Will probably get roasted for this

[Ulsterkiwi]

Having a lot of fun on my recently acquired F650.
I bought it mostly for my commute into Wgtn. When I am at work I have to dress tidy so riding gear isnt going to work. (like most places I guess). I have a topbox but need that for the stuff I carry in and out of work everyday regardless of how I get there.
I bought a set of saddle bags rather than splurge another $1k on panniers and frames. This also gives me the means to carry more gear on my planned weekend trips come the summer, but this gives rise to my question.
My concern was the heat from the exhaust and will it damage the bags and then whatever is inside them.
On the muffler are two plates which to me look like heat shields and if I had a pillion their legs would be pretty close to these plates. Yes, I have got the bike to running temps and these plates are def cooler.
I am not really interested in a critique of my buying process or what other people would have done, I just wanted to find out if I was correct in my assumption about those plates?

[Subike]

not a dumb question, but a pic might help.

[Mushu]

I wouldn't trust the plates on the exhaust to keep things from burning, I'd look into sewing some heat resistant material to where the bags are likely to make contact with the exhaust, not sure what you would use, maybe aspestos blanket a la Burt Munro if you can find one.

Some kevlar might do the trick, perhaps you can get some riding jeans on tardme and use the kevlar bits out of those.

[Ulsterkiwi]

not a dumb question, but a pic might help.

here you go...

[ducatijim]

A slab of good ole asbestos insulation on that side would fix it!!

[Eddieb]

A lot of people run saddlebags without racks, in fact I think the main reason people buy or make racks is to solve the same problem you are having.

As the other guys have said, sow/glue something heat resistant on the inner side of the bags and it should be all good. Is there still a para rubber in Upper Hutt? they might have something commercial grade.

[Oscar]

My 950Adv has the Givi frame for Givi luggage, which as I recall was not that expensive ($150?).
I would fit it even if I didn't have the bags as it provides crash protection and allows the use of throw overs without melting incidents..

[alane]

YEP!

Be half a zillion of em getting chucked out for new ones ---THIS WEEK --- by the civil servants of Wellington.
Whip round & grab a thermal blanket off,ve one. For FREE!!!!

Can Recommend

Cheers Al.

[speights_bud]

affordable kevlar insulation. I used to buy this years ago from these guys, soak it in kero and fling it around on fire. Deals with heat really good and sewable. they sell in short lengths.

http://www.homeofpoi.com/shop/listIt...VLAR-Wick-Flat

[BMWST?]

surely the thing to do is check the temperature of said plate as soon as you arrive at your destination.It def looks like a heat sheild to me and seems to have quite good clearance from the pipe.If the heat sheild is hot to the touch under normal circumstances you will need to give consideration to some other sheilding ,cos with the bags there they will possibly obscure air flow even more.

[Howie]

surely the thing to do is check the temperature of said plate as soon as you arrive at your destination.It def looks like a heat sheild to me and seems to have quite good clearance from the pipe.If the heat sheild is hot to the touch under normal circumstances you will need to give consideration to some other sheilding ,cos with the bags there they will possibly obscure air flow even more.

Good place to start paul, However the heat shield well get warmer once the air flow is restricted by chucking a set of bags against it.

What i did on the KLR was space the original heat shield out with a few washers and also added a piece of 2-3mm aluminium under it to act as a heat sink. I then used a couple more pieces to hold the bags a little further off the exhaust pipe. it doesn't look that pretty but has done the job for probably 20,000 km of touring with soft throw over Bags.

[BMWST?]

..........If the heat sheild is hot to the touch under normal circumstances you will need to give consideration to some other sheilding ,cos with the bags there they will possibly obscure air flow even more.

Good place to start paul, However the heat shield well get warmer once the air flow is restricted by chucking a set of bags against it.

I said that too Paul