Tried some well regarded saddlebags and didn't like them.
What works?
Decently easy on and off.
Cleanest solution for storage for a sport tourer??
- Thread starter MacDoc
- Start date
Tried some well regarded saddlebags and didn't like them.
What works?
Decently easy on and off.
You probably already know my suggestion.
Super easy on/off. Twice the luggage space of a Goldwing.
Lockable. Waterproof. Secure. Takes no space from your passenger. low centre of gravity compared to anything remote close in terms of luggage capacity. HAs it's own suspension, so bike's suspension doesn't have to deal with the tongue weight.
Has an ownership and can be bought and sold.
There are pros and cons to any setup for touring. I spent 10 yrs touring on sportbikes with soft luggage before I did it right.
Super easy on/off. Twice the luggage space of a Goldwing.
Lockable. Waterproof. Secure. Takes no space from your passenger. low centre of gravity compared to anything remote close in terms of luggage capacity. HAs it's own suspension, so bike's suspension doesn't have to deal with the tongue weight.
Has an ownership and can be bought and sold.
There are pros and cons to any setup for touring. I spent 10 yrs touring on sportbikes with soft luggage before I did it right.
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silverbullet132
Well-known member
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I priced out a S&W mototech rack for an FZ1, added in $200 for a professional fabricator to modify it to fit my GSXR (since no rack was available for a GSXR, the FZ1's thin tailsection was closest in design. Then I added the cost of two colour matched Givi hard sidebags, and a colour matched hard top bag and S&W mototech tail rack, and the associated tailights that mount inside the bags (because I wanted the whole deal).....the total price of the hard luggage setup was almost $2000 CDN for 110 litres of space in 3 cases.....so that was my comparison price..... and I am 5'4" tall with a short 29" inseam. ANother issue I would have is the weight of loaded hard luggage up on the tail of the bike.....feels like carrying a passenger all the time. The 10 yrs I was using soft saddlebags and a soft tailbag taught me that I didn't like the top heavy feeling of the bike when I can only tippy toe on one side of the bike or the other at slow speeds and stops. And it was difficult for me to get on and off the bike loaded, nevermind getting it off the sidestand on uneven ground. Riding 4 days in NY, PA, WV and KY thru Hurricane Ike to the first Moto GP in Indy was the nail in the coffin. I decided then and there that I was doing something hard, lockable, and watertight for sport touring on a 400 lb sportbike. I researched all of my options from Aug as soon as I got home from Indy, till the following July before I made my order. The trailer solved tons of problems for me, and gave me 160+ litres of space. It does diminish the performance of the bike, I estimate by 30% or so of it's useable street performance, but that's a price I am willing to pay for the convenience. Any luggage option will come with compromises. It doesn't slow me down too much and attaches/detaches in less than 30 seconds.
I priced out a S&W mototech rack for an FZ1, added in $200 for a professional fabricator to modify it to fit my GSXR (since no rack was available for a GSXR, the FZ1's thin tailsection was closest in design. Then I added the cost of two colour matched Givi hard sidebags, and a colour matched hard top bag and S&W mototech tail rack, and the associated tailights that mount inside the bags (because I wanted the whole deal).....the total price of the hard luggage setup was almost $2000 CDN for 110 litres of space in 3 cases.....so that was my comparison price..... and I am 5'4" tall with a short 29" inseam. ANother issue I would have is the weight of loaded hard luggage up on the tail of the bike.....feels like carrying a passenger all the time. The 10 yrs I was using soft saddlebags and a soft tailbag taught me that I didn't like the top heavy feeling of the bike when I can only tippy toe on one side of the bike or the other at slow speeds and stops. And it was difficult for me to get on and off the bike loaded, nevermind getting it off the sidestand on uneven ground. Riding 4 days in NY, PA, WV and KY thru Hurricane Ike to the first Moto GP in Indy was the nail in the coffin. I decided then and there that I was doing something hard, lockable, and watertight for sport touring on a 400 lb sportbike. I researched all of my options from Aug as soon as I got home from Indy, till the following July before I made my order. The trailer solved tons of problems for me, and gave me 160+ litres of space. It does diminish the performance of the bike, I estimate by 30% or so of it's useable street performance, but that's a price I am willing to pay for the convenience. Any luggage option will come with compromises. It doesn't slow me down too much and attaches/detaches in less than 30 seconds.
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Like everyone, I started off with soft luggage before moving onto Givi. Once you get past the cost and buy them, you'll wonder why it took so long. Givi's are super easy to get on and off, easy to access on the bike, and waterproof. Got poured on for four hours straight this past weekend, all my waterproof gear leaked, but the Givi's stayed 100% dry.
To save costs, the cases can be found for reasonable prices on Kijiji/Craigslist and then just buy the matching racks from your local shop. I emailed everyone selling a bike with Givi's to see if they would sell the cases separately. My full setup (V35's plus E52) going this route cost around $850.
