Looking for soft saddlebag suggestions.

[1978GS750E]

Thinking about adding a set of soft saddlebags to the GS family for overnight trips. Anyone have any suggestions on brand, size, or type that you really like? Looking for some bags that can be switched easily from one bike to another.

Thanks,
Ron

[ddaniels]

I have a soft set you throw over, or under the rear seat I can sell you for a good deal. Can't remember the brand right now as I bought them used, but they are in very good shape. I'll pm you some pics and a price later if you're interested.

[Gorminrider]

I have a set of throw-overs that are expandable at the sides by undoing a zipper.(like a lot of tankbags) This is something I would recommend to look at in soft bags.
The ones that look really sexy don't carry enough stuff in the event they are needed to actually carry a load.

... in that vein, if you don't care about looks, I find a set of soft bicycle panniers for camping are huge, they take taller loads than motorcycle stuff does ...and, multi-pocketed and a lot more "adaptaptable" for camping and what-all than most motorcycle panniers. However, when there's nothing in them, (mine) are baggy and unattractive....Plain old backpacks work too, with a piece of plywood in the back to stiffen the back to keep them away from chain and wheels

[Gorminrider]

here's a thought that might help you. Soft bags never seem to have the right place to attach the bottoms so they don't flop UP in the breeze when they are empty. I always end up putting holes and straps or string to match an attachment to the footrests or whatever.


Bicycle camping type....Ugly, Yes? but red, which suits But they are only 1/2 full. the top expands so they are each the size of a narrow tall mountaineer pack. They are not as close to exhaust as it appears here (been there-set fire to that!)
saddlebags 400EX bicyclePanniers-July21-2018.jpg

[bonanzadave]

https://www.denniskirk.com/search/saddlebags.q

[ratatouille]

I had Nelson Rigg saddle bags with a duffel/Gym type bag that sat on top of the rear seat and snapped to the saddle bags. used them for years and loved them. I still use the Duffel/Gym bag. I don't see a link off hand, but they treated me well.

[Baatfam]

I've had two sets of Nelson Rigg bags for many years.
A large and a more medium size. I've used either on the 1100E, and my TT600, and they work well.
Also got a tail bag that snaps to the side bags.

[1978GS750E]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Actually got a nice used set from a member here that look like they will work really well for me. Thanks, Dave!

Ron

[ddaniels]

You're welcome. For those interested, they are soft Givi bags that ARE expandable with a zipper.

[salty_monk]

I have a set of rigid soft bags (i.e. they hold their shape even when not full and are sort or molded)... If anyone else is looking for a set I could let these go at a nice price.

[Gorminrider]

You're welcome. For those interested, they are soft Givi bags that ARE expandable with a zipper.

good-oh! You just know I just love saddlebag threads...more than oil threads maybe

[ddaniels]

good-oh! You just know I just love saddlebag threads...more than oil threads maybe

He said sarcastically...

[bwringer]

I've tried them all, and Ortlieb waterproof bags are the best on the planet, hands down, discussion over.

They're expensive, that's for sure, and they look weird, but they're bombproof tough and they DON'T LEAK!

I acquired mine in a pretty sweet trade, and they work great on any bike.

All that said, Touratech took over the Ortlieb line a while back, so they're a little harder to find:

https://shop.touratech.com/saddle-bags-endurance-velcro-pair-black-by-touratech-waterproof.html

There are also some competitors now with similar dry bag type products.


If you have more traditional type bags, just go ahead and throw away the rain covers. Rain covers are not just useless, they're worse than useless because out in the real world they only serve to scoop up and retain massive amounts of water.

To protect your stuff, simply line the bags with a decent trash bag before loading. Take a bit of care not to puncture the trash bags and you're golden.

[Jethro]

Oh man, discussion over... really? I stand by my MotoFizz Large Seat Bag. https://www.aerostich.com/motofizz-c...ags-large.html

I had the TourMaster saddle bags and they were alright but I found the seat bag to be a better way to go. Mostly because the saddle bags were just too restrictive for size. I can back country camp for a week (and I have) with this camping seat bag. But... it technically isn't a saddle bag, so, maybe yes, for saddle bags, discussion over. I really like the Ortlieb stuff.

[bwringer]

Oh man, discussion over... really? I stand by my MotoFizz Large Seat Bag. https://www.aerostich.com/motofizz-c...ags-large.html

I had the TourMaster saddle bags and they were alright but I found the seat bag to be a better way to go. Mostly because the saddle bags were just too restrictive for size. I can back country camp for a week (and I have) with this camping seat bag. But... it technically isn't a saddle bag, so, maybe yes, for saddle bags, discussion over. I really like the Ortlieb stuff.

MotoFizz, Wolfman, and a few others make really, really nice bags, but... they ain't waterproof. And that's a deal-breaker for me, since I don't live in a sunny rainless paradise.

That said, there are some VERY nice "dry bag" style seat/duffle bags and such available, too -- I have a nice Firstgear Torrent.


Giant Loop makes a really cool combo of a seat bag and panniers that looks for all the world like a giant pair of pants. Holds lots of stuff and packs tight to your bike.

https://www.giantloopmoto.com/

Expensive, yeah...