Saddle Bag or Tank Bag Advice

[OtisAir]

Good Morning,

I'm contemplating adding saddle bags or perhaps a tank bag to my 83 KZ1100, but am having trouble finding something that "looks right" and contributes to the look of the bike. I don't want to put just anything on it and make it look Sanford & Son-ish.

If I go with Saddle Bags, they can be either hardshell or softshell, so long as they look like they're supposed to be there.

Also, do the tank bags "trash" the finish of the gas tank?

I am not interested in decking out the bike to make it a touring bike however; just want something to carry a few smaller things.

There's is a picture of my bike in the first thread of this Vinatge area so perhaps you've got an idea or recommendation.

Thanks In Advance,

[ZX-2R]

Tank bags will not destroy the finish on your tank. When I traveled alot on the east coast I had a tankbag with my dry rider extra gloves, a pair of tennis shoes with socks stuck inside of them, levis, underwear, and a shirt, as well as toiletries, even used the map pocket and the small wallet pocket which cam eoff if I needed it to. If I had to pack for more than three days I used to just buy what I needed on the other end an box it up and send it back to the base, to myself. You can avoid the tankbag by just getting a nice daypack and using bungie cords or mesh to hold it in place on the back of the seat behind you. Traveling light is key to enjoying the roads. I only used my saddle bags twice, and I liked them, I just had no use for them other than to carry more than what I actually needed. Dryers take the wrinkles out of clothes, and you can actually wash them if you need to should you be going across country. The best part is sending home what you don't need. Once you get some miles of traveling down you will find that you need very little. You will even find tha tyou have room for snickers bars, jerky ,whatever and a bottle of water.