To save costs, the cases can be found for reasonable prices on Kijiji/Craigslist and then just buy the matching racks from your local shop. I emailed everyone selling a bike with Givi's to see if they would sell the cases separately. My full setup (V35's plus E52) going this route cost around $850.
Three Touratech metal cubes in the back to give it that faux adventure tourer look. Also add handguards for the finishing touch! 
j/k, I'd go the Givi route as well.
j/k, I'd go the Givi route as well.
I like the SW Motec set up because the top box base plate comes of with 3 cam lock fasteners and what's left of the rack blends in with the bike decently on my first gen FZ1.
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My E52 topcase stays dry, my E35 panniers not so much... I leave my luggage on all summer to clear some basement space, and I frequently find a little water in the panniers. condensation maybe?? When I'm using them for touring I just toss my stuff in garbage bags. The bags are well made, and can be removed from the bike in seconds using the key.
Although I am a GIVI case fan, I don't like their brackets much, and the GIVI crash bars for my old DL650 were terrible!
gixxer_dave
Well-known member
What well regarded brand did you try? A lot of them need some custom work to make them fit correctly (stable, secure, away from heat, away from license plate and lights).
I personally have the SW-Motech Blaze bags on my '09 GSXR and can't say enough good things about them... They are waterproof if you use the internal waterproof bags and pack accordingly.
frekeyguy
Well-known member
I've seen that thing in person, and it is awesome! I'd like to build one myself.....any more pictures on how the frame / suspension was setup?
The Givi stuff is hit and miss, thankfully mine are waterproof and most reviews say the same, but I have seen a few where people say they leak out of the box.
Agreed on the brackets btw, for the amount they charge, you'd think they would use something a bit higher quality than painted steel pipe. My V35 racks that are maybe three months old are rusted where the bags have rubbed off the paint. Not the end of the world, but it looks like crap
How much storage are you looking for?
Here's a good writeup: http://www.fz8-forum.com/forum/fz8-mods/501-givi-monokey-hard-case-install.html
And combine it with this top case mount for a cleaner look (or if you just want the top mount): http://www.twistedthrottle.com/sw-m...fz8-11-for-givi-trax-alu-box-coocase-topcases
That is similar to what was on the FZ1 posted above, very minimal and inline with the seat, so it's not very noticeable off the bike.
Here's a good writeup: http://www.fz8-forum.com/forum/fz8-mods/501-givi-monokey-hard-case-install.html
And combine it with this top case mount for a cleaner look (or if you just want the top mount): http://www.twistedthrottle.com/sw-m...fz8-11-for-givi-trax-alu-box-coocase-topcases
That is similar to what was on the FZ1 posted above, very minimal and inline with the seat, so it's not very noticeable off the bike.
wonderings
Well-known member
Three Touratech metal cubes in the back to give it that faux adventure tourer look. Also add handguards for the finishing touch!
j/k, I'd go the Givi route as well.
I have the BMW adventure bags that came with my GSA, they are extremely functional, more functional then any givi bags I have seen... for my needs. The ability to strap to the lids is a huge plus for me and something I always wanted when I had a GS with the vario bags. I could care less about a perceived look, I want function. Unfortunately function costs a heap, especially with a BMW logo on it.
fearlessbob
Well-known member
I've got a set of these:
http://www.motorcyclegear.com/parts..._rigg/cl950_deluxe_motorcycle_saddlebags.html
Very happy with them, been using them plus a tankbag for all my 2-3 day weekend touring. Easy on/off, affordable, they stay in place very well and they come with rain covers that do the job.
http://www.motorcyclegear.com/parts..._rigg/cl950_deluxe_motorcycle_saddlebags.html
Very happy with them, been using them plus a tankbag for all my 2-3 day weekend touring. Easy on/off, affordable, they stay in place very well and they come with rain covers that do the job.
I have used these and really liked them also. They keep the weight low and I could get to the edge of the tires still on the tight twisties and never noticed the bags on the bike. Quick to put on and take off for the night at the hotel. Also they do not get in the way of a potential passenger and I did not have any problem throwing my leg over the bike (no GIVI beer box in the way). I put some 3M clear film (similar to what comes with them) onto the contact area of the rear section to eliminate any potential for marking that soft luggage can do. I also cut a piece of felt and double it up thickness wise as that is what I saw many people doing on the internet to protect from damage from all kinds of luggage to bodywork scuffing. Before cutting the felt I washed the felt before the 1st use as it shrinks the 1st time it gets wet (cost $4). Cut a piece that goes under the seat and hangs over the rear tail section's sides like a dog's floppy ears. Then you can strap a bag onto the rear seat also.
vrus
Well-known member
Does it have to be saddle bags? How about a single tail bag? Gears Navigator Tail Bag. Holds 50L, easy on, easy off, has a water proof rain cover. Plenty of room for a week's worth of crap. About $85.00 at many bike shops.
