Cortech Sport Tail Bag & Saddle Bags

[KC-10 FE]

Another Christmahanakwazaka gift from my wife. I never suspected she was planning to get them for me so they were quite the surprise. I have no clue what the price was. Look in my gallery for pics of the tail bag mounted. Now that I have them, I almost never go anywhere with out the tail bag. While I would most likely have chosen the black, I do not find the red to be objectionable against the yellow VFR.

Pros:
size (they are very unobtrusive on the bike)
looks (they compliment a sport bike very well)
mounting (for the tail bag, it's a 10 second job, see below for the saddle bags)
expandable (not very much but it does help)
rain covers (I haven't used that feature yet)

Cons:
size (pretty much only big enough for 1 or 2 days of stuff)
mounting (the saddle bags are a pain in the ass, I had to modify the bike to get them to work securely)
mounting instruction (they didn't come with any, NOTHING)
security (they don't have any)

All in all, they carry an overnight or weekends worth of stuff for me. I can carry a pair of hiking boots, a pair of jeans, my shaving bag, a shirt or 2, & a change of socks/underwear without difficulty. Since I didn't have anything before them, they are a welcome addition to the gear stash. The Givi V35's are still on my wish list.
http://giviusa.com/caschi_borse_baul...sp?CO_ID=18171

KC-10 FE out...

[R.W.]

I couldn't live without my black Cortech tail bag, best $53.00 I ever spent...

[cruzinaz]

Just got these for mine on Monday, where did you secure the rear stap???? I have a fender eliminator on my 07, think I may have to make a couple brackets.

Cortech must believe that with NO directions supplied, no liability??

One more question, the heat shields over the pipes, are they cool enough to not burn the bags?

[pecarlo]

I have the same system on my 2006 pearl black viffer
they fit the bike nice.Not much room but they are much better than having nothing,I use them for my chain ,lock,bike cover,BIBLE,and anything else thats useful for a simple ride.I have not traveled as of yet anywhere farther than 30miles from home yet.So they serve their purpose at present. will carry much more when traveling out of town. Enjoy them at least they were a gift from your wife.Hey some of us dont have that. lol tc

[cruzinaz]

Soooo,,, any heat problems??? or does the BIBLE go between the heat shield and bags?

J/K,

(hope you can take a joke Pecarlo)

My normal ride is between 150- 300 miles a day, have a few longer rides coming up, concerned about the bags on the pipes,,,,,,, anyone???

[pecarlo]

HI , I have had no problems with the bags and heat Shields.The bags can be placed toward the rear cowl as much as possible.I do recommend that you remove the cowl and use the seat alone, also you can use plastic ties to secure the bags.

[jasonsmith]

Anyone in Canada see these bags kickin about? Want a blue tail to go with my hard saddle's.

[NorcalBoy]

Anyone in Canada see these bags kickin about? Want a blue tail to go with my hard saddle's.

Hey buddy check these out:

http://www.luggagelocker.com/luggage-elite-seat-sak.htm

I have one and they are really a nice piece, they come in a blue and black color scheme too. The mounting system is one of the best ideas I've seen. Check it out. Yes it does fit Sargent seats - I know you might be getting a Sargent so I thought I'd throw that out there.

[jasonsmith]

Hey buddy check these out:

http://www.luggagelocker.com/luggage-elite-seat-sak.htm

I have one and they are really a nice piece, they come in a blue and black color scheme too. The mounting system is one of the best ideas I've seen. Check it out. Yes it does fit Sargent seats - I know you might be getting a Sargent so I thought I'd throw that out there.

Very nice! Your right that mount system rocks. Good to know about the Sargent seat, that would have been my next question.

[RVFR]

Love mine, and Red is the shits....

[bitterpil]

I posted in another section as well.

