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I've used the search function and have decided what swingarm bag I want. It will be my next purchase. Garage Leathers.
I'm planning a week long trip to Kansas to visit my Mom and it's about 850mi one way. I can do that in a single day so my concern is not camping gear or anything like that. My concern is luggage for the overnight stay there.
I'm looking for something that fits over the sissy bar and that I can place on the passenger seat, not a rack. I need something so I can lean against it on the long trip.
In my search I have found many things, and also many materials. The swing arm bag will be a permanent fixture and I want that to be leather, but the luggage is only when I need it and I don't care about what it is made of.
Ideas, experiences, anything would help. I've never been in the market for this before.
BTW my wife and I did a 330mi trip last week to the rally in Ruidoso, NM. A short ride. But I found the lack of even a little storage had me scratching my head when it came to storing small items, like an extra pair of gloves I bought.
I use cheapo roll bags from the motorcycle show, it will work, tie it down to the pegs and rear turn signals and you are good to go.
going 850 Miles in one day though is super hero stuff
Leatherup sells some very inexpensive stuff. If you want cheap, but decent quality (not so high of a fashion statement, tho), here are some suggestions:
P.s. on the cheap luggage (like mine) do not let the luggage rest its weight but on the seat.. and the ties are just to keep it in place .. I made the mistake of putting the whole weight of the bag on the sissy bar (bag hanging on it) and the stitching of the bag arms snapped right off.. luckily I caught it before I had to collect my stuff off the hwy .
I have used a T-bag for years now and love it. It has the top roll bag which I used to use on day trips till I got saddlebags. It is expandable as well. It did make a difference on what seat I had on to how good of a back rest it made. Buddy has a saddle man that has removable back rest on it. Both he and I got them off craigslist for 50 bucks. Good luck
Something like the tombstone above or the grand tour are great as they hold their shape no matter how full or empty they are and double as a back rest. The outside pockets are also great for things like the gloves you mention above :
I've used softer bags and they tend to want to do their own thing if they aren't packet full and strapped right. For a shorter trip not needing multiple bags this offers an easy to carry all in one option.
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