Saddlebag Source: LeatherUp? Viking? Others?

[GeeZee250]

Looking to buy saddlebags, the number of choices can be overwhelming! Of course, I want a fair
mix of quality and price. I've been looking at Viking Bags and LeatherUp bags and would like to stay
below $150 (below $100 if I can get good bags for that price). I know my requirements and I am not
looking for specific custom information. Style & fit are custom info.

However, product quality and service from a seller *should* be more standard type info. Do you have
saddlebags that you really like or do not like? What brand are they and where did you buy them?
Don

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by GeeZee250

Do you have saddlebags that you really like or do not like? What brand are they and where did you buy them?

I got mine from my dealer.......because I could actually carry them out to the bike and check the fit and the look. I think the cost was in your range. Alas, the bike is gone now.

Three important considerations:

You WILL need some bag supports, unless the bags you get are really small. If not the stock ones, then a good equivalent.

You need to check the right bag for exhaust pipe clearance. If it touches, it will probably sustain some damage.

If there are any loose straps left over, they need to be cut off or securely TIED......not just tucked in. Things flapping around loose near the back wheel and chain sprocket are DANGEROUS.

[Water Warrior 2]

Sounds like you are leaning towards leather bags. Do not discount the wide variety and usefulness of fabric bags.

[alanmcorcoran]

Originally Posted by GeeZee250

Do you have saddlebags that you really like or do not like? What brand are they and where did you buy them?

I bought the stock Suzuki bags. I don't like them. Small, get real close to the tailpipe and have buckles instead of velcro or zippers. Also, leather. I know it's tradition, but, really, in 2010, is leather the best material one can come up with for luggage?

[patrick_777]

I agree with Alan here. The stock bags are kinda crap and hard to deal with when you have to actually use them. The buckles are a total pain in the ass.

[mole2]

Take a look at this thread about Tourmaster Bags. They worked out great for me and their service was great. You can pick them up at Leatherup.com. Of course YMMV.

[GeeZee250]

Thanks Easy Rider! I checked my current soft fabric bags and they do have straps that were tucked in! It has been this way since I bought the bike and I never thought to check. I will remove those bags from the bike as I do not plan to continue using them (would just cut them if I was leaving them on but maybe they will be of use to someone else).

As far as style goes, I have no preference material-wise. I want a smaller set of saddlebags. I don't ever carry much (camera, a couple bungee cords,tire pressure gauge, maybe food) as all my trips are 1 day or less. I was looking at this cheap set,

Saddlemen Medium Highwayman Slant-Style Saddlebags, from
http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/product_c ... Id=5400086

and the post about Tourmaster made me look at their saddlebags and I like the look of

Tour Master Cruiser II Medium Saddlebags Without Rivets, from
http://www.cycleluggage.com/tourmaster_ ... 78320.html

I must say that I am leaning towards the Tourmaster bags because of the posts about them
standing behind their product. That means a lot to me.

[Water Warrior 2]

Just peeked at New Enough. They have some smallish fabric bags you might be interested in. Less than $100 for useable luggage is good.

[GeeZee250]

Well, for my requirements, including price and fit, I whittled the lot down to 2 different bags:

Saddlemen ($62 closeout)
http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/product_c ... d=#fitment

-= OR =-

Tourmaster ($81, free shipping, no tax in my state)
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/3/ ... lebag.aspx

and I ordered the Tourmaster bags, which are more of a slant style. The Tourmaster bags were also much
more, if not better, reviewed, with one site claiming 100s of reviews. There is something in the wisdom of
crowds.

Part of my requirements were that they bags should fit my GZ or my S40 and the S40 seems much harder to fit
without relocating the tail lamps. The Tourmaster bags seemed to be the best common fit while meeting my
other requirements.

[Water Warrior 2]

GeeZee, you will probably find those bags very user friendly. The option of zipping them off the bike is the icing on the cake.