SaddleBags That FIT 800 Without Grief

[Sand Storm]

I haven't noticed a name but I will have a second look, I will get some measurements this week on my off days. PM me if I don't post something by Friday.

[kw-retrorider]

SS: Nice looking bags. Been looking for a set of more rectangular bags....(currently have Mavericks)
- any idea whose bags those are? (manufacturer)
- could I bother you for the width and length of the opening after you lift the covers?
Thanks

[Sand Storm]

I got found a set in Galena, IL. while shopping with the misses, I wasn't sure when I saw them but for $59 bucks I figured I would take a chance. Leather and studded, I purchased a set of those OSPREY brackets and mounted them up.  I'm waiting for my Corbin solo seat to get, on order, to complete the look I want. 

[Zoar]

Wow, I like those..    I wish the pic was bigger.  I'd like to see those mounts.

Here is a better pic I found on the web:

[Zoar]

Wow, I like those..    I wish the pic was bigger.  I'd like to see those mounts.

Yea, these are the pics I found to date in my quest for this set-up. I wish the photos were close-up and bigger too. I emailed the bike sales company in one of the pics asking them about the bags. I also emailed THREE bike saddle/leather shops with requests for any information on a setup like this. So far no positive response. Yet. Everyone is like---'Geeee, don't know', so far.

I know this is not a common location for "saddlebags" but it was a common location years ago and the pictures I took off the web show that it does exist today. Unfortunately the photos I took from the web are from bikes "somewhere" in the US but no where I can actually see how they MOUNTED the saddle bags, which is the primary issue, the size of the bag itself is secondary.

But I dig this set up... a LOT!

[Zoar]

Can not get a good look at them on here but they might just be a set of throw overs (something to look at) that are under the seat and over the battery area. Might have to get them custom made for yourself.Not sure how they would effect the legs when you are stopped........

Yea, I think as long as they are set back a little then when stopped should be no interference.  And yes I wish I could see these IN PERSON instead of little pics I researched and found on the web of this setup. But I did find TWO bikes on the web of recent bikes that had them so it is something that has been done recently! (I know some vintage photos show OLD Indians with this arrangement too!)

[greenbarn]

I still want to find some bags LIKE THESE: They fit basically under the seat and do not obscure or cover the Drifter rear fender. If anyone has a clue where to get some LIKE these.

Wow, I like those..    I wish the pic was bigger.  I'd like to see those mounts.

[CDNRatMan]

  Can not get a good look at them on here but they might just be a set of throw overs (something to look at) that are under the seat and over the battery area. Might have to get them custom made for yourself.Not sure how they would effect the legs when you are stopped........

[Zoar]

I still want to find some bags LIKE THESE: They fit basically under the seat and do not obscure or cover the Drifter rear fender. If anyone has a clue where to get some LIKE these.

[CDNRatMan]

    I lucked in and got that at a close out sale at Jafrum.com

http://www.jafrum.com/motorcycle-luggage/trunk-bags

http://www.leatherup.ca/c/Motorcycle-Tail-Bags/2/1041.html

just goggle and type in travel trunk and see what hits you get......I find it very handy and thank Troll for the idea.

[Zoar]

Travel trunk is way cool! What is the maker/where did you get that!???

[CDNRatMan]

  I added a travel trunk on the back so no need for saddle bags. Then I added a pair of windscreen bags to the front engine guard for sunglasses and such......no need to cover the rear fender.

[Zoar]

Hey Zoe, maybe this could help ya: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Saddleline-Kawasaki-VN-800-DRIFTER-mounting-brackets-for-saddlebags-/252106864221?hash=item3ab2bd765d:g:bHIAAOSw0HVWCXoK&vxp=mtr
I've got them too and they're made of high quality steel.
And, if I'm not mistakin', you can use them for both your seats... just reverse and flip them upside down, to be able to bolt on your single seat.

I like the look of the rear fender so much I do not want to cover it up, but I need some sort of saddle bags. Even smaller ones. I did some searching on line and saw a Drifter with saddle bags that lie essentially beneath the seat. I dig this location! And the fender is visible. I am not into fringes personally but I was thinking of buying two black sissy bar bags and custom / pain in the arse fitting them beneath the seat like these. But, Ideally, I would find something made for this location.

[Zoar]

Hey Zoe, maybe this could help ya: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Saddleline-Kawasaki-VN-800-DRIFTER-mounting-brackets-for-saddlebags-/252106864221?hash=item3ab2bd765d:g:bHIAAOSw0HVWCXoK&vxp=mtr
I've got them too and they're made of high quality steel.
And, if I'm not mistakin', you can use them for both your seats... just reverse and flip them upside down, to be able to bolt on your single seat.

Cool. I have to see if they will fit a custom Corbin double seat. It is not a Kawasaki double seat.

[mittico68]

I do not have any brackets at this time for the 800. I have two seats. One is a custom CORBIN two up and the solo seat it came with.