I use a pair of soft bags by Rapid Transit, The Recon 45 bags. I like the soft bags beacuse they are easy to add,remove and store. Not to mention A LOT less expensive. My original concern using soft bags on the 6th gen was the location of the exhaust. I was assured by the regional Rapid Transit rep that there would not be a heat issue with the bags and after two years, I have had no issue of the heat from the exhaust on the soft bags.
The Recon 45 bags are small and really only good to carry extras back and forth to work or for bringing home small items from the store. They might work for a weekend getaway but I think that would be stretching it a bit. For multi day touring, I would step up to the Recon 77. Which I plan to do.

I am interested if any other folks use similar soft bags. Looking for comments. Interested in the Cortech but was concerned about the foam backing on the saddle bags up against the pipes.

[KC-10 FE]

Pics please.

As long as you have a lo-mount (on 5th gens), the Cortech bags will not touch the exhaust.

KC-10 FE out...

[Lgn001]

I have the Cortech "tri-bag" saddlebags, and they do get uncomfortably close to the mufflers ('07). If you tighten up the adjustable velcro cross-straps a bit, it keeps them from flopping down and making firm contact with the mufflers. The longest they have been exposed to heat on the VFR is about five hours, and that's winter temperatures (24 - 55 F). The right side bag gets a bit warmer than the left, but nothing has burned to date.

What I like the most about them is they are portable and they hold quite a bit. I also carry a soft duffle bag on top for layers, extra gloves, shoes, etc.

http://www.tourmaster.com/xcart/prod...tid=146&cat=31

[drewl]

I just bought some generic saddle bags from Pro1. They look very similar to the ones posted above. I have not recieved them yet. I got the cheaper ones because I am cheap, and because this is the first time I will be trying to commute with the bike. I wanted to see how it worked out before I invested in a long term set-up. I usually ride with the rear cowl on , but will take it off if need be. I thought I would try mounting the bags under the seat and cowl if it will fit. Has any one else tried this? As far as mounting under the tail...I will have to wait until they get here to figure that out.

[bitterpil]

I posted in another section as well.

I use a pair of soft bags by Rapid Transit, The Recon 45 bags. I like the soft bags beacuse they are easy to add,remove and store. Not to mention A LOT less expensive. My original concern using soft bags on the 6th gen was the location of the exhaust. I was assured by the regional Rapid Transit rep that there would not be a heat issue with the bags and after two years, I have had no issue of the heat from the exhaust on the soft bags.
The Recon 45 bags are small and really only good to carry extras back and forth to work or for bringing home small items from the store. They might work for a weekend getaway but I think that would be stretching it a bit. For multi day touring, I would step up to the Recon 77. Which I plan to do. Interested in the Cortech but was concerned about the foam backing on the saddle bags up against the pipes. I am interested if any other folks use similar soft bags. Looking for comments.

But my VFR is the 6th Gen with the High Mount Under seat exhaust. I did find some thermal insulation that I thought of adding to the inside of the bag where it makes contact with the exhaust but like I said in the two years I have had them there has been no burning.

[bitterpil]

The Adhesive Backed Heat Barrier protects parts and components from radiant heat. It can be used in applications to protect painted surfaces, plastic parts or any component from the damaging effects of radiant heat.

Aluminized Heat Barrier is made up of woven silica with a flexible aluminized finish. The highly reflective surface of the material is capable of withstanding radiant temperatures in excess of 2000°F.

The adhesive backed composite construction material can easily be applied to any surface or wrapped around a hose or wire to make a clean professional appearance.


$18 A sheet at Jegs http://www.jegs.com/p/Thermo+Tec/750869/10002/-1/10633


Im not sure how this would work but I am keeping it in mind for future if needed.

[sunspec]

For those of you that purchased the Cortech Sport Tail Bag, does it come with mounting straps or do you have to supply your own bungie cords? I am thinking about buying one but can't find anywhere if it comes with straps.

[drewl]

An idea on the rear seat cowl...I just placed the rear velcro strap under the cowl and the front one in front of it. Not as easy to put on and off, but keeps the cowl from getting scratched and it looks better.

