Soft Bags

[80CB750F]

Anyone know about where to get good soft saddle bags? I've been looking and can't seem to find any small soft bags. Hard bags, framed soft bags, just the frames.... Yes. But nothing in the smaller soft bags.

Thanks.

[cdaiscool]

Let me look tomorrow what brand mine are. I've got some small ones on my bike, go through my build thread and you'll see 'em on the bike. Work great, except they do rub on the tire a bit. Need to get some sort of frame for 'em.

[sgtslag]

I bought Willie and Max bags for my 750.  I also bought a set of chrome supports, from another vendor.  However, Willie and Max have a universal bracket set, which is highly adaptable to any bike:

http://www.willieandmax.com/Store/SaddlebagMountingBrackets/tabid/133/CategoryID/31/List/0/Level/1/ProductID/381/Default.aspx?SortField=ProductName%2cProductName

There are several companies making brackets, and they are all similarly priced.  The challenge is to find a set that will bolt onto your bike, with little, or no, modification needed -- hence the recommendation for the "universal" kit, from Willie and Max.  Their home page is here:

http://www.willieandmax.com/

They are not the least expensive, but they are good quality.  Real leather will rot, and mildew.  Willie and Max use a very heavy, leather-like, plastic material:  easy to clean; won't rot; come in various sizes, and prices -- shop around for best prices (typically, e-Bay has them for discounted prices).  You can also shop at LeatherUp for knock-off brands, at lower prices, but likely similar quaity:

http://www.leatherup.com/l/Motorcycle-Luggage/3078.html

Cheers!

[sgtslag]

Some additional points to ponder...

Most soft bags will have loops on the bottom, back side, to anchor them.  They have a tendency to pull a 'flying nun' routine, when you're riding with the bags empty.  I bought some metal, carabiners, to hook the loops to the chrome brackets, to keep them from flying outwards, when empty.

Watch out for bags that require you to unbuckle them, every time you want to open them!  Many have quick clips, beneath the cosmetic buckles, which allows for fast, easy access.  The quick clips are worth the money.

The large piece that goes over/under the seat, may leave the bags hanging very low...  I put together some web strapping, with snap connectors, to hold my bags higher.  I used the provided flap thing underneath the seat, with the web straps (think, 'gym bag' straps) running across the top of my seat (they're black, and hardly noticeable).  You may need to make your own mounting, to get a better 'fit' on your bike.  Not too hard, but it can really make the bags work much better for you, depending on your needs.  Cheers!

[80CB750F]

Looked on the Willie & Max and leatherup.com websites. No luck. They all look too solid. I'm thinking softer. Less bulky. I may end up just making some. Can't be too hard. Encase a couple rigid pieces of plastic in leather. Sew on a pouch with a flap. Flap for under the seat. Reverse everything for the other side. Grommets in the corners of the rigid parts for tie downs. I never ride in the rain and I try and keep the bike in the garage.

Now to find some good soft leather...

[Piute]

   Baggs like these are as low as 80 bucks new ,better then leather for water proof,they make detachables that are pretty cool cause you just pull off and have yo lunch bagg
 Have you ever price the $$ of soft leather ,if not you'll be ,..(bring a credt card ),have a set off horse saddle baggs I made/modifide,They do have treated "saddle leather" at Tandy's



http://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-Cortech-Sport-Motorcycle-Saddlebag-SetSaddle-Bag-/190668133276?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2c64b4d39c&vxp=mtr

[sgtslag]

Be careful with soft leather -- if it is too soft, the bags will fall down, and possibly flop around in the wind.  Some bags come with metal frame inserts to keep them properly shaped, so they don't fall, or flop, too much.  Also, will you like the look of the soft, collapsed, empty bags, while riding?  Personally, I like the look of the 'filled out', harder bags I got from Willie and Max, even when they are empty.  Truth be told, though, I only have them on the Honda when I need them (the chrome supports look decent, when the bags are off, so no need to keep them on board all the time).  YMMV.  Cheers!