Soft Saddlebags Anyone?

I only ride on overnight trips a few times a year and looking for some soft bags that work well with an 07 VFR. I don't want to spend the money on Hard Bags and only use them a few times. If you can recommend some and how to secure them and not get burnt up in the pipes.....let me know.

 

Yea I am in the same situation. I really need to know if the Tourmaster Cortec 20L saddle bags will work a 6th gen without the exhaust burning them up.

 

Been using RKA saddlebags since '99, and I bought them used. That should say something about the quality. Great people to deal with, too.

 

I've used the Cortech 20's for three trips so far on my '07, and they have come through OK. The right side bag gets warm, since the majority of the exhaust gas exits on that side, but no burns. The cross straps that go over the seat have to be adjusted pretty tight so the bags don't sag too much, but they still make light contact.

I drilled the rear fender to add a "U" bolt to each side for the rear straps to attach to, as there really isn't any good place that I could live with. The license plate bracket will route the straps almost right through the exhaust gases.

The trips I took were 250 miles each way (500 round trip), and each one was about 4 to 5 hours in duration. The warmest trip was not over 65 degrees F, and the average temps were probably about 40-45, so I do not know how the bags would hold up on a hot summer day on a 10 hour ride.

I am considering making up some spacers that attaches to the mufflers, just to be on the safe side, once I can determine what won't look completely cheesy.

The short answer is that so far, no problems. I do pay close attention to how they hang, and check them on the gas stops. I am, of course, referring to the saddle bags...

 

Thanks - Do you have some pics of the "U" bold and the side straps in front and back? Also, do you put the top straps under the seat or over top? If you put them on top, how do you keep them from not flyin off?

 

The top straps go over the seats. The bags are held in place by a quick-attach strap in each corner, i.e. one in the bottom front of each bag, and one in the back of each bag. No, I don't have pictures, but I'll try to remember to take some this week.

I used these bags on my SV650 for years, and like them quite a bit. Part of the reason I tried them on the SV is that the bags have the angled corners that clear the muffler a lot more than my old Fieldsheer soft luggage.

 

I have a set of Eclipse bags in black that I used for a season before I bought hard bags. They fit well and didn't move around, but they will gather grit underneath them and scuff your bodywork if you don't use some protective film (or wax the heck out of it!). They secured in the front corners to the footpeg mounts, the rear strap went around the fender and under the reg. plate.

If you're not fixed on "new", I'd part with these for $40. I'm committed to hard bags at this point.

Andrew

 

I use a pair of soft bags by Rapid Transit, The Recon 45 bags. I like the soft bags beacuse they are easy to add,remove and store. Not to mention A LOT less expensive. My original concern using soft bags on the 6th gen was the location of the exhaust. I was assured by the regional Rapid Transit rep that there would not be a heat issue with the bags and after two years, I have had no issue of the heat from the exhaust on the soft bags.
The Recon 45 bags are small and really only good to carry extras back and forth to work or for bringing home small items from the store. They might work for a weekend getaway but I think that would be stretching it a bit. For multi day touring, I would step up to the Recon 77. Which I plan to do.


77 Recon Bags (Will Expand)
45 Recon Bags Road gear makes a nice pair but they are a bit expensive for communitng but if you travel a lot maybe not so much.

 

I really like the cortech bag look but I am concerned with the foam backing on the pipes. The bags I use do not burn they get warm but not burn. I really want ot have miltiple sets of bags I think.
For daily use. I use the small Rapid Trasit bags. I think they would work for over night trips or Milti-day beach trips in the summer when clothes aren't as bulky. If more gear is needed I would move on up.

Also, Joe Rocket makes a nice little tank bage called the Manta. It works well in the summer when you aren't packing much gear. Cell phone(PDA) gloves etc. Basic crap. It is magenetic so you can travel light for work and just carry it with you. BTW they ow make an XL version which looks like it would pack a light set of rain gear for those unexpected summer showers.

 

VAVFR, if you're going to get these, I won't bother with pictures...

By the way, clear shipping tape works really well to protect the body work.

 

Agreed on the clear shipping tape...as long as you have a good coat of wax the tape peels off pretty easily without damaging your finish.

 

Thanks for the tape advice. I was trying to use something different with no success.

 

I picked up this set of Field Shear from my local dealer. They get warm from the exhaust but I have had no problems of melting or burning.

 

I've got a set of Nelson Rigg bags that include Expandable Sport Tail Pack CL-150 and Deluxe Saddlebags CL-950 which is 70 liters total unexpanded and 80 liters expanded. I paid about 175.00 for the saddle and tail packs.

I just used them on a 4 day 2k miles road trip from Florida to Deals Gap, NC and I had enough room to pack everything I needed and more including rain gear, heated vest, winter gloves, tennis shoes, laptop, etc. etc. I found out a good way to figure out how many liters you need is to go buy a 40 liter rubbermade storage container and fill it up with your stuff, once full empty it out and start filling it up again with more stuff.

 

Mine are similar though i forget the brand name... Work great went calgary to sturgis, as well as weekend trips.

toss them onto the back and tie em down. takes almost no time.

ride wise i notice almost no diffrence untill i really push it then there is a bit of wieght on the back and you pull slower out of the corners.

 

Hi-Adventure Xtreme Packer

Any one have experience with these: Xtreme Packer ?

High capacity and reasonable price. Not sure how hot the pipes get and can't check now because the bike is hibernating for four months.

 

I would not worry to much about the pipes. in the photo above the bags touch the pipes.

Be sure there is some sort of barrior though, most ofton a foam type barrior is built into the bags.

Never had an issue with my soft bags.

 

Are you using the Nelson Rigg heat shields with the saddle bags?? I've got aftermarket carbon fiber pipes that run pretty cool, but I'd prefer the heat shields...

 

Gears saddle bags. Run 'em for a year without problems. Holds 4 days worth of clothes o2 2 days worth of groceries.