Bags for R3

I have Matzuma(sp) bags and really like the way they look. But.... they are junk. Does anybody sell quality bags that will fit the RIII and have turn signals?

Maybe they don't like drag'n their backends with all the wheelies!

You could get some Leatherlykes and install your own lights.

I love my Leatherlykes even over the Corbin Beetles that I had. They don't have turn signals, but they are tough as nails and I can take them off, sit them on the garage floor or where ever without worrying about scratching them. They are also VERY water resistant. I rode through several severe down pours last weekend from Hot Springs, AR to Shreveport, LA and not one drop of water entered the bags..

Blackrock rocks

STRIPES said:

I have Matzuma(sp) bags and really like the way they look. But.... they are junk...

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I appreciate the review. Ive given thought to those cheapies. They do look nice.

I might have to consider them only for occasional use, after this, and rely on my OEM leather bags for the majority of the time. I just finished applying some Blackrock leather product on my sun and rain beaten OEM leather bags and they are just as I like them. Tough and timeless; and rejuvenated. That Blackrock product is like botox, for real leather.

I havta say, the Matzuma trunk is mighty attractive for those occasional events. And from what little Ive gathered theyre not that difficult to swap out for an OEM passenger backrest alternative.

I have a set of K-Drive bags and mounts for sale that will fir your R3. They are in brand new condition. Are you looking for integrated turn signals?

PM me if interested in the bags.

Bob

STRIPES said:

I have Matzuma(sp) bags and really like the way they look. But.... they are junk. Does anybody sell quality bags that will fit the RIII and have turn signals?

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I'm not trying to be an a$$, I'm just trying to help.

*** That being said ***

1. What did you expect for $150-300?
2. What don't you like about them?

I don't know of any other hardbags that have lights pre-installed... that was one of my requirements when I was looking.

*** Here are my thoughts on them ***

The locks are on the cheap side, but they do work as long as you don't try to stuff a futon mattress in them. I had to spray graphite in them to get them to work reasonably well, and I have to periodically spray them again.

They leak, all bags leak to some extent. Lisa has top-loading bags with nice weatherstripping and them still leak. I, for one, added weatherstripping to mine and they seem to work better now.

I absolutely hated their "free mounting system" (the one I had a MV) and bought the EZ Brackets. Now they work just fine. It's nice to be able to take them on and off when I want with minimal effort.

I couldn't, wouldn't, pay $1600 for a set of Corbin even though they look great and I'm sure that the quality is top-notch. They didn't have lighting and I couldn't justify the expense.

I've had Leatherlykes before, I've had Leather bags before... all around $500-600. They were all okay but had their own problems... discolored, slumps, can't be locked, no lights, leak like a sieve...

I chose to pay the $270 for a set of hardbags with lights and that "are junk" but I knew going into it that I was going to have issues. I, also, knew that I was getting what I paid for, and the issues that I'm having are minor and I can adjust to make them work for me.

Mutazu Bags and trunk

I have the Mutazu Trunk and 8" hard cases on my R3 standard. The only issue I have is that three time I have hit a bump or pothole and the items inside the bag hit the door causing it to pop open. This is due to soft metal in the lock cylinder where the latch bar is fit.
I'm thinking of tapping it and putting a screw and washer on to keep the latch bar tight. Has anyone go so far as try to work with this issue . I'm afraid the lock cylinder metal may be too soft.
Any comments here?

BigRed said:

I have the Mutazu Trunk and 8" hard cases on my R3 standard. The only issue I have is that three time I have hit a bump or pothole and the items inside the bag hit the door causing it to pop open. This is due to soft metal in the lock cylinder where the latch bar is fit.
I'm thinking of tapping it and putting a screw and washer on to keep the latch bar tight. Has anyone go so far as try to work with this issue . I'm afraid the lock cylinder metal may be too soft.
Any comments here?

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Ditto on all the problems above. Also, they are coming apart at the glued seams. Recently had the same experience with a bumpy road and they didn't survive well. I'm having issues with other cracks around where they mount.

RAT, your worry about coming across as an ass is irrelevant. Cost wasn't a reason for purchase. I bought them because they just look good. Lack of service was expected after realizing what they cost.

I'm thinking I'll trash them and recycle the lights (because they match the R3) and mount them on a different set of hard bags.

STRIPES said:

Ditto on all the problems above. Also, they are coming apart at the glued seams. Recently had the same experience with a bumpy road and they didn't survive well. I'm having issues with other cracks around where they mount.

RAT, your worry about coming across as an ass is irrelevant. Cost wasn't a reason for purchase. I bought them because they just look good. Lack of service was expected after realizing what they cost.

I'm thinking I'll trash them and recycle the lights (because they match the R3) and mount them on a different set of hard bags.

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Cool... just mount them upside down so that the direction matches. I had to change the bulb in the lights, and I wasn't please with how the lights come apart.

I haven't noticed any problems with them cracking around the mounts as yet. I'll keep a watchful eye.

Thanks to all for the replies. The input helped me decide what I need to do. This is a great site. Wish I could make the Launch this week but I'm too far behind on work with all the rain we've been having. Y'all have fun.