looking for some tourer bags

[karmann]

Hello
 Any one know where to get a set of tourer bags? Will I/S bags work on a std?
 thanks

[ricoman]

Watch the ads here and check ebay.
They will fit-be sure to get mounting hardware as part of the purchase.
Hold on to your wallet-at least 700 bucks plus, and then you will need to paint them
They do look the best though.

[2K-Valk]

There's a set on ebay for $400.00 without brackets--------

[Walküre]

There's a set on ebay for $400.00 without brackets--------

And no lids...I asked!

At least if they are the ones I found...

R

[Robert]

Champion 1,295.00 expensive but the best.
http://www.championsidecars.com/products.asp?scPage=3&catID=7&itemID=312

[98valk]

but the best.

u starting a saddlebag war robert?   

[Robert]

Can I mention the best oil too? 

[Walküre]

Champion 1,295.00 expensive but the best.
http://www.championsidecars.com/products.asp?scPage=3&catID=7&itemID=312

Robert - they look really long, past the back of the fender, in the picture. Is it an illusion, or are they pretty long?



If they are that long, seems to me the Liberty looks a little better:



But it's really hard to tell, from just pictures, from their site. I wouldn't mind seeing more pictures, from more angles.

Currently, I'm leaning towards the Tsukayu Strong bags, as I have seen them from several angles, and like them a lot.







When I get my Tsukayu's, you can have my Tourmasters...

[Tropic traveler]

National Cycle CruiserLiner hardbags on a Valkyrie.




Not as big as OE Tourer bags but they seem to be sealed well & IMO flow good with the Valk's lines. They are better than the Mutazu/Tsukyaka or whatever bags that are all over E-Bay but not as thick as OE or Champions. I haven't seen any of the other brands so I can't comment on them.
Bought the bags used & the mount kit new.
BTW, have about $650 in them & luckily for me black is the right color!
OE bags if you can find them will command a pretty penny & if your luck is like mine you'll never find them in your color so add the painting cost too!   

One caveat... the dzus fastener set up SUCKS! I knocked the female half of them off the mount brackets, tossed the fasteners & used SS bolts and locknuts instead. Fits good & is more secure.

[Six Guns]

Robert - they look really long, past the back of the fender, in the picture. Is it an illusion, or are they pretty long?

Roger, I'm not Robert but I have a friend down the street from me that has the Champion bags on his orange/black valkyrie. They are the same size as oem but made better. That view that you showed in the photo makes it look like the bags go past the rear fender, but it doesn't. I have Corbin beetle bags on one of my valkyrie's and oem Honda bags on my Interstate. I know the Champion bags cost more but they are the best. IMHO.     

[Walküre]

Roger, I'm not Robert but I have a friend down the street from me that has the Champion bags on his orange/black valkyrie. They are the same size as oem but made better. That view that you showed in the photo makes it look like the bags go past the rear fender, but it doesn't.

OK, cool to know. Like I said, I really couldn't tell, from just the one picture. Any chance of posting some pics, from different angles, on your buddies? Whatever way I go, it will not be cheap, so only want to do it once, with few regrets.

I do know there's LOT'S of difference between the Mutazu and Tsukyaka bags - the Matazu is ABS, and the Tsukayu bags are fiberglass. The Matuzu is about $350 range, and the Tsukayu bags are about $500, in primer, if I recall. I've never heard anyone regret having the Tsukayu, but have heard quite a bit of negative on the ABS ones. Makes sense, to me.

I've had a LOT of Wings, and gone through both stock Honda, and Vetter's, and a few other no-name bags. Never had a problem, with any of them, a leak here or there, but new seals/better seals always remedied the problem. To me, it boils down to quality relating to price. I can be just as happy with a really good $400 set, as a $1200 GREAT set. I never get THAT attached, to ANY bike. Guess that's why I have never named a single one of them. Mine already has a name - Valkyrie....Honda Valkyrie...

[Robert]

Ive been told that Honda had some bikes made with the Champion bags if you have a seam on going down the rear of the bag then they are manufactured by Honda if there's no seam then Champion. Other than that size and shape identical oem to champions. Pics are deceiving if you go their webs site I think they have some better pics.

[MP]

The seamed bags were the early tourer bags.  When the IS came out, they started with the no seam bags. Never heard they were non OEM.

MP

[Walküre]

Here's a link with a lot of Patriot's and Patriot sport's bags. I still like the Tsukayu, and to me, the Patriot just seems "big". Of course, there aren't any IS's around here, that I've seen, to see the bags, but now looking at all the other pics, on VRCC, I like the lower profile better, perhaps. Not in a big hurry, still working on building my trailer. Towards the bottom of the link are the specs of the bags Champion makes - the Sport is about 1 1/2" less tall, than the Patriot...

Link:  http://www.sideroadcycles.com/AmericanMotorcycles/Hard_Bags/Champion_Hard_Bags.html


Clicking on the Valk, in the link, takes you to a different page, with another picture, in the side view, looks like the bag is at least an inch, maybe 2, higher above the exhaust, than the rear quarter view...

I'd have to see them...

R

[KerryNolan]

Here are the Champion Patriots on mine.
Kerry

[Robert]

Take these 2 and look at my icon and you can get a pretty good idea. Of course Id like the other bags too with the difference in price.

[Walküre]

Thanks to the marvels of modern computers, I "flipped" the pic of the Tsukayu bags, so both bikes are facing the same way, to give a little better "comparison". The "look" is very similar.





