How do you attach panniers/saddle bags?

[sammcj]

When I got my new bike it came with a couple of Large-ish side bags / panniers.
Just wondering: How the !!?@# am I meant to attach them?

I've tried a few different ways, but its seems to get the bags up high enough to miss the exhaust means that the clips between the bags stop the seat from clicking on... - are the straps meant to go under the seat or over?
Should I be worried about them sliding back into the indicators or sliding forward into me?!

They have definitly been installed on this bike before and I need them going before I leave for my south trip on Friday... Help!
Bike is a 98' gsx 750 f Katana.
Bags are moto detail brand, they have the two large clips and one clip on an elastic stretchie-thing there is a loop at the other end of the bags I'm guessing these attach to?

[98tls]

Mine have 3 straps,one i put under the seat hump ,one goes over the top and the other over the rear of the seat.i also use a couple of short bungees and hook em round passenger footpeg hangers,pays to use a cover of some sort to protect your paintwork.

[crazyhorse]

Do you want a stupid answer? or a real one?

ok.....Guess its a real one then

I have paniers, and strap mine over the seat. Use bungy cords and tie them around the back by the number plate to hold them in place. The weight of them is sufficient to hold them down, never had them blow off either. Make sure the weight is even between bags. Might be a good idea to get some of that sticky plastic stuff to put on the side fairiing, to help avoid rubbing of the bags too.

hope this is of some help. Otherwise, buy a pack rack - I got one of them too, and now don't really use my bags at all

[JMemonic]

Over the top of the seat? It looks like the best way, iehttp://www.getgeared.co.uk/MOTO-DETA...ouring_Bag_Set

[hayd3n]

Over the top of the seat? It looks like the best way, iehttp://www.getgeared.co.uk/MOTO-DETA...ouring_Bag_Set

The side bags have a quick release system to detach them from a central bridge plate fixed to the seat
http://www.getgeared.co.uk/core/medi...f2987cb571c223

[boomer]

super glue them to the rear fairing. Solid as a rock

[YellowDog]

It's not just you. I can't fit mine either. The exhaust is too high and I don't think they were designed for my bike.

[sammcj]

Thanks for the replies, I'll try a few things after work, I didn't even think of using the bungies over the rear foot pegs!

I do have a pack rac also, but might be travling a little heavy for just a backpack, also these are waterproof
I've cut some old pillow cases to sit between the bike and the bags to stop them from rubbing.

Thanks for all the tips, I'll be sure to let you know how I get on.

[gsx katana]

How about cable tie's

[Bounce001]

I've cut some old pillow cases to sit between the bike and the bags to stop them from rubbing.

Thanks for all the tips, I'll be sure to let you know how I get on.

You can get good non-slip matting from Repco that would be better than pillow cases. They don't slip at all. Have used this stuff many times when putting gear on the bike and it is great for preventing scuff marks. Buy a roll and cut it to size.

[sammcj]

You can get good non-slip matting from Repco that would be better than pillow cases. They don't slip at all. Have used this stuff many times when putting gear on the bike and it is great for preventing scuff marks. Buy a roll and cut it to size.

I know the stuff! Bloody good idea! Cheers!

[crazyhorse]

It's not just you. I can't fit mine either. The exhaust is too high and I don't think they were designed for my bike.

When I bought mine, they were things I had to consider. They had a list of which bikes they fitted on and which they didn't......

[sammcj]

When I bought mine, they were things I had to consider. They had a list of which bikes they fitted on and which they didn't......

The owner before last definitly had these on this bike,
it's almost as if they're missing a strap to go under the seat.
I might be able to get by with a bungie cord.
I take it the 'taller' part of the bags are meant to be at the back of the bike?

[crazyhorse]

The owner before last definitly had these on this bike,
it's almost as if they're missing a strap to go under the seat.
I might be able to get by with a bungie cord.
I take it the 'taller' part of the bags are meant to be at the back of the bike?

Um, no. Well, maybe, depending on what way you look at it. They slope, therefore they are supposed to follow the line of your exhaust...... practise and you will see

[centaurus]

Thanks for the replies, I'll try a few things after work, I didn't even think of using the bungies over the rear foot pegs!

I do have a pack rac also, but might be travling a little heavy for just a backpack, also these are waterproof
I've cut some old pillow cases to sit between the bike and the bags to stop them from rubbing.

Thanks for all the tips, I'll be sure to let you know how I get on.

I've been playing with a few saddlebags lately because I'm preparing for a touring trip miself. I have oxford panniers and they have three straps. Oxford says you should have two over and one under the seat but on my bike I cant' put any uder the seat for fear of breaking the fairing. I ended up putting all three over the seat and it's fine. What I do it tie the front of the panniers (I have a d-ring on the lower front end) to the footpegs, then I use two bungy chords under the tail of the bike, one on the front and one on the rear of the panniers.

Between the bike and the panniers, there's no better thing than the non-slip rubber mesh. My panniers come with it but you can buy it separately and it's really cheap. That keeps the panniers off the paintwork and it's really non-slip. If you use it the panniers won't slide about preventing any paintwork damage this way.

In my case, being too skinny for the seat, I ended up putting the panniers that far forward that the first strap goes over the front seat which is a bit lower than the back seat. This way there is no way they can slip backwards and being more towards the front I keep them off the indicators and higher over the exhaust.

From my experience, all you need is plenty of bungie chords. If it looks like the panniers are not stable, use some more bungiee to secure them.

I have also compared tailpack/packrack pack with panniers and the difference in bike handling is just unbelievable. After the test I did, I will never choose tailpack over panniers.