Soft Saddlebags

I'm looking to purchase some saddle bags for my Swing to increase my capacity for those weekend trips to the cottage. I've got my eye on some Givi T438n bags (pricey,but quality stuff). Anybody out there had good results with some of the other stuff. The market is flooded with choices just looking for some user experience.

First, I don't have real world experience. I've been looking for a while for my options (soft vs. hard trunk). I also liked these (Cortech) - combination tail bag _ saddlebags.

I have Givi T421s:

http://www.motostrano.com/git4vosaba1.html

Very good and I've not had to expand them yet although I always carry too much stuff!

Incidentally, Givi bags are NOT waterproof, barely showerproof, so I always pack my gear in plastic sacks, just in case of a surprise downpour.
The waterproof shower-caps do the job but I don't like putting them on unless I'm sure of a wet journey.

I have both saddlebags and a bag for my passenger seat. I got the passenger seat second, and if I had gotten it first, I wouldn't have gotten the side bags. I find them difficult to use, b/c they limit your ability to use the space under your seat, and the connections (I've tried both bungees and straps) get melted by the engine sometimes.

The saddlebags are Givi T427 Voyager Saddlebags. 10"x18"x13". 36-liter volume. Black. Includes rain cover. http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productview/900/286/.


The passenger seat bag is the Saddlemen TS3200 Deluxe Sport Tail Bag. It expands at the sides, and holds a great deal of "stuff." http://www.cycleluggage.com/saddlemen_ts3200.html. Actually, this one is on sale at CycleLuggage (where I got the picture from, I didn't buy it here) for a lot less than I paid.

Hope this helps,

Mandy

That's a nice looking bag, Mandy.
Does it sit snuggly over the pillion seat?

Very snuggly. And very large when you open both side zippers, which doesn't show in the picture. I have a top box as well, and I generally wrap the bag strap around the bottom of the top box, just for extra security.

I like the bag, and it really does look good on the scoot. Plus, the $85 price tag is really good!. It isn't waterproof itself, but comes with a waterproof bag that fits inside it and holds your stuff.

I forgot. Saddlemen also makes a similar bag, but the side can be zipped off. A friend of mine got this and is very happy with it.

Thanks, Mandy.
I'll check out the other bag, too.

I will say that Saddleman bag looks nice if theres no passenger. I like the saddlebags that Mike H. has on his bike in the album section.I sent him a pm. to find out who makes those.