[Brooks]

I have recently purchased a Vulcan 1600 Classic and am looking for a set of saddlebags for it. Does anyone have any recommendations?

Thanks,
Brooks

 

[x-wing]

We got the Willie and Max 'leather like' bags for my wife's V-Star. We put them on permanent (connecting strap under back seat) and they are holding up well, look good and hold a ton of crap!!

 

[bikeaholic]

re

i have wille/max 12" bags on mine too,but i think they are a little small

everybody raves about leatherlykes bags hard mounted and they do look very good :wink:

 

[Brooks]

Do you have part numbers for any of the bags you have used on your bikes or possibly the dimensions of the bags you are using? All help is GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks,
Brooks

 

[Freedom1600]

I went with River Road Bags - 14" x 12" x 6'" I love the look. They really add some mass to the back of the bike and they are roomy and just fit the look of the bike so nicely. I got the studded model and that matches up nicely with the studded Mustang saddle I've got on there. Bought them on-line - $130 or so if memory serves.

They have some internal reinforcement so they hold their shape.

Mounting - I used the F&S saddlebag mounts and I used the strap on the bags under the seat - great look!

Hope that helps.

 

[x-wing]

You know, Brooks, we bought those quite a while ago and don't know the designation. I just measured them and they are 12" tall, 17" long and 5.5" thick. They are, I think, about the biggest they make in the throw over style. Go here http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/product_catalog/Category.jsp?catId=4&store=Main and call them and order a catalog. It's nice to be able to look at all the different options available in one catalog. I have gotten really good service from Dennis Kirk. That's where we ordered them and quite a few other things over the years.

 

[KyBoy]

Brooks
I have the Ameritex Futura 27" w/conchoes and Phone pouch and I really
like them . However , I did'nt care for them with the Quick release mounting
system they came with . I used the Cobra saddlebag supports but the bags
flopped around , looked crooked , I just never could get them looking right !
Well , since I had a couple bills invested , I was determined to make them
work ! I drilled a couple holes in the bags and with a little longer bolts and a
couple washers , made them permenantly mounted . Now they are straight
and I think they look good . They can be removed easily for cleaning . And
they don't look like your typical saddlebags , that have a little different look .
I found mine at J&P cycles and they came with a free matching tool pouch .

 

[joecruiser]

I didn't like the throw over type. I opted for the plain Ledrie 26L saddle bags mounted with the Easy Brackets for easy removal. These bags are plenty big at 26 Liters and got them for a very good deal. You can see a pic at:
http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/jldominguez

 

[rbentnail]

I had Willie and Max throwovers, but I cut the strap off, popped in some grommets and bolted them on. I like being able to see the rear fender under the seat. I say "had" b/c I just removed them and installed National Cycle's CruiseLiner Hardbags. http://shop.nationalcycle.com/perl/cycle/N1101?

 

[johnson]

anyone own the "kawasaki" accessory saddlebags? i realize they're quite a bit more expensive than many of the aftermarket types, but i'm curious what some feel re: fit and finish, installation....

 

[ontwowheels]

I didn't like the throw over type. I opted for the plain Ledrie 26L saddle bags mounted with the Easy Brackets for easy removal. These bags are plenty big at 26 Liters and got them for a very good deal. You can see a pic at:
http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/jldominguez

Bags look good on the bike.

 

[trikebubble]

We got the Willie and Max 'leather like' bags for my wife's V-Star. We put them on permanent (connecting strap under back seat) and they are holding up well, look good and hold a ton of crap!!

Interesting. I just noticed we have the same name. Ain't that wierd, I don't run into that very often. Anyway, welcome to the forum.
Carlo.

 

[T-man]

Got Leatherlyke on my V2K, hard-sided with a classic look...see em in the pics below. And, when they are removed, the bike is clean looking, no wiry looking support.

 

[Mac]

Kawasaki bags

I have the Frontier bags from Kawasaki, they look great and have held up well.

 

[Frankt07]

brooks i have the willie and max bags that you instal under the seat. they are the cheapest and i think a vry good quality saddle bag set. here are some pics. mine are 16" long x 6"wide x 12" high

 

[Bheckel169]

Saddlebags

Brook,
Choosing Saddlebags is really a function of the type of use, conditions, storage capacity and permanence of the installation.
I chose the TourMaster Cruiser II Saddlebags - Slant Plain

XLarge - 10"H x 18"W x 6"D

These are throwovers as opposed to bags that basically require a hardware bracket to attach to the bike. I wanted to keep my bike looking clean and I have a luggage rack instead of the passenger pinion. I simply hook my bags to the luggage rack and remove them at my destination. These are not leather, handle the rain better than leather and also have a raincover if you want to use it. They are also extremely firm and keep their shape better than real leather which can be so soft that they lose their shape when not full. This isn't very attractive while riding and the bags look bad when empty. The slanted bags keep a nice line with the fender.
Bruce

 

[SeanE]

I dought Saddleman Drifter Bags with the hard back. Mounted with Easy Brackets. Nice addition when wanted. No unsightly brackets and other crap when off. Sean

 

[Dawn]

Check out leatherup.com, they have the absolute best prices on anything leather and the quality is great. I just got boots and saddle bags. They are outstanding.

 

[jukief]

I have the LeatherLyke crosscountry bags on my bag. I love them. Nice and roomy. Waterproof. They lock. And they're tough as nails.

 

[wvKawBoy]

I have the LeatherLyke bags & I love the leather look of the hard bags that lock.