$50 saddle bags on amazon: do they look right size and are o

[waya]

I found some ~$50 saddle bags (not leather) on amazon

do they look right size and are ok quality?

Saddle Bags: http://www.amazon.com/BNF-Motorcycle-Sa ... B003W65EZK (http://www.amazon.com/BNF-Motorcycle-Saddlebags/dp/B003W65EZK)
Matching Duffle Bag: http://www.amazon.com/BNF-Motorcycle-Du ... B003W63YOI (http://www.amazon.com/BNF-Motorcycle-Duffle-Bag/dp/B003W63YOI)

[BillInGA]

I just held the measuring tape up to my GZ - those dimensions seem a tad big for this bike.

When you do get saddlebags, you'll probably want to get the saddlebag supports as well.

[waya]

Got those on order (the supports).
Too bad they are too big (the bags). Looked like they would be workable.

[blaine]

They look pretty big to me too. :cool: :)

[Water Warrior 2]

Take a look at MotorcycleGear.Com and check out the closeout section. Also go to Nelson-Rigg for soft bags. Lynda ordered some nice ones after she got the M-50. They also have a really great warranty just in case.

[waya]

Take a look at MotorcycleGear.Com and check out the closeout section. Also go to Nelson-Rigg for soft bags. Lynda ordered some nice ones after she got the M-50. They also have a really great warranty just in case.

This is interesting:


[youtube:zrrgzr1o]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjmPieoekw8[/youtube:zrrgzr1o]

[Water Warrior 2]

That is the way Lynda's bags work. Sides only, top only or all 3 at once. Although after all 3 are packed with gear you don't just lift them off and walk away.

[waya]

Although after all 3 are packed with gear you don't just lift them off and walk away.

Heh, that was what I was thinking when the demo showed him carrying all three...


What was the model Lynda purchased? Did she have to add a luggage rack?

[Water Warrior 2]

Oops, should have pointed out the 3 bag set goes on the M-50. A couple pics of the GZ and one of the M-50. Neither needed a rear rack but the GZ did have the bag supports. After the fact we had a thread on the forum for making GZ bag supports real cheap and functional.
For the GZ you can't go real big on the bags or you will have clearance problems with the muffler and likely the signals too. When we rode to Manitoba and back the GZ was packed like a small mule. Lynda bought a couple cheap Buxton bags at Walmart and bungied them on top of the bike side bags. The small top case is a 28 liter locking case mounted in place of the pillion seat.
The M-50 bags by Nelson-Rigg are expandable and will hold a mess of stuff with ease. Several small/zippered compartments are very handy too.
Measure the GZ and then go shopping for bags that fit.

[waya]

What case is that where the pillion goes? Is it's storage decent?

[Water Warrior 2]

Believe it or not I can't remember the name of the top case. There are a bunch on E-bay that will offer reasonable security and are weather proof. Just make sure they come with a proper mounting plate to attach the top case onto. Then all you need to do is create a metal plate to replace the pillion and install the case's mounting plate on it. Really an easy job overall. I just fashioned a cardboard template and found the local metal fab shop to do the dirty work. After that it was just a matter of drilling holes where they should be. Used the 3 pillion seat fastening points so no extra holes were drilled into the bike. 2 bolt holes upfront and 1 at the rear on the fender.
I would suggest a slightly larger top case than 28 liters. Harbor Freight and JP Whitney sell knock offs pretty cheap that have proven to be popular and of reasonable quality. Usually made in China but who really cares if the price is right.

[waya]

Then all you need to do is create a metal plate to replace the pillion and install the case's mounting plate on it. Really an easy job overall.

*easy job overall*

says you... I have no idea what I am looking at when it comes to things like that. I am a computer tech. I watch those type things, sometimes with popcorn.... :popcorn:

[Water Warrior 2]

Easy job overall is correct. Take the tool kit out of the bike, it is under the drivers seat. You will then have access to all 3 nuts/bolts that hold the pillion on the rear. Remove pillion with tool kit. The metal plate you need and make is going to fit very nicely. Trust me on this. The only thing needing to be done to the plate after the fab shop cuts it to size is for them to bend the rear end ( 1.5 to 2.0 inches )of the plate down about 20 degrees. You will see what I mean when trying to fit a cardboard template on the bike. This will allow the plate to sit level and clear the curvature of the fender while still bolting in place nicely on the rear of the fender.
You will want to get a top box first so you know how large or small the fabbed plate should be to fit the top box mounting plate.
Yup it may sound daunting at first but if you can operated a ruler, tape measure, scissors, electric drill and a pencil you can do it no problem. A hammer and a punch are nice to have before trying to drill the metal plate.
The top box also makes a great backrest although you will probably not need the backrest pad that Lynda had. An armored jacket with a backpad is very comfy.

[alantf]

The top box also makes a great backrest although you will probably not need the backrest pad

My backbox is behind the pillion. My missus says it's a more comfortable backrest than the original pad that I had to remove to allow the box to be opened. It's a Shad 46 like WW's. (No pad) :2tup:

[waya]

The top box also makes a great backrest although you will probably not need the backrest pad

My backbox is behind the pillion. My missus says it's a more comfortable backrest than the original pad that I had to remove to allow the box to be opened. It's a Shad 46 like WW's. (No pad) :2tup:


How is yours attached?

[alantf]

How is yours attached?

I got a luggage rack, backrest, combination that fixes to the fender mounting brackets on either side of the rear fender. The set-up is in sections which are bolted together. As the box hinges forward to open, the backrest obstructed it, so I removed the backrest, & replaced it with a couple of 4" long packers, made out of 15mm square steel tube. a rubber plug in each end, & a spray of black paint & everything is fine.[attachment=1:3oessc8k]b4.jpg[/attachment:3oessc8k][attachment=0:3oessc8k]b13.jpg[/attachment:3oessc8k]

[Water Warrior 2]

The top pic is a good indication of the max size you can go with saddle bags without running into problems. The 46 liter top case is a decent fit even though it is a larger box than normally found on a smaller bike.