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| Birdman | | Set |  |  | | Reg. Date | : | 27/12/2010 | | Posts | : | 135 | | Location | : | United States |
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| | Posted : 29 Dec 2010 - 03:28 Post title : The saddlebag dilemma | | | The saddlebag dilemma
I took delivery of my Tbird last week and have spent hours on this and the other board researching options for saddlebags and seats. My first priority is to get some saddlebags for the bike and I have read just about every relevant post on this board but still cannot make my mind up. It seems like (as in most things) I will have to make some compromises as no one bag seems to meet my ideal requirements.
Here is what is important to me:
I want decent sized bags. I expect to do three and four day trips on my bird. I do, however have a good sized tail bag that will help with capacity.
I would like the bags to "fit" the bike. The TBird is a cool looking machine and I want bags that don't spoil the look and line of the bike.
I would prefer leather or very good imitation leather to hard bags although I have been surprised at the good looks of the Hardstreet Slims
I want to be able to use the bags with a quick release system presumably Easy Bracket or Ghost Brackets
I would very much like for the bags to have locks. I recently lost a good pair of gloves from my old bags when I stopped and had lunch on the road.
The Tbird does not seem to be an easy bike to fit with bags and the choices seem to be to get bags with cut outs for the shocks or mount sloping type bags behind the shocks but they have to be relatively short because of the turn signals. I also don't particularly care for the bags that are mounted way back and look like they are hanging off the back of the bike.
The choices that I am aware of seem to be as follows:
The Triumph bags
Nice looking bags with decent capacity despite the cutouts. Presumably can be mounted on detachable brackets instead of the Triumph ones. Not lockable (unless someone has thought of a way to do it) Quite expensive although available for almost $100 less than list price at MADSS
Saddlemen Drifter or Desperado
Nice looking bags with cutouts to make mounting easier and look better. Reasonable capacity and not very expensive but there may be quality issues. Will fit on detachable brackets but not lockable. Owners opinions seem to be " decent but you get what you pay for"
Edge Bags
I was really keen on the lockable version of the Edge 108 but I called them and they didn't recommend it for the Tbird. They said the only bag that would work well on the bike is the sloping 109 model. It seems to have limited capacity although I must admit to getting confused on the various ways internal capacity seems to be measured. The 109 is not lockable and I cant find much feedback on Edge bags and they seem to be medium priced.
Leatherworks
Some guys on this sight are very happy with the 128, which can be customized with extra pockets and locks. Capacity seems OK but not great. Price with options is about $500 which is not cheap, but quality seems excellent. Not my favorite looking bag but seems to have the features I want.
Hardstreet Slimlines
A big departure from my original thinking but now being considered because it meets most of my requirements and looks surprisingly good on the Bird About average priced and lockable. Quality seems good although some rattling is being observed with the detachable brackets.
The TBird is a big learning experience for me. It is not helped that my bike (used) came without an owners manual and Triumph are closed till Jan 04. I have lots of issues to get resolved before I get the bike the way I want it but bags are first (followed by seat)
I would very much appreciate thoughts comments or alternative to what I have listed here.
| | Post edited by Birdman on 29 Dec 2010 - 04:12 |
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| Kando | | Chaac | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 08/11/2009 | | Posts | : | 780 | | Location | : | United States |
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| | Posted : 29 Dec 2010 - 03:43 Post title : Re: The saddlebag dilemma (Re: Birdman) | | | I have the Slimlines and am happy with fit finish and lockability. They are one of the few hard bags that seem to 'flow' with the Bird. My only issue is that they are pretty small, but that is what they are advertised as, Slimlines. Their regular/standard bags don't look as good but have more capacity. I would say go for the Slimlines and a good tale bag setup.
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| EnGage | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 14/07/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,155 | | Location | : | Grand Rapids, MI, United States |
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| | Posted : 29 Dec 2010 - 12:22 Post title : Re: The saddlebag dilemma (Re: Kando) | | | I have the Triumph bags and Easy Brackets. I like the bags, but now that I have the Easy Brackets, they are rarely on the bike, which is how I like it.
I have an assembled set of Triumph brackets for anyone who's interested.
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| Rustopher | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 26/10/2009 | | Posts | : | 43 | | Location | : | Gorham, Maine, United States |
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| | Posted : 29 Dec 2010 - 13:22 Post title : Re: The saddlebag dilemma (Re: Birdman) | | | I have the Saddlemen bags and I'm not 100% happy with them. I like the look and the size is good and it fits the bike well, but the bags themselves aren't great and are not waterproof (which I discovered at a most inopportune time). I looked at the Triumph bags, but could not justify the price and I liked the look of the Sadddlemen bags better. I am looking to replace the bags. You may want to check out www.leatherneckjims.com. I bought some bags from him for a V-Star 1100 and was really happy with the bags and service.
