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| Lady_Thunderbird | | Set |  |  | | Reg. Date | : | 16/04/2011 | | Posts | : | 5 | | Location | : | Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States |
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| | Posted : 16 Apr 2011 - 02:28 Post title : K-Drive Saddlebags | | | Good evening! Has anyone searched for K-Drive Saddlebags for the Thunderbird? I have them on my America and love them because they are so sturdy and well built. I have done searches online but no luck. 
| Lady TB
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| Linkdog | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 10/02/2011 | | Posts | : | 2,952 | | Location | : | Groveland, FL., United States |
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| | Posted : 16 Apr 2011 - 02:48 Post title : Re: K-Drive Saddlebags (Re: Lady_Thunderbird) | | | Wow a lady on a T bird thats cool,I would love to have the wife on a T bird but she says i'ts too big and heavy anyway welcome to the forum.
| Never drink from a cow with one udder! 2010 1600 Blue&White ( of course ) Long TORS and HP filter.
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| Fordster | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 16/10/2009 | | Posts | : | 365 | | Location | : | Calgary, Alberta, Canada |
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| | Posted : 16 Apr 2011 - 02:59 Post title : Re: K-Drive Saddlebags (Re: Linkdog) | | | Hi Lady Thunderbird, and welcome to the forum. K-Drive's website used to be www.vartex.be but it doesn't seem to be working. I almost bought a pair a few years back when I had my Kawasaki. They look like good saddlebags and I would love to get some for the bird.. let us know if you have any luck!
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| zolti | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 23/03/2010 | | Posts | : | 3,127 | | Location | : | newcastle , United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 16 Apr 2011 - 06:01 Post title : Re: K-Drive Saddlebags (Re: Lady_Thunderbird) | | | welcome lady T 
before windy corner lose its franchise we were there and a lass was test riding the tbird. her and her hubby both had bmw. she loved it too.
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| narsisco_lopez | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 09/09/2010 | | Posts | : | 2,765 | | Location | : | Golden (Showers!), Colorado, United States |
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| | Posted : 16 Apr 2011 - 14:04 Post title : Re: K-Drive Saddlebags (Re: zolti) | | | Welcome LT! IT's nice to have a bit of gender diversity on the site! 
Anyway, you'll find a LOT of us are using Easy Brackets as the best quick-release for pretty much ANY side bag or case on the Thunderbird.
I haven't spotted anyone mentioning K-Drive bags on this forum, but I'm betting if you find a set you like that look like they'll fit on the bike, the Easy Bracket can be used to mount them.
Oh, and post some photos of your bike when you get a chance!
Once again... WELCOME!
| 2012 Storm (SOLD!)
Other Bikes:
2003 Suzuki DRZ400E (plated - my dual sport/mountain trail/camping bike)
Past Bikes:
2012 K13S
2009 KTM 990 Adventure
2010 Triumph Thunderbird 1600 (the Alien Queen)
2009 Triumph Sprint ST (another great bike!)
2007 Kawasaki ZX10R
2000 Kawasaki ZRX1100
1975 Honda SB550T "Clubman"
1981 Kawasaki KZ1000J
1985 Suzuki GS550E
1978 Yamaha 650 Special
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| Buzzo | | Set | | | Reg. Date | : | 20/01/2010 | | Posts | : | 110 | | Location | : | Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
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| | Posted : 16 Apr 2011 - 17:25 Post title : Re: K-Drive Saddlebags (Re: narsisco_lopez) | | | G'day.
I had a set of K-drives on my Rocket. I agree great bags. I kept them when I traded it hoping to fit them to the bird. The mounting brackets can't be bought separately even if they did do a set for it, plus the front of the bag protrudes forward in the middle instead of slanting back from the top. If that makes sense, which means they had to be mounted too far out or too far back on the bike to miss the shockies. I ended up taking the advice here and getting the easy brackets and Slimline bags. They move around a bit more than the K-drives but do the trick.
