TaDepends if you need them to be waterproof or not, if you're after a vintage look, require them to be lockable...
Pretty much every choice will require a rack of some type though, to stop the saddlebags from hitting the tyre and/or flapping around when they're less full.
I have SW Motech side bags and they are waterproof on their own, but the inner bag is an additional layer of protectionThanks. Useful. I am not sure about the Motech as they appear to need seperate waterproof bag but I will check them out and the rack and see if I could adapt.
Paul
OK . That was detailed. :smile2:I have looked into this waaaaay too much and this is what I've come up with as being the best overall choice:
Assuming you don't want to have something made for you and you're not looking to go super-retro, I believe I would still go with either the original Yamaha Side Stays or the SW Motech version, with bags being either the Kriega Duos, as you mentioned, or Kappa's reasonably nice (a little bit feminine imho) CR601 saddle bags (https://www.kappamoto.com/Soft-Luggage/Saddle-bags/CR601 - smaller than the Kriegas at just 13L each but also much cheaper; you can pick up 2 for around £130. Kappa's own stays/rack is pretty unattractive so I wouldn't use it).
An outside choice are Revpacks saddlebags, which have the advantage of being more suited to regular everyday use (as they don't have a roll-top closure. Granted they won't be as water-proof as the Kriegas or Kappa. They also have to be bought from the USA.):
http://www.revpack.com/saddle-bags/
One final, unconventional choice is by Shrike Mounts (although not yet available for the XSR700 but as this model is now in the USA, they might add it):
http://www.shrikemounts.com/product
You deserve a prize for this! :laugh:Assuming you don't want to have something made for you and you're not looking to go super-retro, I believe I would still go with either the original Yamaha Side Stays or the SW Motech version, with bags being either the Kriega Duos, as you mentioned, or Kappa's reasonably nice (a little bit feminine imho) CR601 saddle bags (https://www.kappamoto.com/Soft-Luggage/Saddle-bags/CR601 - smaller than the Kriegas at just 13L each but also much cheaper; you can pick up 2 for around £130. Kappa's own stays/rack is pretty unattractive so I wouldn't use it).
I can't be completely sure if the Kappa bags can be safely fitted but looking at the rear of them (see attached image), there are a couple of clips and an adjustable vertical strap which I believe should be suitable for fastening to the horizontal bars on most racks. (It's a fairly standard webbing and snap buckle type, so extension straps should be easy to obtain/rig up.)You deserve a prize for this! :laugh:
I've been struggling on what saddle bags to get for my bike and was almost convinced to get the SW-Motech ones, despite the price, until another user adivised me not to.
This Kappa bags + SW-Motech side stays seems a really good combo, are you sure the bags can be safely strapped to the side bars?
Attached a few more images I found of the Kappa bags, which may help.Browsing Kappa's website I also found these saddlebags that look nice.
One thing that annoys me when shopping for this stuff is that most of the times I can't see the bags before I actually buy them.
Thanks for those.Attached a few more images I found of the Kappa bags, which may help.
Thanks--I've got the evotech tail tidy on the way and am hoping it doesn't need anything special to work with the yamaha racks.If you are looking for bags that do not conflict with the retro looks of the bike, practical and to your liking, I'm right now convinced, after trying the Yamaha and sw-motels bags, that the best solution is to just get the Yamaha or sw-motech racks, the corresponding mounts from these guys https://www.gundgshop.de/english/mountings/ (there may be others) and attach them to whatever bags you want. It is an extremely easy job, that you can do yourself or have someone do it.
+ for the sw-motech rack: looks a bit better, easier installation, does not use the pillion pegs attachment, compatible with tail tidies, a little bit cheaper, sold by the unit.
- for the sw-motech: seems less sturdy (only two attachment points to the frame), bag attach/detach is fiddlier, no inbuilt lock (need to use a cable).
For the Yamaha:
+ instantaneous bag attach/detach, three attachment points to the frame, Less visible on the frame, in built key lock.
- needs pillion pegs to attach, requires mods to some tail tidies, a little more expensive, sold by the pair.
Right, the evotech tail tidy doesn't need anything, but the rack does. Or more precisely, there are a couple of spacers that will need grinding off. Have a look here http://www.xsr700forums.com/forum/6...rapovic-evotech-tail-tidy-picture-thread.html the thread is for the akra exhaust but it's the same with the bag stays.Thanks--I've got the evotech tail tidy on the way and am hoping it doesn't need anything special to work with the yamaha racks.
Thanks, Luis! It looks like if I use the rear position for the blinkers, I'll be able to fit them aft of the saddlebags without cutting anything. Should look really good when it's all said and done.Right, the evotech tail tidy doesn't need anything, but the rack does. Or more precisely, there are a couple of spacers that will need grinding off. Have a look here http://www.xsr700forums.com/forum/6...rapovic-evotech-tail-tidy-picture-thread.html the thread is for the akra exhaust but it's the same with the bag stays.
I did mine with a metal saw. Not too difficult, but still, it complicates things. Do a clean cut and you can put it back together if you ever decide to get rid of the yamaha stays.
Luis
Actually, taking a second look I see what you mean regarding the spacers. Something I can figure out, for sure. I appreciate the heads up.Thanks, Luis! It looks like if I use the rear position for the blinkers, I'll be able to fit them aft of the saddlebags without cutting anything. Should look really good when it's all said and done.
Peace,
Syzygy
