I am asking your opinion - so please share your thoughts --

[lurch12_2000]

Either way it looks fine and it's your bike....but my question is how those bags are mounted. Normally the bag would be centered over the rear axle and more forward using some bracket. With the weight mostly aft of the axle if side bags are full and potentially loading up the luggage rack too would seem to lighten the front end noticeably especially on starts or on the highway, and with a passenger. If you weigh a lot then it may offset that rear end load. Are those bags mounted at 2 separate points on the sub frame? They look nice and are kind of retro.

[Wingsconsin]

Either way it looks fine and it's your bike....but my question is how those bags are mounted. Normally the bag would be centered over the rear axle and more forward using some bracket. With the weight mostly aft of the axle if side bags are full and potentially loading up the luggage rack too would seem to lighten the front end noticeably especially on starts or on the highway, and with a passenger. If you weigh a lot then it may offset that rear end load. Are those bags mounted at 2 separate points on the sub frame? They look nice and are kind of retro.

The bags are mounted to the frame and are smaller than they look - I couldn't load them up with more weight than I can 'counter-balance' by being on the bike. I am a big dude myself so this is not a worry - I also have a top-case being mounted to the luggage rack (a removable one) for additional carrying capacity. I have the bike set up to be a 'single rider' - that is I removed the rear passenger footpegs and I ride it one up only. The bags are Mutazu brand and kinda cheap at about $120 including the mounting brackets - but if I had it to do all over again I would get Shad cases instead. I am going to look to move them forward a bit and change the angle a little if I can in Spring - to better match the rake of the luggage rack and exhaust I think...TBD -

I think I will save the money on the coloring process and spend it on gas instead --> Thanks for all the replies thus far. I do like the vinyl wrap idea as well. I know a fella that does that. Maybe a cheaper way to experiment with color

Here is a picture of me standing behind my Goldwing - counter weighting the saddlebags is the least of my worries ..

[1948man]

I believe the darker color on the top of the tank is dark blue. I say choose Posplayer's first pic/pattern but let the darker color on the side of the bag (below the lighter blue) be the darker blue instead of black. But, what do I know?

[GSXR7ED]

I like the 2nd pic by Pos. That thin blue line looks good on the termination point of the bike.

Ed

[Gorminrider]

<-click me

I think it helps to compare them without any badges.... seen that way, I like your original effort

[Wingsconsin]

The Bike is BLUE on BLACK - The tank is black although the picture looks blueish.

[growler]

For another low cost solution, you may be able to just get decals made? Just a thought.

[Redman]

Below you will find 2 pictures of my 1983 GS850GL -
............

THis morning I find 2 boxes with Xes.

.

[Phred]

I would not go for the blue on the bags. The black looks great as it is. It does not accent the bike properly as the bags are lower than the tank and side covers and not on the same plane visually.

[bonanzadave]

I like this concept just refine it. Put the EXACT tank blue profile on the bags.

[1948man]

The Bike is BLUE on BLACK - The tank is black although the picture looks blueish.

Okay, Thanks. My 1100GL has that same lighter blue in combo with a darker blue instead of black.

[Phred]

That looks a lot better.

[Wingsconsin]

After looking at the many options presented here I noticed there is one that has not been addressed..
I thought maybe I could take the chrome accent part on the side of he saddlebag and have it done in vinyl in the color match..?
Here is a mock up of that ... Opinions are welcome ...




Original picture

[Steve]

I'd say black out the chrome and do the top half in blue.

That little splash of blue just doesn't do it for me.

.

[posplayr]

IMHO One of the most compelling reasons for putting blue on the bag was to reinforce the theme provided by the side cover and chrome air box cover, specifically the black blue chrome combination.

If you change (e.g. paint) the chrome cover I think you are going the wrong direction entirely.