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| Lady_Thunderbird | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 16/04/2011 | | Posts | : | 5 | | Location | : | Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States |
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| | Posted : 17 Apr 2011 - 21:58 Post title : Re: K-Drive Saddlebags (Re: Buzzo) | | | Thanks for the warm welcome and comments! As most people have pointed out on here the Triumph saddlebags sag but my bike is coming with them installed so I will have to put a sheet of thicker plastic in the lids to stop that annoying sag!
| Lady TB
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| weatherman | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 19/02/2009 | | Posts | : | 232 | | Location | : | Vista, Ca, United States |
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| | Posted : 17 Apr 2011 - 22:52 Post title : Re: K-Drive Saddlebags (Re: Lady_Thunderbird) | | | LT
I noted the sag issue on Pappas bags and thought the same thing. Some stiffer material to back up the top of the covers.
I don't think it would take much and some carefully placed 3M spray adhesive would hold it in place.
| If there's a T-bird in the garage then your either sick, broke or missing the time of your life.
Get out and ride that Bird.
The Tbird arrived June 26, 2009 - Speedy was traded in June for a 2012 Bonnie T100.
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| Goodwin | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 22/03/2011 | | Posts | : | 4 | | Location | : | Lincoln, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 11 May 2011 - 09:12 Post title : Re: K-Drive Saddlebags (Re: Lady_Thunderbird) | | | Hi Lady T
I've just recently joined the forum and just picked up on your question. I purchase a set of K-Drive panniers a couple of months ago after stumbling over their website on the net, and purchased mine through Custom Wizard motorcycles of Sheffield here in England. Just back from a 1300 mile trip round Scotland and they performed perfectly, infact surprisingly after riding through some quite heavy rain everything inside was perfectly dry even though K-Drive do not claim rain resistant. Anyway I've revisited Custom wizards website and K-drive seem to have vanished and a new brand "Cs4" has appeared. As you have gone I've searched the net for www.vartex.be and it does not pop up. Sorry not much help to you, but it does seem strange their website cannot be found.
| Ye olde ploughe boye
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| Lady_Thunderbird | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 16/04/2011 | | Posts | : | 5 | | Location | : | Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States |
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| | Posted : 15 May 2011 - 02:49 Post title : Re: K-Drive Saddlebags (Re: Goodwin) | | | I found the Cs4 site actually but the bike I ended up getting has the Triumph bags on it already. Thanks for the information though I do appreciate it!!
| Lady TB
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| Teglas | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 27/05/2011 | | Posts | : | 26 | | Location | : | Pennant Hills, NSW, Australia |
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| | Posted : 14 Jun 2011 - 13:44 Post title : Re: K-Drive Saddlebags (Re: Lady_Thunderbird) | | | Bought the Cs4 last week from the maker in Belgium and arrived within 7 days. They are K-Drive although the company says they are not related just use the same product.
| Tony - Thunderbird 1600
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| Birdy68 | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 16/07/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,352 | | Location | : | Bad Zurzach, Aargau, Switzerland |
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| | Posted : 14 Jun 2011 - 14:40 Post title : Re: K-Drive Saddlebags (Re: Teglas) | | | Interesting to know - thanks for the heads up Teglas!
Oh - and a warm welcome to you sir!
| Birdy68
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Leave the pork pies for now - get the sausage rolls while they're hot!
 -x-  -x- 
more info at Fuelly.com
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| Buzzo | | Set | | | Reg. Date | : | 20/01/2010 | | Posts | : | 110 | | Location | : | Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
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| | Posted : 15 Jun 2011 - 12:06 Post title : Re: K-Drive Saddlebags (Re: Goodwin) | | | Any photos? I'd like to see how the look fitted.
Cheers
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| Teglas | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 27/05/2011 | | Posts | : | 26 | | Location | : | Pennant Hills, NSW, Australia |
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| | Posted : 18 Jun 2011 - 15:17 Post title : Re: K-Drive Saddlebags (Re: Buzzo) | | | Thanks for the welcome. Getting them fitted at the first service next week so can take pictures then. Will throw up a few of them tomorrow out of the box. They are identical to the k-drive I had on my speedmaster a few years ago.
| Tony - Thunderbird 1600
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| Teglas | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 27/05/2011 | | Posts | : | 26 | | Location | : | Pennant Hills, NSW, Australia |
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| | Posted : 08 Jul 2011 - 08:52 Post title : Re: K-Drive Saddlebags (Re: Lady_Thunderbird) | | | Bit of delay with pix sorry...here you go and bought from Link took less than a week to get!
