Rjays luggage anyone? [Archive]

Blossom

19th June 2008, 21:24

I have been looking for a bag for the rf900 to go on the ventura pack rack and found this (http://www.thunderbike.co.nz/SHOPN/SPI//TBIKE_RJS) range of bags by Rjays.

So...
Has anyone got one of these?
Are they any good?
Would they fit on a ventura pack rack?
Do they have a sleeve to slip over a pack rack or what?

Cheers for any and all info. I just dont see the point in spending $225 on a ventura bag when these ones are $100 cheaper.

ducatisl

20th June 2008, 08:24

Blossom

20th June 2008, 11:49

HTFU

20th June 2008, 11:59

I beg to differ... Rjays bag is $145 (http://www.thunderbike.co.nz/SHOPN/SPI//TBIKE_RJS) and Ventura is $228 (http://www.thunderbike.co.nz/shopn:SP:554873916:pv=TBIKE,pg=15612,co=VEN)
which is $83 difference and Our ventura rack has no warranty as we got it 2nd hand.
So hence the reason why I was asking if anyone actually had one.

I have the big expandable bag ($150) which I use on my packrack.

The first one had the lining come apart apart near where it expands so they sent out a new one which had a different lining which looks stonger. Problem with this new one is that it came apart from the zip from new. I just got a local place to fix it and couldn't be bothered sending it back.

They expand to 80L which is awesome and have heaps of little pockets. New model looks stronger overall apart from poor stitching on mine of course.

Its like comparing a chinese 80L tramping pack to a 40L macpac. The RJays won't last as long as the ventura.

Blossom

20th June 2008, 12:15

I have the big expandable bag ($150) which I use on my packrack.

Its like comparing a chinese 80L tramping pack to a 40L macpac. The RJays won't last as long as the ventura.

Fair call. Thanks
Its so hard to find a review or pictures of the bag online so it does make a girl wonder.

mowgli

20th June 2008, 12:26

If you do buy an RJays then Motomail (http://www.motoretail.co.nz/productlist.cfm?Group=106) has them cheaper. I bought the large expandable version - it's a tardis inside. Haven't used it much so far so can't speak to it's durability but so far haven't had any issues. The built-in rain cover has a drawsting and toggle around the bottom which is great. My Motoline tail pack doesn't - the cover never stays on so I don't use it.

Blossom

20th June 2008, 12:30

Thanks for that. I will check them out.

And sorry for the repost. I did do a search but for some reason missed this (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=67525&highlight=rjays+luggage)

FastBikeGear

24th February 2009, 16:10

The Rjays packs have the rain cover attached so that it can never be left and home or blow off and be lost on the motorway.

Nice touch

Hitcher

24th February 2009, 19:15

Rjays bags rock. They fit the Ventura pack rack system really well. And, unlike Ventura's "luggage" they're fully waterproof, thanks to the pull-over cover.

Our big tail bag has been down the road three times: twice under an ST1300 and once under a VZ800K3 Marauder; and is largely unscathed by those experiences.

sinned

24th February 2009, 19:23

rjays are made in china, the quality is shit, mate had one and the zip broke and he lost half of his gear. ventura arnt $100 dearer only about $40-50, made in Hamilton NZ, good quality, have been making bags for 25 years, and you will void any ventura warranty if you use a rjays bag on ventura pack frame, spend the extra and you cant go wrong.
Must be different to mine? I have both the standard and expanding bag and cannot fault them. The quality, including zips and stitching, is excellent. Both bags have had a bit of use. They fit the ventura frame although the slip pocket is a little wide and I fixed that by hooking a couple of zip ties through the fabric to reduce the width.

Rjays bags rock. They fit the Ventura pack rack system really well. And, unlike Ventura's "luggage" they're fully waterproof, thanks to the pull-over cover. I agree the waterproof cover works really well although without the bag is still reasonably waterproof for a while.

FastBikeGear

24th February 2009, 19:31

I note that on some models of the ventura packs they have D rings next to the zip closures so that you can lock the zips closed to stop casual hands pilfering stuff. Does anyone know if the Rjay rack bags have this feature?

Also does anyone know if the Ventura Aero bags waterproof? (They don't appear to include a rain cover - so maybe tehy don't need one?)

Hitcher

24th February 2009, 20:00

I note that on some models of the ventura packs they have D rings next to the zip closures so that you can lock the zips closed to stop casual hands pilfering stuff. Does anyone know if the Rjay rack bags have this feature?
The Rjays has loops in the zips that take a small padlock.

Also does anyone know if the Ventura Aero bags waterproof? (They don't appear to include a rain cover - so maybe tehy don't need one?)

Ventura luggage isn't waterproof. It's at best showerproof.

Waxxa

25th February 2009, 10:08

Have you had a look at the Oxford range?

MaxB

25th February 2009, 11:06

Ventura luggage isn't waterproof. It's at best showerproof.

When I got my Ventura pack (still a current model) I got a free rain cover with it. It is made from a black material with a drawstring that covers the rack and pack. Some other covers are like a glorified plastic bag. Cheap and nasty.

BrendanZX9R

26th February 2009, 08:49

I have the Rjays expandable bag and have found it to be really good. I got it used - my old man had used it on his bandit for a couple of brass monkeys and had no trouble, my uncle used it on his trip around the south island and had no trouble and now I have been using it the last few months and it's been great, it still looks like new with no signs of any wear at all. I reckon for the price you can't do better.

vifferman

26th February 2009, 09:19

Also does anyone know if the Ventura Aero bags waterproof? (They don't appear to include a rain cover - so maybe tehy don't need one?)
The fabric's waterproof, but the seams aren't. So, if you're in enough rain that water starts running over the fabric, it will run in through the seams, then the bag will start to fill up (strangely, it finds it harder to get out than in.)
You can get a rain cover, which works well, but it isn't tight fitting and flaps around like a bastidge.

