G'day everyone.

How about posting shots of your saddle bags, supports, luggage pacs etc? (Preferably not 50 shots of the Chrome top HD hard bags!)

We could discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each type, supplier, price, part number etc etc. This would help those of us who need to purchase saddle bags or up date their current set up.

I know we have a few Saddle bag threads currently open, but there's not much happening in relation to new info being posted, and there has to be more than one bloke with after market soft bags on their bike who can post a photo!

Comments?

Best wishes from Oz for a great Christmas every one.

Ken.

:cheers:

I have a detachable rear trunk
www.wormbase.com/givi.htm

That's great Worm.
That's the sort of modification and adaption of "Off the shelf" bags etc that we need to see for ideas.
Best wishes mate.

Ken.

There is another posting about "Corbin" Saddle Bags that look super. I saw them on the "Speed Channel." I think most VRoders would want detactable or quick disconnect. Is there a site sponsor carrying the bags?

I saw that as well.
Chopper Steve has them advertised via V-Mod.com. They do look great, but are expensive. You pay for quality I spose.

This thread didn't take off like I hoped. Relevant threads are still all over the site and I had hoped that this would be a one stop page for info re bag styles, tips, prices etc. Oh well. :rolleyes:

Best wishes.

Ken.

Originally posted by WORM
I have a detachable rear trunk
www.wormbase.com/givi.htm

Worm,

Can I ask where you got the trunk from?

Looks very practical.

Thanks.

Andrew

goto the givi site and they will e-mail you the closest distributor

Ken: I thought I had replied to this thread. I have the HD leather bags. I like the fact that they are abuse resistant. I don't worry about scuffing or scratching them. They won't hold a half helmet, however. They also hide the dog a$$, so I don't have that issue.

I will be getting the black HD vinyl covered hard bags from Hales for $750.00, plus $20.00 shipping. They will go best with my black bike and the covering will probably be more resistant to scratches than the painted ones. The Corbin's would be more useful, but more expensive and I think that the HD ones fit the design of the bike better.

Fred

G'day everyone.
As requested, if you have saddle bags or other luggage setups on your machine, or know of great items or prices, could you please post them to this link so all the members can have one central thread for luggage?
Thanks, as I still have to purchase a set myself, and need ideas.
(This email isn't aimed at those who have replied.)
Max, is this thread worthy of its own area?

Best wishes everyone.

Ken.

Ken, I agree that it would be good to get info on this in one place - not just saddle bags, but all the other gear and nick nack carrying options there are for the v-rod.

I have the hard bags with chrome tops. They are not really big enough for much, but serve my needs perfectly (although I wish they would take a laptop - well my laptop anyway, they might fit a real small one, mine has a 15.4' widescreen) and IMHO look the best on the bike. The black vinyl covered ones would look good on a darker bike probably, but with all the paint schemes coming out now, I think they should be co-ordinated, or just go with the leather.

Since I got mine I have seen some pretty good quick release options with the supports from v-mod.com and throwovers from some supplier I can't remember now. If I had the option now I would look really hard at that so I could get rid of the bags quickly and easily if I wanted to. I am a little disappointed that there was not a quick release design for the hardbags. Everyone from BMW to Ducati do this, why not Harley?

Also, the extra gear bags options would be good to have here - like T Bags etc - even if it was just links to sites with the relevant info, OEM sites etc.

Lastly, the custom solutions, like Craigs frame bag that I bought from him - plus I have seen other members with bits and pieces on their bikes that are clever adaptions etc.

I used this bag before I ripped my bike apart. Had it made locally by the same guy that made Craig's bag. It also kept the key fob from marking up the frame.

I just want to remind everyone that the Givi detachable trunks come in five sizes that can hold two full face helmets.
http://www.givi.it/home/frame.asp

also very light weight......

Dam could I put a Bunch of Nitrous Bottles in there! :diablo:

I also had a luggage rack bag made by the same guy I used for the frame bag. It's a little bigger and has a zipper all around it that I can lock at one end. I am not sure I like the look of it as much as the frame bag - doesn't tie in as well with the rest of the bike - but if you do use a luggage rack it is pretty handy. It fits my radar detector, Panoptyx glasses and a small polish rag and spray bottle quite nicely. Just another idea.

I just want to remind everyone that the Givi detachable trunks come in five sizes that can hold two full face helmets.
http://www.givi.it/home/frame.asp
also very light weight......

Dang, Mark - looks like there's room enough for ME in there! Can I hitch a ride to Daytona?

I do have room for one more Rod on the trailer...........

