Touring additions - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

Blacke Shepe · 01-18-2008, 12:55 PM

I need to take a few things back and forth to work with me, and I wanted to be able to store my helmet securely on the bike when I'm not riding.

I ordered side bags from Mutazu and a top box from Cruiser Backrest. I see now that if I'd waited, I could have gotten a top box that matches better from Mutazu (they didn't have them up when I ordered mine a few weeks ago)

I already had a sport shield from Memphis Shades.

so here is my Mistress (My wife named her, and it fits) before and after I enhanced her curves.

I also bought ghost brackets for it (I don't remember the website) which actually cost more than the sidebags. I didn't count on the 2" they would add to my width on each side, but they're still just narrower than my handlebars, something important if I'm cutting traffic at a stoplight.

mechanical work time was around 6 hours (actually probably longer, my children and wife "helped")

I wired the hard-bags into the running lights, and the top box into the break light. If you want to do something similar, I highly suggest that you take the ground for the lights off of the chassis, when I took the ground from the wire harness, I got some feedback from the right turn signal that made the lights blink opposite the turn signal (no, I didn't like my left running light blinking with my right turn signal) but going to chassis ground fixed that.
Also, the running lights are polarity sensitive, so when I hooked it up, one side worked, the other didn't, until I switched polarities (makes sense since the lights are just fancy diodes). I don't know about the break light, I've never had any problem with it's connection.

Now if I had only gone through a supplier that did a one-key system, I'd be great!

Uncle B · 01-19-2008, 09:48 PM

ok

4dtvman · 01-20-2008, 07:28 AM

I think it would of been easier just to buy a C50T

ruffshod67 · 01-20-2008, 01:00 PM

I like it.I've set mine up similar.I would have bought a c-50t if they would have had mag wheels.I like the option to plug a flat out on the road.

digitalbroccoli · 01-20-2008, 02:47 PM

I've not been more dissapointed in a mod than I was on the mutazu bags. I know they're cheap, but I felt like I was going to break mine every time I open or closed the lids. Took em off, and I'm running leather(ish) bags now. Much better.

Good luck with them.

Overall, I hate it. I hope it works out for you, but I think it looks just awful on the M.

Blacke Shepe · 01-20-2008, 04:41 PM

I don't like the top box, but it's functional. I would have gone for a tourer, but this deal was good, and I saved over a grand after buying all the accessories. Everything except the rack comes off in under 15 minutes, and I can actually store my helmet. It's nice to have a place to store my leathers and gloves, too.

SNAFU · 01-20-2008, 06:05 PM

Any of you guys use a tail bag or recommend a type? I was looking at this Joe Rocket bag.

4dtvman · 01-20-2008, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ruffshod67

I like it.I've set mine up similar.I would have bought a c-50t if they would have had mag wheels.I like the option to plug a flat out on the road.

http://www.suzukicycles.com/Products...8/Default.aspx

Didn't look hard enough

digitalbroccoli · 01-20-2008, 07:34 PM

why not simply use a helmet lock, and bigger bags? Going with tiny bags and having to add the huge trunk is an odd route to go.

I figure if I can't use a helmet lock, I probably shouldn't be parking in that neighborhood anyway.

Blacke Shepe · 01-20-2008, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by digitalbroccoli

why not simply use a helmet lock, and bigger bags? Going with tiny bags and having to add the huge trunk is an odd route to go.

I figure if I can't use a helmet lock, I probably shouldn't be parking in that neighborhood anyway.

um, bags cover the helmet lock
d-uh!

thanks for all of the ideas! I appreciate it!

I know it's not in it's final form, nor will it ever be, as long as I can turn a wrench.

digitalbroccoli · 01-21-2008, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blacke Shepe

um, bags cover the helmet lock
d-uh!

Not if you move it. Duh.

I've struggled with the idea of locked storage for a long time, and I decided to go with nice big bags and ez brackets. That way if I feel like its going to be a bad idea to leave the bags on the bike, I can grab em and take them with me. Plus, that way I can pull them off, because I have yet to see a set of bags that look "right" on the M. (opinion)

As for the helmet lock, move it to the front forks, problem solved. For free.

ruffshod67 · 01-21-2008, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4dtvman

http://www.suzukicycles.com/Products...8/Default.aspx

Didn't look hard enough

I guess I never saw 2 years in the future when I bought mine in 2005.

geoffsimpson · 01-21-2008, 06:06 PM

sometimes it's fun just to be argumentative huh brocc!!!

hahaha..ha...haheh...ha......<ahem>...

Sorry brocc

loki · 01-21-2008, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by digitalbroccoli

Plus, that way I can pull them off, because I have yet to see a set of bags that look "right" on the M. (opinion)

You know, I find myself running into the same problem, now that I'm trying to find a set. What's out there that's reliable, but does not make your M look too much like a C50? (Not that the C's in any way inferior...it's just not my kind of girl...)

digitalbroccoli · 01-21-2008, 07:04 PM

I finally bought a set of HUGE river road bags, and they don't look right on the bike, but with the ez brackets, they're only on when the bike's moving. Once I'm parked, they turn into really easy to move suitcases.

