Triumphrat

07-10-2006

So I finally did it. I got my first motorcycle and as my friend says . . . . Went for the brass ring. I just couldn't see dropping the coin on anything less than exactly what I wanted. So I have this new Bonnie, a total lack of knowledge or skills (only been a month since my MSF) and my wife is telling me that I have to fix the storage situation on the bike with a quickness.

I got a Helmet lock from newbonneville.com, so that is covered (don't have to keep caring around an Onguard lock to tie them down to the grab rail). But now I need a saddle bag. Looking at the Triumph website I see the fabric saddle bags and they look ok. I need something smallish (not so big that my 5'8" wife can't get her legs on the pegs), and something that can be removed in a snap. Do thoes fabric bags fall into that category? Do they have anyway of locking closed so some random SF vagrant can't steal the contents?

I like the sixty8 ones but much like the fabric bags the complete lack of information prevents me from making any kind of size/feature comparison to each other.

Thanks for your help.

russd01 · 07-10-2006

I have the fabric bags. To put them on or remove them you must remove the seat. It is possible to install it above the seat, but this looks kinda funny and would be very uncomfortable for your wife. We had a thread about easily removeable seats a few weeks ago.
There is no way to lock the contents.
On the comfort issue - I don't think they would get in the way of the passenger.

- David

CarlS · 07-10-2006

I also have the Triumph fabric bags. They do a good job for me. As mentioned above, you have to remove the seat to remove them; but that is not a big deal. When we ride two up (my wife has a T100, also), we use my bike. She has not complained about the bags being in her way.

merlin · 07-10-2006

I think the lack of a choices in saddlebags is one of the real weaknesses of the bonnie. There are some choices, but they can get very pricey. The first issue is to understand that the bonnie does not have rear fender hard points that are normally used to mount bags and the needed rails that keep the bags out of the rear wheel. Some third party companies use the bolt holes under the seat for the rails. these are needed though for any grab rail, sissy bar or rear luggage rack. So Triumphs rails run from the upper shock mount, aft in a vee then foward again to the passenger foot peg. Very odd looking without the bags on , but functional. The Triumph leather bags are third rate. I don't like the look of fabric bags, so can't comment.
Do some research (humm guess that's what you're doing here) but sort out the rails first. Get a small tank bag to hold you over. Get a square bungee cargo net with hooks (any bike store for 5 bucks) and a small stuff bag for use on the rear of the seat - very versitile.
This is a*****, but part of the fun..(?)

MikeinLA · 07-11-2006

You might check out the Leather Lyke bags. Aside from being lockable hard bags, they go on & off very easily and leave no rails behind. There have been several good posts about them and I'm thinking about getting a set.

Mike

merlin · 07-12-2006

Yeah, ya know Mike has something there - the Leatherlyke is about $450 w/ shipping and a nice looking item from what I can tell.

jreagan · 07-13-2006

I have a set of the Tourmaster sport bags with the matching tail bag. Works well. I have pictures in my photo album. Click here

Shorty · 07-13-2006

Check out the Tourmaster Cruiser II slant bags. The yoke/strap can be mounted under the seat and the bags zip on and off leaving the yoke in place. The medium size bags will set you back about $125 and look like leather. The won't get in the way of your wife's seating and they will maintain their shape. Check out the Tourmaster site.

Shorty