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Long distance two up hauling

I have the Blaze bags and love them, but you can't carry things that are too heavy. The weight is meant to be supported by the large velcro straps that go over the passenger seat. That's the other concern about the Blaze bags with a passenger. My daughter has ridden 30 minutes on the strap without concern, but I don't know how an adult at longer times would feel about the strap under their bottom.
 
Whats everyone's opinion on not using saddle bags, and instead just using one good quality top case?

Thinking about the Shad SH50, 49, 46, or 45 cases.

I figure each one of my saddle bags held 19 liters, and that was enough space for the stuff we carried. IF I can use one big top case I would not need the bags. That way I would have a nice sturdy top case that she can also use as a back rest if I get the option for the back rest. She likes that idea more as it has a comfort zone kinda thing going on back there.

Will the weight being so high up be a problem? Between one of those cases and then my tank bag I would have about 60 liters of storage space which is a lot.. I was on the other forum looking at the way people set their stuff up for touring and surprisingly a LOT of people just rock one big top case and no saddle bags. The hardware can be on and off the bike in 5 mins so I am not worried about that.

And if I needed more, I could toss on the saddle bags I already own. Just not a big fan of how they are unsupported.

This thread has turned more into a luggage discussion but that's OK with me as that is where most of my issues are.
 
One good quality top case: I've ridden at speed with the Givi E55 top case solo which is more than 10L over your top pick, and with passenger, and both are stable around corners, high speed bumps, passing a semi, windy out, etc... As far as I know it's the largest top case available for the FZ1, and I've had it loaded with beer and driven home safely on city & highway > 20mi. The major considerations are tire pressure, stock shock weight & adjustments, and low speed maneuvering.
Beyond a nice top case, I have the Givi V35 side cases and ride 2-up for ~300mi when the weather permits, so I'm looking at the Penske 8983 rear shock.
I'd take a hard look at the price of top case & rack vs side bags, and start from your budget to determine what's best for you before exploring
 
I couldn't live without my hard cases and I use my top case 90% of the time. I used to tour & commute with soft side cases but after you have a secure, lockable, waterproof top case, you can't go back. I've had a hard case on three of my bikes and I won't buy a bike now unless I can mount a full set of my Givi luggage

The small bit of weight added to the back is only a noticeable when you really load it up full of heavy stuff like tools & clothes for two, wine, milk and other heavy stuff.
 
I live and drive in and around the NYC area, that being said, I've had the sidecases for longer, but prefer the topcase due to convenience since I can lane-split with it. For hardcases your price will increase with the racks, so your options with topcases are limited with a limited budget, but your sidecase options are open since there are more options with soft and hard bags. I've had my eye on these: SW-MOTECH Bags-Connection Blaze Sport Saddlebag System Yamaha FZ1, '06-'11, FZ8, '10-'11 - HTA.06.740.10300 : TwistedThrottle.com 14L-21L
 
Yes, those bags are the ones I have been considering myself.

I already own a set of the Nelson Riggs CL-950's though. They are 19L each, but they sag due to no support.

What I am thinking about doing is doing the Shad top case mount setup, and then getting some metal tubing and just making a frame like the Givi soft bag support system and making it the shape of my soft bags and weld it to the top case mount bracketry. That way my soft bags that I already own (and are very good quality) will be put to good use (no more sagging) and I can also get a nice top case at the same time.

I figure between my two bags, the top case, and then the tank bag I will have around 95 Liters of space. That is enough to hold me over for a while LMAO!

The thing that keeps pulling me into spending the cash on a real Shad top case and not the cheap ebay thing is that I know with the Shad or a Givi I am getting a quality locking mechanism and with my girl most likely going to lean on it I dont want to risk the cheap case breaking. She LOVES the idea of the top case having the back rest on it.
 
Like everyone says, happy wife, happy life. There's the option of selling your current bags or making them work with a custom frame. If you were really hurting for cash you can do it with some wire hanger! Make up your mind!
 
I think I am just going to get the Shad top mount case and bracket, and then make my own frame for my current saddle bags and have those welded to the Shad brackets. That way it all goes on and comes off as one unit.

The Nelson Riggs bags really are nice bags, I just got to make sure they stay put! Won't be hard with proper support.

I am leaning towards this case.

Shad SH-45 Top Case
 
PapaGeno21 said:
I think I am just going to get the Shad top mount case and bracket, and then make my own frame for my current saddle bags and have those welded to the Shad brackets. That way it all goes on and comes off as one unit.

The Nelson Riggs bags really are nice bags, I just got to make sure they stay put! Won't be hard with proper support.

I am leaning towards this case.

Shad SH-45 Top Case
Click to expand...

Just be sure to get a forum sticker to cover up the Shad logo
 
PapaGeno21 said:
Whats everyone's opinion on not using saddle bags, and instead just using one good quality top case?

Thinking about the Shad SH50, 49, 46, or 45 cases.

I figure each one of my saddle bags held 19 liters, and that was enough space for the stuff we carried. IF I can use one big top case I would not need the bags. That way I would have a nice sturdy top case that she can also use as a back rest if I get the option for the back rest. She likes that idea more as it has a comfort zone kinda thing going on back there.

Will the weight being so high up be a problem? Between one of those cases and then my tank bag I would have about 60 liters of storage space which is a lot.. I was on the other forum looking at the way people set their stuff up for touring and surprisingly a LOT of people just rock one big top case and no saddle bags. The hardware can be on and off the bike in 5 mins so I am not worried about that.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Matte-Black...Parts_Accessories&hash=item256a76e6ac&vxp=mtr (This is the one I'm using now... no complain!)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Matte-Black...Parts_Accessories&hash=item256a76e6ac&vxp=mtr (This is the one I have now...)

And if I needed more, I could toss on the saddle bags I already own. Just not a big fan of how they are unsupported.

This thread has turned more into a luggage discussion but that's OK with me as that is where most of my issues are.
Click to expand...

T-Box 929 (46 Ltr)

Check this out! I got a xlarge case from Ebay about a year ago and still working fine ($90.00) This is another one in the same price range with lights. I use that with a set of Givi E21 side case.
 
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I've used a lower-end box system before and it worked all fine and good but after using Givi, I think it's well-worth the money.

A used Givi won't be much more than a new Shad or Emgo or whatever and the quality and security is top-notch
 
PapaGeno21 said:
How sturdy is it on the mounting plate? If she is going to be leaning against it I want something very solid!
Click to expand...

The one I have doesn't comes with a pad and the plastic base is strong enough but I won't bet my life on the plastic box itself. The base is mounted on a custom rack that I made. I did few 150 miles trip with my Pelican tool box hook up to it without any issues. (42 lbs) I got cough into some serious rain and my stuff always stayed dry. Fit 2 full size helmet too.

I believe the Tbox comes with a pad and might be a little stronger. There's a member who installed one on his 6R if you want to swing by and take a look.

If you have the $ to spend on Givi's, do it! I was just showing you other options at 25% of the cost. :cheers:
 
PapaGeno21 said:
Would you rather have a really nice set of saddlebags or a really nice top case? Assuming you could only afford one or the other.
Click to expand...

Top case will be more convenient...one other issue is that Givi V35 side cases can't some full face helmets. A top case shouldn't have that problem.
 
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