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

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?

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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/

 

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

 

some ideas

http://www.twistedthrottle.com/shop-by-product/luggage-racks

 

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

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

 

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?

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

Real men have hard bags..

 

I got my liners from Bestem. They fit great

http://www.bestemusa.com/VFR800-Interceptor_c_1228.html

 

YESSSS this is what I'm looking for!!

 

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.

 

Nice looking setup Pliskin!

 

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