[IMG] [IMG] [IMG] [IMG] [IMG] [IMG] [IMG] [IMG] [IMG] [IMG]
| Tony - Thunderbird 1600
| | Post edited by Teglas on 08 Jul 2011 - 08:58 |
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| Domino | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 29/08/2010 | | Posts | : | 230 | | Location | : | Portsmouth, Hampshire, United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 08 Jul 2011 - 10:53 Post title : Re: K-Drive Saddlebags (Re: Teglas) | | |
Title:Link> |
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Hey that's the first bike I've seen with a hairy tail! 
Good looking bags and I like the chrome support rail too.
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Best money I ever spent.
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| Teglas | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 27/05/2011 | | Posts | : | 26 | | Location | : | Pennant Hills, NSW, Australia |
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| | Posted : 08 Jul 2011 - 12:13 Post title : Re: K-Drive Saddlebags (Re: Domino) | | | Lol that would be my vicious guard dog sniffing around
| Tony - Thunderbird 1600
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| mat1600 | | Thunderbird | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 06/03/2010 | | Posts | : | 8,596 | | Location | : | Bridlington, Democratic Independant State of Yorkshire, United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 08 Jul 2011 - 12:30 Post title : Re: K-Drive Saddlebags (Re: Teglas) | | |
Teglas wrote:
Lol that would be my vicious guard dog sniffing around |
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and there was me thinking you had gone all Harley on us.
| My first natural instinct is to breathe. My second is to evade tax's.
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| magpie | | Jupiter | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 12/02/2011 | | Posts | : | 1,507 | | Location | : | NSW, Australia |
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| | Posted : 22 Jul 2011 - 10:47 Post title : Re: K-Drive Saddlebags (Re: mat1600) | | |
I had a set of K Drive bags on my Vulcan Classic.....did not leak, sag, easy to lock, remove, loved them.
A mate that has the Vulcan Custom wants a set and rang the dealer that I got mine from, but it
looks like the Australian distributor has gone broke.
Any idea where he might try in the good ole USA .
Magpie
| Magpie - "I dream of a better world.....where chickens can cross the road without having their motives questioned "
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| mmaurice | | Set | | | Reg. Date | : | 23/07/2011 | | Posts | : | 4 | | Location | : | Australia |
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| | Posted : 23 Jul 2011 - 03:55 Post title : Re: K-Drive Saddlebags (Re: Teglas) | | | Teglas, how much Aus$ did they cost mate. I'm thinking of getting some for my 09 T'Bird.
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| Teglas | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 27/05/2011 | | Posts | : | 26 | | Location | : | Pennant Hills, NSW, Australia |
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| | Posted : 24 Jul 2011 - 07:49 Post title : Re: K-Drive Saddlebags (Re: mmaurice) | | | Cost me just under $600 all up including delivery to Oz.
| Tony - Thunderbird 1600
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| Teglas | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 27/05/2011 | | Posts | : | 26 | | Location | : | Pennant Hills, NSW, Australia |
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| | Posted : 24 Jul 2011 - 07:55 Post title : Re: K-Drive Saddlebags (Re: magpie) | | |
magpie wrote:
I had a set of K Drive bags on my Vulcan Classic.....did not leak, sag, easy to lock, remove, loved them.
A mate that has the Vulcan Custom wants a set and rang the dealer that I got mine from, but it
looks like the Australian distributor has gone broke.
Any idea where he might try in the good ole USA .
