Internet Security, music, and Dad Jokes. And pets - it's a blog, after all.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Want
For the motorcycle:
$55, including mounting kit. Dang, that's almost free. And they have tail lights you can wire into the turn/braking lights. Any reason not to get these?
I've been considering a set of ABS bags myself, ever since I took the nylon canvas bags off my bike. (Here's a hint - nylon is not UV stable. Stay away from it if the bike lives outdoors.)
Inexpensive hard bags may crack more easily if they get dinged by a rock or a clumsy driver in a parking lot, but half the fun of a bike is accessorizing. I'd say go for it!
I work at a motorcycle salvage shop- make sure your hard bags have keeper cords on the lids. They like to fly off and get run over by the semi that is right behind you. Saddlebag lids and the side covers that hide the battery (right side on some bikes, left on the others) are always in short supply because they break the most.
Old NFO has some reasons I like. Also, those lights look to be pretty big - definitely wouldn't hurt to supplement your existing turn signals and brake lights - those always seem to be on the small side on bikes.
Because as soon as you get them installed, some idiot changes lanes without looking and they get smashed to bits (along with various body parts) in the resulting accident.
I'd be a bit skeptical of the quality, but given the alternatives, it might be worth a shot. Sometimes cheap is cheap, sometimes it's just inexpensive.
If they're not made for your bike installation might be a challenge. Be careful of the clearance between the box and your exhaust pipes - make sure they're not too tall for the bike (unless you don't care about the pillion seat). or that they're not too long. You really don't want those for butt cheek support :)
Price is a little too good to be true, I'd be concerned with quality. I'm also a little concerned that they don't show them on a bike. I can speak from personal experience on the keepers--got a set of beat up fiberglass bags at a garage sale, repaired and painted them. Didn't put the keepers on immediately because I was still tweaking...and lost one of the lids. Found about 2/3 of the lid, and after a bunch of trial and error was able to rebuild it. (Used honey as part of the rebuild...)
On the positive side, I like hard bags better, and throw-over leather bags still require installation and usually require extra supports at extra cost. Top load bags are a lot more convenient than side loaders. Many bikes require moving the turn signals, nice that these bags have them. (Make sure they are bright enough, and I think technically they have to be DOT approved if you take off the existing lights)
Rain gear, first aid kit, Nah, none of those are good reasons... :-)
ReplyDeleteI've been considering a set of ABS bags myself, ever since I took the nylon canvas bags off my bike. (Here's a hint - nylon is not UV stable. Stay away from it if the bike lives outdoors.)
ReplyDeleteInexpensive hard bags may crack more easily if they get dinged by a rock or a clumsy driver in a parking lot, but half the fun of a bike is accessorizing. I'd say go for it!
I work at a motorcycle salvage shop- make sure your hard bags have keeper cords on the lids. They like to fly off and get run over by the semi that is right behind you. Saddlebag lids and the side covers that hide the battery (right side on some bikes, left on the others) are always in short supply because they break the most.
ReplyDeleteOld NFO has some reasons I like. Also, those lights look to be pretty big - definitely wouldn't hurt to supplement your existing turn signals and brake lights - those always seem to be on the small side on bikes.
ReplyDeleteAnd like you said - the price is quite low!
Because as soon as you get them installed, some idiot changes lanes without looking and they get smashed to bits (along with various body parts) in the resulting accident.
ReplyDeleteWell, that's what happened to me.
At $55/set I'd get two - put a spare set in the attic.
ReplyDeleteAs soon as you get them installed... you'll be wanting a bigger bike...
ReplyDeleteNaw, you get some leather saddlebags and spend $400 bucks so you can go old school on it :D
ReplyDeleteI'd be a bit skeptical of the quality, but given the alternatives, it might be worth a shot. Sometimes cheap is cheap, sometimes it's just inexpensive.
ReplyDeleteIf they're not made for your bike installation might be a challenge. Be careful of the clearance between the box and your exhaust pipes - make sure they're not too tall for the bike (unless you don't care about the pillion seat). or that they're not too long. You really don't want those for butt cheek support :)
Price is a little too good to be true, I'd be concerned with quality. I'm also a little concerned that they don't show them on a bike. I can speak from personal experience on the keepers--got a set of beat up fiberglass bags at a garage sale, repaired and painted them. Didn't put the keepers on immediately because I was still tweaking...and lost one of the lids. Found about 2/3 of the lid, and after a bunch of trial and error was able to rebuild it. (Used honey as part of the rebuild...)
ReplyDeleteOn the positive side, I like hard bags better, and throw-over leather bags still require installation and usually require extra supports at extra cost. Top load bags are a lot more convenient than side loaders. Many bikes require moving the turn signals, nice that these bags have them. (Make sure they are bright enough, and I think technically they have to be DOT approved if you take off the existing lights)