 412 shock, I've got them on EZ Brackets. Hummmmmm....