ugodableev

Hi - I'm a newbie who is getting accessories for my 2006 250. I am planning a trip from Charlotte NC to northern NJ (700 miles each way). Do you prefer saddle bags or sissy bar luggage? Why?

Thanks - Jack

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flitecontrol

Both, because it's hard to get everything you need in one or the other.

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I'm keepin' all the left over parts. I'm gonna use 'em to build another bike!

2001 Rebel 250, 1989 Vulcan 750
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jax

I just put a sidecar on my 450 so I can take anything I want. Just kidding, but it does give me lots of room. When I was traveling on my bike back in the 70's, I had saddlebags and a sissy bar so I could pack enough to take with me.

Ride safe

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twocoolgliders

I first got a small pack to strap onto the sissy bar......awkward, hard to use, and does not hold much. Then got River Road small slant bags.......easy to open and close, holds more (not a huge amount, but more). They also can be unzipped to take with you, like into a motel etc. I carry something every day......lunch...change of clothes....tools for work.. etc.

For 1400 miles of riding, your gonna need a lot of storage space, unless you travel really light!!! You need saddle bags, fork bag, sissy bar pack, rear seat pack, rear rack with pack, tank pack, and back pack.

Cookie

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Buickguy

When I did trips like that on the Rebel, I used some Osi throw over sadllebags (still have 'em) as well as a rear seat bag made by Bagman secured to the sissybar.
The thing I like about easily removed nylon/poly woven bags is they are very light,
are fairly water resistant. It's easy enough to keep things watertight with plastic bags as liners. There is no permanent attachment so everything comes in to the motel/tent with you. If you are going to carry things often, they may not be the right choice for you but they sure worked (and still work) to meet my needs. Easily packed, lightweight, easily attached with straps, easily removed and carried in with me.

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1987 CMX250C Rebel

2002 FSC600 SilverWing

1983 Yamaha Midnight Virago XV920MK

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JunkyardDog

If you are planning a trip, definitely both, plus maybe a tank bag and fork bag. I have permanently mounted saddlebags in my Rebel (bolted on), but because the Rebel has tube type tires, they are almost completely filled up with flat fixing stuff, which I take with me everywhere I go. If I am going on a longer ride, I have a sissy bar mounted T-Bag setup that I also use on my Vulcan 750. It sets down on the back fender. I relocated the tail/brake light underneath the fender. If I really need room, I can also strap something to the passenger seat. I also have a ProTac riders backrest, and I have a bag that fits really well between it and the sissy bar. I also have a fork mounted tool bag that I keep several pounds of wrenches, screwdrivers, tire irons, and other heavy tools in. The Rebel actually has quite a bit of storage room, if you just make use of it. Jerry.

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Guba

You can pack more stuff into saddle bags than sissy bar bags. The River Road slant mediums fit nice without modifying the bike at all. But you will have to modify the bags a bit by punching some holes in the bags to lace them higher up.

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Some days beer tastes good...other days beer tastes better!

'07 Rebel 250 26,000 miles

Fridgitator

I have saddlebags on all the time. They are very convenient for daily trips to the store, etc.. and I also keep bungee cords and a few basic tools in them. I have a luggage rack, sissy bar, and a bag that fits well on the pillion seat, and straps securely to the sissy bar.

For road trips, there is also room on top of the saddlebags to strap lighter items in place.

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flitecontrol

These hold a ton of stuff. http://www.jafrum.com/SB1

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I'm keepin' all the left over parts. I'm gonna use 'em to build another bike!

2001 Rebel 250, 1989 Vulcan 750
Putting your bike info in your signature helps others help you!

JunkyardDog

I have this bag, in the medium size. It holds a lot. It also fits well on either the Vulcan 750 or the Rebel (after removing the stock tail/brake light and installing a different one under the edge of the fender) Despite it's low price, it has held up well. It has no leather on it, it is some kind of canvas, with imitation leather flaps, and is internally reinforced with corrugated plastic to hold it's shape. It is not waterproof. When mounted on the back of the bar, it covered up the stock light, and it was too tall to fit properly on the passenger seat. It fits great with the stock tail light removed, so it can sit down on the rear fender. Jerry.


http://www.jcwhitney.com/sissy-bar-l.../p2002458.jcwx

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