Bandit Alley
GENERAL MOTORCYCLE FORUMS => PRODUCT REVIEWS => Topic started by: wantahertzdonut on May 16, 2007, 06:07:50 PM
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I'm planning on using my 1996 Bandit 600 as my primary transportation this summer, and I need some more storage space. I'm getting sick of putting on my backpack and getting blown around on the highway from it.
Who makes/sells some good saddlebags? I'd like to get a hard case instead of the soft cases I've been seeing.
I have no idea where to look or what works, and I hope there's something cheaper than the $1700 Corbin bags I've seen!
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I put KAPPA bags on my 600. Cost was about $750 CAN in 2005, for colour matched bags. (Silver).
Here is a link to a picture. Not the best, but it is what I have.
The Kappa's look like they came out of a different door of the GIVI factory. Reasonably waterproof (not monsoon proof!) Easy to get on and off.
I like them. They DO stick out quite a ways, partly due to the mounting rack having to clear the Bandit tail.
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t52/pmackie_photos/100_0643.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t52/pmackie_photos/100_0608.jpg
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I hope there's something cheaper than the $1700 Corbin bags I've seen!
OMG! I had no idea their price has skyrocketed like that! When I saw what you said, I had to go and look at their site because I didn't believe you had the price right. Their price has nearly doubled since the last time I looked, which admittedly has been a couple years, but still...
I like the looks of the Beetle Bags, but the deal breaker for me was they have no quick-release and are a PIA to load/unload.
Givi, Hepco-Becker, Kappa & Krauser all offer bags & mounts for your bike. You should be able to buy the mounts and a pair of bags for ~$600, maybe less.
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SHAD? I think that's the name. Looks like GIVI, but less expensive.
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I'm not a fan of hard sidecases, but I'd consider a set if they didn't stick out so far.
Why do they always have to make them big enough to fit a helmet inside? If I want to carry a spare helmet, I use a cargo net on the passenger seat. Isn't there any on the market that are slimmer?
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Givi makes a smaller set, about 18-20 litres each. I have a buddy with them on his FZ6. They open from the top, NOT like a suitcase, more like some soft bags. (or cruiser bags). Still mount to the same ugly side rack.
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I think they make 'em to hold a helmet so you can lock yours up when you leave the bike. It would be nice to have a place to put your gear when you go someplace and want to shed your gear and not have to tote it around all day.
(One of the reasons I'm lusting for a bike like the FJR or C14.)
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Givi makes a smaller set, about 18-20 litres each.
Do you have the model # or a link for those, P?
I think they make 'em to hold a helmet so you can lock yours up when you leave the bike.
That's what helmet locks are for. :wink:
Besides, you can put your helmet in the big topcase if you wanted to.
The way I see it, it only takes a knife to get into soft luggage, but it only takes a tire iron to get into hard cases. The only reason I would want hard cases is for the superior weather/dust protection... but my soft cases have built in rain covers anyway.
Oh well, looks like I'll be sticking with my soft bags... but I'm making my own racks for them. Have tubing-bender/mig welder will travel. :bandit:
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Some folks fear those with pocket knives (much easier to conceal than a crowbar) coming by and liberating their helmet from the lock, and you still don't have a place to put a jacket, gloves, overpants, whatever - unless you put on a top box. Even then, I don't know how much gear you're gonna get in one once you put your lid in there.
Givi's smallest side cases are the E21. (http://www.giviusa.com/caschi_borse_bauli_accessori.asp?CO_ID=9491&lang=en)
I believe the ones they showed on the red 1250 touring setup are the Givi V35's (http://www.giviusa.com/caschi_borse_bauli_accessori.asp?CO_ID=18171&lang=en) - or their Kappa equal.
If you like the looks of the old BMW RT's or the original Connie, they have the suitcase looking E36 (http://www.giviusa.com/caschi_borse_bauli_accessori.asp?CO_ID=12408) & E45.
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Thanks for the links, Red. :wink:
Those E21's aren't too bad... the right size, but kind of clunky looking. I'd love to find some that size but more aerodynamic styling, like a teardrop shape or something.
I know, picky, picky. :bandit:
BTW, you can cut off a helmet from a lock, but it's not much good without the chinstrap. :roll:
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BTW, you can cut off a helmet from a lock, but it's not much good without the chinstrap. :roll:
Sometimes that's not the point.
Sometimes it's just to "f" with someone and their stuff.
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BTW, you can cut off a helmet from a lock, but it's not much good without the chinstrap. :roll:
Sometimes that's not the point.
Sometimes it's just to "f" with someone and their stuff.
Your'e right. I guess I just don't think that way.
I live in a country setting where folks don't do stuff like that. We have practically zero crime.
However, I'm not totally naive either... I've lived in enough cities to know how phucked up people can be. If I lived in one now, I'd be just as paranoid.
I guess my philosophy is more keeping a good eye on my bike, and not leaving it in a bad area. I avoid places like that.
Each to their own, ok? It was a passing comment that seems to be getting nit-picked to death. Ya'll are right, I'm wrong. There, everybody happy now?
Sheesh. :roll:
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now now,.. I wasn't picking on you, just pointing out that sometimes people do things for other reasons. :stickpoke:
I try really hard to not leave my bike anywhere I wouldn't want to be personally, but asshats are everywhere.
That said, most of the time when I go into a store, I just hang my helmet on the mirror, and leave. That's in the "big city" of Edmonton, or the smaller city of St Albert, or even if I'm at home "in a small town"
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I guess I didn't imagine hard bags would be so expensive! Maybe I will stick with my backpack...
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Have you looked at tail bags and tank bags? I've got a Rapid Transit Recon tail bag (http://www.rapid-transit.com/rt/products.cfm?products_id=837), which holds 23 L. There are larger sizes (the Platoon), but that's all I need.
Yes, it is soft, but it attaches and detaches in about 10 seconds, and it's got a shoulder strap so you can wear it like a messenger bag. Mine's not big enough for my helmet, but I just slip the shoulder strap through the chinbar and I'm off.
The bag fits so well you'd think it was deliberately designed for the Bandit.
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I think that is the reason that a lot of people buy the soft bags. You can use them as they are and after you get to where you are going you can expand them to fit your helmet. I do think in most cases there is at least some "honor" among other riders where you do not have to worry too much about another biker "stealing" your stuff. At least I have never had it happen and I have been riding for around 35-40 years...Banditone1250s...
P.S. The damned helmet locks on the Bandit are under the seat. What a damned hassle.... :stickpoke: