Dryspec D20 Soft Saddlebags

[4 Paws_imp]

I frequently leave soft saddlebags on my bikes for daily use - grocery store, rain suit, work clothes and supplement them for trips with a small to mid size duffel bag that straps behind me.
Just haven't ever found hard bags that look good enough when installed to justify the expense.

that moto detail bag is interesting.

[jedd_imp]

Either one works, but I chose to do a simple duffel.
I got the waterproof version.
WIth the roll down opening, the bag can collapse or expand
to tightly fit the volume required.

Hmmm . . . seeing a lot of support for duffel bags to be strapped on the passenger part of the saddle. I suppose an advantage is that they have the potential for holding more volume than saddlebags.

I have a lot of experience with "real" touring bikes (have two BMWs and two Harleys, plus a KLR, all with big hard saddlebags) and like carrying weight lower on the bike, as well as being able to swing my leg over the saddle instead of picking it up and pulling it over the front of the saddle (though it's exactly what I have to do on my Road Glide Ultra due to the top box). The CB1100 would return me to the days when I had an XS650 Yamaha or a Triumph Bonneville (a real one, the kind that you could see through). Neither of those had any provision for carrying anything, including my lunch, so I had to improvise. My memory is dim, but I seem to recall putting some sort of soft saddlebags on the Triumph so I could make a trip back in 1982 . . .

So my question is whether the consensus is that it's "better" to have a set of soft saddlebags or just a duffel for the occasional overnight trip. This clearly would not be my only or my main bike; I just want the option of riding it more than 100 miles from home.

on my last 10 day road trip, I started out with a partial duffel stuffed w/ overnight clothing, laptop, air pump, tire plug, rain gear, spare gloves, walking shoes :


on day 10, same bag also accommodated all the souvenirs I purchased along the way.


cheap lock

[the Ferret]

That's a serious bag! lol

[jdinaz_imp]

And a nice backrest !

[Nortoon_imp]

I run soft bags, a tank bag, and a tail bag



The bags are small, but I know how to pack small. Over the years I have refined my list of what I need and don't need, for a couple of weeks on the road (indefinitely really) and it easily fits in this set up.



I stand on the downside peg to mount swinging my leg over the tail pack OR just karate kick thru the gap between tailpack and tank bag lol.



.

A little trick I learned when packing clothing or my rain suit in Ziploc bags. I sit on the packed bag and then close the seal. It is like vacuum packing. Really saves a lot of space.

I bought a Paradox down filled jacket (long sleeved vest) at Costco to wear under my leather jacket in cold weather. It feels really flimsy, but it fills all the space under my jacket and keeps my warm. It also keeps the wind off my neck and lower back.

It comes with a 6 x 8 inch nylon drawstring tote bag to pack it. But it was like trying to stuff a marshmallow into a piggybank, until I leaned to pull the sleeves inside the zipped jacket. Then it was easier to fold, roll and slip in the tote bag.

Lost the bag on a day ride, but was able to buy a set of 3 at Walmart for $10. The medium sized one was a perfect fit, and I am sure I will find a use for the small and large ones.

[emptysea]

I THINK this is at least somewhat on topic:

Does anyone use their footpeg as a step to mount their CB1100 (like using the left stirrup to mount a horse)? I do this once in a while when I have a lot mounted on the back and I'm too tired (lazy?) to kick my leg up to step directly over the seat.

[Django]

+1
I do. Works if bike is on the sidestand, too.

[Nortoon_imp]

I THINK this is at least somewhat on topic:

Does anyone use their footpeg as a step to mount their CB1100 (like using the left stirrup to mount a horse)? I do this once in a while when I have a lot mounted on the back and I'm too tired (lazy?) to kick my leg up to step directly over the seat.

After dismounting, I always put my motorcycle on the center stand and kick the side stand up. I feel the bike is less likely to fall or get knocked over on the center stand.

But more important, at my age it is much easier to throw the right leg over the seat while standing on the foot peg. Absolutely needed if I have the tail bag mounted, which is most of the time. I like to have my tank bag empty so I can hide my helmet and gloves in it when I stop for food. Out of sight, out of mind.

[emptysea]

I have not done it while the bike was on the center stand. I usually, depending upon terrain, have the bike on the center stand when stopped, but I leave the side stand down. I'm sure there's some reason that I should put the side stand up and why we should not use the left peg as a mounting step, but both have worked for me so far. One of my friends rides a K1600 (and a Goldwing before that) and he always mounts his bike this way, but those are much bigger bikes, of course.

And to tie this back to the question of saddlebags v duffel (or duffle depending upon one's preference, apparently).... using the left peg as a mounting step all but eliminates the problem of getting on the bike when there is a top case or duffle mounted on or over the rear seat.

[the Ferret]

I THINK this is at least somewhat on topic:

Does anyone use their footpeg as a step to mount their CB1100 (like using the left stirrup to mount a horse)? I do this once in a while when I have a lot mounted on the back and I'm too tired (lazy?) to kick my leg up to step directly over the seat.

Yep see post #8 at the bottom below the gear pic