I was thinking of getting some saddlebags for my 1500 classic and was wondering what kind of experiences the readers of this forum might have had, good or bad with equiping their cruisers with saddlebags. I am not interested in the under the seat setup but would rather go for a rigid but not hard bolt on type style. What I am looking for is something that can be taken off quickly when washing the bike, something that will not leave any kind of unsightly brackets on the bike when I take them off and something that can be had for $400 or less including mounting hardware. This may be a tall order and I've looked at Dennis Kirk and J&P but it really is hard to get a good idea of how they mount and what is involved. I know that with some, you even have to replace your rear turn signals. They do not have to be leather. From what I've read some synthetics look every bit as good as leather and are easier to maintain. Any recommendations or thoughts are appreciated. thks.
saddlebags
1 - 18 of 18 Posts
Joined
·
4,353 Posts
re
this mounting system is very popular:
http://www.ghostbrackets.com/
there are several good bags-leatherlyke,willie & max are a couple
i get my bags from:
http://leatherneckjim.safeshopper.com/
nothing like having plenty of storage on the bike :wink:
ride safe!
this mounting system is very popular:
http://www.ghostbrackets.com/
there are several good bags-leatherlyke,willie & max are a couple
i get my bags from:
http://leatherneckjim.safeshopper.com/
nothing like having plenty of storage on the bike :wink:
ride safe!
Joined
·
25 Posts
Saddle Bags
I just purchased Leatherlyke Cross Country Bags
for my Meany.
They look and fit GREAT!
I paid 429 +shp. As far as I know that price rules!
I purchased them at Accessories International in Miami.
GREAT prices on most items! BEST price on these bags!
Ride Safe,
MOF
I just purchased Leatherlyke Cross Country Bags
for my Meany.
They look and fit GREAT!
I paid 429 +shp. As far as I know that price rules!
I purchased them at Accessories International in Miami.
GREAT prices on most items! BEST price on these bags!
Ride Safe,
MOF
I did see the ghostbrackets out there and they appear to be well engineered product. They have not been around very long and but have released a much improved 2nd generation version, according to some of the info that I've been able to glean. I wish that there were more rigid bags to choose from. Currently the overwhelming majority are of the traditional throw over kind that dominate every catalog. The two sites above have some good looking ones but I would love to be able to find a bike locally, preferably a Vulcan that has the ghostbrackets installed. (probably ain't gonna happen)
BTW, The International Accessories site in Miami does have good prices however make sure that you carefully read the return policy documentation. I had ordered a chrome rad cover but had some misgivings because of past quality issues with chrome accesories, especially those manufactured in Taiwan and Korea. Al, the salesman mentioned that if I did not like what I saw, then no problem, just send it back and we'll refund you your money. Well, that's exactly what happened. I had found a Canadian company that carries highly superior chrome accessosories so I had sent back the product (unopened). They took 20% right off the top of my refund plus another $10 for restocking. There are some items that they will not take back under any circumstances. If you buy a windshield from them they will not allow you to return it for any reason!!!
BTW, The International Accessories site in Miami does have good prices however make sure that you carefully read the return policy documentation. I had ordered a chrome rad cover but had some misgivings because of past quality issues with chrome accesories, especially those manufactured in Taiwan and Korea. Al, the salesman mentioned that if I did not like what I saw, then no problem, just send it back and we'll refund you your money. Well, that's exactly what happened. I had found a Canadian company that carries highly superior chrome accessosories so I had sent back the product (unopened). They took 20% right off the top of my refund plus another $10 for restocking. There are some items that they will not take back under any circumstances. If you buy a windshield from them they will not allow you to return it for any reason!!!
Joined
·
4,353 Posts
re
even most of the throw over bags can be adapted to a hard mount-
usually all that's required is cutting the throw over strap off and reinforcing the inside
and outside of the bag with some steel straps and big washers at the mounting points
which can be had at any hardware store - i've seen many throw overs converted
to rigid mount and it works quite well-only drawback is no quick removal :wink:
even most of the throw over bags can be adapted to a hard mount-
usually all that's required is cutting the throw over strap off and reinforcing the inside
and outside of the bag with some steel straps and big washers at the mounting points
which can be had at any hardware store - i've seen many throw overs converted
to rigid mount and it works quite well-only drawback is no quick removal :wink:
Thought I would throw my 2 cents in. Understand I have not yet received these bags. I have been working with the bracket guy to figure out what I would need with my backrest. I have an 04 1500C and had been looking for a good bag (large enough to fit the bike) and similar thoughts to yours on the brackets. Here is what I found and intend to order.
http://www.leatherconnexion.com/products/saddlebags/saddle_styles.htm#large
This link takes you right to the bag page. I am looking at the 2900. Note that fringe, studs, etc. are all options so that you can order the bags as plain or fancy as you like. One of the things I really like is the bracket company that they work with. The bracket locks on with a key, when off there is nothing there but your original look with a slightly modified bolt head on the fender bracket. Construction of the bags sounds pretty good.