If you could find something to waterproof the seams, you'd be fine. It's a wonder that after all these years of development Ventura haven't looked at better seam-sealing methods.

I've had about 3 Ventura bags, and currently have the Aero and Delta (I think). They're the ones that zip to each other. I carry plastic bags inside them and put anything I need to keep dry inside the bags if it rains. The last time I used both together was on a tour of Northland, without a rain cover. We had one day when it rained for about 10 minutes, and nothing got wet, despite the lack of cover. I periodically spray the outside of the bags (especially the seams) with Scotchgard (the green stuff for tents) to encourage water to run off. Seems to help.

Askelon

26th February 2009, 09:20

I used an expandable one for about a year, it really didnt last - it ended up splitting up the rack pocket. Its currently sitting in my garage waiting to be biffed. On the other hand the ventura pack I bought a good 9-10 years ago is still in perfect condition - a little sun faded but good overall. Its reasonably waterproof still - I normally stick a towel at the top if its pelting down just in case.

I did find the waterproof cover came in handy a good few times from the rjays pack. Enough that I cut it off and use it on packages when Im loading them :).

Hitcher

26th February 2009, 09:41

It's a wonder that after all these years of development Ventura haven't looked at better seam-sealing methods.

And powdercoating methods and chroming methods for their packracks.

Ventura is a good system, conceptually. It's disappointing that they don't invest a bit more, charge a bit more for the finished items and make them to a higher standard. Then they would have a great system!

FastBikeGear

26th February 2009, 14:26

I have the Rjays expandable bag and have found it to be really good. I have been using it the last few months and it's been great, it still looks like new with no signs of any wear at all. I reckon for the price you can't do better.

Thanks for all the advice. I bought an Rjays expandable bag from Motomail today after having a good look at both the Venturas and the Rjays range. The Rjays bag expands larger than the Ventura bags, and comes with a free rain hood in a separate pocket (attached by a material strip to the bag so I can never leave it at home) and it has a really neat system for locking the main zip closed (once I buy a small padlock to go through the holes). It has a detachable bum bag and comes with the carrying strap at no extra cost.

I prefer to buy NZ made where possible but the value difference just seemed to large for me.

It looks very well made. Both the zips and material seem to be very well made, time will tell whether it last.

FastBikeGear

28th February 2009, 15:26

Unfortunately the Rjays bag I bought did not fit the Ventura rack when it arrived today so I had to take it back.

The sleeve in the Rjays pack was too wide to provide a secure fit to the narrowish Ventura rack for my 250 cc bike and the vertical bars on the ventura rack fouled the catches/straps on the Rjays pack.

On a bigger bike where the Ventura rack is wider at the bottom than on my 250 cc neither of these issues will probably be a problem.

So it looks like I will need to go with the Ventura pack. Anyone got a Ventura aero-spada pack for sale?

Okey Dokey

28th February 2009, 15:46

The fabric's waterproof, but the seams aren't. So, if you're in enough rain that water starts running over the fabric, it will run in through the seams...

...currently have the Aero and Delta. They're the ones that zip to each other. I carry plastic bags inside them and put anything I need to keep dry inside the bags if it rains...had one day when it rained for about 30 minutes, and nothing got wet, despite the lack of cover. I periodically spray the outside of the bags (especially the seams) with Scotchgard (the green stuff for tents) to encourage water to run off. Seems to help.

That pretty much is my experience, too. I also have the little sport pack as well, which I find endlessly useful for day trips and for carrying my work clothes when I commuted.

TerminalAddict

18th August 2009, 10:59

hi peeps,
thread dredging :)

I'm looking at this: http://www.motoretail.co.nz/product.cfm?ID=8335

I'd prefer to buy local, (freight, RMAs, etc) but Hamilton cannot provide :(

I have already; a venture pack rack (both full height, and short "sports" rack), venture bag, ventura sports bag (the little cute one), ventura tail pack, no-name brand tank bag.
None of which are waterproof.
I need to carry my laptop, texts books, A4 ring binders .. so a bag really sucks basically.

Can I mount this rjays box on my existing rack?
Is it going to provide sufficient weather proffing for my needs?
Who imports Rjays gear?

I'm not interested in entertaining the $600 for a givi system.

crazyhorse

18th August 2009, 11:06

I got R-Jay boots - does that help??? :confused: Nah..... thought not! but they are great.

I have Ventura bags - they are excellent :Punk:

Hitcher

18th August 2009, 17:03

Can I mount this rjays box on my existing rack?
Is it going to provide sufficient weather proffing for my needs?
Who imports Rjays gear?

Yes (will require some fabrication and new powdercoating), yes and don't know. Most bike shops seem to sell it though.

TerminalAddict

18th August 2009, 20:53

Yes (will require some fabrication and new powdercoating).......

explaininator?

Hitcher

18th August 2009, 20:56

explaininator?

Fitting the Rjays mounting bracket to a Ventura rack system will require some fabrication, either bolting or welding, but it can be done. I know this because I've seen it done. If a professional finish is sought or at least some corrosion protection, I'd recommend getting the bracket repowdercoated (if there is such a word).