Hey Zoe, maybe this could help ya: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Saddleline-Kawasaki-VN-800-DRIFTER-mounting-brackets-for-saddlebags-/252106864221?hash=item3ab2bd765d:g:bHIAAOSw0HVWCXoK&vxp=mtr
I've got them too and they're made of high quality steel.
And, if I'm not mistakin', you can use them for both your seats... just reverse and flip them upside down, to be able to bolt on your single seat.

[pcarrell]

I think the avatar issue may have been a forum glitch.  It looks like it's all sorted out now though.

[CDNRatMan]

I'll add my 5 cents here seeing as we have done away with pennies in the financial world.

I hate to hide my fenders, I like them and the looks of them, also I use the 2 up seat all the time and it does look like a black slug hanging in the air, but I find it comfortable. For short trips I use a travel truck thank to Troll for the idea.
I have a set of expandable canvas type throw over saddle bags for travelling. I like this because I can just undo 2 buckles and carry them into the motel.
Honestly I can not decide if I like the hard or soft bags, but it would depend on the persona of the bike or the theme you are after. However I am a huge fan of the vintage look and again depending on paint and such then brown or tan bags are so good looking.

[Zoar]

Zoar: What hardware are you using to attach the bags to the bike? Solo seat or two up?

Two choices off the top of my head for the solo seat:

1. Everything from Scoot Works....detachable brackets and bags
2. Osprey or Traveleer bracket or equivalent hard bracket

I am running the second option with Kawasaki Fire and Steel Maverick II saddlebags Kawasaki Part Number K-53000-227. They measure 13" high X 7" wide X 13" Length....available studded or not on the internet.

Cool! Thank you! Most helpful. I like the UN-studded.

[Zoar]

Are you looking for hard bags, or soft?

Open to either but lean toward soft for an 800. I had hard bags on my 1150 BMW and they were nice but they fit the BWM better than soft bags fit the DRIFTER.

[Zoar]

When I signed on the system would NOT let me post a picture for my avatar. I struggled and struggled and struggled and struggled. I had NO IDEA any picture was posted! I humbly apologize.

I am new here and definitely not able to make some things function... Albeit, I have been on many forums over the past 8 years and cannot figure out why my first attempt to edit my profile and put MY OWN avatar in was such a dismal failure. As an experienced FORUM user I was defied and prevented from doing much of anything (or so I thought) so I just gave up thinking NOTHING was put in my profile and I certainly did not think I had any avatar.

Again I apologize for whatever wacky stuff happened when I tried to sign up on this forum.

To answer the other good questions:

I do not have any brackets at this time for the 800. I have two seats. One is a custom CORBIN two up and the solo seat it came with.

[49Reo]

I see you changed your avatar, Zoar; thank you for that, but I see you didn't provide an explanation (or apology for that matter)for using a pic of a bike that obviously isn't yours.

Reo

[pcarrell]

I have a pair of Fire & Steel Ranger 2 Chubbies on my 1500 and they look and work great.  You can get them in regular width or chubbies, with or without studs.  Here's a link to some plain chubbies: http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/kawasaki-fire-and-steel-ranger-ii-chubby-saddlebags-plain-vulcan-900-1500-and-1600-models/part/KAK-53000-223

Osprey also makes some truly beautiful bags, and they used to make a mounting system for 800 Drifters, but I don't know if they still do.  http://saddlebags.net/product-category/saddlebags/

As most have insinuated or outright said, the mounting setup is the hard part.  Once you have that worked out you can mount almost anything.  This page may help you with this part: http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/index.php?action=links;cat=33

[greenbarn]

Zoar, what kind of brackets do you have? Or do you have to buy those too?  I ended up making brackets for my 800.  I made them the same style (OK, I "copied" them) as the Scootworks, but I was able to make them fit exactly how I wanted to.  I built them for my corbin 2-up.  Would have made them come out different, perhaps, if I put them on a solo.  I also built in a luggage rack.

I'd stay away from throw-overs, (if you are considering them)-  marks up the paint too much.

Seems like there are Kawasaki solo brackets that were made aren't there?  Does anyone know for sure??

Once you get the brackets mounted  -- Depending on how creative and handy you are --   you could mount most any bags depending a lot on your preference for size and style.  At that time I put on a cheap set I found on Ebay that I liked.  Added the Indian tank emblem decor...

[kw-retrorider]

Zoar: What hardware are you using to attach the bags to the bike? Solo seat or two up?

Two choices off the top of my head for the solo seat:

1. Everything from Scoot Works....detachable brackets and bags
2. Osprey or Traveleer bracket or equivalent hard bracket

I am running the second option with Kawasaki Fire and Steel Maverick II saddlebags Kawasaki Part Number K-53000-227. They measure 13" high X 7" wide X 13" Length....available studded or not on the internet.

[CDNRatMan]

you mean this lads.....   Statler and Waldorf........