Saddlebag supports for V7 Stone?

[stonelover86]

Hey y'all,

So a month ago I bought my beautiful new '15 V7 Stone. (I could have waited a month until the '16s came out with ABS, but, ehh, whatever.) In honor of her Italian heritage, I named her Gilda, after Rigoletto's daughter. Here she is during a little break across the famed Tamiami Trail.



But 200 miles in a day was not enough, and I'm hankering to visit some relatives up in Georgia. This means installing saddlebags. Thing is, if at all possible, I would not like to install a metal tail bag rack - I think they'd ruin the lines of the bike. I'm enough of a ponce that I care very much how my bike looks and how I look on it - which, I know, should take a back-seat to functionality, but it's just my way.

Does anybody have any experience with saddlebag supports that don't incorporate tail bags? I really, really want to avoid that if at all possible.

[malik]

This works well for me.



The OEM rack has threaded lugs built in. A mate with a tube bender knocked this rack up for me - $50 for the stainless rod & a bit of stainless plate. It connects to the rack's lugs at the top, to the pillion footrest hanger, with a brace from side to side at the rear behind the mudguard. Solid as.

Mal

[coastdude]

I've fitted H&B C-Bow carriers to my V7, you need the corresponding bags (or fit the plates to your own). They've been good with the Nevada bags and I have since fitted a rack for my wifes sense of security and extra carrying capacity.

[malik]

If you don't want an extra metal at all, check out Great Basin's Giant Loop, or the various banana bags, such as Wolfman's Beta series. They sit on the pillion seat, tie on to the pillion footpeg hanger & some place at the rear - you can use a loop or two of webbing around the frame at the rear of the seat to secure the straps at the back. One bag, easy on, easy off & no hardware.

Mal

[O]

I like the C-Bows too.  The mounts are very unobtrusive when the bags are off.

[Penderic]

Lots of metal bit will look very busy without the bags.



Black or chrome, dull, dirty, rusty racks really stand out.

For my vintage Craven bags, I chromed all my new metal braces and re-used a nice chromed luggage rack that I already had.


Without the bags mounted, she looks like she has chrome braces on!


I think I'll go out and polish my spokes now. 

[rocker59]

The regular H+B bag mounts don't require a luggage rack.  Get them in black and they're unobtrusive.




and the C-Bows, as mentioned, are unobtrusive.  But, bag choice is a little more limited than with the regular racks.

[kingoffleece]

As I use my 15 Stone as (mostly) a day rider I too did not want anything to spoil  the lines of the bike.  However, I always carry a flat kit, glasses, water, a rain suit, and such.  So I purchased the Ventura Rack System.  Got to say I'm pleased with how it turned out.
I'll use the small sport pac most times but can switch to a larger bag which I also ordered as needed.  When there are no bags attached it's simply a nice rear rack that does not spoil the bike.

Lots of ways to go here, as you can see.

[stonelover86]

The C-bows are, indeed, very unobtrusive, but I'm not sure how I feel about their limited selection. How do they work? Actually, honestly, how do any of them work? Where is the 'grabbing' element that binds them to the bag, or the bag to the rack?

[Cam3512]

The C-bows are, indeed, very unobtrusive, but I'm not sure how I feel about their limited selection. How do they work? Actually, honestly, how do any of them work? Where is the 'grabbing' element that binds them to the bag, or the bag to the rack?

The C-Bow bags have a hard plastic slot (same shape) on back that fits over the steel mounts, and with the turn of a key on top, they lock on/off. 

[stonelover86]

The C-Bow bags have a hard plastic slot (same shape) on back that fits over the steel mounts, and with the turn of a key on top, they lock on/off.

How about the regular ol' square ones? Is it a better system?

I want to get some nice leather bags, but the C-Bow ones I've seen are really, really expensive. Like, $600+.

[rocker59]

How about the regular ol' square ones? Is it a better system?

I want to get some nice leather bags, but the C-Bow ones I've seen are really, really expensive. Like, $600+.

The square ones have a latch at the back and a groove at the front and bottom.  They're very secure.

They're all expensive, unless you can find them used.

However, they're very nice.  And, sometimes it's good to have nice things.

[Rich A]

If you don't want an extra metal at all, check out Great Basin's Giant Loop, or the various banana bags, such as Wolfman's Beta series.
Mal

+1 on the Wolfman Beta. They hold quite a bit, too.

Rich A

[malik]

Saddlebags tend to hold the weight lower down. I noticed a slight difference with a full Beta, as opposed to the saddlebags, but not with a 3/4 full Beta. My challenge next week is to pack the Beta for an 11 day trip and still keep it only 3/4 full with the weight as low as possible. Less tools than last time would be a good start.