Magpie
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Magpie see my post a little earlier - no distributor anymore since K-Drive went bust. The brand in my picture is a new company although the product is exactly the same. I provided a link to there website.
| Tony - Thunderbird 1600
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| mmaurice | | Set | | | Reg. Date | : | 23/07/2011 | | Posts | : | 4 | | Location | : | Australia |
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| | Posted : 26 Jul 2011 - 03:44 Post title : Re: K-Drive Saddlebags (Re: Teglas) | | | Thanks for the info Teglas. I've just bought an 09 Thunderbird and need some saddle bags but my local Triumph dealer said the OEM ones are over $1000 AUS and are not easy release but hard mounted. I have emailed Cs4 for more info so hopefully I have the same good experience as yourself. Is there a ph number for these guys or did you do it through email correspondence?
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| Teglas | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 27/05/2011 | | Posts | : | 26 | | Location | : | Pennant Hills, NSW, Australia |
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| | Posted : 27 Jul 2011 - 08:20 Post title : Re: K-Drive Saddlebags (Re: mmaurice) | | |
mmaurice wrote:
Thanks for the info Teglas. I've just bought an 09 Thunderbird and need some saddle bags but my local Triumph dealer said the OEM ones are over $1000 AUS and are not easy release but hard mounted. I have emailed Cs4 for more info so hopefully I have the same good experience as yourself. Is there a ph number for these guys or did you do it through email correspondence? |
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I went through email, very quick to reply. They are based in Belgium same as K-Drive. If you are in Sydney happy to show you although if you have seen K-Drive on bikes they are the same manufacturer just the badge on the front changed from K-Drive to Cs4
| Tony - Thunderbird 1600
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| mmaurice | | Set | | | Reg. Date | : | 23/07/2011 | | Posts | : | 4 | | Location | : | Australia |
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| | Posted : 30 Jul 2011 - 10:20 Post title : Re: K-Drive Saddlebags (Re: Teglas) | | | Thanks mate. I got to them and they have already sent them. Thanks for the heads up. On another note is there a group of T'Bird riders from NSW that go on rides, if so I wouldn't mind catching up for a ride.
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| Teglas | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 27/05/2011 | | Posts | : | 26 | | Location | : | Pennant Hills, NSW, Australia |
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| | Posted : 30 Jul 2011 - 12:50 Post title : Re: K-Drive Saddlebags (Re: mmaurice) | | | Lots of T-Bird riders plus other models here. Link
We run regular rides and weekends - next big Trumpy run is Port Macquarie weekend 19-21 August otherwise a few runs next weekend for charity.
Sign up on the forums say hello!!!
| Tony - Thunderbird 1600
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| mmaurice | | Set | | | Reg. Date | : | 23/07/2011 | | Posts | : | 4 | | Location | : | Australia |
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| | Posted : 31 Jul 2011 - 08:58 Post title : Re: K-Drive Saddlebags (Re: Teglas) | | | Thanks. I'm currently in Africa working and wont be home until September. I'll have a look then. Once again thanks for the info.
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| Dougl | | Chaac | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 13/07/2012 | | Posts | : | 544 | | Location | : | Reno, Nevada, United States |
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| | Posted : 19 Jul 2013 - 19:46 Post title : Re: K-Drive Saddlebags (Re: Teglas) | | | Just to note that the Cs4 mounting brackets won't fit with QR backrest. I bought the Cs4 33i bags (51 liters) without the Cs4 mounting hardware and used EZ Brackets to mount them.
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| AleXL4 | | Chaac | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 17/09/2012 | | Posts | : | 571 | | Location | : | Gympie, Queensland, Australia |
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| | Posted : 20 Jul 2013 - 00:36 Post title : Re: K-Drive Saddlebags (Re: Dougl) | | | Just add a flat stainless steel bar to the K-Drive or Cs4 bag mounts to keep the removeable Triumph Sissy-bar.
This originally was on my Speedmaster.
Alex 
| Enjoying the Journey
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| Dougl | | Chaac | | | | Reg. Date | : | 13/07/2012 | | Posts | : | 544 | | Location | : | Reno, Nevada, United States |
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| | Posted : 20 Jul 2013 - 04:58 Post title : Re: K-Drive Saddlebags (Re: AleXL4) | | |
AleXL4 wrote:
Just add a flat stainless steel bar to the K-Drive or Cs4 bag mounts to keep the removeable Triumph Sissy-bar.
This originally was on my Speedmaster.
Alex
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Nice.
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