Triumphrat

bcohen · 11-23-2005

That is the question.

meatwagon · 11-23-2005

I did it.At first I thought 'Sh!t I just ruined the looks of my bike.Oh well I can just take them off"But they are really functional;I always carry a Thomas Bros map book because I go to new places,bottles of water,extra clothes in case I get cold,cable lock so I can leave the leather jacket with the bike.Hey I'm a packrat.So I like having them even if I don't like looking at them.Triumph Fabric Panniers BTW

CarlS · 11-23-2005

I echo what Meatwagon said. At first I only put my bags on when I was going on a trip. Now I leave 'em on most of the time: rain gear, flashlight, water, windbreaker, extra clothes, etc.

windrider · 11-23-2005

Funny I quite like the look of the standard Triumph square bags. I thought they looked quite good on the Speedmaster and was thinking of getting a set. It would also be quite handy as I always seem to have stuff to carry around when on the bike.

tobyth · 11-23-2005

I've riden with Meatwagon a couple of times. His bike looks real good with the bags he's installed. Not to mention all the room to keep your stuff! They make alot of sence.And with his black Bonne , Again it looks cool! BillWhite

schwartzkm · 11-24-2005

I am in the same state of flux as you are on weather or not to get bags for my bike. I purchased a windshield (which now that I am riding my 2k5 SM realize I probably do not need since I like the wind hitting me…it will probably be useful on cold winter rides) and now the bags are next on my list.

I really feel I need bags because whenever it is nice out I ride to work which requires me to carry a lot of stuff. I have my backpack for my laptop and could carry my gym clothes in the backpack as well but then there is nothing else I can carry—like my tire repair kit, tire gauge, small toolbox, chaps, extra gloves (winter for example) etc,…

The next question is “how do I want to mount the bags?” I like the nice clean look of the SM and have thought of purchasing the “Easy Brackets Saddle” set from newspeedmaster.com website. That would enable to me quickly remove the bags without having to fight with the side rails. In reality if I get the bags would I even remove them at all? Therefore purchasing a 49.00 bolt-on kit from willie and max website would probably be all I really need…but than again what if I wanted to remove the bags…probably never will so I should just get the bolt-on kit...but what if I want to remove the bags…and on-and-on-and-on I go. I should probably just go one direction and not look back.

Bryan · 11-24-2005

Here is a pic of the Saddlemen Jumbo Drifter bags on my America.Click here to see the saddlebags.

ssjones · 11-24-2005

I mulled over the same thing and went with permanently mounted bags. After two seasons of use, can't imagine life without them. If my wife is looking for a quick errand, the bike is already started (joke in my house). They are so convenient to have, I'll never take them off. I went with Saddlemen Large Drifters and bolted them to the saddlebag brackets. Bella Corse just came out with some nice brackets that have a bottom support and mounting hardware.

meatwagon · 11-24-2005

Now my bike keeps saying"Do these bags make my ass look fat?"As we all know there is no correct answer to that! :-D

bcohen · 11-24-2005

Bryan, my BA is the same solor combination as yours. The bags look great. It looks like I know what my next purchase is.

Thanks for the photo..