Soft Luggage For R1200R

[sky_sailor]

I'm wondering what "soft" luggage looks/works good/well with the R? I have a medium motofitz (sp?) seat bag. I'm thinking about a pair of Wolfman saddle bags. No reason they work really well with the R. Thoughts?
Lyle

[lewellen]

I'm wondering what "soft" luggage looks/works good/well with the R? I have a medium motofitz (sp?) seat bag. I'm thinking about a pair of Wolfman saddle bags. No reason they work really well with the R. Thoughts?
Lyle

I'm not familiar with Wolfman bags, but I've heard good things about them.

Main thing, I'd think, is clearance to the exhaust pipe. I'd go for at least two inches of clearance, if you can get it.

Good roads,

- Lewellen

[BigEasy]

I've not been too into any soft saddle bags on the R12 for a couple of reasons: I've got hard bags if I need them, scared of scratching side cover paint. But I found a bag recently that I'm thinking is going to work well for trips where I don't need the hard bags. Check out the Wolfman Mini Beta. I bought it because I think there is going to be a fly and ride bike purchase in my near future and thought it would be a versatile solution for unkown tie down points on a new bike.

I threw it on the R12 just to get a size idea and if fits great. Tie it down to the passenger pegs and wrap it under the tail light. MIght be worth a look for you.

[Mark_1]

I just bought a set of Fastrax saddlebags from the Modesto BMW dealership. Have not used them yet, other than riding home empty, but they seem to be will built and have lots of features (including a 4" inch expandable drop down section). The Fastrax may be a little smaller than the Wolfman bags, but the Fastrax do not need a frame. The Fastrax did not have an issue with pipe clearance.

There is a really good price on amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Dowco-Fastrax-Sad ... B003CJHH3Y

Will try and post some pictures on the R this weekend.

Mark_1

[rockbottom]

I've got hard bags if I need them, scared of scratching side cover paint...

I've found that rubbing compound from an auto parts store does a very good job of taking out scuffs and minor scratches on mine.

[deilenberger]

I've got hard bags if I need them, scared of scratching side cover paint...

I've found that rubbing compound from an auto parts store does a very good job of taking out scuffs and minor scratches on mine.

Ouch! I hope you mean "polishing" compound. Rubbing is way course and will remove paint. 3M makes a series of products that are excellent - you can bring back the factory shine with no paint damage.

[rockbottom]

This is what I have, and it seems to work well.

[mogu83]

Ouch! I hope you mean "polishing" compound. Rubbing is way course and will remove paint. 3M makes a series of products that are excellent - you can bring back the factory shine with no paint damage.

That was my initial thought also. Rubbing Compound was the orange stuff that took a good bite out of the finish and Polishing compoud was the white stuff you used to bring the surface to a high shine.
Seems like times and names change.

[DeltaDagger]

I used these on my last trip. Ran the straps under the seat. No need for rubbing compound or scratch removal. Granted they are not some high dollar Euro brand, but they worked great.

http://www.tourmaster.com/xcart/product ... 149&cat=31

[sky_sailor]

I used these on my last trip. Ran the straps under the seat. No need for rubbing compound or scratch removal. Granted they are not some high dollar Euro brand, but they worked great.

http://www.tourmaster.com/xcart/product ... 149&cat=31

BINGO....that's exactly the way I intend to go! Plus, some protection in the event of a parking lot tip over!

[boxermoose]

Before a big trip I've put clear 3m no-adhesive viny) on areas where luggage and tank bags ride - after the trip peel it off and the surface is pristine underneath

[Sander Abernathy]

I just upgraded from a set of Wolfman bags to BMW hardbags. I am referring to these: http://www.wolfmanluggage.com/Saddle/su ... _bags.html

I found the Wolfman's are well made. They are also easy to put on or take off. You just lay them over the seat, connect one strap at the rear of the bike that runs under the taillight and one strap on each sides that connects to passenger footpeg bracket and away you go.

The downsides are that they are a bit small and not waterproof.

The size bothered me because it was a bit of a stretch to get my 15" laptop into the bags when the laptop was in a 20 liter Kriega bag. The fact they weren't waterproof bothered me because (surprise) things got wet. They come with rain covers which I never carried or used but I still have them. In my view the things should have been laminated to make them highly water resistant if not completely water proof. If the laptop wasn't a problem I probably would have saved myself the $989 it cost to get the BMW saddlebags. (By the way, are they just trying to insult us by charging extra for the locks and reflectors?).

Anther potential downside is that they have two wide straps that run over the seat in the passenger area and there is a plastic piece used to adjust the straps for a wider or narrower bike. The straps are too wide to fit under the seat of an R1200R and I'm not sure how much a passenger would enjoy sitting on them. It would probably be fine for short trips and not so good for a longer trip.

You are welcome to purchase them for $80US plus shipping and handling. Retail is $159.99. If you have an interest, google me to get my contact information and send me an email.

Mine probably aren't in like new condition but they are pretty close to it (95% ++). They don't show wear, they aren't dirty and they function as well as the day I got them. They have less than 2,000 miles on them and I don't know of any flaws or blemishes on them. I can send pictures if you like. I did trim the straps to allow only a few inches extra when they are attached to an R1200R with a BMW Comfort Seat.

[sky_sailor]

Or, you could have bought an Acer Aspire wee laptop for 200$ and it'll fit in a large freezer bag.
PM sent on your used Wolfman bags.
Lyle