Karl, I was wondering on how well the chrome tops on the hard bags from HD would wear, ie do you get many swirl marks or scratches from normal road useage?
I've done 8000kms in four months of highway use, and stones are a real problem up here, hence my interest in the soft or vinyl covered bags.
FEHRC, great little set up.
I just purchased the HD rack bag from Chicago HD after being ripped off by a fella in the US who didn't send the item I paid for via Ebay. (Didn't send anything actually!)
Kaz, if you bought a bike trailer and put a hitch on your drag bike, you could get an E size bottle of nitrous which would make you the fastest man for the full length of the Autobahn! :moped:

I like this one. It may be just a little too long. It is worth a look see.

http://www.eclipseluggage.com/bags/301.htm

Another nice one is http://www.bikersfriend.com/

My solution:

I used this bag before I ripped my bike apart. Had it made locally by the same guy that made Craig's bag. It also kept the key fob from marking up the frame.

Guys... I need one of these bags.

Kennedy,

Got your email. Just so you know, my bag style is different from what Darrell has. Mine is shown below. If you like the style that Darrell has I would suggest contacting him - Darrell would have all the details.

Cheers

Kennedy, I just talked to Darrell. He is in Hawaii for the next week or so. I'm sure he'll get back to you when he's back in front of his computer.

Thanks Ken. Bags of all kinds for the V-rod are a big deal & I really appreciate this thread. I like my expandable leather sissy bar bag, especially when riding solo with the bag between me & the sissy bar, but it is also okay on the back & the cargo rack when two up, but I'd prefer small to medium sized soft "throw over" saddle bags instead of or in addition to my current bag. I would like to keep the weight low & be able to just carry the bags over my shoulder when leaving the v-rod parked. I also think they should mount (hang) high enough to avoid any special brackets at all. Val guided me to V-mod who offers a pair of Chase Harper soft bags that might work, but I want to see them & check the fit & look first. I had a Chase Harper tank bag on a previous bike, & the quality & design were excellent. I'd appreciate any info available for "throw over" bags that may fit well on a V-rod. Ride safe!

I will post a link here to the other post I just made

Detachable (http://www.v-rodforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3372)

I want to retro fit my hard bags like this!

Ken, the chome tops are unmarked, bags in perfect nick. They seem very durable and I am sometimes less than careful. I love em!

Thanks Karl.
That's interesting to know.
I possible may still consider the chrome top hard bags, but wear and tear are important, as there's no rechroming the lids (with ease in Townsville anyway!)

Ken, (or anyone else)

How hard do you reckon it would be to fit them using the quick release brackets referred to in my last post? Doesn't look impossible, but who would do it?

G'day Karl.
I'm not familiar with the fitting attachment in the photo, and it would need a good locking mechanism to prevent loosing the bags after a bump. I don't see how it would be a problem to retrofit this style (as long as the bags cleared everything) considering swing arm movement etc.
If serious, I would contact a good engineering firm. Should be no problem to bend and weld an approapriate bracket set.
I'm aware that HD use a cross brace on their bags, I surmise for rigidity, so this may have to be incorporated.
Keep us informed Karl as to any enquiries you make.

Best wishes.

Ken.

Got a reply from Ghost Brackets.

" Karl,
We are currently working on a bracket for the V-Rod. We hope to have it available real soon. Keep an eye on the web site for updates.


Sincerely,
Bill DeVore
Ghost Brackets Inc.
866-577-8936"

I asked them re retrofitting brackets for the HD hard bags and that was the response.

I am pretty keen to see something like this. I have had a look around the other site and from what I see, and from a couple of the other websites for the manufacturers, it should be easy-ish (assuming appropriate skills and equipment). What would be left on the bike could be made and designed to add to the bike's looks when the bags are not on - I see a solution that also replaces the dogs ass, but is incorporated into the bracket mounting system.

If HD had half a brain they would spend the (for them) pittance it would require to have something designed by their v-rod team and flog it as a retro fit solution and as an option on new purchases, 11,000 bikes a year. Say half want bags of some sort. Say 10 % of them go this way - thats about 2000 units right there based on sales worldwide to date - and thay have the database to direct market it. 2000 units ant $200 (I mean we are talking HD here, it won't be cheap!) $200,000 plus the ongoing sales. Not bad ROI for a pissy little bracket set.

Ken, re the locking suggestion you made - I agree - but also they need to be able to be locked on so people can't nick them.

