Saddlebags mounted

[bpdchief]

Alright gang, I finally mounted the hardbags I bought a month ago and didn't like. Here are some photos for friendly critique. I am going to pick up longer bolts tomorrow and remount the chrome to hide the wires. Let me know what you think. (7/29/2012) Did longer bolts, put chrome side covers back on added amber reflectors on back for contrast and had some blue reflective tape left from LEO days <we'll see if I get stopped for that here in the South>
http://s15.postimage.org/phsz36amf/saddlebag_001.jpg (http://postimage.org/image/phsz36amf/)

http://s18.postimage.org/7d9tv0s6d/saddlebag_004.jpg (http://postimage.org/image/7d9tv0s6d/)

http://s11.postimage.org/oecm7lx1r/saddlebag_005.jpg (http://postimage.org/image/oecm7lx1r/)

http://s16.postimage.org/tnboufl7l/saddlebag_007.jpg (http://postimage.org/image/tnboufl7l/)

http://s13.postimage.org/8x0iewkgz/001.jpg (http://postimage.org/image/8x0iewkgz/)

http://s11.postimage.org/7uk2tmfy7/004.jpg (http://postimage.org/image/7uk2tmfy7/)

[Water Warrior 2]

Handy looking bags. Should be good for extra clothing and a rain suit if the weather turns bad. I like the rear lighting too. Overall the bike has a bigger presence on the road which is never a bad thing.

[bpdchief]

Neighbor came over to look at the GZ (he rides a Yamaha 1600cc) asked if it was a 650 or 800 and did I order the bags with the bike... so... maybe it doesn't look so bad after all. I like the extra tailights though they are only P158 like in a clearance light. I might go up one size for a brighter light.

[Skunkhome]

May look a little boxy from the rear but looks great from side. You might want to put an aluminum heat shield on the bottom of the right hand bag before the exhaust has a chance to cook the bottom.

[5th_bike]

They look great. Before you put in more powerful bulbs in consider that the GZ250 only has a tiny bit of spare generator power left - maybe get LEDs?

[blaine]

I think they look good.Another member had the same set a couple of years ago,but I can't remember who.
:) :2tup:

[jonathan180iq]

Nothing wrong with them at all. I would have preferred blue to match but they look fine.

Don't even use the factory bulb. Get some LED strips or replacements off of E-bay and wire them in the place of the current lights. You already have power running out there. Just chance the light source. ;)

[bpdchief]

When I ordered these they didn't offer Blue, the Blue they now offer isn't close to the bikes color so black is better. Considering having them painted to match the bike.

I can't tell if the bulbs are 2 watts or 4 watts, was considering going to the 12.8 volt 9 watt, which is the standard bulb in your pickups cabmounted " Brake/Cargo Light". Don't want to go too high for the obvious power reasons and heat output - don't want to melt the lens. I have attached a photo taken last night to the original post so please take a look... maybe I just need to leave it alone.

[bpdchief]

They are beginning to grow on me :-) measuring now for a trunk ha ha why can't I just leave things alone???? Then again, this is my only means of transportation (wife has her car) and the ability to stop by the market and carry extra clothes is never a bad thing. Heat Shield = I drive 15 miles to work, the bottom of the right bag was no hotter than the top from the sunshine, but, I will keep an eye on it and make a shield if warranted. Going to place peal and stick red reflectors on rear of bags - no power draw and a little extra never hurts.

[Skunkhome]

.......I have attached a photo taken last night to the original post so please take a look... maybe I just need to leave it alone.
Looks pretty illuminating to me.

[Water Warrior 2]

They are beginning to grow on me :-) measuring now for a trunk ha ha why can't I just leave things alone???? Then again, this is my only means of transportation (wife has her car) and the ability to stop by the market and carry extra clothes is never a bad thing. Heat Shield = I drive 15 miles to work, the bottom of the right bag was no hotter than the top from the sunshine, but, I will keep an eye on it and make a shield if warranted. Going to place peal and stick red reflectors on rear of bags - no power draw and a little extra never hurts.
Pick up some rolls of 3M reflective tape. It is very effective and cheap cheap cheap.
Red tape on the rear, yellow/amber tape on the sides and white for the sides of the forks. Make a spectacle of yourself.
The red bags lights are likely 4 watts or so. Maybe just buy one brighter bulb as a heat experiment and compare them after a ride.