saddlebags and seat

[Rocky]

From time to time the subjects of saddlebags and seats for the Bonneville come up. This is what I chose.
I was in New Hampshire at a Triumph dealer a couple of years ago and saw the King & Queen seat for a price that was much less (no sales tax too) than what I would pay here, so I bought it.
I've used it a few times, and it's comfortable, but somehow it just doesn't say "Triumph Bonneville". As hard as the standard seat is, it's the right profile and I use it the most.
I had saddlebag rails installed by the dealer, but didn't like any of the Triumph luggage. I opted for Tourmaster Slant II saddlebags in size medium. They come in Large and X-Large, but they are really large!
I don't expect to be carrying loads of stuff so they do fine.
They zip on and off quickly and the mounting yoke remains under the seat with just the edge showing.
The bags come with a rain cover and two quick-release tethers, front and back, for lashing to the bike and they stay firmly in place.
The material is man-made and quite stiff so they hold their shape when empty.
Like the seat, I haven't used them very much, but also like the seat, they are there when I want them.

 

[CarlS]

Good review, Rocky. I never got around to trying the King and Queen seat, though I thought about it many times.

 

[DaveM]

That really looks great and I can say first hand that the Triumph bags are a wast of time I had them on my bike for a day

 

[Rocky]

I should have added that I only use the saddlebags when I need to carry something, otherwise I leave them off.
My buddy Don bought the Triumph leather bags for his T100 and they soon began to fall apart. The leather was of very poor quality and he was very p****d off considering what they cost!
He had a leather shop repair them, but they were never the same. He later opted for the Tourmaster bags like mine.

 

[The Seeker]

Many times style is more important than function. This holds true with British bikes as well as classic British roadsters.

Or you could say: You have to suffer sometimes to be cool!

 

[Rocky]

Many times style is more important than function. This holds true with British bikes as well as classic British roadsters.

Or you could say: You have to suffer sometimes to be cool!

Agreed
I can't tell you how often the T100 is taken for an old T120 until they look closer
Experienced riders know the difference, but others have complimented me on the restoration, etc. until I tell them it's a new one, then it's, "Oh, I didn't know they made new ones"
I just smile and be nice because they were only being nice too.

 

[devo]

I'm not a bag man rocky,but must admit,those are amongst the best I've seen.
I do agree with you re: the seat tho,it just aint early triumph eh.

 

[DaveM]

Rocky I never got to the point where I could say my ones were bad quality only having them on for a day. However I don't know what they expect you to be able to put in them they are so small

 

[chadtx]

Rocky, did you need some kind of mounts or luggage brackets for the Tour Master bags? If so, did it come with the bags or did you buy it separately?

Chad

 

[Rocky]

I had the Triumph saddlebag rails installed by the dealer even though I knew I wouldn't be buying Triumph bags.
The Slant II bags rest against the rails and are held firmly in place by two quick-release tethers that come with the bags.
The front tethers go to a frame rail and the rear ones hook onto a hook on the rails.
You need rails (brackets) of some sort to hold the bags firmly and out and away from the spinning wheel.

 

[chadtx]

I had the Triumph saddlebag rails installed by the dealer even though I knew I wouldn't be buying Triumph bags.
The Slant II bags rest against the rails and are held firmly in place by two quick-release tethers that come with the bags.
The front tethers go to a frame rail and the rear ones hook onto a hook on the rails.
You need rails (brackets) of some sort to hold the bags firmly and out and away from the spinning wheel.

thank you, perfect, just what I needed to know.