TomSawyer

Guys, I'm going to get a pair of saddle bags, & other luggage custom made for my Gladi. I found Cramster Colt inadequate in few aspects. Actually I dont own Colt/ havent tried it on my bike at all. I'm going only by a comparo of features Colt has to offer.
Right now, I'd desire:
1. 100% water proofness.
2. Slightly more carrying capacity.
3. Split the saddle bags, and carry them as duffel bags / back packs. Felt very much essential, since many a time, we'll have to park our bikes, & cart the bags around. I've seen Pranesh sweating out at Hoggenakal, & read the inconvenience caused to Prabhu during the Kumaraparvata trek. IIRC, SpeedPujary has made a post somewhere too, on Cramster bags.
4. An optional extra bag, that could be mounted on the rear set, much like the tank bag at the front.

Well, if I get the bag made right, it would beat the only choice in the market by miles. We could get few more made. and have a try-before-you-buy option. I'm presuming that this bag would fit on any upswept exhaust bikes, esp ZMA, R15, F16.

I request you guys to come up with ideas, reviews and post on this thread. Please help me with this, & make this an worthwhile effort for me . BTW I'm visiting the bag maker this weekend with specs.
Inputs on other luggage, & other riding gear, rain gear is welcome too.

Cheers!
Kaveriappa

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Aryan

Query Approved.

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niks_devil666

This is what I could think of -
We need a three bag set with a detachable belt , adequate pockets , zippers , water-proofing.Each should have straps to make it a bag pack.Except for making them big , should have zippers for extending the bag (like we have in tank bag) .

will post more if I get any more ideas

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animeher

I have a locally made tankbag, i myself designed it, and asked a bag maker to make it. Turned out good. It's a simple bag, nothing fancy, but does the job perfectly.

I'll give one suggestion, don't take two bags and sow them together. It will never be as strong as a custom made one with heavy cloth. Rather design the bags such that they will be made by one long piece of cloth.

TomSawyer

Thank you niks_devil666, animeher.
@niks_devil666, Three bag set makes sense.
@animeher, ^ point taken. This bag maker started out making hand crafted saddle bags for Bulleteers, & Alpine climbing luggage in the mid 90's. Have built quite a rep for themselves. Most important, they are willing to listen. So I'd like to pour out with the best of the ideas, in getting it done. I'm certain that, even a worst job, will beat the current ones in the market by miles.

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animeher

I did one simple mod on my saddle bag which has helped me greatly for carrying those. On each part of the saddle bag, (ie the two bags) I have sown a handle, so for carrying that bag, I just lift the bag by those handles, thus making it behave like a suitcase. Add some external pockets for the last moment additions like papers etc.

niks_devil666

Did you get this made in pune? from where , can you guide me , and the cost & time involved ?

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prajwalkashyap

The optional bag to be mounted on the rearseat is called Tailbag and would be like in the following:

motorcycle tailbag - Google Image Search

It is very easy to get a custom tailbag and any waterproof duffel bag would make a good tailbag. However, the difference would be in the way it would get mounted on the seat since the only generic option is to use bungee cords. Generally, the tailbag would have lower mounting hooks that would hook up to studs on the tailgrip/tailpanels. Most Indian bikes do not have these studs on them.

Instead, my thoughts would go to what is called as rearbag.

http://www.1stradardetectors.com/ass..._Rear_Bag1.jpg

http://www.saddlemen.com/store/index...oducts_id=7099

http://www.saddlemen.com/store/index...oducts_id=7098

This would serve the purpose of saddle bags, and act as duffel bags as well. Mind you, the bag is not bent on the side, it is designed that way to come a little lower than the main central part.

Some smaller ones... (note the mounting bungee cords are below the bags for easy mounting on the seat)

http://www.newenoughhp.com/luggage/t..._tail_bag.html

http://www.newenoughhp.com/luggage/t..._tail_bag.html

http://www.newenoughhp.com/luggage/s...seat_pack.html

http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcyc...nsit-recon.htm

If u can explain the lower mounting cords according to the design of ur bike to ur bagmaker, i am sure u can get a good custom waterproof tailbag made. That should serve the purpose while u get ur saddle bags sorted out.

More inputs later.

Prajwal

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Speed Pujari

I also had plans long back to drive till Ambur and get custom leather saddle bags done for my bike. Ruled out later.

@Tom- What is your ratio of utility vs style. If its style then go for custom ones or get one imported. Otherwise I wud suggest an idea which will cost u 100 bucks.
(I think i am telling this 100th time) Get the elastic net which normally people put it over the back seat for God knows wat reason. You can put that net over the saree guard and inside u can put anything u want, even a back pack. The elastic is very strong due to the network and can hold up a lot of weight.
The saree guard's horizontal lining can be used for hooking the net.Since there are multiple linings, u can put the hook on any level to suit the size of stuffu want to put.
For me, I have carried stuffs ranging from small backpack(camera bag) to big strolleys (23 kgs) , carpet ,a CPU, skybags etc. in that net. if u can wait I'll try to share the pics tomoro.

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prajwalkashyap

I have used ur idea and its hardly utility in value. For starters, its not waterproof and cannot be used for portability of the luggage. Besides, taking and placing things in and out of the bag while it is tightly tied down by the bungee net is hardly utilitarian in value and is only more irritating.

I would not recommend ur idea for what the OP has posted for.

Prajwal

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