[kllrbee]

Hey guys
I'm considering getting some river road throwover saddlebags.
This may sound like a dumb question but how does this work with the backrest brackets in the way?
Plz tell me I'm just having a brainfart...lol. been a long day.
Thnx

 

[Stryker2012]

no brain fart. I had the same issue with my saddlemen bags. Is the strap going across the fender one piece or laced. If it's laced you can relace it so the bags fall a little straighter. I was going to put my bags on BEFORE the bracket...but then they really wouldn't be throwovers then would they In the end I never liked how they laid over the brackets, so I just cut the leather off in between them, and bolted them right to the bike. (they're nice and flat now....but not throwovers anymore I guess)

 

[kllrbee]

Thnx for the reply
After looking some more....Im about to pull the trigger on the saddlemen tattoo jumbo. They say right in the instructions that they are designed for throwover or custom fit (ie. bolting to the fender). But like u said....they are no longer throwovers if bolted.
I have the cobra slip on like u and the jumbos are 18x12 so they should fit good.....but what are yours? Large? Do u know offhand what the dimensions are?

 

[Stryker2012]

I have the cobra slip on like u and the jumbos are 18x12 so they should fit good.....but what are yours? Large? Do u know offhand what the dimensions are?

They're saddlemen highwaymen bags, the catalogue has them listed as medium. I believe they're 13"L x 6"W x 9.5"H. They're not huge, I ordered them when I still had stock exhaust and the just were above the top pipe. With the Cobra, as you can see, there is plenty of room to put them wherever. I can fit jackets, half helmets, some groceries. I thought the slants looked nice, but a more square or rounded one would have been more practical. (plus they only cost $80.00)

 

[CntryUSMC]

I am looking at the same saddle bags you have. How did you mount them?

 

[Stryker2012]

I am looking at the same saddle bags you have. How did you mount them?

which ones are you asking about?

 

[CntryUSMC]

which ones are you asking about?

The Highway Slants that you have.

 

[Stryker2012]

Before I cut the leather fender straps off, I threw the bags over and lined up one side to where I liked it and marked where the fender bolts lined up ( instead of lining up the other bag, I just measured inverse and marked it, so I know they are the same). The back side of the bags are a hard plastic. I drilled holes at the marks, got slightly longer fender bolts and a couple of 1 1/4" dia. washers for the inside of the bag to help distribute the weight a bit, and not break through the back of the bag. I've put some pretty heavy items, (couple of 2 liter Mt Dews ) in each, and various other stuff with no problems. They lay flat, unlike being thrown over the backrest, and they don't flap in the wind even at highway speed.
I don't know how long they will last, since the stress is only on two points instead of across the whole top, but the large washer do a good job, and since I only use them mostly to keep an extra helmet, jackets, gloves, and spare eyewear...I think it will last a while.

I'd post a couple of pics....but can't get to a camera or my bike right now

 

[CntryUSMC]

Thanks for the information I can visualize it from that. You just focus on getting better brother.

 

[Stryker2012]

Thanks for the information I can visualize it from that. You just focus on getting better brother.

Soon...Soon. Thanks. Let me know if you decide to go that route how it works out. I figured for $80 bags I wasn't going to sweat it too much...but right now I am really happy with it

 

[CntryUSMC]

I might just take it to my bike shop and let them do it. That way if they screw it up they have to fix it LOL

 

[Stryker2012]

I might just take it to my bike shop and let them do it. That way if they screw it up they have to fix it LOL

Be brave....no better satisfaction than doing it yourself. You know you got lots of help here :thumb:

 

[CntryUSMC]

True. Do you have any kind of brace running down the back of the bag to keep it from moving up against the wheel? Or are the bags stiff enough not to have to worry about that?

 

[Stryker2012]

Yes, I got the Cobra braces. Darn things cost a much as the bags!! It's a pretty solid setup.

 

[kllrbee]

I ended up ordering the large saddlemen tattoo bags instead of jumbo. The large are 15.5x9.5x6 which is plenty big enough for me. Plus I'd like them to sit somewhat lower than where u have yours so I think the 9.5 height is just right so I won't get to close to the pipe.
The strap is laces so I'm hoping I can just adjust it to where the thinner part goes in front of backrest bracket and then where the strap widens out to the bags will sit on the lowest part of bracket. Hard to explain but judging from the pics and a youtube video showing them in more detail...it looks like it would work.
If not...then I've got no problem either cutting the strap or bolting onto fender. I'd prefer to keep it a throwover tho...
I can't wait to get them on! I'm tired of carrying my lunch etc. in a backpack....haha.
I think they will really complement the bike too....I got the ones with the silver embroidered flames.
It was pretty tough finding pics of bikes with bags. I went thru 25 pages of the galleries and still didn't find much. I guess most don't like bags on this bike.....but I definitely need em so Im hoping these turn out to be decent ones.
Ill post up some pics when I get em mounted.

 

[Stryker2012]

I used to never liked bags myself, then one day I was out for a couple hour ride and stopped to get something to drink..took a few sips, and the realized I had no place to put the bottle. I have grown fond of them since, and I actually like the look of it better with the bags now.

Good luck with yours...and yes do post pics

p.s. the pic in my signature was when the bags were still "throwovers" and not bolted. That's why they're a little high and looks like they come out from the bike (backrest bracket) now they sit a little lower and much flatter.

 

[11Stryker]

http://www.yamahastarstryker.com/18-mods-accessories/16649-finally-got-my-bags-all-hung.html

 

[Stryker2012]

http://www.yamahastarstryker.com/18-mods-accessories/16649-finally-got-my-bags-all-hung.html

I think it looks really good 11. I didn't think I would like bags on the bike, but I think it adds a little biker class. I especially like the tail bag. How the heck did you not go around do wheelies with the last setup :biggrin1:

 

[11Stryker]

HEHEHE- well mainly just had some rain gear(that we have not used yet) a Couple jackets and Wife's hairbrush back there. I hated the look of the bike when I had that 2up installed. Now it is much better. Still don't like having any bags, but like it better than the previous set-up.