Throw over saddlebags
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 967
Likes: 3
From: Eastern Massachusetts
RE: Throw over saddlebags
Risk is about 100% if you're really touchy about paint. Not-so-bad if you're relaxed about what constitutes "ruining." An issue with throw-overs is that if they get out of balance, they'll slide to one side unless restrained. I put a solo rack on the back of my bike, so it was easy for me to zip-tie 'em to the rack so they won't shift. But if you don't have a rack, it adds about $300 to the price of the project.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
RE: Throw over saddlebags
If you use textile bags, they usually come with a foam type backing which is a little easier on the paint than leather. I use Tour Master textile bags and don't have a problem. Of course I'm not running a solo seat either 
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,599
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Throw over saddlebags
Would probably work for you. I didn't think mine would slip or stretch but they did and I have minor pipe burns on one of them now. Going to flip them around and figure out a better way to hang them before I slap them back up there.. Either that or put the heavier stuff on the non-pipe side - hehehe
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,572
Likes: 5
From: Templeton California
RE: Throw over saddlebags
Well I pretty much ruined the paint on mine with throw overs so let me tell ya what I did wrong and how to not do it.First of all throw overs work great if you have a full two up seat.Just take the seat off lay down a soft piece of cloth over where the yoke of the bags will sit put the bags on and bolt down the seat on top of it and tie off the bags to the shock mounting points with the little leather strings that usually come with it and your done.Of course if you don't have a back seat there will be nothing to hold down the yoke the soft cloth will blow out on the freeway and the combination of wind and vibration will move the bags around enough to ruff up your paint like fine sand paper.Now I didn't have a luggage rack and that may work too but I got frustrated and ended up converting my throw overs to quick detach with Easy Brackets.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 967
Likes: 3
From: Eastern Massachusetts
RE: Throw over saddlebags
ORIGINAL: moonsfmc
Thanks for the help i do have a motherwell solo rack so i guess i could zip tie it to the rack would that work you think?
Thanks for the help i do have a motherwell solo rack so i guess i could zip tie it to the rack would that work you think?
Are you totally committed to saddle bags? There's a tail bag called "Biker's Friend" that will ride on your solo rack and give you good capacity without scratches. I have one and would recommend it, but it's not as easy to get in and out of as the saddle bags.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,763
Likes: 5
From: Minnesota
RE: Throw over saddlebags
I second the Biker's Friend. Mine is awesome and give's me a nice back rest. I had thought about throw overs but saddlebag gaurds, and the fact that they alter the look of the bike steered me away, stumbled on the BF and best $$ I've spent so far.
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