[vmotorman]

I'm thinking about getting these for the Indy GP trip! Any input for 4th gens with high mount exhaust?

[Kevin_70]

where did you secure the rear stap????

Where the 6th gen guys putting this? I've encountered the same delimma. For now, I just kinda wrap, then hook to the grab handles but there's got to be a better way.

[indyvfr]

I have an '07 and I've used the Cortech Sport Tail Bag once for a 1,200 mile trip. I wrapped one strap around the grab rail and used the hook on the bottom side of the grab rail to secure the strap. Placed the other strap (toward the front) over the tail section and attached it to the built-in hook on the passenger footpeg. I used 3M paint protection film on the tail section to prevent the strap from scratching paint. It worked well, but I just ordered the hard cases to make future trips easier.

[mrlawlor]

I'm buying my first VFR and to get it home I'll be doing a 1700mile road trip. When I save up the cash I'll be buying the hard cases from david silver spares (this forum is awesome). Until then I need another option .. do you want to sell me your Cortech Sport Tail bag? Anyone, anyone????

[reg71]

I just bought some generic saddle bags from Pro1. They look very similar to the ones posted above. I have not recieved them yet. I got the cheaper ones because I am cheap, and because this is the first time I will be trying to commute with the bike. I wanted to see how it worked out before I invested in a long term set-up. I usually ride with the rear cowl on , but will take it off if need be. I thought I would try mounting the bags under the seat and cowl if it will fit. Has any one else tried this? As far as mounting under the tail...I will have to wait until they get here to figure that out.

so how did the generic ones go? no don't reply here. create a review thread telling us about them with a pic and where you got them in case someone else would like them...

[mech2006]

Will the Cortech sport saddle bags work with a high mount exhaust? Does it provide the minimum 2" clearance?

[cebuVFR]

just got Cortech "tri-bag" saddlebags like this http://www.tourmaster.com/xcart/prod...tid=146&cat=31 yesterday. any inputs regarding mounting & securing, road handling at hway speeds, etc. thanks.

[raleighmojave]

Is it possible to mount under the seat? I'm thinking with a passenger, it wouldn't be very comfortable sitting on the straps. Is there any alternative?

[Pliskin]

I'm looking at bags as we speak, and my concern is with my 2B Hi mount (aluminum series).

According to the folks at New Enough, the one set of saddle bags they recommend for bikes with a hi-mount exhaust are the Nelson Rigg 900 Mini. They say this is the "only recommended bag" for hi-mount exhausts.

The dimensions on the 900 Mini are 15L X 6W X 9H. (sorry to our international readers - that's in inches). Guess that's about 13.3 liters per side.

The dimensions on on the Cortech Tour Master are 14.5L X 11W X 8.5H. That's 20 Liters per side.

Note the dimensions are different between the Tour Master and the "Sport" Tour Master. Appears the Sport edition has a height of 11 inches.

It would seem, based on the measurements above, that the Cortech is actually shorter than the 900 mini, and therefore it would (presumably) be further away from the exhaust.

[ChristopherB]

I'm taking delivery on a new 2007 VFR later this week . I already have the Cortech Sport tail and tank bags, and would like to add the saddlebags to complete the set. I found this possible solution to the exhaust problem at that *other* VFR forum. Looks like it might just work...

My Saddlebag Solution - $100 - VFRD

Chris

[Sebspeed]

Be warned that the rain cover for the Cortech does not like high speed runs - I lost mine in Tennessee somewhere on I-40 between Knox and Nash.

[ChristopherB]

Will keep that in mind...thanks.

Here's another idea for soft saddlebags on 6th gen bikes: Nelson-Rigg sells a heat-resistant pad "designed to protect the back panel of our saddlebags from hot under tail exhaust pipes." The medium size fits their CL-950/1000/SSC-150 bags, which are pretty close in size to the Cortech bags. Might be able to rig up something...