Saddle Bag options?

OK, I am looking for some saddle bags for my seca. What are the pro's and con's of leather vs. nylon? I plan on using them on a 4 week trip so they will probably see just about all different types of weather.

 

i like the nylons they look cooler :8

just keep them away from the pipes!

 

Hey, those look just like my bags, SnoSheriff, so I guess I have to agree with you!

 

Well don't forget they are goign on a Seca, I was thinking the Nylon will look better. I also don't plan on keeping them on the bike all the time. Here's the seca...

 

nice bike.
cheers brenton

 

scheck out the ones in my bike!

they would look bnice on yours snoman!!

and yes thats a seca under there!! :8

 

Synthetic bag
PROs - generally cheaper, more adaptable, more resistant
CONs - melt - I've seen it happen. catch fire in extreme cases [*]

Leather bags
PROs - can look better, it's leather, don't tend to catch fire
CONs - generally cost more, not water proof

Hard bags
PROs - almost waterproof, won't slip (so unlikely to get too low), more space, and act as luggage

CONs - expensive, break when low sided on... bulky to store, don't transfer to other bikes.

If you have either of them too low they will get damaged by the heat. The contents of Ronnie's leather bags got melted... it was a real pisser on a road trip to loose some of your clothing.

[*] a friend of mine was ridding down the slab - and a van pulled up next to him honking - the passenger had a sign reading 'BAG FIRE'... he pulled over to find one of his saddlebags had slipped down onto the pipe and had caught fire. Duct taped it back together and salavaged what he could at the motel. I still laugh at 'BAG FIRE'...

 

lol

how come u dont have a pic gallerywoot?!

 

yeah i can see how a bag fire would be bad, if u had 4into1 then u'd only have half the chance of it touching the muffler :wink:

 

I've been busy lately - now I'm 'enjoying' a few sick days... not sure I have very many pictures for you folks, but I'll see what I can do.

Woot.

 

like most items personal preference. I like my leather bags, one reason is i got them from ebay for 6.00 dollars. they were running 150 anywhere else i saw them so i could not pass them up. so far have been very good. and also waterproff..by the way. at least my stuff stayed dry and i rode the rain 4 times in downpours, no wet stuff.

 

lol, I never really thought about the whole "bag fire" issue, I guess I will have to make sure they are straped on tight ( and that I carry duck tape).