Do "throwover" style saddlebags work OK?

[macx]

Any opinions from experience if the "throwover" style bags work on these bikes?
Don't want or need anything really huge - that sticks way out (real "deep"), looking
for something maybe 6" deep + or -. Also would want something that comes off easy
for just shorter rides.

Have seen some that either have a pair of straps, or a wide band, that goes either
over or under the seat (generically speaking) -

Here's just an example
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 0083257560

just wondering if this type of setup works OK on these bikes, and if it works to put something
like that band under the pass seat? Or would the style with just 2 narrow straps work better for
under the seat? I don't often have a passenger, but will sometimes when I also would want to
use them so would have to put the straps or band under the pass seat if that works.

Thanks!!

[Biff's R]

THe thing that you have to be careful with is the muffler. I have seen a few people with that style of bags, but the system cases are the way to go in my opinion. They hold a good bit of gear, are waterproof, they can be taken off in about 5 seconds, and lock securely to your bike.

[Ves]

I took the muffler off and used the Nelson Rigg semi-soft bags:



I used them with and without the hard case rails. Having the hard case rails works better because it allows you to spread the bags out, mount them higher, keep them off your bodywork, and gives you some tie-off points.

[dmk]

I've got a pair of RKA soft bags. I love them, but you do need to be careful about the muffler. I just use a few bungy cords and have had no problems on a 3k trip.

http://www.rka-luggage.com/A08%20BMW/R1100R/R1100R.html

[macx]

Those RKA bags are the type I've been looking at -
those basic measurements would seem to work after
measuring the clearances esp. above the muffler.

Thanks - always nice to hear positive experiences
from folks who have actually used something b-4
prying out those long green rectangles and then
maybe finding out you just wasted your $!!

http://www.cbxmanmotorcycles.com/Nelson ... ebags.aspx

Those are some I've been looking at, and there's some inexpensive ones on ebay
right now that are just a slight bit bigger.

Being I wouldn't be using them to hold gear for long trips, these would be plenty big to hold
just a jacket, gloves, and my cover (awfully dusty where I work).

I would tend to think after measuring that these would clear the exhaust without much problem.

Thanks for the info!!

[macx]

[quote="Ves"]I took the muffler off and used the Nelson Rigg semi-soft bags:



I'm not a really long trip rider so don't need anything really big.

Anyway, how does your bike run without the muffler? Any noticeable change in
low/midrange torque etc? Some folks say the system has to have backpressure
to function properly at lower rpms. Also, how's the sound & how loud?

Just curious. I'm an old hot rodder and always interested in tweaks

[Ves]

Anyway, how does your bike run without the muffler? Any noticeable change in
low/midrange torque etc? Some folks say the system has to have backpressure
to function properly at lower rpms. Also, how's the sound & how loud?

Just curious. I'm an old hot rodder and always interested in tweaks

This subject has definitely been covered already... but, just sounds better (sounded: cause I don't have that one any more... ) Still plenty of back pressure from the catalytic converter. I have hard cases on the new one... so don't need to take the muffler off... still debating about it...

[tkm]

I too use the small version of RKA bags and have for the last 56000 miles. They come on and off in minutes are expandable and I have never had any clearance issues with anything. One reason I don't like using hard bags is that as a commuter in Ca traffic I often split lanes and system bags are just too wide for comfort.......TKm