Saddlebags for two-up riding / touring

[bob795]

Hi guys,

I'm looking for a soft saddlebags or side bags, which is also comfortable for a passenger when riding two-up/touring with passenger. What I mean by comfortable is the saddlebags don't get in the passenger's way, like blocking their legs. Is there a saddlebags like that?

I plan to take the wife for a two or three day ride or weekend ride, and she usually carries a lot of stuffs  So i guess a tank bag won't do.
Thanks in advance guys,

[Raux]

check out Givi's stuff.

[bob795]

Thanks Raux, I'll check out givi. There' used to be a dealer here, I'll see if they're still in business.

[Anchorism]

check out Givi's stuff.

Do you have pics of your custom setup on the forum??  Im sure it would give some awesome ideas to the topic  Its an awesome one!

[Raux]

[live2ride]

i've done a 4 day trip with just a tankbag. but it was a giant tankbag.  http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/4/71/2550/ITEM/Fieldsheer-Eiffel-2-Tank-Bag.aspx

to give you an idea of space, i can easily fit a 12pack of beers bottles in the bottom bag alone with space for maybe 6 more bottles. top one might fit another 10 or so. 

then we did 4 weeks, and used the cortech saddlebags.  they got in the way of the pegs unless we pushed the bags back further than the bike allowed. so i rigged it so that the front strap of the saddlebags were on the pillion seat and the rear strap was on a rear luggage rack i rigged up.   i wasn't very happy with the cortech bags.  i had some nelson riggs that i sold to get the cortech. boy do i regret that. 

the cortechs have very little structure and sags horribly.  the nelson riggs stayed in place much better. 

[bob795]

Thanks live2ride. I checked nelson rigg and looks like they may have what I'm looking for. I'm also looking at other brands like RKA, sw motech etc. I'll ask around.

[Raux]

Remember u will need a frame due to the high pipes
no bag can just hang like on the old monster with low pipes

[bob795]

Thanks Raux. I thought I wouldn't need a frame cause my bike has cf exhaust.

[bob795]

Raux, live2ride, do you have to relocate the rear turn signal, or have to use turn signal with shorter stem?

I've narrowed down my choice to RKA Sonoma or Nelson Rigg CL850/950 or their Adventure Dry, but Nelson Rigg told me that I may have to relocate the turn signal due to the length of the bag (17" and 15").
I used my messenger bag which length is 17" and yes the turn signal is in the way, unless I position or hang the bag below or lower than the turn signal.

So, any idea of not too expensive turn signals kit 

[SpikeC]

 How about one of those integrated tail light thingys?

[bob795]

Thanks SpikeC. I'll check it out.
Question is, is it easily visible for the vehicles behind us? I mean, will they know that we're going to turn right, for instance?

[Raux]

Again witha frame.  no issues

[bob795]

Again witha frame.  no issues

Aah... thanks for that Raux, I forgot about the frame. What's in my head was to go without a frame ... but I guess frame will be the most practical way. Thanks.