OEM hardbag capacity

I'm looking at getting some OEM hardbags, and was wondering just what 35 liters per bag translates to in clothes and supplies? I've never had any luggage and have only taken one long trip, I used a large hiking backpack for that trip out to Montana last year. Any help is appreciated.

 

2Wheels,

I just took an 8-day trip with the bags and a cortech tailbag (you can see photos on profile). I carried on-the-bike gear on one side and off-the-bike gear on the other, all organized in stuff sacks. In the tail bag I carried a light bike cover, hat, my chain lube, water bottle, paper towels, power bars, maps etc.--things I could live with if they were taken.

My on-the-bike gear consisted of a rain suit in one stuff sack, jaket liner, warm gloves, light jacket (perl izumi cycling jacket that is more than a shell so it is not real compact) for added warmth (needed it!), a small tank bag that I used to hold my camera, glasses, cell phone, and gps. I usually didn't have the tank bag on the bike because I didn't want to take it on and off, but it was nice at times to have it there. It is a nelson rigg bag, and the stuff I listed fit in there with just a bit of room left, so you get the idea of its size.

My off-the-bike gear consisted of teva sandals, jeans, adidas soccer sweats, adidas soccer shorts, 2 pairs of socks, underwear, 2 short sleave shirts, two long sleave shirts (it was cold), all in one stuff sack, a toiletries bag, a book, and a small notepad.

The bags are not as spacious as the bags on my old shadow, but I had plenty of room. If you need more room there is always the trunk.

 

35 Liter Bags

I've used soft bags for a long time, but less than 35 liters each, about 20, which have been 'just enough' for overnight trips for 2. Solo and you have it made with 70 Liters total, lockable, helmet fitting, and easily removable. But I suppose it is very subjective, as each person is very different. Riders s/b trained in minimalism, so adopt the "just the necessities, and just bit more" and you are good to go. I also use a tail bag and/or tank bag to supplement the needs of each trip, if necessary. My wife would say we need more space, though, even with all the bags on.

 

The hard bags are nice, ATS, and they probably have made me soft . I like that they are reasonable secure and that I can take them in at night. I bicycled across country in 1986--San Diego to Worcester, MA--camping and lugging 50 lbls along the way. That was the peak of my toughing it phase .

 

Hey 2wheels
This might help .. 35Litres is about 1.25 cubic feet. So find a cardborad box about 12 inches by 12 inches by 15 inches and you will have about the same volume as one bag. See what you can pack in the box and it should also fit in the OEM bag. Volume only. Weight not considered.

 

Thanks for the info so far guy's. I have done quite a bit of travel so I know how to travel lite, which will come in handy now that I'm gonna be taking some bike trips. Sounds like the OEM bags and a seat bag of some sort is all I should ever need. I have seen some nice soft luggage, but those hard bags just look so nice.

 

The bags are sweet. I will have to rethink my packing scheme a bit if I do some camping. On my shadow I could carry a sissy bar bag and still have space on the seat for my tent, sleeping bag, and pad. The seat bag on the vfr uses that space. If I had the trunk, the seat would be free, but that is more than I want at the moment.