I'm looking to do some longer overnight/weekend trips this summer (NYC to Cape Cod and/or Philly) and I wanted to get a little more luggage space. I've been looking around at saddlebags, but it's so hard to decide by looking at pix on a website.

I don't know anyone with bags and I've never seen any that aren't bolted/mounted in person. Does anyone have any recommendations? I don't need a ton of space, just enough for a weekend's worth of clothes and stuff.

To give you an idea of what I'm looking for, check these out. I've read good things about them and they look nice...

http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-luggage/motocentric/

Thanks!

Oh... and these look good too. I have the seat bag, which I like a lot.

http://www.revzilla.com/product/cortech-sport-saddlebags

Comments?

The Cortech seat bag can carry a lot of stuff - you might be able to get away with just that. Those plus the saddles would be good for days.

If you have the low mounted exhaust the mount up well. If you have high exhaust there will be conflict. The bags will drape over the cans and potentially get melted.

a buddy of mine is running those motocentric bags. they are absolutely gorgeous, and the build quality is impeccable. if you like those, i would definitely just get them. you'll be very pleased.

Hmmm, the motocentric bags do look a little sharper. But looking at the photos, they appear to functionally be clones of the Cortech bags and the details of size and volumes seem to be about same same. So go with what you need/want

I've been using a set of those Cortech bags for *years*.

They work quite well, and have neoprene pads so they don't rash up whatever they're up against.

as SP was mentioning and this is a very important factor in all of this...do you have low mounted or high mounted exhaust?

Thanks for all the replies. I have the low stock pipes right now. I expect to upgrade, but will keep them low.

The Cortech seat bag that I have is great for most day trips, but for overnight rides I want to be able to take clothes, gear AND my cover with me. The cover is about all the seat bag will really hold so I need extra space for the other stuff.

I agree that the Motocentric bags look better, but I think overall the whole set up (seat bag and saddlebags like in the Revzilla video) will look best if I keep the same brand.

Anything else I should know about attaching them to the bike?

Get a smaller cover?
http://www.gezagear.com/
- Very nice covers and very low bulk.

Hmm I guess you carry more stuff than me. I did a 4 day trip with a 25L back pack and smaller tank bag. DesmoLu and El Matador traveled from Mass back to Tx with only a camel back between them... but I bet they stunk!

Creative and organized packing can get a lot of stuff in a space as well...

But! Saddle bags - they are a universal fit item so some fiddling may be needed. They come with straps to help secure them to poins like passenger pegs etc. Being a universal item, you may need a strategically placed bungee or light webbing strap to ensure a solid fit in the event one of hte supplied/integrated straps just won't do.