Any options for soft saddlebags that don't attach across the rear seat?

Discussion in '6th Generation 2002-2013' started by LongIslandVFR, Feb 29, 2016.

  1. LongIslandVFR

    LongIslandVFR New Member

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    I'm in the market for a set of soft bags for my 04 but I plan on doing some two-up traveling and I don't want the bags with Velcro straps across the rear seat. BUT I do like the quick-on quick-off nature of them without leaving scaffolding behind, so has anyone run "across the seat" bags UNDER the seat?
     
  2. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    I think to accomplish your goal, you may have straps rubbing hard and aggressively against the paint on your rear cowl. With some thought, I think you can find an answer for velcro straps across the rear seat.
     
  3. V4toTour

    V4toTour New Member

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    Consider some quality hard cases? I know cost is pricey but the straps on luggage like you're looking for tend to shift over the course of the ride and always need adjustment. I recall a fatal wreck out in the OR desert I think two years ago. Poor rider had a rear luggage strap get caught up in rear wheel drive and tossed him. I'd be especially wary of routing anything between the tire and fender.
     
  4. grabcon

    grabcon New Member

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    GIVI are great products and I believe that the VFR factory side cases and top case are made by GIVI. An alternative maybe KAPPA, their site show VFR side cases and mounting brackets but no pricing. But a bit of research may yield a good pricing alternative to GIVI.
     
  5. V4toTour

    V4toTour New Member

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    yep, +1 for Givi stuff. Initial investment is quite high, but you get for the most part a weather proof container and some security.
     
  6. Badbilly

    Badbilly Official VFRWorld Troll Of The Year!

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    Add some hardware that attaches hard bags to a bike. Any of the soft bags can be modified using straps ect from loft shops. There is "Velcro" that is Marine grade that is used to attach radios to bulkheads, metal clamps for webbing that does not move and webbing used by the military for parachutes.

    Take a look at stuff from these folks too: Straight up good stuff.

    https://giantloopmoto.com/
     
  7. ictghost

    ictghost New Member

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    i bought a set of saddle bags which were modified by a guy to "bolt on" with wingnuts, using holes in the passenger footrests and mounts. I was going to buy rubber washers so they wouldn't scratch anything, but ended up buying a couple of different color-matched top boxes, so I never used these. If you were closer LongIslandVFR I'd let you take a look at them and if they'd work for you, you could have them, however BadBilly's suggestion sounds pretty good...using hard mounts with soft bags.

    *I'm just south of Wichita, KS
     
  8. V4toTour

    V4toTour New Member

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  9. Badbilly

    Badbilly Official VFRWorld Troll Of The Year!

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    Try Ventura for simple to install hardware that could support soft bags.

    Good stuff. Their "Lightguards" are pesos well spent.
     
  10. LongIslandVFR

    LongIslandVFR New Member

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    Eh yeah it looks like I'm going to have to go with something that leaves the scaffolding on the side of the bike...are the mounting brackets quick on and off?
     
  11. grabcon

    grabcon New Member

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    I have found that once I really started to use the hard cases they never come off. It is nice to have spots to but stuff, riding gear, personal stuff etc. Heck we even got to the point where we bought bag liners and do all of our packing in the liners and just remove the liners went we get to our over night destination.
     
  12. V4toTour

    V4toTour New Member

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    Did you go with the official givi liners or just a generic waterproof drawstring bag?
     
  13. Badbilly

    Badbilly Official VFRWorld Troll Of The Year!

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    The rack from Ventura uses the Frankenbolt mounts. Drill down on the Ventura site for VFRs and it shows an exploded view of the hardware. Ventura also has soft luggage. Their soft luggage is not cheap nor is the hardware to be used for a backrest/sissybar.

    I am finding it really funny that some contributors seem to think even though you want soft bags that by pitching hard bags you are going to change your mind. I was thinking that maybe the ultimate solution would be one of those small trailers so you could haul all kinds of stuff around and get rid of all the hardware on your bike except a trailer hitch and maybe some wiring.
     
  14. Pliskin

    Pliskin New Member

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    Not the best picture, but my Nelson Rigg saddle bags actually fit UNDER the Corbin Seat. The main velcro strap is probably about 1.5 to 2 inches wide, so it was pretty secure. There were a couple of adjustable straps that I used around the handles and foot pegs for additional support.

    saddle bags.jpg
     
  15. Badbilly

    Badbilly Official VFRWorld Troll Of The Year!

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    Real men have hard bags.. ;)
     
  16. grabcon

    grabcon New Member

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  17. LongIslandVFR

    LongIslandVFR New Member

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    YESSSS this is what I'm looking for!!
     
  18. grabcon

    grabcon New Member

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    Just watched a couple of videos on the Nelson Rigg bags. They look great. The only draw back I see is a separate rain cover. I have had bags with the separate covers before and if the bags are over stuffed they will tear. Other than that they look like they might fit your needs at a reasonable price.
     
  19. ictghost

    ictghost New Member

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    Nice looking setup Pliskin!
     
  20. Badbilly

    Badbilly Official VFRWorld Troll Of The Year!

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    Anybody running hard bags inside soft ones? Lots of thieves around and it sure could keep stuff dry.
     
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