Saddlebag recommendations?

[Singular]

I need some spacious, cheap, saddlebags for my 2007 M50...I commute on this bike, and need to carry a:

1) 11x10x2 Laptop
2) Gym shoes, shirt, pants

Can anyone recommend, from experience, some brackets and bags that would fit these specs...soft bags are fine, but I'd like to keep it cheap <$200 for the entire kit....

any ideas?

[WARainMan]

I really like my saddlebags. But they are more than you want to spend. Another option is a tail bag. It holds my laptop and additional gear/clothing very well. Plus, at my destination, I just unhook it, clip on the shoulder strap and carry it in to work. Just a thought. Check out the photo.

Saddlebags: K-Drive Click & Lock Saddlebag System
Tail Bag: Nelson-Rigg Expandable Sport Tail Pack - Chaparral Motorsports

[Singular]

I like that Tailbag...do I need any additional mounting gear to get that thing to sit securely?? If not, I'll order it today!

[Jammer]

Originally Posted by Singular

I need some spacious, cheap, saddlebags for my 2007 M50...I commute on this bike, and need to carry a:

1) 11x10x2 Laptop
2) Gym shoes, shirt, pants

Can anyone recommend, from experience, some brackets and bags that would fit these specs...soft bags are fine, but I'd like to keep it cheap <$200 for the entire kit....

any ideas?

That's not alot of stuff. You could even put it in a backpack. One thing though. In cruisers I see guys that get bags that just don't fit their bike. They look bulky or out of place. I would search also for ones that are fit to your bike. Just my opinion.

[droopy170]

I have some for sale here. http://www.motorcycle-journal.com/fo...gs-guards.html


Droopy

[Nico]

+1 for the tail bag.

I have the Dowco Iron Rider Overnight tail bag ($70) and I really love it. It's modern but not too flashy or oversized to throw off the look of the M50. DowCo makes an actual laptop bag ($90) and it's part of the Iron Rider system to connect with the Overnight Bag.
They are well made and pretty weatherproof alone (has a rain fly for 100%), and the system connects together well with intregal clips that hide in zippers (it comes with a ton of extra straps and a shoulder strap too). My bag will fit a standard sized hardhat, (just fits my 3/4 helmet) clipboard, sandwich and digital camera with room for small extras if I pack it right. It's a soft-side bag with internal supports to keep it's shape.
If you know how to really pack gear you might be able to get away with the roll bag (decent size, $40) and the laptop case.

DOWCO: Motorcycles

[WARainMan]

Originally Posted by Singular

I like that Tailbag...do I need any additional mounting gear to get that thing to sit securely?? If not, I'll order it today!

It has four bungie hooks and takes about 5 seconds to secure. Plus it expands in case you want to carry additional gear.

[tallannie]

sounds like you got your answer.....but I would advise caution with Willie and MAx bags if you are considering their lower cost items at all. Every chrome buckle and part on my 2 month old $200 set is turning rusty brown... *sigh*.

[saabe1]

For your price range..
I went with this set-up
Jumbo Saddleman Slant Crusin
Saddlemen Cruis'n Slant Saddlebags > Luggage & Bags > Street > SandhillsPowersports.com
With supports from Oneida
SADDLEBAG SUPPORTS M50 2005 :: Boulevard M50 :: Cruisers :: Oneida Suzuki Inc

I like the look of the bags. But, they are probably not the best quality (get what you pay for). No lock and just velcro. But, I took that into consideration when I bought them. Might be tight for the laptop but should fit diagonal.
See this link for pictures of a similar set-up
http://www.motorcycle-journal.com/fo...ight=saddleman

[matt h]

I'm more than happy with the tourmaster bags I have on my bike. I'm not sure the exact cost, since i had them throw them in when I purchased my bike. I use my bike primarily for comuting and have no problems taking my laptop and gym cloths. I wouldn't go cross country with them, but I have lived out of them on a couple day trip.

Matt

[Singular]

Originally Posted by WARainMan

It has four bungie hooks and takes about 5 seconds to secure. Plus it expands in case you want to carry additional gear.

Just got it...so far so good, though Im worried about the tightness of the bungie cords...I've got them hooked to the passenger foot pegs, and the rear signals, and they seem a bit loose....is there any way to tighten them, or did you find a better place to hook them on?

[WARainMan]

Originally Posted by Singular

Just got it...so far so good, though Im worried about the tightness of the bungie cords...I've got them hooked to the passenger foot pegs, and the rear signals, and they seem a bit loose....is there any way to tighten them, or did you find a better place to hook them on?

I hook them to the bottom of the license plate frame. If they are still a little loose, you can slide the bag forward a bit. Should work fine. Hope you like the bag. I like mine.