T-bag and trunk question.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,193
Likes: 494
From: Richmond, VA
T-bag and trunk question.
OK, since my poor Low Rider is morphing its way into a wanna-be Road King, I need to finish off the deal. Me and the wife are heading to Daytona bike week and Bama bike fest in a few weeks, and I need more luggage capacity. I have a decently sized set of saddle bags, but now I need something additional. I have a sissy bar and a luggage rack, so I want to get a T-Bag or some kinda trunk. So my questions are as follows.
1. Do I keep this existing sissy bar which only goes up about 8 inches before is starts to turn back and a grand total of 10 inches, or do I just go buy a bigger taller sissy bar? Is a taller bar even needed for T-Bags and trunks?
2. How wide of a bag can I get on my rack....pictured below? I kinda like these Willie and Max trunks. Both of which I "think" are short enough not to require a new sissy bar cause of there shape. But I'm worried the wider 18 inch trunk would be wobboly and unstable as compared to the standard 13 inch wide trunk. I'm looking for the biggest I can get on the back of the bike.
http://www.willieandmax.com/categori...?item=58507-20
http://www.willieandmax.com/categori...?item=58542-20
Thoughts and ideas welcome. I'm not by any means sold on Willie and Max. Just a potential option. I'm open to ideas on any brand trunk or T-Bag if you have experience with them and know them to be a decent piece.
Please advise.
1. Do I keep this existing sissy bar which only goes up about 8 inches before is starts to turn back and a grand total of 10 inches, or do I just go buy a bigger taller sissy bar? Is a taller bar even needed for T-Bags and trunks?
2. How wide of a bag can I get on my rack....pictured below? I kinda like these Willie and Max trunks. Both of which I "think" are short enough not to require a new sissy bar cause of there shape. But I'm worried the wider 18 inch trunk would be wobboly and unstable as compared to the standard 13 inch wide trunk. I'm looking for the biggest I can get on the back of the bike.
http://www.willieandmax.com/categori...?item=58507-20
http://www.willieandmax.com/categori...?item=58542-20
Thoughts and ideas welcome. I'm not by any means sold on Willie and Max. Just a potential option. I'm open to ideas on any brand trunk or T-Bag if you have experience with them and know them to be a decent piece.
Please advise.
Last edited by bikerlaw; Feb 14, 2010 at 03:25 PM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,553
Likes: 17
Those bags you linked to are small.
What is it exactly that you're looking for? You say you want storage for these upcoming trips, but the bags you appear to be looking for are small and basically something you'd take a long for a day trip to have some gloves, glasses, and you're wife's purse stashed inside.
If you're taking a sizable trip you need something larger like a large T-Bag or a tour pack. You're packing for two, right?
What is it exactly that you're looking for? You say you want storage for these upcoming trips, but the bags you appear to be looking for are small and basically something you'd take a long for a day trip to have some gloves, glasses, and you're wife's purse stashed inside.
If you're taking a sizable trip you need something larger like a large T-Bag or a tour pack. You're packing for two, right?
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,260
Likes: 5
From: Batesville Ga
BL, I had a T-bag on my FLHTI standard, using the HD detachable backrest and luggage rack. Here's the one I used:
http://www.tbags.com/detail.aspx?ID=18&SelectedCat=4
With the top roll this bag will give you tons of storage and still let you run saddlebags with no problem. All the extra pockets make stowing stuff you might need before unpacking easy and the expandable feature means it works well for a weekend as well as a longer trip like you have planned. Put lots of miles on both bags with no problems - tight seams, good zippers, etc. My first one didn't come with a raincover so I used the garbage bag trick. The second one had a built in rain cover that worked great.
I know you're running out of time for Daytona but check CL and eBay. I sold two of those bags - one that only fit narrow metric backrests and the one I had on the FLHTI - that way. You might score 1/2 off. T-bags has a clearance section but I doubt anything they have there now would work for you.
BTW, I'm in Jacksonville, FL just off I-95 and US 1. If you pass by this way and need anything, you're most welcome. You've offered enough advice on that "other site"
to entitle you to garage space, tools, guest room, whatever.
http://www.tbags.com/detail.aspx?ID=18&SelectedCat=4
With the top roll this bag will give you tons of storage and still let you run saddlebags with no problem. All the extra pockets make stowing stuff you might need before unpacking easy and the expandable feature means it works well for a weekend as well as a longer trip like you have planned. Put lots of miles on both bags with no problems - tight seams, good zippers, etc. My first one didn't come with a raincover so I used the garbage bag trick. The second one had a built in rain cover that worked great.
I know you're running out of time for Daytona but check CL and eBay. I sold two of those bags - one that only fit narrow metric backrests and the one I had on the FLHTI - that way. You might score 1/2 off. T-bags has a clearance section but I doubt anything they have there now would work for you.
BTW, I'm in Jacksonville, FL just off I-95 and US 1. If you pass by this way and need anything, you're most welcome. You've offered enough advice on that "other site"
to entitle you to garage space, tools, guest room, whatever.