Mal

[O]

How about the regular ol' square ones? Is it a better system?

I want to get some nice leather bags, but the C-Bow ones I've seen are really, really expensive. Like, $600+.

If you're looking for nice leather bags, you can't go wrong with the C-Bow Rugged Bags.  I have them for my black/orange special, but they'd look even better on your green stone.  The best prices I could find for the bags was this German company:
http://www.moto24.co.uk/hepco-becker-saddle-bags-rugged-c-bow.html

Best price on the C-Bow mounts was in the UK:
http://www.hepco-and-becker-luggage.co.uk/partsearch.php?q=630541.00.01&go=GO

[Kev m]

What are you guys talking about "limited" with the selection of C-bow bags?

Last time I checked there were more than half a dozen options.

Street Soft bags (there may be more than one version of these size/shape wise)



Royster (ok they're fugly)



Strayker (my favorite)



Scarlet



Liberty



Buffalo



Nevada



Rugged



Ivory

http://www.motomachines.com/Ivory-Black-leather-bag--30-liters-for-C-Bow-only_p_1300.html

Yeah, some of them (most of them) aren't cheap, but they're quality.

I LOVE my HB Junior hard cases and that was the right choice for me. But if I was concerned about the racks, then I'd go C-bow in a heartbeat.

UK

http://www.hepco-and-becker-luggage.co.uk/products.php?prodtypes=33#tabselection

US

http://www.motomachines.com/

[gerryp]

If you're looking for nice leather bags, you can't go wrong with the C-Bow Rugged Bags.  I have them for my black/orange special, but they'd look even better on your green stone.  The best prices I could find for the bags was this German company:
http://www.moto24.co.uk/hepco-becker-saddle-bags-rugged-c-bow.html

Best price on the C-Bow mounts was in the UK:
http://www.hepco-and-becker-luggage.co.uk/partsearch.php?q=630541.00.01&go=GO

I agree, Thoes bags would look killer.

[Kev m]

I agree, Thoes bags would look killer.

And I've seen some accessory brown seats too...

[rocker59]

What are you guys talking about "limited" with the selection of C-bow bags?
 

For me, it means Juniors, Journeys, and aluminum bags are not available in the C-Bow mount.

I've not really ever been into soft bags.  But, they are broadening the soft bag line for C-Bow mounts.

[coastdude]

I liked the idea of the c bow carriers from what I saw online and ordered them with the H&B Nevada bags. Luckily before they were posted staff rang me and said this model bag came with mounts for traditional H&B carriers. The shop was well stocked with H&B and fixed the problem by selling me C-bow receivers which I easily mounted to the bag of my choice, the Nevadas. They wouldn't be too hard to fit to almost any bag. Check out www.motorcycleadven tureproducts.com.au
As an aside, my son just pointed out the large snake sitting under the boat behind me in the garage. It's a python (Morelia spilota variagata) (not to be confused with the Children's Python!) and looks hungry on what feels like the first day of spring. Better get my headlight so I can watch where I'm walking. Greetings from Australia.

[Cam3512]

I liked the idea of the c bow carriers from what I saw online and ordered them with the H&B Nevada bags. Luckily before they were posted staff rang me and said this model bag came with mounts for traditional H&B carriers. The shop was well stocked with H&B and fixed the problem by selling me C-bow receivers which I easily mounted to the bag of my choice, the Nevadas. They wouldn't be too hard to fit to almost any bag. Check out www.motorcycleadven tureproducts.com.au
As an aside, my son just pointed out the large snake sitting under the boat behind me in the garage. It's a python (Morelia spilota variagata) (not to be confused with the Children's Python!) and looks hungry on what feels like the first day of spring. Better get my headlight so I can watch where I'm walking. Greetings from Australia.

So just to be clear, they sell the slotted receivers seperately?   Bolt to any hard bag and you can hang on the C-Bow brackets?  If so, that's great.  Bag options would then be limitless.  Wixoms, Bucos, Cravens, etc.

[jas67]

... the C-Bows, as mentioned, are unobtrusive.  But, bag choice is a little more limited than with the regular racks.

Actually, there are a lot more bags for C-bows that I originally thought.  Krauser also sells C-bow bags and mounts under the name "K-wing".   They have both soft and hard bag choices, and even top cases.   They don't seem to be marketed in the US, but, I'm sure you could find a European vendor to ship them.
Just a warning -- they're not inexpensive.

So just to be clear, they sell the slotted receivers seperately?   Bolt to any hard bag and you can hang on the C-Bow brackets?  If so, that's great.  Bag options would then be limitless.  Wixoms, Bucos, Cravens, etc.

Yes:
http://www.motomachines.com/C-BOW-Plastic-Mold-Mount_p_1546.html

I've thought about getting a small pelican case for my work laptop and putting a c-bow mount on it to carry the laptop on my Monster, which has C-bow mounts on it.