A few things, in my opinion. My Valk is probably going to LONG outlast me. I don't have a lot of allegiance to one bike, or one brand. I like the Valk a lot. That being said, is a Valkyrie going to be my last bike? Or even a better question, will THIS Valk be my last bike? I have to answer with a real strong "maybe?!?". If someone offered me $8,000 tomorrow, they'd have a new Valk. When I get it to where I want it, $8,000 probably won't touch it.

I think the ONLY way to get a set of Tourer bags, is to GET a set of Tourer bags. That way you will have the mounts, and everything exactly like a Tourer (perhaps the Champion mounts are exactly the same, I don't know). Easiest way is to BUY a Tourer. Or pay $1000 or so, for used bags off the 'bay. I missed a set, painted in MY colors, for $1,100 with shipping. All mounts, etc, were there.

Alternatively, is find a set of bags, whose "look" you like, has construction quality you can live with, and buy them. We ALL have a different opinion on what is aesthetically most pleasing. I tend to actually LIKE the Tsukayu bags, as to their slightly smaller size, and flatter sides. I like that more of the rear fender shows with them, as well as the bigger angle on the front, that more closely matches the rear angle. Looks more "rakish". And from what I've read, the quality is very close to the Champion bags. I'll agree, with the double walled lid, the Champion is probably a better made bag. But, I've never heard ANY complaints that the Tsukayu bags have had any problems.

It boils down to what you like, and what you're willing to spend to get them. I also feel that whatever you get, in six months, if you are at all happy with them, they'll be the best buy you've ever done! Regardless of which they are. I was happy with my Jeep Liberty - in fact, ecstatic - until someone destroyed it, last Christmas Day. So, instead of another Liberty, I got a Chevy truck. Now, IT'S the best I've ever had. Until the next truck, that is. Same with the Valk. I can see me keeping her, but if I fell into a Tourer, at a great price, mine would probably be up for sale. But, once I get the bags on her, I won't even BE looking at a Tourer, any more. And I'm not fond of the Interstates - too "Wing"ish for me...been there, done that, many times.

Sorry so long winded. In closing, I would suggest to anyone, LOOK AT THEM ALL, and THEN decide. No matter what you buy (unless cheap tourmaster like I have now), you'll have a lot of time AND money into them, so it would be nice, to be happy...

R

[Black Dog]

Here are a few pictures of my Champions...  Notice how the bike has changed over the years, but the Champions still look great.  I've been running these for better than 9 years now (btw, the bike started as a '97 Standard).

Like others have said, expensive, but well worth it 









Good luck in your search!

Black Dog

[Walküre]

I've noticed the chrome bars - "guards" - in front of the bags. What are those? Aftermarket? Honda? Goldwing parts?

Thanks to all for the pics, etc! A lot of knowledge here. I hope we didn't hijack the original poster's thread.

Personally, I like the Tsukayu bags, for the Tourer look. But, I like the Champion's a LOT more with the Interstate trunk. Don't see me with a trunk.

ALL great bikes! Thanks, 

R

[Black Dog]

The 'Crash Bars' shown in my pictures, are from Champion.  I believe I heard that they are not made any more.

Black Dog

[BF]

Hello
 Any one know where to get a set of tourer bags? Will I/S bags work on a std?
 thanks

Ebay, Craigslist, the VRCC classifieds.......or check with any number of trike shops out there.


As this has turned into a bag recommendation thread, I don't have any first hand knowledge with other bags other than the ones that came on my Valk.......the original OEM leather Valk bags.  They're OK, but they aren't all that big and they don't lock.  

I've been looking to replace my leather bags with a hard bag.  

If I had the buck$, I'd go with a set of Champions.  Second choice would be a set of OEM Interstate or Tourer bags with mounts.  If I went with the OEM hardbags, I'd be looking to get one of the quick release kits for them.  

The thing with the Champions or a good used set of OEM's is.......they're $pendy....and sometimes way $pendy.  

I've been looking at the Mustang hardbags.  They can be found for around 650 or so.......and if I don't go with a set of used OEMs, then I think these are what I'm going to go with.......

 http://www.mustangseats.com/Product.aspx?ID=6

This is what they look like on a Valk.....






I'm also looking at this trunk to go with the Mustangs......



It's a Harley tour pak.  It doesn't come with a lock set, but you can buy one for it.  

Here's a video I found of someone that mounted the Mustang's on his bike (not a Valk).  Looks like he's also got a LeatherLyke trunk mounted as well.......

MUSTANG HARD MOTORCYCLE SADDLEBAGS	powered by Aeva

[Walküre]

I read someplace that those bags were "skinned"  Tsukayu bags. Judging by the rake and lilt at the rear, I'd guess that's correct.

[BF]

Possible, but I don't think so.  I'm thinking the deminsions are different. 

[Tropic traveler]

One thing that is very important to note about OE Tourer/IS bags vs. any aftermarket bag is the EXCELLENT Honda mounting bracketry that goes with them.
The chrome "loop" that protrudes out past the bag at the front half has saved my Valkyrie from LOTS of damage. When Kim was first learning to handle a big bike like the Valk she tipped it over several times while stationary. Without the OE brackets the bags would have been crunched!  With them the Valk just stays in a lean, resting on the engine guard & bag guard.
We all know of the extra expense & probable color change that a used set of OE Honda bags would bring but what is a benefit like that worth??

Best pic I have of the OE bag guard.