Help with BAGS! please!

[schmaltzy]

I have a 2003 Volusia 800 and was gonna pick myself up some saddle bags for it. Bare with me if I sound like I don't know what I'm talking about here cause I probably don't. But I need some advice. Whate are some good (with a good price) bags that will work with my bike, and do I need some sort of protection barthat keeps them away from the back wheel? Any answers given is much appreciated! Thanks!

[Clint]

Put "volusia bags" in that cute little search bar (the upper one, not the thread one) and you'll be off to a good start.

Welcome.

[Capt Cruiser]

Find a bag you like. Size does matter, you don't want a bag that is much taller than 11". You will want a saddlebag bracket too. Very Important - make sure when attaching the brackets that you only remove one bolt at a time.

[Clint]

LOL. Someone should post that link.

[robertc729]

[schmaltzy]

I've been looking at many different types of bags and I think I've found the ones I like. A couple other questions though; 1)Is it worth the money to get the "easy on/off" brackets or just get the standard brackets, 2) Is there much of a problem with the right saddlebag getting too close to the pipe, and 3) If I eventually put on a sissy bar, will I need longer screws to keep the saddlebags? Thanks for all your help guys!

[Capt Cruiser]

1. Your personal preference on how much you'll be using the bags. I never take mine off. 2. As long as the bag height is around 11" you'll be ok. 3. Not sure, but I think either the stock bolts were long enough, or they were supplied with the OEM brackets.

[4dtvman]

Me and my wife do alot of over nighters so I found ez bracket with a key works great. I unlock them and take them in to the motel. I have saddleman's good bag for the money. When I ride around town by my self it takes me less than a min to remove both of them Also when cleaning or fixing some in the back.

[skynyrd fan]

I take mine of in the winter or the mice get in and make a stinking mess thats hard to remove. Dont ask how i know.

[tallannie]

Schmaltzy... I'd rather not bare with you...

Gosh I cannot believe that all the razor sharp wits on this forum missed this one...

We leave our bags on... bought a lower cost Willie and Max 'zipper off' style that you can just zip off and take in with you. Unfortunately the zipper is extremely cheap and one bag nearly fell off the bike by itself a week later. Had to end up sewing the zipper closed. *sigh*. Also the Willie and Max chrome finish is thin and has rusted everywhere already in a few months...even stored indoors as we do.

[Philly Rider]

I have a 2005 C50. My first go at a pair of saddle bags were a set of Tourmaster throw over zip-off bags. I did have the regular brackets/supports. I did fine with them UNTIL I put a sissy bar on my bike.

At that point I just couldn't get the placement of the bags right. Either they were too high and the sissy bar would hit the zipper and undo the bags while I was riding. Or, the bags were too low and the right side bag would hit the pipes.

I finally gave-up and went with a set of bolt on bags. I was able to use the already existing supports, but with the addition of the sissy bar I did need longer bolts.

I would also second the advice to only take off one bolt at a time when installing the bags or the sissy bar.

[mr_resistible]

I got the saddleman bags with EZ brackets. There cheap and they look good and I can take them off whenever I want. I don't think there the best quality, but there good for the price. The EZ brackets are a pain to install, and once you get them shimmed correctly they work pretty well. I don't really like having bags on my bike but when I do use these I like them and they work well.