Don't forget, I have not actual experience with these bags yet, but I will be ordering soon. (Unless someone out there knows a reason not to)
Hope this helps
WB
http://www.leatherconnexion.com/products/saddlebags/saddle_styles.htm#large
This link takes you right to the bag page. I am looking at the 2900. Note that fringe, studs, etc. are all options so that you can order the bags as plain or fancy as you like. One of the things I really like is the bracket company that they work with. The bracket locks on with a key, when off there is nothing there but your original look with a slightly modified bolt head on the fender bracket. Construction of the bags sounds pretty good.
Don't forget, I have not actual experience with these bags yet, but I will be ordering soon. (Unless someone out there knows a reason not to)
Hope this helps
WB
Hey Wild Bill,
I think that you might have hit the "jack pot" for saddlebag websites!
I was extremely impressed with the wealth of model information for each bag under each series. They are great looking bags and the technical information covers any potential "gothchas" for individual bike models. All the important options are covered and you get the feeling that you are getting custom order and custom fit service without the exhorbitant "custom" price as I've seen with other manufactures. I think that the EZ bracket design is good and maybe somewhat simpler than the ghostbrackets. (price is identical) I believe that when I get to ordering my bags I will be doing so from this manufacturer. I especially like the 2000 series. The 2900 are nice as well but they are just a little big for my taste. If you get these bags please post back in this thread. I'd love to hear how the ez bracket installation went and how you like the bags in general. Thanks again for the info.
I think that you might have hit the "jack pot" for saddlebag websites!
I was extremely impressed with the wealth of model information for each bag under each series. They are great looking bags and the technical information covers any potential "gothchas" for individual bike models. All the important options are covered and you get the feeling that you are getting custom order and custom fit service without the exhorbitant "custom" price as I've seen with other manufactures. I think that the EZ bracket design is good and maybe somewhat simpler than the ghostbrackets. (price is identical) I believe that when I get to ordering my bags I will be doing so from this manufacturer. I especially like the 2000 series. The 2900 are nice as well but they are just a little big for my taste. If you get these bags please post back in this thread. I'd love to hear how the ez bracket installation went and how you like the bags in general. Thanks again for the info.
I recently purchased a 1500 Classic and it came equipped with bags from Nation Cycle. They are nice bags -- fit great, lots of room, and do not inteterfere with the passenger at all. Here's a picture of them on my bike:
![]()
i'm pretty much in the same boat as you dickwol, i'm looking for rigid mount bags for under $400, including all hardware. haven't not much luck so far . The leatherconnexion still seems quite expensive, and so does leatherneckjim. Have any of you considered Saddlemen Desperado™ bags made specifically for the 1500 classic? they look pretty decent & are a good size, not real leather but decent price at $339? And i believe they come already sized to fit with all hardware. Any thoughts? I would be interested to see what bags you guys end up with & how you like them, so plese keep us posted, thanks.
http://www.saddlemen.com/
http://www.saddlemen.com/
Joined
·
28,016 Posts
The National Cycle bags are nice, but their brackets are pretty ungainly when the bags are removed. They are a little larger than regular soft bag support rails, and have 4 fittings that look like fender washers.
Also, there has been at least one report of the 1/4-turn fasteners wearing and leaving a bag on the highway.
For the 1500 and 1600, the Leatherlyke's remove leaving only a couple of fittings similar to the Ghost/Easy bracket fittings.
Also, there has been at least one report of the 1/4-turn fasteners wearing and leaving a bag on the highway.
For the 1500 and 1600, the Leatherlyke's remove leaving only a couple of fittings similar to the Ghost/Easy bracket fittings.
Hey Rich. Thanks for the info but would you believe I had posted this 4 years ago? I love how these threads get recycled. Wish I could do the same with myself! Man I've gotten old in 4 years !!
Another web site to check out is Leatherworks, Inc. - Home of Custom Leather Motorcycle Saddlebags
Their bags are very well made and the largest bags, the 110x model are huge.
Chuck
Their bags are very well made and the largest bags, the 110x model are huge.
Chuck
Joined
·
1,523 Posts
I have easybrackets and River Road slant style bags on my 900. I put these on last year. The easybrackets I got from Meancycles out of Miami. They have a website and they are about 150. At first, I thought this price was really high but thats what every other place sells them for. And, easy to take bags on and off. About 1 minute. Makes it nice to wash the bike. So, I feel that the price is justified due to the ease of taking the bags on and off.
The bags are okay. Where the stitching is, the thread is frizzed. When these bags decide to take a dump, I'll probably go with Saddleman.
Lucky...
The bags are okay. Where the stitching is, the thread is frizzed. When these bags decide to take a dump, I'll probably go with Saddleman.
Lucky...
Joined
·
28,016 Posts
Soft bags ALWAYS need support brackets. Not only to keep them out of the wheel, but also to keep them from flying up on the highway looking like a pair of wings.
Hard bags, for the most part, need some kind of bracket. The exception would be LeatherLyke, which have a teflon rub strip that actually rides on the shock spring (on the 1500/1600... they DO have a support below the fender on the 900).
The only exception on soft bags would be Easy/Ghost brackets, but you still have to do some creative reinforcing inside the bags to keep them from sagging.
Joined
·
28,016 Posts
Gonna blame that on Van :biggrin:
1 - 18 of 18 Posts
