| Author | Message | ||
     Duckbuell |
Howdy! I would like to rig our S3 for a trip from Austin, TX. To Boone, NC. next spring. So, I am considering a corbin seat with the large backrest for my wife, and some saddlebags. My #1 choice is original S3T hard bags, but I fear that locating them (and all the mounting hardware) will be difficult and expensive. What has your experience been? My #2 choice is soft bags (tourmaster, fieldsheer, etc.) but I am afraid that the plastic tailpiece will not hold up well against all the weight and could crack, not to mention all the scuffing of the paint. Has anyone managed well with soft bags? My #3 choice is to fabricate mounting hardware to attach some Krauser bags, or GIVI. Perhaps get some used ones? Has anyone adapted a mounting kit from another bike? Any advice is appreciated! Thank you very much!      | ||
| Essthreetee |
I don't know about locating the stock ones...mine came with them. I did have to find the liners, which I did on ebay. I love them. They go on and come off quickly, they hold enough (at least for me), they look good with the bike, and the liners make it even easier. I think that without the liners, the stock ones wouldn't be very good as you would practically have to empty them out if you wanted to take the bag in with you...not much help (I know), just giving you my experience. I like the stock ones. | ||
| Court |
>>>>My #1 choice is original S3T hard bags, but I fear that locating them (and all the mounting hardware) will be difficult and expensive. What has your experience been? Why not just order them from Buell? | ||
| Court |
Duckbill: Drop me a note and I'll send you a picture of something, at the new Buell facility, that may interest you. Court | ||
| Duckbuell |
I'll look into ordering them from Buell, thanks! EssThreeTee, how much work is it to remove and install the factory bags? I have to pull my S3 out a 36 inch door to ride! I guess, for the most part, I would only mount them for long trips. Thanks. | ||
| Grndskpr |
what color are you looking for I have a set, both narrow and wide covers You would need to order the mounting rack, and do some repairs to the backing but other wise there in fair shape The wide covers are new, the narrow covers are OK shape let me know R | ||
| Firemanjim |
I use RKA soft bags and have had good luck with them--as well as their tankbags and tailbags. And just got a note from them saying they have big december sale on now--- | ||
| Sloppy |
Warning on the stock bags. They will break in two places. Once place is in the back which doesn't cause major damage and can be repaired with sheet metal and rivets. But the bad break will keep you from opening the bags! The tab on the latch will break and it will cause you to have to drill holes in the bags to open them, thus destroying them. This was after 3 years of daily use, so they served their purpose. I wish they were designed more like the Concours hard bags... I would instead recommend soft bags -- while not quite as nice, they're significantly cheaper and won't fail on you. I'd recommend using the mounting brackets the Buell would usually use as they are good places to mount the soft bag hardware. I have Tour Masters now, but I wouldn't recommend them -- but it's better than the orignal OEM bags! | ||
| Essthreetee |
DuckBuell...they are very easy to take on and off, All you do is open the cover, reach inside, twist 3 levers and off they come. But if you have clothes just packed in them (not in pull out bags) they would be a booger due to the clothes being in the way of twisting the levers... No biggie. I ride with mine on every day...I don't carry a lot, but so far have not had any issues. | ||
| Naustin |
Duck - I have the stock bags on mine. They were cracked when I got them, and I ended up reinforcing them with fiberglass as per a suggestion found here on BWB. Overall they are nice, and they definatly come on and off easily. The liners are a really nice feature. Hopefully they'll last forever for me now that I have had them reinforced. I can't recommend them however. I looked into replacing them from buell and the cost was enormous. I couldn't justify paying that price for bags that have a week point and *might* experience that same stress failure again someday. If I were you, I'd get the stock mounting hardware/frame jobs, but attach some aftermarket hard-side cases somehow... Good Luck | ||
| 5liter |
I also have the stock bags. They cracked after one season. I got another set off Ebay and they cracked. I had them repaired by a boat repair shop for a pretty hefty price. They have lasted 2 seasons so far. I priced the inners from Buell and one inner was the cost of my fiberglass repair. | ||
| Duckbuell |
Fire, Slop, Ess, Nau, and 5, thanks for all your advice! I have a few months to come up with a solution. I am kind of partial to the idea of using mounting bag hardware to hang a pair of soft bag off of. Does anyone have a detailed picture of what the mounting system looks like?   | ||
| Bad_karma |
Duckbuell I bought a new set this summer from local harley dealer(original bags). Your looking at about $1500 for a set(deep cover). I had problems with the hinges not match but was able to buy a set and minor drilling of back to use the hinges. They are nice but make sure that you get the mount pressure set correctly or you will damage the bag section in just a few thousand miles. Joe | ||
| Henrik |
My stock bags have lasted fine for years. Not that hard service, but still ok - touch wood. However, there are many fine, and much less expensive, soft bag options out there. Just use clear film protector on the bodywork. Rider Wearhouse sells that film. RKA that the Fireman mentioned, Chase Harper makes great stuff too. Cortech has a nice set-up too that is getting good user reviews. As for the Corbin seat ... unless you *really* Neeeeeed the backrest and have the option of long distance testing the seat for comfort (more likely the lack of) I have to warn you. I tried that exact seat and it royally sucks!!! Right along with the arrogant and offensively unwilling Corbin customer service. In short - buyer beware. I could do about 50 miles on that seat and then my a55 would hurt so bad I had to stop for a break. I rode it out ot Homecoming one year and bought the 2000 model seat to replace it for the trip back - it really is that horrible a seat. ok, I'll get off the soap-box now that I think it's quite clear how I feel about Corbin and their product  Henrik | ||
