| Author | Message | ||
     Garrett1998s1 |
If I bought an S3 without bags can they be added easily? Are they hard to find? | ||
| Ocbueller |
Keep an eye on ebay for bags and brackets they show up once in a while. Easily added and are around $500. Some guys have had success adapting some aftermarket bags with some fabrication. SteveH | ||
| Sloppy |
I'd recommend staying away from the bags. They break at the back mount and at the latch. While the back mount can be rebuilt, if you break the latch you have to drill holes in the saddle bag to open them and thus destroy them. BMW or Concours quality they are not. Use aftermarket. | ||
| Lake_bueller |
I disagree with Sloppy. My S3T is 9 yrs old and the bags are still great. The key is to make sure that you put them on carefully. And also don't overload them. The only time mine come off the bike is to change the rear tire. | ||
| Jreichner |
I have had issues with my bags. I am on my second set of inners but I do know that there has been input from other members that have re-glassed the bags as well as turned the bumper into a fourth mount point. I have yet to do the re-glassing to repair the bags. I understand mounting and not overloading is important but I had my last set installed by the dealer and they still cracked. The most stuff I would carry in the bags may be some clothes or my rain gear. Anyway...I will get them repaired soon... | ||
| Scott_in_nh |
I originally thought I was looking for an S3 with hardbags, and then I met my bike. It looks so sweet - something between a sport tourer and a cafe' racer, that I could never put hard bags on it! Pocket the extra money and get some really nice soft bags for when you really need them, otherwise I use a backpack that also straps nicely to the tale and is big enough to get me through a weekend if I don't need a tent (and it has a rain cover that works!).   | ||
| M2statz |
I got S3 bags from a fellow Badweber. Bags and brackets but no hardware. I tried to fab something but to no success. My wife suggested corner or L brackets from K-Mart for $3.99 for the 2in.(I hate it when she is right) Works like a dream and I love my set up!! Happy Buelling!! M2statz | ||
| Sloppy |
I used my S3T bags for about 5 years (I'm an all weather, year round rider) before they broke on me -- BE VERY CAREFULL of the locking latch handle (it's not the inner latch). There is a pin on the handle that will break. This pin engages the lock release on your bags -- when this breaks due to cold working (it's only supported by one end) you will need to cut holes in your bag in order to remove them... and if you're out touring you will likely not have a drill with you... It is very simple to inspect and replace this part frequently. But it's not a question of if, it's when... (Message edited by sloppy on September 10, 2007) | ||
| Krash |
So once you drill the rivets to get into the bag, can you replace the rivets with bolts? I've had one bag latch broken for about a year but I haven't messed with it because the other side gives me enough room for what I carry and I figure it would look pretty messed up with just one bag on it. | ||
| Duckbuell |
Hi Garrett, I also wanted to put factory hard bags on my S3 so my wife and I could carry a decent amount of luggage on longer trips. But new from the dealer they are super expensive, and hard to find used. I ended up with a Ventura Rack and Europack. I like the ventura rack for the following reasons: 1. No soft saddle bags to rub on the rear tail piece. 2. No saddle bag straps to fiddle with. 3. No worries that saddle bags will get chaffed by the rear tire. 4. My wife does not have to sit on saddle bag straps. 5. Easy top-loading and easy removal from the bike. 6. It held a lot of bulky items. I also installed the biggest tank bag I could find - to carry heavy items like food. We were able to load the S3 with enough gear for two people to go camping. PS: I sent out for a custom touring seat from Rick Mayer Saddles, the saddle is the single best investment I have ever made to any motorcycle! Cheers, Patrice.    | ||
| Dfbutler |
The one thing no one seems to mention about the cracking of the inner liners is that they were never designed to hold the weight of the bike when it is dropped. IMHO anyone that says they've never dropped their bike, has never moved it. | ||
| Slaughter |
I'm just day one into looking for the tubular bag mounting hardware. I'm going to mod them to accept Pelican boxes since they're UGLY but lifetime warranteed and totally weathertight. I'm seeing if I can still order New, Old Stock mounting tube for the rear. | ||
| Bad_karma |
Yes they can be added easily. A little pricey. If adjusted properly you shouldn't have problems with them. Joe |
