 Opinions what on saddlebags
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I’m looking at two different saddlebags from Leatherneck Jims’. One is the Badlands it measures 15.5 X 13 (18) X 8 @ $369.95 and the second one is the Nevada 11.5 X 13 (16) X 7 at $259.95. Is there that big of difference in what you can get into the bags to make it worth spending the extra $110? Nevada Badlands
Kendall
"When you drink the water, remember the man who dug the well." Chinese proverb
2008 America Pacific/Aegean blue w/long slash cut TOR's, and stock carbs rejetted.
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 Re: Opinions what on saddlebags
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Loquacious
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For what its worth, I like the badlands look better.
Stewart
.......
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 Re: Opinions what on saddlebags
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Should be Riding
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I think the badlands look better, too. Whatever size you end up getting, all your stuff still wont fit, it never does! 
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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 Re: Opinions what on saddlebags
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Check Pants
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I have the Saddleman Large Drifter bag (which look) similar. They are 15" x 10.5" x 5.75. I can just barely get my Triumph Retro Paddock Jacket with liner/pads inside one bag. That size fits most of my casual, non-touring needs. If I went on extended trips with the bike, they'd be too small. You also have to consider the width you are adding, I think too fat looks strange. Than it becomes a form over function thing for the owner.
Those Jim's bags do look like lifetime bags. My Saddlemans are six seasons old and will eventually need to be replaced.
Al
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 Re: Opinions what on saddlebags
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Should be Riding
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Bonus on the badlands site, you get to see them on a Speedmaster! That pic looks familiar 
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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 Re: Opinions what on saddlebags
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Learned Hand
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That's a good deal at $259. Other bags I've seen in that price range weren't real leather, and most weren't US made.
'08 America Blue/White; Custom Headlamps, Custom Lowers, Clearview 20", Bafflectomy
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 Re: Opinions what on saddlebags
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I can't quite figure out the dimensions of your bag choice - what do the numbers in brackets mean? Quote:
I have the Saddleman Large Drifter bag (which look) similar. They are 15" x 10.5" x 5.75. I can just barely get my Triumph Retro Paddock Jacket with liner/pads inside one bag. That size fits most of my casual, non-touring needs. If I went on extended trips with the bike, they'd be too small. You also have to consider the width you are adding, I think too fat looks strange. Than it becomes a form over function thing for the owner.
I would say they look a bit like the saddleman bags. I had the "large" as described above and found they didn't hold quite enough. I bought a pair of the jumbo (17.5" x 10.5" x 6") which hold a lot more but make my bike look fat.
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 Re: Opinions what on saddlebags
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I am not for sure what the numbers are in the brackets. I guess I will have to contact them.
I am looking to take about a 5 day trip and wondering if I can get the clothing I will need into the bags. Then I was going to use them day to day to travel back and forth to work carring a laptop and breifcase. Would this choice be the most functional or are there any other sugestions?
Kendall
"When you drink the water, remember the man who dug the well." Chinese proverb
2008 America Pacific/Aegean blue w/long slash cut TOR's, and stock carbs rejetted.
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 Re: Opinions what on saddlebags
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For the day to day, back and forth to work, I'm still using this removable bag:   Hard bags are more secure and better for trips, but I don't get time for much of that now. This bag holds a huge amount of stuff for work, including all my rain/cold weather gear, and I can take it on and off the bike in about three or four seconds. It's not pretty, but the convenience of carrying everything in one bag is worth it. Cost $20 at the local sporting goods store.
'08 America Blue/White; Custom Headlamps, Custom Lowers, Clearview 20", Bafflectomy
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 Re: Opinions what on saddlebags
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Learned Hand
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Quote:
Bonus on the badlands site, you get to see them on a Speedmaster! That pic looks familiar
yeh it does look familiar now that I think of it! Those badlands have yet a lot of miles on them since that picture. Plenty of rain and a little snow too, no babying. all good so far.
05 speedmaster - 1100cc, 11:1 racing pistons, Carillo rods, thunderbike cams, ported and polished head, 2mm over intake and exhaust valves, Barnett kevlar clutch, scepter pipes, oversize manifolds, 45mm HSR's, TTP stage 4 firestarter
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 Re: Opinions what on saddlebags
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Quote:
I am not for sure what the numbers are in the brackets. I guess I will have to contact them.
I am looking to take about a 5 day trip and wondering if I can get the clothing I will need into the bags. Then I was going to use them day to day to travel back and forth to work carring a laptop and breifcase. Would this choice be the most functional or are there any other sugestions?
Kendall: Looks like mag10 has those bags and you could pm him for specifics. I use my bags for auxilliary storage on trips and I have always had a tailbag or trunk as real luggage. One sdaddlebag has my rain gear and warmer gloves. The other has tools and shoes while i'm riding, boots when i'm not. with the jumbo bags there's room for a sweater, water bottles, whatever else i need in the day, but the tailbag or trunk are where tomorrow's socks live. Note that these are NOT small bags: You can easily put a couple of sixpacks in each side - This is just the way I roll. example tail bag
In town I'd use the bags for random small items but probably not my laptop. If it was padded well enough to feel safe it probably wouldn't fit. the odd time i brought it with me i carried it in a backpack or bungeed it to the passenger pad.
