Soft Saddlebags

[mike]

Soft Saddlebags for Bandits
Compiled from old board
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Bobo
(6/20/04 11:47 am)
More on soft bags and Bandits

Dennis Kirk is located about 40 miles north of St. Paul, MN. If you go there they are pretty relaxed about letting you take products out to the parking lot and trying them on your bike. I compared the Joe Rocket Sport Saddlebags (139.99) with the TourMaster Sport Bags (129.99). IMHO the Joe Rockets were the better made product, by a little, but the Tourmasters appeared to fit a little better, especially between the seat and the turn signals. The Rockets expand and could hold a helmet, the TourMasters have foam padding to protect the paint. Either set could easily be made to fit the Bandit if the rear straps went beneath the tailight and the front straps attached to the bracket for the rider pegs. I don't see why someone wouldn't be happy with either set, especially if bought on sale. Kirk will ship free with an order over 100.00. I already own the Tourmaster magnetic expandable tank bag - no complaints there.
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PeteSC
(6/21/04 6:42 am)
Re: More on soft bags and Bandits

I have the Tourmasters...and so does Kent. They fit the Bandits well. I feel obligated to remind anyone using soft bags on a Bandit to add some extra chafe protrection where they contact the plastic tail section! The tourmasters have a nice foam pad....but I still put some rubber tool box drawer lining on top of the plastic. Overkill....maybe! Having trashed the tail section on my bike once...and buying replacement parts....I don't intend to buy them again!  
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Prairie Bandit
(6/21/04 9:17 pm)
Re: soft bags

I have the Joe Rocket's and am fairly happy with them. Just a couple of complaints, why did they use such hard plastic on the inside face of the bags that contact the rear plastic on the bike? I glued some plush material on to them to provide a little padding as well as using some window tint film over the tail plastic to further protect the paint.

When expanded the bags are very large but tend to sag when laden and are very close to the exhaust even with a lower touring mount.

They are easy to attach very securely to the bike and include plastic rain covers.
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speedytriple
(6/22/04 10:58 pm)
Re: soft bags

hands down best bags for the price are the nelson rigs sphere bags expand have a pad for the paint plenty of straps, road from ohio to n.c with them loaded on my 1 gen bandit 1200 and they never once moved! hold tons of stuff. got them off mtwonline.com for 82 shipped. great bags. shame they dont fit my triple with the high pipe on. might sell them to a co-worker. would highly recommend them.

mike
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crash bandit
(9/23/02 1:04 pm)
nelson riggs sphere bags

well first trip i used these on, and i must say i loved them. never one moved once in place and tightened. held all my stuff for the four day trip with out even being opened wider. held most of the rain we hit(and there was alot of it) out of the bags. and the liners never once let in a drop to my stuff or gear. look good on the bike to. got them from mawonline for $86 shipped to my door! very good stuff..

Mike
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Joe Rocket Sport Saddlebags
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mpearl055
(8/21/02 10:13 am)
Joe Rocket Sport Saddlebags

I have a 99 b6 and wanted to take some overnight trips with the girlfriend this summer. I can pack light, but the girlfriend . . . well, she needs to take a "few" things. So, I started looking for saddlebags. I didn't want the hassle (and expense) of hard bags, so started looking for alternatives.

I chose the JR bags b/c of size and cost, mostly. The bags were purchased for I think $120 or so (including S + H) from accwhse.com.

In a nutshell, the bags are great. They store PLENTY of stuff. We were each able to bring 2-3 days worth of clothes and assorted gear, including an extra pair of shoes for the woman.

The bags are easily mounted (velcro over the seat if you're two up, bungees and/or straps for solo). They come with elasticized plastic covers in case of rain. They also come with shoulder straps so that you can lug them around with you. We have actually begun using the bags for day trips in the car, etc.

No major downsides that I can think of if you're looking for an inexpensive way to tote things. Only things I can think of are: (1) abrasive against body of bike . . . but, you can buy removeable and reuseable plastic sheets (aerostich.com has them) that adhere through static to your bike) . . . (2) the bags don't lock, so you have to tote them around

here's the link

www.joerocket.com/sport_saddle_bag.htm

If you have these bags, let me know what you think.
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greyhuskies
(9/1/02 7:03 pm)
Re: Joe Rocket Sport Saddlebags

I have them...and have the same opinion...love them...but as you already stated...you need that piece from aerostich (which I also purchased) to keep from abrasing the bike
Thank you,
Gennaro Galante
2001 Silver Suzuki Bandit 1200S
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ECLIPSE Interstate Saddlebags
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PeteSC  
(7/26/00 9:36 am)
ECLIPSE Interstate Saddlebags

These are the soft bags you want for long trips, or big capacity!
They fit fairly well on the b6, and b12.
After you have installed two metal straps with clips..(unobtrusive, easy)
they attach and detach easily, by 3 snap clips.
You DO need to watch the bag height over the exhaust. It can slip and melt the plastic inner stiffener of the bag!
(Mine did.....I check it everytime I get off the bike. An inch or so gap is adequate!)
Pretty well made, priced discounted around $110.
The raincovers are a pain...they puff out at speed. I usually just
pack my stuff inside in plastic bags and forget about them.

THEY WILL CONTACT AND SCUFF THE PLASTIC BODY WORK UNDER THE SEAT!

Cover the contact areas with clear tape prior to use.
On a scale of 1-10, I rate them 8 . . .



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I got a set of Teknic Sport Bags off E-Bay, I love em! cost me just under $100 including shipping.