Saddlebag Search

[ybarsabal]

Help me pick out some saddlebags please.

Are those who have the Suzuki brand custom bags satisfied?

I would like waterproof bags, though I'm not sure I can get classic looking AND waterproof.

I'm looking at some River Road bags. Maybe the synthetic leather would do better for waterproofing.

Compact Classic (top left)
http://www.riverroadgear.com/images/08R ... nImage.jpg (http://www.riverroadgear.com/images/08RR/luggage/saddlebags/Qcompact/images/MainImage.jpg)

Compact Slant (top left)
http://www.riverroadgear.com/images/08R ... nImage.jpg (http://www.riverroadgear.com/images/08RR/luggage/saddlebags/ZQcompactslant/images/MainImage.jpg)

Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks!

[Carl]

I am looking at these

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=011&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=320240901784&rd=1

[Orpheus]

The Suzuki bags are pretty small. I like them, because I like the "pony express" style, but you'll run out of room really quick if you go camping or touring with them. Overall, I'd say that if you can get them cheap (like on ebay or something) and you don't carry a lot of stuff very often, go for it; otherwise, you can get MUCH bigger bags that'll fit on the GZ. The height of the Suzuki bags is about all that you can fit on the bike, but there's about 4-5 inches of width before you have to move the turn signals, and I'd imagine you can get bags that are around 6-7 inches deep. I actually looked around for "upgrades" and decided that I'd rather wear a backpack (or attach it to the sissy bar) than buy new bags. Look around and see what you like.

[ybarsabal]

Thanks Orpheus, that brings up a good question:

What dimensions do you all think are good for the GZ?

Regular vs. Slant?

Does anybody know of bags that zip off and can be carried like a messenger bag?

[Orpheus]

If you're looking for zip-off bags, you'll probably want to go with River Road; I don't know of any other zip-off manufacturers. I think you can fit something like 12"high x 14"wide x whatever depth (I wouldn't go any deeper than about 6", though) on the GZ. The biggest problem with fitting bags on this bike is the stupid exhaust; you'll probably want some bags that are actually a little shorter than the Suzuki ones (like, 10" high), so there's less risk of them touching the exhaust, but at least you'll have plenty of width to play with. Search around the forums and you'll probably be able to dig up a couple of similar discussions to this one.

[desi_555]

pretty good one's here too...

http://www.leatherup.com/c/Motorcycle-S ... 2/151.html (http://www.leatherup.com/c/Motorcycle-Saddle-Bags/2/151.html)

[ybarsabal]

I decided on the River Road - Compact Classic bags. Thanks for your help! -Marc

http://www.riverroadgear.com/images/08R ... nImage.jpg (http://www.riverroadgear.com/images/08RR/luggage/saddlebags/Qcompact/images/MainImage.jpg)

[Tonckawa]

What about canvas Saddle Bags? I saw some at a dealer here in town and really liked them. I did not like the price $140.00 but they look a liitle like these:

http://www.cbxmanmotorcycles.com/produc ... 50&affid=4 (http://www.cbxmanmotorcycles.com/productinfo.aspx?productid=DS-110950&affid=4)
http://stlouis.craigslist.org/mcy/705637192.html
http://www.cyclepages.com/ProductDetail ... ID=1003235 (http://www.cyclepages.com/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductID=1003235)

[jonathan180iq]

Damn. I love canvas. I wish I had known that these existed before I bought some off of Ebay... :(

[Tonckawa]

I am debating also between the River Road Classic as well or this one:

http://www.leatherup.com/p/Motorcycle-S ... 47815.html (http://www.leatherup.com/p/Motorcycle-Saddlebags/Waterproof-Advanced-Xelement-Stud-and-Eagle-Motorcycle-Saddlebag/47815.html)


Hmmmmm.....

[Tonckawa]

I decided on the River Road - Compact Classic bags. Thanks for your help! -Marc

http://www.riverroadgear.com/images/08R ... nImage.jpg (http://www.riverroadgear.com/images/08RR/luggage/saddlebags/Qcompact/images/MainImage.jpg)

Me too, I went ahead and bought these as well and found them for a couple of dollars cheaper at
http://www.cycleluggage.com/river_road_TR108925.html
:tup:

[Sarris]

I have the Suzuki saddle bags and I like the Pony Express style and the over all scale. They are imitation (read fake) leather and have buckle fasteners. If you use them as much as I use mine, I would install quick strap releases to simplify entry & exit. You can see them on my bike under the "Member Pics" topic, "The Sarris GZ" thread.

In my architects eye, the scale & shape are visually correct and compliment the bike. The size keeps me from buying too much stuff.

:tup:

[Orpheus]

I have the Suzuki saddle bags and I like the Pony Express style and the over all scale. They are imitation (read fake) leather and have buckle fasteners. If you use them as much as I use mine, I would install quick strap releases to simplify entry & exit. You can see them on my bike under the "Member Pics" topic, "The Sarris GZ" thread.

In my architects eye, the scale & shape are visually correct and compliment the bike. The size keeps me from buying too much stuff.

:tup:

Do you do much touring on your GZ or do you use a bigger bike? I do a lot of touring/camping and I wish they were just a little bigger. They are perfect for quick trips to the grocery for small errands (read: beer) and such, but you really need a luggage rack and touring bag for any kind of long trips.

[Sarris]

I do most of my long rides on my HD Bagger (2006 Street Glide). The GZ is my around town and errand bike and gets ridden at least once a day. It also saves me a herd of gas over the car or HD for that matter.

The bags are big enough for lunch and small trips to the store, but not much more.

I love my GZ. !!

:)

[Tonckawa]

I bought the River Road - Compact Classic bags. They are a good size for the 250 however, I did have to really overlap the bags straps to keep them off the exhaust pipe. Does not look bad at all. Ran the straps underneath the back seat. I made my own support brackets that worked out really well (surprised myself). I used 1/2" steel tubing and a propane torch. I will explain in detail with pictures later on in the "How to" forums. Learned some lessons with the brackets and bags I wish to share.

[jonathan180iq]

I look forward to seeing it. There is nothing better than a homemade fix.