Question for owners of FirstGear Onyx saddlebags

[MarTeeNez]

I haven't used luggage before, but like the FirstGear Onyx bags.  Did you have to use a rack? I'm assuming so. Can you please post photos of the exhaust side so I could see the clearance?  Any installation advice? 
Thanks!
Julie

[zirconx]

Here are some pics of those bags on my bike from an earlier thread: http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=55453.msg627805#msg627805

I haven't ridden with them yet but they look like they will work fine. I haven't figured out lower mounting points for them yet.

[MarTeeNez]

Thanks! Doesn't look like there's much clearance above the the muffler. Is it more than an inch? I'm thinking maybe I'll get a tail bag or seat bag next until I'm sure I can do Saddles. The tank bag handles rain suit & basic stuff. But I'd like room for my gym stuff when commuting, or overnight bag for short weekend trips. Eventually I'll want all bags for week long trips. I'm not up to that yet...

What are your options for mount points? Maybe I can help.

[zirconx]

I don't remember how much room there was above the muffler, but I remember thinking it was enough. Might sag more when they are loaded up though. But the straps up top can be cinched to make the bags sit higher.

I don't remember the mount point options either... only fitted the bags for a few minutes to test them out. I think I'll run one strap under the back tail or license plate area, then maybe connect the front parts of the bags to the passenger pegs somehow.

[zirconx]

Thanks! Doesn't look like there's much clearance above the the muffler. Is it more than an inch? I'm thinking maybe I'll get a tail bag or seat bag next until I'm sure I can do Saddles. The tank bag handles rain suit & basic stuff. But I'd like room for my gym stuff when commuting, or overnight bag for short weekend trips. Eventually I'll want all bags for week long trips. I'm not up to that yet...

What are your options for mount points? Maybe I can help.

I had to mess with it quite a bit, but in the end they sit plenty high off the pipe.

[NickyNumbers]

how are these bags in the rain? 


Thanks

[zirconx]

how are these bags in the rain? 

Thanks

I don't know, I haven't used them in the rain. They come with nice thick rain covers, but in a huge down pour I'm sure they will get wet. The rain covers cover everything but the inside that touches the bike. So water could run down off the bike and onto the bags on that inside wall.

[MarTeeNez]

Thanks for posting the pic!  They are nice and high.  So the bungees were the way you got kept them from flopping around?  And you tightened the strap under the seat to get them higher?  Just curious where the bungees attach on the frame.

I got a tail bag that uses the bungee hooks on the frame, did you have to use those?  I can sort of fit two bungees on each hook, but it depends on the angle. 

Looks like you're ready for a road trip!