| Author | Message | ||
     Jim_h |
I'm thinking about getting the Buell saddlebags for my XB12s from Dave at Appletons. I don't go on long trips but it would be handy to have some storage space particular commuting to work. Does anyone have experience with them? I would particularly like to see some pictures of them installed on a bike. I searched this forum and the Buell page and haven't got alot of information. Thanks in advance. Jim H  | ||
| Doon |
I just grab a set from Dave Last week. I haven't installed them yet. I also got the Trunk bag. They seem to be pretty nice. I got them in preperation for a longer trip that I will be going on towards the end of summer | ||
| Altima02 |
I have some generic sportbike saddlebags. They are bigger than those and probably cheaper. They work very well! But I think those look better, | ||
| Brineusaf |
 I have the tankbag,and the normal tail bag as well. The bags hold up great, they are very sturdy, and maintain their shape when empty. They maintain their shape and don't flop around when doing 80+ when they are empty either. If you want more pictures of different angles ect just let me know. | ||
| Brineusaf |
 Here's another angle. Ignore my tires... just put new ones on today. | ||
| Luckydevil |
the bags are great. i only have one small issue, the instructions show the last strap is shown as going under the seat/over the frame. now maybe it's an scg issue, but the location of the last strap will lift up the tail end of the seat because the buckle wont fit past the frame. so i go over the top. not as clean as i'd like, but still they rock. Now all i have to do is make a bracket for the front of the bags, so i can take the passenger pegs off altogether, since they really do block access anyway. | ||
| Speedfreaks101 |
If you have a chopped tail (I do) it will be a bit of a pain to set the bags up. I have them and have mixed emotions about them. They are on the small side and I would suggest getting the trunk bag also if you plan on taking trips. If you just want saddlebags and no tail bag I would look at the Tour Master/Cortech Sport Saddle Bag. They have multiple compartments where the Buell only has one. They are a little larger and still look very good & they come with panniers. One place that they are much better than the Buell bags are that they have neoprene on the inside of the bags so they do not scratch up your side rails (the metal under the sides of your seat). later, Bart | ||
| Ctyxrnr |
two words ---- LOVE THEM!!!!!!!!!! | ||
| Jim_h |
Thanks for the information everyone. The bags are a little small but I think they would be fine for my needs. I have a chopped tail and I was worried if I would have a problem with the relocated turn signals. From the looks of Brineusaf's pictures it may be alright. Brineusaf: Thanks for the pictures. Any chance of getting a closer view of your 2nd picture, preferable w/o the tail bag. Speedfreaks101: How did the chopped tail complicate the installation? - It doesn'tlook like any of the straps attach to that part of the bike. Thanks again, Jim H | ||
| Jim_h |
Forgot one thing . . . Brineusaf: what kind of bike stands are those in the picture? How much? Stands seem unreasonably expensive, I've been thinking of trying to make my own. Jim H | ||
| Beachbuell |
I have a set of the Buell bags for my 12R Firebolt, they are great "little" bags. I've been from FT. Lauderdale to Daytona and back and they held up great/very sturdy at highway speeds fully loaded. I've also driven around town with them and they hold up even when empty, no flopping around. They are not huge bags, but you can get a few things in em, just use the expandable feature. Good design as far as install and mounting on the R model. They do tend to rub a little om my tail section, but nothing major. | ||
| Speedfreaks101 |
Jim_h: Go to the very last post I made in this old thread http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/32777/199527.html | ||
| Ksteig |
http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/32777/192798.html | ||
| Jim_h |
Good info and threads - my searches didn't find any of that. My relocated turn signals are slightly lower and forward of the original location. I think they will fit in the cut-outs in the bags, but if not I'll get shorter ones I forgot one last question: Are the bags reasonably water resistant? Thanks Jim H | ||
| Firebolteric_ma |
i have the Tour Master/Cortech bags..seat/tank/saddlebags. they are THE BEST i have tried to date. i had some buell saddlebags and they broke soon after installing them. i was very mad that i paid so much for crap. i WOULD NOT recomend them for anything. CHEAPLY MADE!!! i have used the cortech's now numerous times w/ absolutely no problems. | ||
| Bodyshot1 |
will these work on an Ss? | ||
| Firebolteric_ma |
i would think so..they are universal fit..mine are on xb12r. but i cant say for sure on the Ss version. maybe someone will chime in on this. | ||
| Brineusaf |
        I don't know what someone was talking about, my directions show the middle strap (as pictured) going underneath the tail. I keep the top 2 straps connected at all times, and for installation/removal I just undo the bottom strap and slide them off. Note- I removed my passenger mounts and just double the straps back on themselves. They aren't long enough to hit anything, and aren't going anywhere. The only problem I've had with any of the buell bags is the little zipper pull cord breaking off, which doesn't matter because you still have the zipper there. And yes, they are relatively waterproof, but I would recommend placing valuable or all items in a water-tight bag. | ||
| Jim_h |
Thanks Brineusaf this is very helpful. Hope you didn't go to too much trouble for the pictures. | ||
| Brineusaf |
Nah... just swapped out the seat and grabbed the bags from the shelf. As long as it helps you it wasn't a waste. Good luck. | ||
| Luckydevil |
Brineusaf, I have mine set up the same as your pics, but the last strap (Rear-most) on your clears under the seat and over the frame. My "buckle strap" on the left of the bike is definitely not as long as yours in the pics. (strap envy) The "buckle" that the velcro threads through winds up resting between the bottom of the seat and the upper inside edge of the frame. If I tighten them up enough to get the buckle clear of the seatpan, the turn signal dents wind up WAY too high for the turnsignals. like three inches. Clearly, not a prob with yours. Maybe i got a set made on a friday... at the end of the webbing roll. Also, nice idea about the passenger mounts, i take it you don't get much/any flopping? | ||
| Brineusaf |
lucky - ah, could be worse; you could have a short.. alright, well.... no i don't have much flop or slop when at upper MPH. They fit very secure (on my bike), and I will be using them next weekend to carry some extra fuel in. I'll let you know if this thread stays alive how they held up to being used more maybe a lil' more than their intended 7lbs, or close to it. Also to consider would be to remove the PAX mounts and replace them with bolts with a D-ring on them. So you could secure your helmet, or you saddle bags. As you can see from the pics I just placed anchors there, my helmet d-rings fit snugly over them. But if you were to fashion a D-ring on there somehow it might turn out to be very resourceful. | ||
| Luckydevil |
or just a longish eye bolt....hmmm really good idea. Kudos 2 U Brineusaf. | ||
| Doon |
Lucky and Brine, /me is off to the hardware store to look for an eyebolt. I have removed the passenger pegs on my XB, and was going to put them back on when I used the bags, Didn't think about any eyebolt or dclamp to attach to. thanks... | ||
| Brineusaf |
ah.. an eye bolt, good one. See all we have to do is work together. Good ideas! | ||
| Rhun |
I have the bags on my SX. You have to play around with the rear buckle to keep it from lifting the seat. I think the advantage to running all the straps and buckles under the seat is to retard theft. The zippers are a little weak but tend to heal themselves the first many times. Don't frequently over-stuff though. Spray the zippers with silicon spray occasionally to keep them working better. |
