I posted this review of my new saddlebags on Cycleforums but I thought I would post it here too :)
At the same sale mentioned in my review of the Teknic Spider, I picked up some Givi soft saddlebags to help with my school commute. They are trim and are not any wider than my drag bar and that is why they appealed to me. They do also expand in case I need more luggage space. Rain covers are included however it looks like they are larger so they fit on when the bags are fully loaded and expanded. They have some nice Scotchlite trigangles on the rear side to help in our neverending quest to be seen by other drivers.
Two bungee cords are included to secure the bags but my bike doesn't really have many spots to run the cord so it stays tight. To improvise (rig :lol:) I used zip ties (wire ties, whatever) to secure the lower mounting loops to my bike. The bags are quite secure on the bike and with the ties, I'm not as concerned someone will walk off with them.
They look big enough that I should be able to fit some overnight things if I wanted to ride instead of drive home for a day. I know for sure they'll do the job of transporting my lunch and other random school things very well. I still use a backpack so these will supplement that by carrying my rain gear, sweatshirt, lunch, towel, and other cheap things that I bring to school. They don't lock so I'm not going to leave my $100 Unigraphics book in them.
Two shoulder straps are included so both bags can be carried if you take them off the bike.
I know I'll get a lot of use out of these and I'm happy that they look nice on the bike. :thumb:
(http://dev.swforums.com/Images/70%20Cam%20Guy/latest%20side%20shot.jpg)
(http://dev.swforums.com/Images/70%20Cam%20Guy/front%20shot.jpg)
(http://dev.swforums.com/Images/70%20Cam%20Guy/rear%20bags.jpg)
(http://dev.swforums.com/Images/70%20Cam%20Guy/rear%20bags%20exp.jpg)
Looks good. I might buy those myself.
Good-looking bags there man. How much did they set you back? Have you gotten a chance to test the water-resistance of the rain covers yet? I'd be interested in hearing an update after a few hundred miles...
As far as locks for tank/saddle bags go, Roadwired makes these neat little luggage locks that you might consider giving a try. The key looks like a hotel/credit card and fits in your wallet. I would guess they work best with a dual-zipper bag. These probably won't give you Fort Knox levels of security, but better than nothing, right?
http://www.ebags.com/product_detail/index.cfm?modelID=8810&sourceid=COMJ0001&AID=10293324&PID=1412752
I'm definitely investing in these when i decide on a tank bag.
I'd like more info on those bags as well, please. :cheers:
I don't know where 70 Cam Guy got his saddlebags, but here is one source:
Givi T431 Arrow Saddlebags @ The Arizona Motorsports Group (http://store.azmusa.com/t4arsad.html).
$125.55 seems like a decent price to me....
To check out their full line of Givi soft luggage, go to http://store.azmusa.com/azmotorsports/givsoflug.html.
is that the F-18 windshield from NC?
Quote from: KerryI don't know where 70 Cam Guy got his saddlebags, but here is one source:
Givi T431 Arrow Saddlebags @ The Arizona Motorsports Group.
$125.55 seems like a decent price to me....
To check out their full line of Givi soft luggage, go to http://store.azmusa.com/azmotorsports/givsoflug.html.
I got them at a local store called Road Rider and I did pay 125.95 for them.
It rained here this week so I thought I'd update my review. Using the covers included with the bags, they stayed totally dry. The covers are a little big because they are made to also fit over the bags when they are expanded but they didn't fly off in the wind and I never had a problem with the exhaust.
It is true what the salesman said about saddlebags though--they spoil you :)
Yes, that is the F18 screen from National Cycle. I like it and it works alright for the wind but I am 5'8" so take that into account. I think it looks pretty good and isn't super big so it doesn't grab attention away from the rest of the bike.
Those look great Andy, Sandra and I both will buy a set like yours for our weekend-trips and vacations.