So, my advice: get modest size saddle bags and get a small tailbag (well under $100) that can come inside with you at night for your trip. Find another solution for the laptop (I have an obus laptop backpack you'd be welcome to).
Last edited by Bill; 02/03/2009 8:29 PM.
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$70 + s/h from leatherup These are great, cheap, water proof, starter bags. My next set would be larger hard bags. They have velcro closures on the sides and zip off. Not really secure....
George
Freelance Observer
07 BA with 605's, engine dresser bars, and cheap saddle bags.
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 Re: Opinions what on saddlebags
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The badlands looks really alike the Triumph Large Slanted Panniers, but for way cheaper. The number in between brackets looks like the litre capacity ( I know my Triumph's are 18 litres, just like the badlands bracket number )
Like some said, you'll never be able to fit everything in your bags... What I do is roll the jackets on the fork, tent on the fork, sleepingbags on bags top ( one side each ) and live with that fact that it's a motorcycle and not a camper you're driving.
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 Re: Opinions what on saddlebags
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Quote:
I think the badlands look better, too. Whatever size you end up getting, all your stuff still wont fit, it never does!
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Thanks for all the opinions. I also started to look at getting a sissy bar w/ rack so I could slide on a piece of Nelson Riggs. Then I decided that there are to many options our here today. What ever happen to the day you just threw your crap on your bike and went? But I am leaning toward the Badlands.
Kendall
"When you drink the water, remember the man who dug the well." Chinese proverb
2008 America Pacific/Aegean blue w/long slash cut TOR's, and stock carbs rejetted.
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 Re: Opinions what on saddlebags
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Monkey Butt
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Quote:
What ever happen to the day you just threw your crap on your bike and went?
They still exist. I don't have bags. I have a large tourmaster sissy bar bag and attachable smaller one. It holds as much or more than normal bags. Comes off in a couple seconds. I then strap and hook stuff to that bag. Internal and external waterproof covers. Less than $150.00.
I can carry about 3 days of stuff and a laptop. The smaller bag when I move it forward on the front face of the big one works like a backrest.
I try to aggravate one person a day. Today may be your day.
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I bought Ameritex XXX-Large Futura 2000 from J & P Cycles. Looks like they are selling them as Futura Super Size for about $190. It's about the biggest ones I could find. I love how they follow the rear fender. I also bought Easy Brackets. 
Last edited by Calkins; 02/14/2009 11:30 AM.
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 Re: Opinions what on saddlebags
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Should be Riding
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those must be the biggest leather bags available, they look huge!
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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27" diagonal x 8" W x 13" H 
Justin Calkins - Iowa Falls, Iowa USA
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 Re: Opinions what on saddlebags
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  I have the Leatherworks 112BOPLS bags with Easy Brackets and I'm happy with them. Excellent quality. Usually only keep the bags on the bike when I'm traveling any distance. For around the city driving, they get taken off. http://www.leatherworksinc.com/112.php
12 Rocket Roadster 03 Bonneville America 69 BSA Firebird Scrambler 73 Yamaha TX 750
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 Re: Opinions what on saddlebags
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Last edited by ntrblagn; 02/15/2009 7:57 PM.
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Thanks for all the input. I finally made a decesion and have purchased the Badlands with Easy Brackets. I should receive them the first part of April. I will post pictures after I install them.
Kendall
"When you drink the water, remember the man who dug the well." Chinese proverb
2008 America Pacific/Aegean blue w/long slash cut TOR's, and stock carbs rejetted.
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Quote:
27" diagonal x 8" W x 13" H
Did you have any clearance issues with the tail lights? I like those bags. I already have a set of Saddleman bags with the easy brackets but they are just too small for my taste.
2003 TBA Thunderbike pipes / floorboards / and the most uncomfortable seat known to man....
Barry aka: 8-Ball
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 Re: Opinions what on saddlebags
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Save your money, and your time. You don't want leather bags - you just think you do. They look great, but they will require maintenance and upkeep, and you will freak out every time they get wet or dirty. Willie and Max - look like leather, life-of-the-biker warranty, and you can forget about them. Indestructible. The bigger the better - you only buy them once. Easily less than $150.00 U.S., and maybe a lot less depending on where you buy them. Save your money, and your time. 
Keith Houston Ridin'Texas '04 Speedmaster AI removed, Pingle, UNI Filter, 1 shim, straight-through slash-cut TORs, Stage 1 DynaJet, 140 mains, 3 turns, 16/42 final drive, 115K 2020 T120 Black
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 Re: Opinions what on saddlebags
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Complete Newb
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Hey...Leatherneck Jim just added the Badlands in "V-Leather" for $149 to his sight. They're not real leather but are supposed to look and feel real. http://www.leatherneckjims.com/shop/inde...620ccbec3a65878
"Dream as is you'll live forever...Live as if you die today"
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Quote:
Quote:
27" diagonal x 8" W x 13" H
Did you have any clearance issues with the tail lights? I like those bags. I already have a set of Saddleman bags with the easy brackets but they are just too small for my taste.
