hard bags on ebay

[dubwise]

Has anybody laid hands on these scooter bags from Ride Hard Saddlebags?
http://stores.shop.ebay.com/RIDE-HAR...&submit=Search
They look to be tidy, and small enough at 18 x 11 x 6.
Wondering how cheesy the build quality is, and how close to the pipe they'd hang.

[mrlmd1]

You have to buy a mount or bracket for those too (they recommend a removable system - Ghost Brackets, which cost $155) or you have to fashion something to mount it to the bike, probably to the fender trim or sissy bar bolts.
They actually look pretty nice, but they might be a little big, I think they have a smaller size on the seller's website.
You have to measure on the bike how close they'd come to the pipe, and the right one may need a heat shield on the bottom so it doesn't melt, even if mounted high, equal to the passenger seat height.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by dubwise

Has anybody laid hands on these scooter bags from Ride Hard Saddlebags?

From the pictures, it looks like there might be some (intentional?) deception going on with the name. The lower part appears to be some kind of cloth, even though the name would imply "Hard Saddlebags".

[mrlmd1]

It sure looks like that in the pictures, even on the website, but is says they are made of "Durable ABS Construction", ie., plastic (?).
They might be a good find, somebody (not me) want to order a set and fit them to the bike or to bag supports? And then report back to the rest of us?

[dubwise]

Originally Posted by Easy Rider

The lower part appears to be some kind of cloth, even though the name would imply "Hard Saddlebags".

I think that's the reflection of what was around them.

This is the smallest size of what they list.
Guy there claims these've gone on lots of 125s and 250s.
I have the Suzuki saddlebag supports (got them free off one of the bikes at the MSF course)
which should give me a leg up mounting them.

Guess I'll just have to go for it.
Time to take one for the team.

[mrlmd1]

You might want to check out one of my much earlier posts on here on how I mounted SAW cans to the bag supports with J bolts through the cans for a permanent mount. You also might need some sort of a backup plate inside those ABS boxes depending on how thick and strong they are, regardless if you mount them to the supports or to the fender bolts directly.

Be sure to get back on here how you like them, how you mounted them.
I might want to get a set for my S50 if they're any good.

[dubwise]

Well, I got 'em. First impressions, kinda cheesy and remarkably small.

Here's what showed up.


This is the included mounting hardware. No nuts.


Hinge retaining straps.


Lock catch.

[dubwise]

One of the locks wouldn't latch. I ended up shimming the bag's latch piece up a little by putting a washer underneath it.

A buddy of mine welded flanges onto my saddlebag supports.
I still owe him a beer. Thanks, Mike!


Here's the mounted result.


Hope that's enough exhaust clearance.


Rear view.


The top box actually holds more than either saddlebag.
It's a case I bolted to the passenger seat pan after de-upholstering it.

The saddlebags technically lock, but they'd yield to a good yank.
They're tidy, they look nice, don't really affect the lines of the bike.
There's a layer of foam in the bottom, and drain holes underneath, which is nice.
If I put a wet cover in the top box, the water stays until I mop it out.
My cover completely fills a saddlebag, but it should be OK in there.

So there you have it. We'll see how useful they are.

[VTXorcist]

They look excellent. Too bad they're so skinny/small. However, I wouldn't worry as much about the wimpy locks. The mere presence of one on a hardbag will probably discourage most would-be burglars.

EDIT: You should add a badass chrome badge of some sort. The sides of those things are begging for some ornamentation!

[Water Warrior 2]

Originally Posted by VTXorcist

They look excellent. Too bad they're so skinny/small. However, I wouldn't worry as much about the wimpy locks. The mere presence of one on a hardbag will probably discourage most would-be burglars.

EDIT: You should add a badass chrome badge of some sort. The sides of those things are begging for some ornamentation!

How about some reflective tape for better visibility. White on front, amber on sides and red on the back. Yah, you can call me paranoid but it does help in the grand scheme of things. Wall Mart sells 3M stuff that works well and won't break the bank.