 

[rocker59]

Actually, there are a lot more bags for C-bows that I originally thought.  Krauser also sells C-bow bags and mounts under the name "K-wing".   They have both soft and hard bag choices, and even top cases.   They don't seem to be marketed in the US, but, I'm sure you could find a European vendor to ship them.
Just a warning -- they're not inexpensive.

Another option is to buy the bag side of them mount, which is available separately, and mount them to some Pelican (or any other) cases.
http://www.motomachines.com/C-BOW-Plastic-Mold-Mount_p_1546.html

I've thought about getting a small pelican case for my work laptop and putting a c-bow mount on it to carry the laptop on my Monster, which has C-bow mounts on it.

Cool!  Good info!   

[Kev m]

I liked the idea of the c bow carriers from what I saw online and ordered them with the H&B Nevada bags. Luckily before they were posted staff rang me and said this model bag came with mounts for traditional H&B carriers. The shop was well stocked with H&B and fixed the problem by selling me C-bow receivers which I easily mounted to the bag of my choice, the Nevadas. They wouldn't be too hard to fit to almost any bag. Check out www.motorcycleadven tureproducts.com.au
As an aside, my son just pointed out the large snake sitting under the boat behind me in the garage. It's a python (Morelia spilota variagata) (not to be confused with the Children's Python!) and looks hungry on what feels like the first day of spring. Better get my headlight so I can watch where I'm walking. Greetings from Australia.

That's odd because it appears the Nevada bags (like most of the bags I posted earlier in this thread) come in two versions directly from HB - one that is already set-up for C-bow:

http://www.motomachines.com/Nevada-leather-bag-set--28-liter-for-C-Bow-only_p_1296.html

Or one that is just set-up for their "leather bag holder" (basically just side supports I think):

http://www.motomachines.com/Nevada-leather-bag-set--28-liter_p_1293.html

[coastdude]

That's odd because it appears the Nevada bags (like most of the bags I posted earlier in this thread) come in two versions directly from HB - one that is already set-up for C-bow:

http://www.motomachines.com/Nevada-leather-bag-set--28-liter-for-C-Bow-only_p_1296.html

Or one that is just set-up for their "leather bag holder" (basically just side supports I think):

http://www.motomachines.com/Nevada-leather-bag-set--28-liter_p_1293.html

That's true, I think the shop just did not have them among their stock.

[O]

Actually, there are a lot more bags for C-bows that I originally thought.  Krauser also sells C-bow bags and mounts under the name "K-wing".   They have both soft and hard bag choices, and even top cases.   They don't seem to be marketed in the US, but, I'm sure you could find a European vendor to ship them.
Just a warning -- they're not inexpensive.

Those Krauser aluminum hard cases would look pretty sweet on a silver V7 special.   

[Cam3512]

I wonder if HB and Krauser are the same company?  These bags are identical to HB Strykers.

http://www.motosfera.lt/en/products/cases-top-cases-bags/skyline-saddle-bags.html

When I bought new Krausers for my /5,  the rear bag-to-mount latches were HB.

[jas67]

I wonder if HB and Krauser are the same company?  These bags are identical to HB Strykers.

http://www.motosfera.lt/en/products/cases-top-cases-bags/skyline-saddle-bags.html

When I bought new Krausers for my /5,  the rear bag-to-mount latches were HB.

You would definitely think that they are.    That goes WAY back to the airhead days, as you see the luggage that was sold back when airehads were new.  There are Krauser and Hepco & Becker bags and mounts from that era that look the same.

One distinction between the two back in the day, Krauser also made and sold performance parts for airheads, such as 4-valve heads.

[DaSwami]

The search function works!!


I think I'm gonna go this route for my Stone.  It will have to be my mule, as saddlebag mounting options for the Triumph Scrambler and CB1100 are so dang limited without heavy modification or ugly hardware.

Black C-Bow mounts with a pair of street soft bags to start.  Sounds like a plan!

[Kev m]

The search function works!!


I think I'm gonna go this route for my Stone.  It will have to be my mule, as saddlebag mounting options for the Triumph Scrambler and CB1100 are so dang limited without heavy modification or ugly hardware.

Black C-Bow mounts with a pair of street soft bags to start.  Sounds like a plan!

Swami, are you saying you ALSO have a CB1100 and a Triumph Scrambler?

Cause if so, that's one of the nice things about the C-bows, you can get mounts for CB too and move the bags bag and for the between them if you want:

http://www.motomachines.com/C-Bow--Honda-CB-1100_p_3468.html

Though I don't see one for the Triumph Scrambler:

http://www.motomachines.com/Scrambler_c_703.html