BTW, are you by chance in Colorado Springs... I am on vacation here and my brother took me over to the local Triumph dealer and they're closed until January 4th too. Seemed odd to me...
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| Birdman | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 27/12/2010 | | Posts | : | 135 | | Location | : | United States |
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| | Posted : 29 Dec 2010 - 19:00 Post title : Re: The saddlebag dilemma (Re: Rustopher) | | | I am in Palm Desert CA and both the Triumph dealer in San Bernardino and Triumph corporate offices are closed until Jan 4.
I had the Leatherneck Jim's Badlands bags on my America liked them but I am not sure about the fit on the Bird . I also really would like lockable bags.
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| MickeyBoy | | Chaac | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 18/09/2010 | | Posts | : | 553 | | Location | : | WiNe CoUnTrY TeMeCuLa, Socialist State of Kalifornia, United States |
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| | Posted : 29 Dec 2010 - 20:38 Post title : Re: The saddlebag dilemma (Re: Birdman) | | | Try the Triumph dealer in San Marcos. If you cut through Hemet (HWY 74 and 371) and Temecula (Hwy 79) it's a short ride.
www.ncy-motorsports.com
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| fasteddy | | Chaac | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 16/10/2008 | | Posts | : | 963 | | Location | : | Wisconsin, United States |
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| | Posted : 29 Dec 2010 - 21:11 Post title : Re: The saddlebag dilemma (Re: Birdman) | | | I have done testing on bag performance over the years and have been pretty particular, I'll be as objective here and address a couple of questions people have posed.
"Water Proof"...
I don't know of any that are truly "water proof", water resistant, maybe. If you want to ensure things are dry get a water proof bag or put stuff in plastic. I use Chase Harper dry sacks, work great and durable. Saddlemen also makes a bag liner but I have not tested it and can't speak to it's performance but would suspect it is good.
I have done heavy testing on Willie and Max Stuff, my preference in synthetic bags, they are water resistant, stuff would get moist in heavy rain, so I use the Dry Sacks always when I travel. Saddleman is similar and it comes down to style you like.
I was a believer in bigger is better until I realized that the only time I ever had my bags filled was when touring and then, you are limited even in the largest of bags. But most always one side was empty (low side). The best most efficient means for packing is a tail bag or framed tail luggage. You can handle more weight in them and I think it is better distributed on the bike.
The bags I get for the Bird are likely going to be Hardstreet though small, they do fit the essentials I carry daily, a tool kit, and rain gear. I have room for the little things I want to pick up when doing errands. I haul a lot of things and have found no matter how big they are often what I want to haul doesn't fit into a bag anyway. I keep a Dowco Overnight bag on there right now and may leave it on there even when I get bags I have strapped a lot on top of that including Birdy's over night bag!
So large empty bags and small empty bags, hard bags or soft tend to bounce around on removable mounts or on not permanent mounts not attached directly to the bags, no matter which brand.
So just some of the things I have observed may or may not be useful information for you.
eddy
| www.fasteddysports.com
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| Birdman | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 27/12/2010 | | Posts | : | 135 | | Location | : | United States |
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| | Posted : 30 Dec 2010 - 19:44 Post title : Re: Do i have the math right? | | | I am pretty close to deciding to go with the Leatherworks 128 bags.
I am trying to compare the capacity of these bags with the Triumph Saddlebags. My calculations show that they are slightly larger at 22 litres per side.
The problem is I am not sure my math is right as it's been a long time 40 plus years since I did these things. We appear have a great mix of metric an imperial domiciled people here with some crossovers like me (Canadian but spend winters in Palm Desert CA) so I would love someone to check my calculations and tell me if I got it right
Here goes
Triumph bags are 20 litres per side
Leatherworks 128's measure 16 X 12 X 7 or 1344 cubic inches
Converting cubic inches in to litres (factor taken off the web) .0163871
So 1344 X .0163871 = 22.02 Litres
In other words these bags seem to be 10% larger than the Triumph OEM ones.
