Motorcycle Bag?

[Martinjmpr]

Not to sidetrack your thread too much but is Performance Cycle the one that used to be off of Broadway and Evans?

Yes, that's the one. They moved to Centennial around 2015 - 2016 I think. Right off of Dry Creek and I-25.

[Martinjmpr]

My GoogleFu is right now at white belt level.

So maybe the wise one COAR have some ideas.

I want to start commuting to work more on an ADV bike (well in the spring).

I have a big hard Big Mac case on the tail rack. The thing is, they look kinda cheesy no matter how practical. Can?t look cheesy.

IMO you're overthinking this.

Your bike has a hard case? Use the hard case. Nobody cares what you look like.

I actually went through the same evolution on my Triumph Bonneville. Put a Renntec rack on it and then attached a Givi-knockoff case to the rack.

In terms of "the look", it's completely wrong. The modern-looking bulbous black case is a complete mismatch to the "classic" lines of the Bonnie.



I experimented with various other options like saddlebags and even a set of side racks that would have "matched" the look of the Bonnie much better.

My first try was 20mm ammo cans (the idea being that eventually I'd paint them to match the bike.):



Then I tried some lighter weight Pelican case knock-offs:



But ultimately, I found that in terms of practical USE, nothing beat the top box. Easy to use, convenient, lockable, and big enough that if I started off on a cold morning fully bundled up in gear, and then the day warmed up (as it usually does), I'd have plenty of room to store my gear as I took it off.

I still don't "love" the "look" of the top box, but it's just so darn convenient that I've decided I can get past the "looks."

[Wulf202]

IMO you're overthinking this.

Your bike has a hard case? Use the hard case. Nobody cares what you look like.

I actually went through the same evolution on my Triumph Bonneville. Put a Renntec rack on it and then attached a Givi-knockoff case to the rack.

In terms of "the look", it's completely wrong. The modern-looking bulbous black case is a complete mismatch to the "classic" lines of the Bonnie.



I experimented with various other options like saddlebags and even a set of side racks that would have "matched" the look of the Bonnie much better.

My first try was 20mm ammo cans (the idea being that eventually I'd paint them to match the bike.):



Then I tried some lighter weight Pelican case knock-offs:



But ultimately, I found that in terms of practical USE, nothing beat the top box. Easy to use, convenient, lockable, and big enough that if I started off on a cold morning fully bundled up in gear, and then the day warmed up (as it usually does), I'd have plenty of room to store my gear as I took it off.

I still don't "love" the "look" of the top box, but it's just so darn convenient that I've decided I can get past the "looks."

+1 on nobody cares what you look like. Also water and laptop seem like a bad idea.

My bike has a trunk. And I thought it was stupid looking too but its incredibly useful. Anything that allows me to ride more is a good thing.

[DDT951]

I am not so sure bikes are not about "looks". I think every Harley shop in the nation is about selling the "look". To be fair, most different motorcycle riders have "a look" and so do the bikes.

I probably would 100% agree with Martin that the Big Mac container on the back is probably the most practical. I have a high quality one. For some reason to me they just ruin the look / lines of the bike. Or maybe its they they look heavy and bulky up high?

[Wulf202]

I am not so sure bikes are not about "looks". I think every Harley shop in the nation is about selling the "look". To be fair, most different motorcycle riders have "a look" and so do the bikes.

I probably would 100% agree with Martin that the Big Mac container on the back is probably the most practical. I have a high quality one. For some reason to me they just ruin the look / lines of the bike. Or maybe its they they look heavy and bulky up high?

My ride is a goldwing. It's an ugly blob of a couch to ride on but its practical.

You're about looks, bikes are about riding.

[DDT951]

My ride is a goldwing. It's an ugly blob of a couch to ride on but its practical.

You're about looks, bikes are about riding.

Riding and nice looking are not mutually exclusive.