Saddlebag Questions

[MarkF]

I just bought a 1987 Monoshock R65. It has the typical Krauser style saddlebag mounts and came with a set of Krauser bags. I have seen several styles of Krauser bags but these look different. First, there is no scallop on the inside of the top. Second, there is a keylock in the center of the top next to the lid. The problem is that I cannot install the luggage rack on the tail section because it conflicts with the bags. I'm not really fond of the Krauser look and have seen BMW bags on other Monoshock Airheads. Do they use the same mounts? How does the BMW bag compare to the various Krauser bags in quality? I assume this conflict with the luggage rack will not be present with BMW bags. Does anyone know for sure? Also, does that luggage rack just bolt to the tailsection, with no internal support? Has anyone experienced plastic cracking from loading? On my Oilhead at least they use a rubber grommet with a metal sleeve where mounts pass through the plastic. My Guzzi did not and was forever cracking. Sorry for all the questions and thanks for your help.

MarkF

[lkchris]

The conflict will not occur with BMW bags.

This is common and dates back to earlier models, too.

Be aware that for your '87 you have the choice of using different bag brackets (from BMW) that will mount K-bike bags.

It' VERY seldom that aftermarket stuff works as well on BMWs as does BMW factory stuff. You pay for this, of course.

[MarkF]

I just saw that integral bags can be used on the monshock R-bikes. What's better quality the integral or the BMW square bag?

MarkF

[rmoser]

In theory the Integral bags fit, but in practice, I'm not so sure. I've got an 85 R80 and I put the Integral bags/mounts on it. But the bags are really, really close to the top rear of the megaphone silencers. So close, in fact, that the bags started to melt.

[pmdave]

The Krauser and BMW bags used the same square mounting frame, but earlier models had a "seat belt" latch, and later model BMW bags had a hook on the latch that clamped around the tube without any additional connectors.

Both Krauser and BMW bags had the same problem of the plastic tabs on the bag cracking at the front. The mounting tabs were simply too low on the bag to provide good support. Some bags actually fell off the bike at speed. The fix is to install some sort of additional support. My solution was a slotted tab attached to the upper shock bolts, and a ss strap that connected to the slot. Some folks just wrapped a strap around the bag and support bracket.

I still prefer the roundish BMW bags (the ones with the cast in stripes along the lower part of the lids) because they are entirely useable. No space eating interior latch assemblies, or tricky latches as with the "intregal" BMW bags.

However, if you're concerned about durability, you might want to invest in some aluminum bags, say Jesse or Happy Trails. They will provide mounts that are very sturdy. And if you have light colored bags, they won't cook your gear as much under a hot sun.

pmdave :type