Saddlebag Source: LeatherUp? Viking? Others?

[GeeZee250]

Looking to buy saddlebags, the number of choices can be overwhelming! Of course, I want a fair
mix of quality and price. I've been looking at Viking Bags and LeatherUp bags and would like to stay
below $150 (below $100 if I can get good bags for that price). I know my requirements and I am not
looking for specific custom information. Style & fit are custom info.

However, product quality and service from a seller *should* be more standard type info. Do you have
saddlebags that you really like or do not like? What brand are they and where did you buy them?
Don

[Easy Rider]

Do you have saddlebags that you really like or do not like? What brand are they and where did you buy them?

I got mine from my dealer.......because I could actually carry them out to the bike and check the fit and the look. I think the cost was in your range. Alas, the bike is gone now.

Three important considerations:

You WILL need some bag supports, unless the bags you get are really small. If not the stock ones, then a good equivalent.

You need to check the right bag for exhaust pipe clearance. If it touches, it will probably sustain some damage.

If there are any loose straps left over, they need to be cut off or securely TIED......not just tucked in. Things flapping around loose near the back wheel and chain sprocket are DANGEROUS.

[Water Warrior 2]

Sounds like you are leaning towards leather bags. Do not discount the wide variety and usefulness of fabric bags.

[alanmcorcoran]

Do you have saddlebags that you really like or do not like? What brand are they and where did you buy them?

I bought the stock Suzuki bags. I don't like them. Small, get real close to the tailpipe and have buckles instead of velcro or zippers. Also, leather. I know it's tradition, but, really, in 2010, is leather the best material one can come up with for luggage?

[patrick_777]

I agree with Alan here. The stock bags are kinda crap and hard to deal with when you have to actually use them. The buckles are a total pain in the ass.

[mole2]

Take a look at this thread about Tourmaster Bags (http://www.gz250bike.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=3143). They worked out great for me and their service was great. You can pick them up at Leatherup.com. Of course YMMV.


:)

[GeeZee250]

Thanks Easy Rider! I checked my current soft fabric bags and they do have straps that were tucked in! It has been this way since I bought the bike and I never thought to check. I will remove those bags from the bike as I do not plan to continue using them (would just cut them if I was leaving them on but maybe they will be of use to someone else).

As far as style goes, I have no preference material-wise. I want a smaller set of saddlebags. I don't ever carry much (camera, a couple bungee cords,tire pressure gauge, maybe food) as all my trips are 1 day or less. I was looking at this cheap set,

Saddlemen Medium Highwayman Slant-Style Saddlebags, from
http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/product_c ... Id=5400086 (http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/product_catalog/Product.jsp?skuId=&store=&catId=&productId=p505583&leafCatId=&mmyId=5400086)

and the post about Tourmaster made me look at their saddlebags and I like the look of

Tour Master Cruiser II Medium Saddlebags Without Rivets, from
http://www.cycleluggage.com/tourmaster_ ... 78320.html (http://www.cycleluggage.com/tourmaster_saddlebags_hh78320.html)

I must say that I am leaning towards the Tourmaster bags because of the posts about them
standing behind their product. That means a lot to me.

[Water Warrior 2]

Just peeked at New Enough. They have some smallish fabric bags you might be interested in. Less than $100 for useable luggage is good.

[GeeZee250]

Well, for my requirements, including price and fit, I whittled the lot down to 2 different bags:

Saddlemen ($62 closeout)
http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/product_c ... d=#fitment (http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/product_catalog/Product.jsp?skuId=504309&store=Main&catId=205&productId=p504307&leafCatId=&mmyId=#fitment)

-= OR =-

Tourmaster ($81, free shipping, no tax in my state)
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/3/ ... lebag.aspx (http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/3/13/124/5266/ITEM/Tour-Master-Nylon-Slant-Saddlebag.aspx)

and I ordered the Tourmaster bags, which are more of a slant style. The Tourmaster bags were also much
more, if not better, reviewed, with one site claiming 100s of reviews. There is something in the wisdom of
crowds.

Part of my requirements were that they bags should fit my GZ or my S40 and the S40 seems much harder to fit
without relocating the tail lamps. The Tourmaster bags seemed to be the best common fit while meeting my
other requirements.

