Does anyone have them? What are your thoughts? I am looking to get a cheap set of throw over bags. They don't need to be waterproof and I hate the idea of putting any hardware on the bike. Just want something thats quick on and off and leaves no hardware behind. Thanks for your help.

 

My buddy has the saddlemen highwayman large slant bags. They are cheap like $90, have rear light cutouts and are lined with a rigid plastic to keep their shape. I don't have a pic but I think they look decent. I plan on picking a pair up later. Here's a link http://www.saddlemen.com/store/index...oducts_id=6452

 

I have them (River Road), but only because they were already on there and the paint was already scuffed. They are practical and handy, but I would go another route if I had perfect paint. I have saddlebag supports that I have made quick on an off by reversing the bolts so the nuts are to the outside (I go without them more often than not anymore and just put them on for trips and such). I might make the same bolts attach the bags eventually and do away with the yoke, but I have to admit that it's really handy to get to where you're going, grab my overnight bag with one hand and the saddlebags with the other (or throw them over a shoulder cowboy style) and go on my way.

 

scratch the hell out of tins unless you protect your paint (3m tape works) but then you have to support them or else they will rub on the tire or pully... i hate them, but i do buy them and then make supports for my own brackets to hard mount them wehn i need... making a set right now for my girls bike

 

I had throw overs made by Willie and max and loved them they are very nice to have on a trip easy on and off but you will need some way to keep them off the sides of your bike they will scratch thinks up really easy. I glued a piece of closed cell foam on the back and yoke of mine helped to keep from scratching things up so bad

 

Me personally I have ridgid mounted bags but they are only on the bike when I go on a road trip. I rode with a friend that had throw overs and he ended up burning them on the exhaust and scratching the paint because he didn't put anything down to cover the paint.

 

River Road throwovers, a shade over $100.00. However, they went throwover style on only one trip, 120 miles away. When I got back, I bought Easy Brackets. Next trip was just under 4000 miles and the bags held up good. Decent weather protection except for the most severe downpours.

In all honesty, I probably didn't take the time set them up properly when in "throwover" style. I use a T-bag for almost everything, and only use the saddlebags for two-up trips or something more than a week.

I can vouch for the bags, especially for the money. It's just the throwover thing doesn't necessarily work for me.

 

Good quality throwover bags with proper care can last years, and they don't necessarily have to do any harm to your bike. That includes having saddlebag support brackets (which can be permanent mount or detachable), and putting something between the yoke of the bags and your fender. You also have to make sure you buy bags that are not too long that they will touch your pipes. Leather lasts longer and wears better, ages nicer than non-leather, but should be cleaned and treated periodically. Don't be fooled by really cheap leather bags -often the leather is technically leather but is really "reconstituted" - kind of the same concept as press board, in which case you are better off spending your money on vinyl or "leather-like" bags. It depends on what you want, and how much you want to, or can afford to spend. Personally I like the "old school" look of throwovers. But again, it's matter of personal taste.

I do know some people who like the look of throwovers and will throw their bags on without a support bracket (but do use something to protect the fender), do their trip and take the bags off when done, and it's only a matter of a few minutes to unscrew the bolts, put the bags on or take them off and screw the bolts back on. The problem with this is the bags tend to wear out faster as they are subject to damage by rubbing on the shocks. And the bike can get scuffed up.

 

I've got a pair of Kuryakyn Gran Throw bags. I currently don't let them hang down low enough to require any supports. The tops of the bags are basically about even with the top of the passenger area of my seat. Two straps and they're on/off.

I'll dig up a pic..... may have to go take one....





This will work until I get my leather bags done.... oh and the strap is actually not on the fender in this shot... I know it looks like it, but it's not.

 

+1 Perch ! Well said.
I had some great Ace Leather throw overs on a Softail for over 60K miles. I had supports and the only thing between the yoke and the fender was a folded up towel. The nice thing was I could just unhook them and carry them into the room or tent at night when on the road. Another plus is they are easy to remove so can actually clean the wheel.

If done right and if you get quality bags they should last a long time without messing up your paint.