| Chasespeed |
Take into account, that your passenger may not like sitting on those straps that hold the soft bags on.... I like them myself, but, I ride solo 99% of the time, and dont really use luggage much anymore. I usually have my backpack with me.. Anyway, I modified the underside of my seat, so the straps of the soft luggage would fit UNDEAR the seat.... less worries... Chase | ||
| Whodom |
Duck, don't forget about the Ventura rack/bag system. I have one on my S3. These things will hold a huge amount of stuff, at least as much as a pair of most soft bags. And while they say the upper part of the rack shouldn't be used as a backrest, my wife feels a whole lot more secure on the back with something there to keep her from sliding off. | ||
| Duckbuell |
HI Chase, how is the plastic tail piece holding up under the strain of supporting fully loaded soft bags? How did you modify your seat to pass the straps under it? THanks! | ||
| Chasespeed |
Oh, uh.. Well, I have an X1, so..no plastic on the back of mine... On the seat though, underneath, there is the plastic that the foam and leather/vinyl(whatever) attach to.. I just trimmed the parts under the seat..enough to let the straps pass under, and to let the seat latch.. Sorry, the dmn "a" button is giving me fits.. will try from work tomorrow Chse | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
If you go with soft bags, don't discount Nelson Rigg. They make a really nice system of side bags and integrated tail pack that should last for many seasons, and will probably run you under $200. Check out www.newenough.com for the Nelson Riggs. The Corbin seat that came with my S3 is comfortable for me, but I have some natural padding. I could see how it would be uncomfortable for those unfortunate skinny souls with no ballistic protection. The fit on the bike however, was horrendous. I had to dremel off about 1/2" of material to get it to lock correctly. | ||
| Smokescreen |
I have a set of new in the box S3T hard saddlebags in stock. Not sure on the color. Let me know if your interested and I'll look into it for you. I've had them for a while here at the shop and can probably give you a good deal on them. Hope that helps. Smokescreen | ||
| Jreichner |
I am in the process of getting my 99 S3T road worthy again and I have replaced on set of bags so far. The set that I have currently are cracked and probably cracked with in one season. I am in the process of converting my S3T back to stock and I am more than likely going to do the fiberglass repair route. I really like the hard bags but I am disappointed with the quality or engineering and I am equally disappointed because Buell states that they will only warranty the new bags for 90 days. I love the bike but it is this little stuff that bothers me about the brand. I too thought about going with Corbin but I heard similar stories about it not being that comfortable. You may want to look a the following link: http://www.day-long.com/index.html. I am not sure if there is a passenger backrest avail but you can contact them in order to find out. I hope the information helps. | ||
| Joesbuell |
Jreichner my bags cracked along time ago and they used to vibrate and bounce around. I used a soldering iron to weld the plastic back together then scuffed them up inside and out. I then bought a fiberglass repair kit and glassed them inside and out. I went on a 2400klm round trip and they were rock solid and much better then when they where new. I have'nt sanded and painted them yet so when I get a chance I'll take a pic and post it so you can see what I have done. Cheers Jodie | ||
| Jreichner |
Joesbuell...Do you have that pic? I have received a few opinions on this issue of mine ranging from buying new to self repair (re-glassing). I know that their is a detailed post on this too. The one question I have and I know that this is going off topic but in that detailed post I found on Bad Web, a fourth mount point was fabricated to replace the rubber bumper. I talked to a couple engineers here at work and they stated that this may not be a good thing b/c the vibrations will travel into the bag b/c of metal connecting to metal. Does anyone have an opinion on this? What ever my decision is on the bags, I would just like some assurance that the bags will not crack in the future. | ||
| Court |
The rubber bumper should be properly adjusted and, when so adjusted, never gave me any problems over many miles with seriously overladen luggage. All Buell luggage is available through your Buell dealer. | ||
| Nevrenuf |
how about the new uly bags on a tuber. has anyone tried this yet. got the buell soft bags for the m2 and they even held up when my daughter got hit. the bike didn't make it but the bags are on another m2 though. | ||
| Bad_karma |
Duckbuell I'm on my second set of factory bags. Love them, look good, holds enough. Must be adjusted correctly. The new backs have a better fastening system reducing the adjustment problems leaving the rear bumpers the only true adjustment left. They are very pricey. About 13 to 15 hundred I just bought a set this last summer. Joe | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
What is the criteria for properly adjusting the rubber bumper? I haven't had any problems withmy bags yet, but I'd like the extra assurance by knowing the bumper is set up correctly. | ||
| Bad_karma |
What I have found with the rear bumper is enough contact that the bags don't bounce off of them at an ideal. But watch the load that you put on the rear upper retainer. It seems in general that these bikes have a narrow wide for adjustments to get good longevity. Joe |