How do my calculations stack up? I am prepared to accept the humilition if I have made any mistake 
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| Fordster | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 16/10/2009 | | Posts | : | 365 | | Location | : | Calgary, Alberta, Canada |
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| | Posted : 30 Dec 2010 - 20:19 Post title : Re: Do i have the math right? (Re: Birdman) | | | Birdman, your calculations are perfect! The problem is they are slant bags and that will throw the numbers off. Not sure if the length is the overall length or just the length along the top. That will skew the results. Those are nice looking bags. If you get them, let us know what they're like. I'd be interested in a pair.
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| Birdman | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 27/12/2010 | | Posts | : | 135 | | Location | : | United States |
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| | Posted : 30 Dec 2010 - 20:30 Post title : Re: Do i have the math right? (Re: Fordster) | | | Not sure why a slant bag would throw off the volume. They are 16'' at the top and 16 inches at the bottom so as I see the volume would be the same as if it were a straight bag.
It may be more difficult to pack a large object in a slanting bag but it seems to me the volume would be the same.
Have i missed something?
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| Fordster | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 16/10/2009 | | Posts | : | 365 | | Location | : | Calgary, Alberta, Canada |
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| | Posted : 30 Dec 2010 - 21:05 Post title : Re: Do i have the math right? (Re: Birdman) | | | No, your numbers should be good. As long as it's 16" at the top and 16" at the bottom and not 16" OVERALL length (from the front end at the top to the back end at the bottom). I'm not sure how they measure these things but if it's as you describe you'll be fine. Your math is all good.
| | Post edited by Fordster on 30 Dec 2010 - 21:05 |
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| Birdman | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 27/12/2010 | | Posts | : | 135 | | Location | : | United States |
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| | Posted : 30 Dec 2010 - 23:35 Post title : Re: Do i have the math right? (Re: Fordster) | | | I just talked to the people at Leatherworks and they measured the 128 for me, the top was 15.8 and the bottom about 14.5 although the way the bag is shaped means that just above the bottom is a bit bigger than that.
I guess this revises the volume calculations slightly and based on the new measurements I would guess that the volume is about 20 litres which put it on par with the Triumph bags.
There are a few of other things I like about the bags
The long straps can be used to securely strap additional items to the top of the bags
There are bungee loops to help strap things on the rear seat
The bags have handles
You can order with additional pockets which are about 6 X 4 X 2 inches each. (This gives and additional 1.5 litres in total so all in all it's probably still more capacity than the Triumphs)
You have two choices of locks either a simple fixture that you can padlock or key locks
There are lots of ways to customize and add bling to the bags if you want. I am not big on bling but I may go for blue piping on the top if it matches the TBird blue. Leatherworks are mailing me as sample.
The bags are apparently durable and well made. Earlier posts on this board were very favourable on their ability to hold up for the long term.
Anyway I will wait for the piping sample but I think I have found my bags.
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| Birdman | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 27/12/2010 | | Posts | : | 135 | | Location | : | United States |
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| | Posted : 31 Dec 2010 - 04:26 Post title : Re: Do i have the math right? (Re: Birdman) | | | Well things sometimes take a strange turn.
I was set on the Leatherworks and this evening noticed an Ebay auction for brand new Triumph Saddlebags with no reserve and only a couple of hours to go. I thought I would see if I could get lucky and get them cheap
I got them for $299.01 so I will be putting them on Easy Brackets and giving them on a shot.
I figure I be able to sell them for what I paid for them if I don't like them.
Also have a friend who has a plan on how to install locks on the bags so we will see how that goes.
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| Gonzo | | Chaac | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 01/05/2010 | | Posts | : | 643 | | Location | : | Sydney, NSW, Australia |
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| | Posted : 06 Jan 2011 - 01:18 Post title : Re: Do i have the math right? (Re: Birdman) | | | The Triumph bags use those plastic clip/clasps like you see on typical airport luggage.
If you do a quick search on Google for the term "airport lockable luggage strap" you will see a lot of option. Here is one I think looks tidy and slim: Link
With some fancy sewing capabilities, I reckon you could get the Triumph bags to be lockable.
Although I reckon it is a pretty bad omission by Triumph not to have them lockable in the first place. That was the main reason I didn't get them.
Gonzo
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Red XIII
Mods: locking gas cap; ISO-Wings for passenger; engine guards; dresser bars; Arlen Ness LED licence plate holder, rego tube and coloured number plate; long TORs; Pilot highway pegs w/ Magnum clamps; windshield; lower deflectors (customised); ISO grips; HD switch-block; Hardstreet Slimbags (colour matched); Corbin dual tour seat; Luggage rack & bag.
Todo: Various chroming of hand-made parts, Convex mirrors
Wishlist: Mini-ape handlebars, Hard clearcoat over tank
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