Saddlebags or luggage rack

[usin13]

My $.02

I bought these from Motodirect for my 77 750 http://stores.skipjack.com/Moto-Dire...tail.bok?no=46 Granted I've only had them for a little over a month, but they still look good, and motodirect was real prompt with the shipping. I would order from them again. I don't know how quality they are as I have nothing to compare them too, however, I will not hesitate to spray them liberally with a leather protector. So far they have held their shape though.

[ShirleySerious]

I got my saddlebags today and I must say, I'm a little disappointed.

Someone mentioned it's like cardboard, and it is. I guess you have to break it in, but this stuff is really stiff. Second, they didn't give instructions on how to install it, which looks difficult already because I couldn't manage to make it fit right (my seat opens up to the left). I might be able to solve that in the meantime, but I'll have to see.

[Nerobro]

They're stiff for a reason. That stops them from flopping into the wheels, chain, shocks.. etc.

I don't like the "cruiser style" bags for several reasons... this is one of them The sport style bags go over the seat. Just throw the bags over the seat and things should work better for you. Remember you have a E not a L :-)

[ShirleySerious]

I was hoping they would fit because it says they "fit almost all bike" there on the site. I didn't think mine would be an exception. I didn't want to throw them over the seat because I have passengers sometimes and it seems like they'd be easy for someone to steal. I'd rather have some hard bags that fit better but that's not really in the budget for now.

[Jethro]

Yeah, stiff bags are good. You want them to hold thier shape weather they are full or empty. Having the weight shift around while you are riding is a bad thing. I actually bought mine specifically becasue they have hard plastic liners inside, keeping the shape. Have I mentioned I love my Cortech stuff?

[ShirleySerious]

I couldn't find anything on their site that would fit my bike, so I guess I'm just gonna return it. Does anyone with my kind of bike (GS550E or with a side opening seat) know what will fit the bike without spending a pretty penny?

[Jethro]

I couldn't find anything on their site that would fit my bike, so I guess I'm just gonna return it. Does anyone with my kind of bike (GS550E or with a side opening seat) know what will fit the bike without spending a pretty penny?

Are you trying to get bags that don't have straps over the seat so you can open the seat? If so, you will need to buy hardbags for sure.

The Cortech bags I have shown above come off in about 10 seconds, it takes me longer to unlatch the seat then to remove the bags.

[ShirleySerious]

Damn, I guess my bike doesn't give me too many options. A quick google search for "GS550E hardbags" turns up nothing, so I guess saddlebags are out of the question. Those bags Jethro has look nice, but impede passenger space and are out of my price range.

[runewolf]

My bags are similar to the moto-direct one posted above... I have mine under my seat GS750E... I had to cut a notch in the leather to accomadate the seat hinge and add a small wedge of wood under the strap in the middle to keep the bags off my pipes, but I've had them for a year now and it has worked. I'm looking for another set that has a thinner width strap so I would not have to cut the leather and may rig up a bar to keep the bags away from the side of my bike. Just haven't really needed to yet.