They fit great. I have Easy Brackets on them. The front top rests on the shocks and the turn signals just clear the rear.
I wanted hard bags, but these were 1/4 of the price.
Last edited by Calkins; 06/05/2009 1:02 PM.
Justin Calkins - Iowa Falls, Iowa USA
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Quote:
Hey...Leatherneck Jim just added the Badlands in "V-Leather" for $149 to his sight. They're not real leather but are supposed to look and feel real.
http://www.leatherneckjims.com/shop/inde...620ccbec3a65878
+1. I've got the Denver Slants, and I like 'em a lot.
-Joe Merlino
Boston, MA USA
1982 BMW R100 (decomissioned), 2003 America
Triumph: Cool enough for The Fonz, cool enough for me.
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For the day to day, back and forth to work, I'm still using this removable bag: I can take it on and off the bike in about three or four seconds.
Do you just use the bag straps, or do you use reenforcements to secure it to the bike?
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maybe there's something wrong with the universe!
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Once again thanks for the help. I finally took a picture of the bike with the bags on. (Edit: Badlands w/ easy Brackets) [image]  [/image]
Last edited by Kendall; 06/07/2009 7:04 AM.
Kendall
"When you drink the water, remember the man who dug the well." Chinese proverb
2008 America Pacific/Aegean blue w/long slash cut TOR's, and stock carbs rejetted.
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 Re: Opinions what on saddlebags
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Hey Kendall... My Badlands bags are arriving on Monday. I'm probably going to use the Eazy Brackets as well but was wondering  ...any possible way I could get you to post a shot of your bike with the bags from the rear???? Thanks.
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OH!!! By the way...I think they look great on there. Your bike is looking pretty sweet. 
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Besides the Triumph Large bags I just ordered the Kur.(sp) Tombstone Bag that mounts in front of the sissy bar and gives lumbar support. I just went 600 miles and could have used the support. I will advise on how well this thing works.
2008 BA, Ageon Blue, roadster shield, light bar. tach, big bags, square engine guard, short sissy with rack. All Triumph parts. No mods.
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Chris,
No problem I am getting ready to head out of town for the day and will post a pic early this evening.
Chris,
I arrived back home later than expected. I will get some pictures today.
Last edited by Kendall; 06/08/2009 8:24 AM.
Kendall
"When you drink the water, remember the man who dug the well." Chinese proverb
2008 America Pacific/Aegean blue w/long slash cut TOR's, and stock carbs rejetted.
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Chris, I was able to take the picture at lunch today. I did not have an object to put under the kick stand to set the bike in a more upright position so one looks higher than the other and for some reason the bag look wider in the picture that they really are. When I mounted the bags up using easy brackets I wanted the curve on the back of the bags to follow the curved lines of the fender which no picture really shows this. I also mounted one bag first and then took the measurements from the first bag and applied it to the second. I found that is was more difficult to line the second one up by holding and marking bracket location like it says in the Easy Bracket video. [image]  [/image]
Kendall
"When you drink the water, remember the man who dug the well." Chinese proverb
2008 America Pacific/Aegean blue w/long slash cut TOR's, and stock carbs rejetted.
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 Re: Opinions what on saddlebags
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Thanks Kendall!!! Ya. That looks good so I'm going to go ahead and get the brackets as well. Hope my badlands look as good on my bike as they do yours. Thanks for taking the time to post that pic for me and for the tip when doing the second bag. They come today... 
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The EZ brackets do make the bags stick up and out a bit. Personally, I don't mind the look at all. But even if you do find the look a little weird, you seriously can't beat how easy it is to get the bags on and off, and the super clean look of the bike when the bags are off.
-Joe Merlino
Boston, MA USA
1982 BMW R100 (decomissioned), 2003 America
Triumph: Cool enough for The Fonz, cool enough for me.
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 Re: Opinions what on saddlebags
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Yes the EZ Brackets do make the bags stick up and out a bit. But that little area between the EZ Brackets and the top of each saddlebag is a perfect place to stash gloves. Thusly:  That and the area between the speedo and the handlebars...
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Quote:
But that little area between the EZ Brackets and the top of each saddlebag is a perfect place to stash gloves.
Indeed. It's also a great place to hook bungee cords and whatnot, when you're strapping stuff to the rear seat.
-Joe Merlino
Boston, MA USA
1982 BMW R100 (decomissioned), 2003 America
Triumph: Cool enough for The Fonz, cool enough for me.
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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Apropos of nothing, the Easy Brackets folks rule. I pulled my sissybar off but couldn't find my non-sissybar docking posts. I just ordered up another set for $30, including shipping. When my right bag came off while riding a few years ago they sent me all new locking hardware for free.
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So tell me FJ... what is the difference between sissy and non-sissy bar docking posts? One bit of info you should know is I have a sissy bar that mounts between the fender and the fender brackets...not over the fender brackets. So which should I go with?
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