I would like to find an easy to use tailbag/backpack combo item that would fit my 13 inch laptop...I hate to throw the bags on just for the computer.

Oh, and there are a couple of BMW hardcase sets that look right on the M, they're just 600-800 bucks a piece, unpainted.

geoffsimpson · 01-21-2008, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by digitalbroccoli

I finally bought a set of HUGE river road bags, and they don't look right on the bike, but with the ez brackets, they're only on when the bike's moving. Once I'm parked, they turn into really easy to move suitcases.

I would like to find an easy to use tailbag/backpack combo item that would fit my 13 inch laptop...I hate to throw the bags on just for the computer.

Oh, and there are a couple of BMW hardcase sets that look right on the M, they're just 600-800 bucks a piece, unpainted.

Wait 'till pay day and buy two

DaveAlvarado · 01-22-2008, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by digitalbroccoli

Oh, and there are a couple of BMW hardcase sets that look right on the M, they're just 600-800 bucks a piece, unpainted.

Which ones?

hammersfan · 01-22-2008, 01:26 PM

Black Shepe,
I actually think the set up you have come up with looks pretty good even though the side bags are a little on the small side.
I quite like these top boxes as well. LeatherLyke: Browsing Large Cruiser Case w/o Backrest

Blacke Shepe · 01-30-2008, 12:03 AM

hey, digital, guess what?
I'm finding that they're not all I ever wished for.....
oh, they're not breaking, though they do seem cheapish and small, I'm just not totally enamoured.....
soooooooo I'll keep looking, and thinking
probably my biggest concern right now is the heavy dew we have almost every night, when I work all night, one of my needs for the bike is to be my way home when I work Graves, so covered storage for the helmet is a need.

the LED's on the Mutazu bags aren't reliable, they're dying out, a couple of LED's per day, and I don't know yet if it's electrical or mechanical (inside of the taillights) so they're disconnected for now.

thanks for the link hammersfan

yeah, she's not in her final form yet, but again, she never will be, as long as she's mine

01-18-2008, 12:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
Blacke Shepe Newbie Joined: Dec 2007 Bike: 2007 Suzuki M50 and 2007 Suzuki DR 200 Location: San Diego County, California Posts: 12	Touring additions I need to take a few things back and forth to work with me, and I wanted to be able to store my helmet securely on the bike when I'm not riding. I ordered side bags from Mutazu and a top box from Cruiser Backrest. I see now that if I'd waited, I could have gotten a top box that matches better from Mutazu (they didn't have them up when I ordered mine a few weeks ago) I already had a sport shield from Memphis Shades. so here is my Mistress (My wife named her, and it fits) before and after I enhanced her curves. I also bought ghost brackets for it (I don't remember the website) which actually cost more than the sidebags. I didn't count on the 2" they would add to my width on each side, but they're still just narrower than my handlebars, something important if I'm cutting traffic at a stoplight. mechanical work time was around 6 hours (actually probably longer, my children and wife "helped") I wired the hard-bags into the running lights, and the top box into the break light. If you want to do something similar, I highly suggest that you take the ground for the lights off of the chassis, when I took the ground from the wire harness, I got some feedback from the right turn signal that made the lights blink opposite the turn signal (no, I didn't like my left running light blinking with my right turn signal) but going to chassis ground fixed that. Also, the running lights are polarity sensitive, so when I hooked it up, one side worked, the other didn't, until I switched polarities (makes sense since the lights are just fancy diodes). I don't know about the break light, I've never had any problem with it's connection. Now if I had only gone through a supplier that did a one-key system, I'd be great! __________________ Blacke Shepe

01-19-2008, 09:48 PM	#2 (permalink)
Uncle B Forensic Bug Splatter Analyst Joined: Jun 2006 Bike: 06 Suzuki Boulevard C50T Location: Gordon Texas Latitude: 32.54833 Longitude: -98.36889 Posts: 4,036	ok __________________ Ride Safe, Ride Long, & Have Fun Benjamin Franklin> They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security. http://www.gordontexas.net/ http://www.gordonvfd.com/

01-20-2008, 07:28 AM	#3 (permalink)
4dtvman Sprocket Pilot Joined: Sep 2006 Bike: Suzuki LC 1500 and 2005 Honda VTX1300 Location: Tiverton RI Posts: 822	I think it would of been easier just to buy a C50T __________________ Back in the saddle again

01-20-2008, 02:47 PM	#5 (permalink)
digitalbroccoli U.B's LoveChild Joined: Jan 2007 Bike: 06 M50 in Bluuuuuuuuue Location: Sodus, NY Posts: 1,035	I've not been more dissapointed in a mod than I was on the mutazu bags. I know they're cheap, but I felt like I was going to break mine every time I open or closed the lids. Took em off, and I'm running leather(ish) bags now. Much better. Good luck with them. Overall, I hate it. I hope it works out for you, but I think it looks just awful on the M. __________________

