Luggage Question

[MrDen]

I am considering luggage options for my '07, and wonder if anyone has had any experience with "soft" bags for the VFR. I'm not sure I want "hard" bags, as I don't think I want to keep them on the bike all the time. Any input would be appreciated.

[drewl]

I have had soft bags on my '00 for almost a year. I use them to carry junk to work. I have used them for four day trips as well. The only complaint I have is they rub on the paint leaving scuff marks. Other than that I think 75 bucks was a super deal for what I got.

[MrDen]

Appreciate the input amigo. What type/brand of bags do you have. Cost is also a consideration, so anyting under a c-note would be great. Have you tried a coat of SlickFitty to ease the scuffing?

[Molsan]

I have both...well had.

Soft bags are a great option and I orginally got them due to price. I got a set off e-bay dirt cheap.

The soft bags i got where large and expandable, much larger than most i see on sport bikes. they where big enough for a 2 week trip from Edmonton, Alberta to Sturgis and yellowstone park. They work well and had no issue's. They did not damage the bike or scratch it although I did NOT have the rear seat cover on so no scratches could occur. Heat was not an issue as i thought it might be but the VFR heat shields do a good job and most bags have some form of neoprene heat material in that area for that reason.


What I did not like was they looked a little dumpy and saggy when loaded, I also always felt like i had to check them even though this was never an issue.
I could also not lock the bags(or i could but i knife would just wreck em and i would rather the person just take my stuff). So if i went for a dinner break where i could not see my bike, I would worry about my bags.
Also for the end of the day i got tired of taking the bags on and off again as minior as it sounds doing all the straps and adjusting and putting an extra bungee here and there was just a pain as i look at envy at those with hard bags. Also if I had nothing in them i really did not like them on the bike. So unless i was going on a long trip i would not bother with the bags and just use a back pack.

So for my birthday i got a set of hard bags(yay). And i really like them.
I never have to worry about them and they come on and off very easy.
It is nice to have and i am glad i have them. Just being able to carry anything at anytime is really nice. if you get a call to stop by the store, you can. If you need to pick up a friend good thing you brought the spare helmet.

I do wish they where a tad bigger and loaded differently and if i was to do it again i may look at beetle bags that open from the top.
but now even for a short ride I can snap the bags on if expecting to carry. And honestly i am leaving the bags on a lot of the time just incase i want to ht the grocery store, you can barely even tell that they are there.

[drewl]

Molsan raises some more good points. Mine have 3 straps up top and 2 down below. I put the rear top two under the seat and cowl, the front top goes over the seat right behind me. The bottom rear goes under the plastic around the reflectors on the '00. The bottom front goes through the vents in the side of the plastic.
They have held on in speeds over 100 mph. Muffler not an issue, have rain covers, expandable, top handles.

[Lgn001]

I like the Cortech full size saddlebags quite a bit. I did end up making a somewhat primitive support piece from EMT tubing to support them a bit better, along with adding a few U-bolts in the rear fender to attach the straps to.

The neat thing about them, besides capacity, is that they can be carried in one hand, they easily adapt from bike to bike, and they go on and off quickly. But like others have pointed out, they have no security whatsoever.

[ewryly]

Originally Posted by Molsan

I have both...well had.

I do wish they where a tad bigger and loaded differently and if i was to do it again i may look at beetle bags that open from the top.
but now even for a short ride I can snap the bags on if expecting to carry. And honestly i am leaving the bags on a lot of the time just incase i want to ht the grocery store, you can barely even tell that they are there.

I haven't tried soft bags, but I do love the hard ones. They make the bike very useful, and I like the way they look. I agree, they are not the greatest to load, but I bought a couple of these from Aerostich. Zipp Sacks :: Stuffsacs and Duffels :: Packing It In :: Aerostich/RiderWearHouse Motorcycle Jackets, Suits, Clothing, & Gear. Two fit perfectly on each side and they make loading a breeze.

[madduxca]

Originally Posted by Lgn001

I like the Cortech full size saddlebags quite a bit. I did end up making a somewhat primitive support piece from EMT tubing to support them a bit better, along with adding a few U-bolts in the rear fender to attach the straps to.

The neat thing about them, besides capacity, is that they can be carried in one hand, they easily adapt from bike to bike, and they go on and off quickly. But like others have pointed out, they have no security whatsoever.

i just got these (early christmas) and they are kick ass! i would suggest them as a cheaper alternative to hardbags and they even look pretty sporty. ebay!