[Water Warrior 2]

GeeZee, you will probably find those bags very user friendly. The option of zipping them off the bike is the icing on the cake.

[alantf]

GeeZee, you will probably find those bags very user friendly.

When I first bought the bike, I got a set of regular leather saddlebags at the same time. I've found that one bag is now filled with my waterproof riding gear, bungee cords, nets,rope, etc. The other bag's empty, but doesn't hold as much as I'd like, so the BIG box on the back is MUCH more useful (& easier to use)[attachment=1:2d84u0k0]Bike 010.jpg[/attachment:2d84u0k0][attachment=0:2d84u0k0]Bike 004 (Medium).jpg[/attachment:2d84u0k0]

[Water Warrior 2]

Alantf, you will never have enough storage. I have a Shad 46 and two 43 liter side cases on the Vstrom. I have no idea how so much stuff accummulates in the cases but it is almost like Xmas opening one. Surprise surprise, (insert lost item)that's where that went. :lol: And removing the cases makes the bike a lot lighter too.

[b1pig]

I dont remember the brand right off, but I bought a set of medium slant, plain style sadle bags for the GZ. I ran them before I had the saddle bag supports. I removed the rear seat and sinched up the center section till I had them where I wanted them. The bags zip off of the center section, which stays on the bike. I've had no issue at all with them. They actually fit great, with a SLIGHT touch on the muffler, but I just pulled the left bag over more. Once the supports were on, NO issue. They came with rain bags.

I fully ignored the suzuki bags, they are FAR too small for anything except maybe a Harlequin novel or something. The bags on Lori's bike have picked up various small items from the grcery store... and have carried her purse... which isnt "small" ;)

i'll repost my pic for comparison. If wanted, i'll go get the actual measurements of the bags after work.

http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/117/l_dd84c7deccd447d0acc05ce19a300a0b.jpg

[b1pig]

updating pics.
Saddleman bags.
12" long -measured at the top.
6" wide
9" deep
slant style

http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/118/l_d15922ea7acb4f2c9fd7c032b3088817.jpg

http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/129/l_a1581f03a168469da56936777e86d238.jpg

the pic isnt the best in the world. there is actually plenty of room between the muffler and the bag.

[alantf]

Those bags look a LOT more useful than mine!

[Easy Rider]

updating pics.
Saddleman bags.

I just don't know about you "guys" with HUGE bags........ :biggrin:

Mine are about 1/3 that size and I have space left in both......except for road trips.
What in the world do you PUT in there for every-day riding ???

One guy said he does grocery store runs, so I can understand that but I kind of doubt that many guys go shopping on the bike very often.

[burkbuilds]

I carry my college books for up to four classes each day and my rain gear in my saddle bags. I go grocery shopping every week on my bike and the saddle bags will hold a couple of gallons of milk if needed. I've even put an 18 pack of beer in the trunk without a problem, the 30 pack has to be strapped to the passenger seat if I get it.

[alanmcorcoran]

I wouldn't say I "shop" for much, but I do carry a computer back and forth to work, sometimes two (and once I wanted to do three, but couldn't. I can't fit my racquetball or soccer stuff in the Suzuki bags either. I use the big bike with the big bags when I need the room.

[bonehead]

Bigger IS better!!

[Water Warrior 2]

updating pics.
Saddleman bags.

I just don't know about you "guys" with HUGE bags........ :biggrin:

Mine are about 1/3 that size and I have space left in both......except for road trips.
What in the world do you PUT in there for every-day riding ???

A good boy scout is always prepared for the unexpected. That is why my bike weighs far more than necessary.

[jessica]

http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/118/l_d15922ea7acb4f2c9fd7c032b3088817.jpg

http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/129/l_a1581f03a168469da56936777e86d238.jpg



Nice Bike with Saddlebag, by this bag we get more space.
good thought and nice bike also .
i want to drive it but i can't.

Jessica

[jonathan180iq]

I agree with Alan here. The stock bags are kinda crap and hard to deal with when you have to actually use them. The buckles are a total pain in the ass.
:plus1: Best friend had some when we rode together (identical GZs) and they sucked.