01-20-2008, 04:41 PM	#6 (permalink)
Blacke Shepe Newbie Joined: Dec 2007 Bike: 2007 Suzuki M50 and 2007 Suzuki DR 200 Location: San Diego County, California Posts: 12	I don't like the top box, but it's functional. I would have gone for a tourer, but this deal was good, and I saved over a grand after buying all the accessories. Everything except the rack comes off in under 15 minutes, and I can actually store my helmet. It's nice to have a place to store my leathers and gloves, too. __________________ Blacke Shepe

01-20-2008, 01:00 PM	#4 (permalink)
ruffshod67 Newbie Joined: Feb 2007 Bike: 2005 suzuki m50 Location: Liberty,WV Posts: 3	I like it.I've set mine up similar.I would have bought a c-50t if they would have had mag wheels.I like the option to plug a flat out on the road.

01-20-2008, 06:05 PM	#7 (permalink)
SNAFU Leaned over, knee down Joined: Mar 2006 Bike: '06 M50 Black Location: Winnipeg, Canada Posts: 4,773	Any of you guys use a tail bag or recommend a type? I was looking at this Joe Rocket bag. __________________

01-20-2008, 07:34 PM	#9 (permalink)
digitalbroccoli U.B's LoveChild Joined: Jan 2007 Bike: 06 M50 in Bluuuuuuuuue Location: Sodus, NY Posts: 1,035	why not simply use a helmet lock, and bigger bags? Going with tiny bags and having to add the huge trunk is an odd route to go. I figure if I can't use a helmet lock, I probably shouldn't be parking in that neighborhood anyway. __________________

01-21-2008, 06:06 PM	#13 (permalink)
geoffsimpson Bridal Boutique Manager Joined: Jun 2006 Bike: Grey, not silver, GREY 2006 Suzuki Boulevard M50 Location: Prince George BC Posts: 3,077	sometimes it's fun just to be argumentative huh brocc!!! hahaha..ha...haheh...ha......<ahem>... Sorry brocc __________________ Please Note: All opinions contained herein are worth exactly what you paid for them. It's true that every time you hear a bell ring, an angel gets its wings... But what they don't tell you is that every time you hear a mouse trap "snap", and Angel gets set on fire... Grey * De-badged * V & H Straightshots w/ Thunder-Monster Baffles and Billet Hot-Tips * POWAH COMMANDAH!! * Kury Wide Style Levers * Kury Zombie Pegs (what's left of them) * Johnskit Forward Controls * Johnskit 2.5" Lowering Kit * Carbon Fibre-esque Trim kit * your mom * Memphis Shades HellCat windshield * Passenger Backrest * Baddass MO-FO behind the bars * Metz 880's w/ lettering * Flamed Thunder MFG Teardrop Intake *

01-21-2008, 07:04 PM	#15 (permalink)
digitalbroccoli U.B's LoveChild Joined: Jan 2007 Bike: 06 M50 in Bluuuuuuuuue Location: Sodus, NY Posts: 1,035	I finally bought a set of HUGE river road bags, and they don't look right on the bike, but with the ez brackets, they're only on when the bike's moving. Once I'm parked, they turn into really easy to move suitcases. I would like to find an easy to use tailbag/backpack combo item that would fit my 13 inch laptop...I hate to throw the bags on just for the computer. Oh, and there are a couple of BMW hardcase sets that look right on the M, they're just 600-800 bucks a piece, unpainted. __________________

01-22-2008, 01:26 PM	#18 (permalink)
hammersfan U.B's LoveChild Joined: Jan 2006 Bike: 2008 C90 SE Location: Ajax ,Ontario ,Canada Posts: 1,213	Black Shepe, I actually think the set up you have come up with looks pretty good even though the side bags are a little on the small side. I quite like these top boxes as well. LeatherLyke: Browsing Large Cruiser Case w/o Backrest __________________ Ride Safe Hammersfan Last edited by hammersfan; 01-22-2008 at 05:22 PM.

01-30-2008, 12:03 AM	#19 (permalink)
Blacke Shepe Newbie Joined: Dec 2007 Bike: 2007 Suzuki M50 and 2007 Suzuki DR 200 Location: San Diego County, California Posts: 12	hey, digital, guess what? I'm finding that they're not all I ever wished for..... oh, they're not breaking, though they do seem cheapish and small, I'm just not totally enamoured..... soooooooo I'll keep looking, and thinking probably my biggest concern right now is the heavy dew we have almost every night, when I work all night, one of my needs for the bike is to be my way home when I work Graves, so covered storage for the helmet is a need. the LED's on the Mutazu bags aren't reliable, they're dying out, a couple of LED's per day, and I don't know yet if it's electrical or mechanical (inside of the taillights) so they're disconnected for now. thanks for the link hammersfan yeah, she's not in her final form yet, but again, she never will be, as long as she's mine __________________ Blacke Shepe Last edited by Blacke Shepe; 01-30-2008 at 12:06 AM.

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