Rjays luggage anyone?

[vifferman]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

I have Ventura bags - they are excellent

[Hitcher]

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]

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

explaininator?

[Hitcher]

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).