Can I take your bag sir?

[its_only_me]

Now then I wonder if this is really as daft as it first seems?  I would like to get some luggage for my LS, but are the side frames the same as for other models, or am I looking for LS specific or is it R65 specific,  and then we come to the actual cases, I see there are two main types, the beemer stuff and the Krauser type?  how do I work out what I actually need?

Do you think you could point me to any that would be right on e-bay, so that I can see what I am looking for.

[NC Steve]

Kevin, the racks & bags are R65 specific, or rather R65/R80ST specific, and will fit either LS or standard bikes. The attaching forearms are too long on "normal" sized racks. I've seen some full-sized bags that will fit an R65, but they look oversized, which, technically, they are.

I'm at work and can't get onto Ebay - "the man" has it blocked - but there was a nice set of bags there yesterday, currently in the $150 range, although they'll often go much higher. Racks & bags both pop up on Ebay fairly regularly, and you might want to check http://www.ibmwr.org/market/ and some other online sites too.

[nhmaf]

More precisely, the R65 bag mounts that are ONLY bag mounts for the R65 (NO INTEGRATED/CONNECTING LUGGAGE RACK BIT
IN THE BACK) will work on the LS.  These are the (2) separate (Left and right) mounts.   None of the ones that are a single piece
or require the luggage rack on the back to be bolted on to hold it together will fit, as they all interfere with the rear seat/cowling
and grab handles on the LS.  Ask me how I know.

If anyone has a standard R65 with the separate mounts in decent shape and wants to trade for the 1 piece mount, I've got
one (used but in good shape) available.   I'll probably put this up in the trade section later...

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

I disagree with NC Steve on the point of the large bags working/looking good on the R65.  Looks are mostly a matter of opinion.

I have had both full size Krausers and BMW touring bags on my bike nearly since it was new.  Other than high speed (over 80mph) wobbles when loaded to the max, (potentially common with any bike), I love them.

Besides, going fast just gets me in trouble with the law.  They LOVE me...

[Justin B.]

The bags can be used from anything as long as they are Krausers, the modern day Hapco-Becker Krauser copies may also fit but I don't know for sure.  The only thing that is bike specific is the mounting frame/brackets, and possibly the rear latches that attach the bags to the racks.  The Krauser "Starlet" (?) bags will also fit on the same mounting brackets as the larger  bags but were never marketed by BMW as far as I know.  My wife ran the Starlets for a couple of years and their smaller size makes them look like they were made for the R65.

[NC Steve]

Sorry, Rob, I guess that was a rather personal/opinionated observation about bag sizes I made, and not my intention
Kevin, see these, new direct-from-Germany, kinda pricey.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=003&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=130081059972&rd=1,1
I know you can find some good used racks cheaper, and sold a very nice chrome set myself, with the 3rd piece, rear "porter" rack, for about $100 several months ago on eBay.

Here's a very nice of bags w/racks included, if anyone in the Mono crowd is interested:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=005&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=150101084727&rd=1,1
...from the same seller with the '86 Mono that's been languishing for a while...

[Mumford]

I use the BMW bags on a Reynolds rack, with the rear luggage rack that folds out to let the seat open properly. Not sure if these are still made anymore. While the bags do admittedly look sort of huge on the LS, the space is nice, and I've never had any problems with them at speed.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

While I never cared much for the Starletts by Krauser, I really liked the look of the BMW "City" bags they had sometime in the '80s.  I can't even find a online picture of one.

But for the most part, I use my saddlebags for touring or shopping, and volume is paramount, to me.

[NC Steve]

Rob, you're not referring to these City Bags, are you, the slimlines that lots of cops use?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200087605435&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fmotors.search.ebay.com%3A80%2F%3Fsofindtype%3D22%26sofocus%3Dpf%26fisc%3Dc6001%26pfid%3D2473%26alist%3Da39%252Ca41%252Ca38v1y%252Ca38v2y%252Ca10239%252Ca3801%252Ca85%252Ca10246%252Ca33512%252Ca10241%252Ca10244%252Ca39705%26gcs%3D13%26a39%3D-24%26a41%3D-24%26a38v1y%3D%26a38v2y%3D%26a10239%3D-24%26satitle%3D200087605435%26sadis%3D500%26fpos%3D27103%26fsct%3D%26fsop%3D1%2526fsoo%253D1%26fcl%3D3%26frpp%3D50%26fvi%3D1



They're pretty cool for day-to-day, and you can just swap lids to make 'em "deep" bags: just won't fit the old-style racks, though.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Thanks Steve, yes, those are the ones.  My poor memory... No, but they would fit the mono-shock R65.

[Justin B.]

Steve, those are for a mono-shock bike.  I just may have to watch 'em...  

These are the Starlet bag, I think they look perfectly proportioned to an R65 but you can't stuff very much in 'em  

[its_only_me]

Is it right?.......

drop this number into e-bay search...

250045153586

[NC Steve]

Kev, those racks are for the monoshock R65s, 1985 & up.

[Justin B.]

Or R100, R80, etc...

[NC Steve]

True, true, I was only going from the listing for that item #, showing R65 '85-'87, R80 '85 & up. etc...

I actually think of the "Z" brackets, at least that's what I call 'em, when I think Monoshocks...