R65 luggage options

[bmwanthony]

Hi all. Although I joined the forum a couple of years ago, this is my first post. I purchased a 1979 r65 for my wife a couple of years ago. I ride a 1978 R80/7. I like the r65 so much, that I find myself riding it more than my R80. I am looking at some luggage options. The side mounting racks for the BMW bags and the cost of bags are very expensive so I am exploring soft luggage options that can be put on the bike as needed. My concern with the soft luggage is with it's possible intrusion into the rear wheel. Has anyone 
had any experience with soft luggage? Any recommendations as to brands to look at?
One more option. I have krauser bags on my R80. BMW latter introduced their own BMW bags. Do they use the same mounting racks? I could buy the r65 racks and use my Krauser bags when needed. Thanks! Anthony

[wilcom]

Any recommendations as to brands to look at?

I had RKA soft luggage years back and found the quality to be excellent and never had any rear wheel issues. 

The R65 racks and just swap the Krausers when needed seems like the way to go to me.

[AJB]

.... I have krauser bags on my R80. BMW latter introduced their own BMW bags. Do they use the same mounting racks? I could buy the r65 racks and use my Krauser bags when needed. Thanks! Anthony

I have both - the smaller Krausers (the 'Starlets') and BMW's own (Touring?) - and I can report that the bags are interchangeable on the rack but for the seat belt latches that are required for the Krausers.  On mine these seat belt latches are removable so two screws on each side takes them off, but on some racks I believe these are welded on, so be careful!