Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Accessories Travel Bags

Now that the sissy bar with rack is on order, I'm looking for a suitable sissy bar travel bag.

I don't think we're going to be heavy-duty touring people on the Speedmaster. We don't need a steamer trunk or anything.

But it would be nice to be able to carry enough clothes and crap to go away to a hotel for a weekend on the bike.

So far I've looked at T-Bags and am also considering the Saddlemen and Kuryakyn bags. Any brands to avoid?

What are the plus/minuses of hard or soft bags, and what are you using in your travels?

I was gone for 6 days on the bike to Daytona. I have the sissy/bar rack and used a T-Bags Universal Helment Bag (very useful, not large) on the rack and a Kuryakyn Tombstone Backrest bag on the passenger pillion. The Backrest bag comes with different sized inserts to get just the right size/comfort. I rode 450 miles home (one day ride) and was very comfortable. Between the 2 bags I had more than enough room and both were easy to carry and also have their own integrated rain covers.

Tour Master makes a good roll bag that has the bungee cords attached to the bottom of the bag, I used this one for the GA Rally, even comes with a rain cover and made a good back support for the trip down and back, 5 days.
I have the RiverRoad zip off bags, I've been told by others on this site that the real test is if they will hold a case of beer. Well each bag holds 2 sixpacks, guess they qualify. These look like leather but are synthetic something so they are water resistant and you don't have to treat them with junk like leather bags. The saddlebags came from Bikebandit.com the Tourmaster bag you can get from any on-line or local accessories stores. Happy touring, don't get the bag too big because your wife will think its OK to bring her whole wardrobe, hair dryers, curling irons. You get the IDEA.
Steve

don't get the bag too big because your wife will think its OK to bring her whole wardrobe, hair dryers, curling irons.

Absoultely correct! I packed up a small backpack for the Georgia Rally, and when I got back, realized that I didn't use a bunch of stuff I brought (couple shirts, pair of shoes, etc..). If the wife had come along, I would of needed her to follow me up in the pick-up.. just to haul all of her stuff

Cheers,
Brad

I have the Nelson Riggs Survivor 600 bags. Waterproof and large enough.

Nelson Riggs

I have American Rider (think that's the brand) and they offer good price, size options. It's a light weight canvas with enough support in the sides and bottom so that it's not a limp rag strapped on the bike. I line the inside with a big trash bag to keep things dry.