Rant ON:

So, as I've previously mentioned, I have the over-priced POS HD leather bags that are large enough to only hold my hairbrush and a bungy cord (luckily). Besides the reflectors and metal harley davidson emblems along the top falling off, I've used them enough now that the velcro doesn't hold the top down on the right side anymore and the leather has changed shape so that I can't get the back snap snapped closed. On my ride today, the top of my right-hand bag was flapping in the breeze and I ended up having to bungy it closed (very attractive look on a v-rod). I've had them since June. Buyers beware.

Rant OFF.

I lost a glove from my flapping bag Sunday. Damn.

Rant away Val.
That little bit of info just put me right off purchasing the HD leather bags. Don't like their look much, but they are getting cheaper via ebay.
I'll wait until the list identifies a really good and affordable, hard wearing item befor I purchase.
Very interested in Karls investigations.
Best wishes.

Ken.

Well, re lockable bags, the word from K Drive Bags is don't hold your breath. Read below email reply.: :hmm:

Hi Ken,

Sorry , no plans in that direction. It is too difficult to mount the saddlebagsupports.


Best regards
Vartex
Marc Houthooft
www.vartex.be
To see our newest item : go to http://www.vartex.be/6%20Nomad.htm

-------Original Message-------

Van: Ken & Sharlene
Datum: 03/15/04 13:07:16
Aan: info@vartex.be
Onderwerp: Harley V Rod saddlebag

Hi from Ken in Australia.

I was just wondering if you have any plans to produce a K Drive lockable saddlebag system to suit the Harley Davidson V Rod?

I’m a member of the V Rod Forum web site (over 1000 V Rod owners world wide) , and there is a great amount of interest in a lockable saddlebag that is less expensive than the standard HD items.

Thanks for any information you may have, and best wishes.

Ken.

Here are mine again. I am working on a set of pics showing how they attach, but work has been a b!#$@ lately. These are Saddleman Drifter Slants, Large, with V-mod supports. The throwovers work without the adapter plate, too.


http://www.v-rodforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3542

I like the look of the saddlebags from Leather Pros. http://www.leatherpros.com/website1_005.htm

I'll probably end up ordering some in the near future.

I 'designed' a rear bag and had it manufactured. I'm pretty satisfied with the result - optically and practically.

I wanted a bag that looks like a roll on the back of the bike. Long distances I usually ride on my own, so the idea was having it on the rear seat with kind of backrest function as well. First I had a cover for the rear seat made of stainless steel, which should function as the base of the bag. It turned out to weigh 6 pounds alone, so this was not it. Then I had a carbon-fibre part done on base of the stainless part. On this part I had put a leather roll mounted that is fixed to the front of the rear seat with four snap fasteners. Theftproof, easy to take off and on and sitting firmly up to high speeds. The leather straps can be used for compressing the bag when it is not fully packed. There is also a longer leatherstrap that can be hooked into d-rings for easy carrying over your shoulder. Finally I had a matching smaller roll done for the front for all that tiny stuff you carry along.

What do you think?

Rant ON:

So, as I've previously mentioned, I have the over-priced POS HD leather bags that are large enough to only hold my hairbrush and a bungy cord (luckily). Besides the reflectors and metal harley davidson emblems along the top falling off, I've used them enough now that the velcro doesn't hold the top down on the right side anymore and the leather has changed shape so that I can't get the back snap snapped closed. On my ride today, the top of my right-hand bag was flapping in the breeze and I ended up having to bungy it closed (very attractive look on a v-rod). I've had them since June. Buyers beware.

Rant OFF.
I have seen that too, Val. saw an '03 at Phoenix that had the HD bags on... they looked a few months old, and the edges were curled up, they were crooked, and all in all not worth $800. They do look nice new, but...
still finishing up the touches on mine.

Roland, nice look! Too bad my G/Fwouldn't like it ;)

I have a detachable rear trunk
www.wormbase.com/givi.htm
That looks cool! I saw a guy just today on a Nighthawk with one of those. He showed me the mount and how it detaches & everything. How do you mount yours?

Roland,

How did you brace the bottom of your bag? All bags I've had similar to that eventually sag after time. Only one I've found that doesn't sag and is made by T-bag but is much smaller. Mine also straps on the luggage rack.

ihringert,

sorry for the delay, I was on vacation. As you can see in the last picture, I have a bottom of carbonfibre, that has exactly the shape of the rear seat as well as two little 'wings' that support the bag and prevent sagging.

I used this bag before I ripped my bike apart. Had it made locally by the same guy that made Craig's bag. It also kept the key fob from marking up the frame. I love these.. Can you give me a contact name and show a picture of the other side...