Thread Starter
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,193
Likes: 494
From: Richmond, VA
Thanks, both of you. What I want is of course the biggest bag I can fit on the bike. This is just a part I would install for specific long rides. No what I would keep on the bike year round. My posts are proof positive my bike has far to much junk on it as it is! I need something that will carry at least two helmets and two leather jackets. The saddlebags can carry the rest. Taddeoeg, that site has some awsome stuff for sure. I kinda had my heart set on something leather or leather like, but I'm open to options to be honest. My one big concern is my goofy sissy bar. Since its tapered and flares back at the top, should I get a standard say, 16-18 inch bar to make mounting easier, or will the one I have work just fine with the taller T-bags?
Neil
Neil
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 173
Likes: 1
From: Lexington Park, MD
BL, I had a T-bag on my FLHTI standard, using the HD detachable backrest and luggage rack. Here's the one I used:
http://www.tbags.com/detail.aspx?ID=18&SelectedCat=4
With the top roll this bag will give you tons of storage and still let you run saddlebags with no problem. All the extra pockets make stowing stuff you might need before unpacking easy and the expandable feature means it works well for a weekend as well as a longer trip like you have planned. Put lots of miles on both bags with no problems - tight seams, good zippers, etc. My first one didn't come with a raincover so I used the garbage bag trick. The second one had a built in rain cover that worked great.
I know you're running out of time for Daytona but check CL and eBay. I sold two of those bags - one that only fit narrow metric backrests and the one I had on the FLHTI - that way. You might score 1/2 off. T-bags has a clearance section but I doubt anything they have there now would work for you.
BTW, I'm in Jacksonville, FL just off I-95 and US 1. If you pass by this way and need anything, you're most welcome. You've offered enough advice on that "other site" to entitle you to garage space, tools, guest room, whatever.
http://www.tbags.com/detail.aspx?ID=18&SelectedCat=4
With the top roll this bag will give you tons of storage and still let you run saddlebags with no problem. All the extra pockets make stowing stuff you might need before unpacking easy and the expandable feature means it works well for a weekend as well as a longer trip like you have planned. Put lots of miles on both bags with no problems - tight seams, good zippers, etc. My first one didn't come with a raincover so I used the garbage bag trick. The second one had a built in rain cover that worked great.
I know you're running out of time for Daytona but check CL and eBay. I sold two of those bags - one that only fit narrow metric backrests and the one I had on the FLHTI - that way. You might score 1/2 off. T-bags has a clearance section but I doubt anything they have there now would work for you.
BTW, I'm in Jacksonville, FL just off I-95 and US 1. If you pass by this way and need anything, you're most welcome. You've offered enough advice on that "other site"
to entitle you to garage space, tools, guest room, whatever.I believe I had an 8" sissy bar. My son is in the Army and has the bike in Germany right now so it's a guess.
Here is a pic of it on my low rider. I still use it on my ultra too...
http://hdlorydr.homestead.com/BlueRidgeSep02.html
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 137
Likes: 12
From:
Bikerlaw,
I have the T-bag convertible and use a medium low sissy bar with pad. It has a mounting system with additional straps for added security. I don't think the height of your sissy should be a problem. However, I did notice from your picture that you don't have a pad. It still might not be a problem with the additional straps. Sounds like a T-bag type bag is what you could use. They can store a ton of stuff.
I have the T-bag convertible and use a medium low sissy bar with pad. It has a mounting system with additional straps for added security. I don't think the height of your sissy should be a problem. However, I did notice from your picture that you don't have a pad. It still might not be a problem with the additional straps. Sounds like a T-bag type bag is what you could use. They can store a ton of stuff.
Thread Starter
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,193
Likes: 494
From: Richmond, VA
Alright, after getting frustrated and then pissed, I went and ordered a new square stock, straight, tall sissy bar. There was just no way to get any of the travel bags I liked on the bike correctly with that pointed back, round stock sissy bar. I still have a little time before I leave. Once the NEW sissy bar arrives, I'll be better able to order what I need. I just want the right one and didn't want to compromise due to the wrong sissy bar choice. Thanks for the leads.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,687
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From: Kalaui Kona HI
I have the Willie and Max bag and its only for a day trip. I use a Grand Touring Bag for longer trips.
http://www.kuryakyn.com/index.cfm/go...ID/27/IMID/344
http://www.kuryakyn.com/index.cfm/go...ID/27/IMID/344
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Thread Starter
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,193
Likes: 494
From: Richmond, VA
Thanks. I was looking at both that W&M and the Kury. I think I'm gonna need something with one large space as opposed to the divided sections in the KURY. I need it to be big enough for the helmets and the coats. I found some rather large trunks at Jafrum and Leatherup. I have Jafrum bags, but have no idea of the quality of there or Leatherups trunks. I don't mind saving the money on the cheaper stuff, but if its total trash, then your not saving, your wasteing. Either way, I had a budget of $300 I wanted to stick to, and I spent 100 of that on the new sissiy. So I'm hoping to find a good one for 200 or less. Thanks for the link domenicp7.
