After purchasing the Rapid Transit Recon 19 (http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/4/71/3414/ITEM/Rapid-Transit-Recon-19-Magnetic-Tank-Bag.aspx) Tank bag and finding how the space, fit, and overall quality of the bag was superb, I figured I'd look into purchasing either the Rapid Transit Recon 45 (http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/4/71/3420/ITEM/Rapid-Transit-Recon-45-Saddlebags.aspx) or Rapid Transit Recon 77 (http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/4/71/3419/ITEM/Rapid-Transit-Recon-77-Saddlebags.aspx) saddlebags for when I plan on going camping/long distance trips.

I'm hoping that some of you out there may already have either one of these tank bags and would be able to suggest whether I should go with the 45 or 77. I'm definitely more interested in the additional space the 77 offers, although I'm concerned that it would be a little too big for the Ninja 250.

Pictures would help tremendously! :)


BTW, I do realize there are a number of other saddlebags out there, but I'm interested in knowing more about these 2 specific saddlebags.

the saddlebags are interesting. will need a bigger backpack than what i use when i start training at the gym. but i see that the bike has a rear seat cowl. wonder if the standard rear seat would work with it :confused:

I have this aet of bags

http://www.motorcyclegear.com/parts/luggage/saddlebags_/nelson_rigg/cl950_deluxe_motorcycle_saddlebags.html

they are about the same size, i have not put them on the 250 yet just my fazer. ill see if i can throw them on the 250 either tomorrow or monday and get a few pics, that should give you a good idea if the 77 will be good for you or not.

This thread is relevant to my interests.

This thread is relevant to my interests.

if they fit ill attach this tail bag to them and you can see the full set.

http://www.motorcyclegear.com/parts/luggage/tail_bags/nelson_rigg/cl1040_expandable_sport_tail_bag.html

Fits well on the fazer.


fz6 with bags (http://www.flickr.com/photos/54725003@N07/5721007796/) by Havok3c (http://www.flickr.com/people/54725003@N07/), on Flickr[img]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3538/5721007796_eaa4e23543.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/54725003@N07/5721007796/) fz6 with bags (http://www.flickr.com/photos/54725003@N07/5721007796/) by Havok3c (http://www.flickr.com/people/54725003@N07/)

After purchasing the Rapid Transit Recon 19 (http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/4/71/3414/ITEM/Rapid-Transit-Recon-19-Magnetic-Tank-Bag.aspx) Tank bag and finding how the space, fit, and overall quality of the bag was superb, I figured I'd look into purchasing either the Rapid Transit Recon 45 (http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/4/71/3420/ITEM/Rapid-Transit-Recon-45-Saddlebags.aspx) or Rapid Transit Recon 77 (http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/4/71/3419/ITEM/Rapid-Transit-Recon-77-Saddlebags.aspx) saddlebags for when I plan on going camping/long distance trips.

I'm hoping that some of you out there may already have either one of these tank bags and would be able to suggest whether I should go with the 45 or 77. I'm definitely more interested in the additional space the 77 offers, although I'm concerned that it would be a little too big for the Ninja 250.

Pictures would help tremendously! :)


BTW, I do realize there are a number of other saddlebags out there, but I'm interested in knowing more about these 2 specific saddlebags.

I think you are right that the 77's will be too big. I put mine on the bike today and mine are a bit smaller, yours will be longer and deeper (widr as well but that doesnt matter)

here is how the Nelson rigg ones fit
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5171/5724492470_e84fa575cf.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/54725003@N07/5724492470/) IMG_0168 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/54725003@N07/5724492470/) by Havok3c (http://www.flickr.com/people/54725003@N07/), on Flickr
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5095/5724491598_d2f47645fd.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/54725003@N07/5724491598/) IMG_0166 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/54725003@N07/5724491598/) by Havok3c (http://www.flickr.com/people/54725003@N07/), on Flickr

Here you can see that with the stock exhaust it is fight up to the heat shield and that is about as high as i can get them. If you have a shorter or lower exhaust then they might fit, but stock exhaust it looks like the 77 will sit on top of it.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2030/5724494158_b0a109b275.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/54725003@N07/5724494158/) IMG_0172 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/54725003@N07/5724494158/) by Havok3c (http://www.flickr.com/people/54725003@N07/), on Flickr

the back is kind of iffy as well, you may need integrated turn signals. If you look at the back here you can not see the stock turn signals. no ammount of fussing will get them to be seen. What i am thinking is to make up a set of velcro turn signals, kind of like the ones used for towing, make a connector and use a cheap pair of aftermarket, cut the stalks off and velcro them to the bags. Shouldnt be to hard and might make a good DIY.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2728/5724495194_195d1fbeb2.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/54725003@N07/5724495194/)
IMG_0174 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/54725003@N07/5724495194/) by Havok3c (http://www.flickr.com/people/54725003@N07/), on Flickr

This is how the nelson rigs attach using two straps, i had a hard time finding the right spot, the main issue is with how the strap goes under the seat, the way the posts on the seat are i could not get the back seat on in any other position then where you see it.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5303/5724496578_34187f4ab0.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/54725003@N07/5724496578/)
IMG_0178 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/54725003@N07/5724496578/) by Havok3c (http://www.flickr.com/people/54725003@N07/), on Flickr

using the dimensions of the ones i have here and the ones you want to get it might give you a better idea of what size to get.

Thanks for taking the time to test-fit the bags Jeff! Actually seeing them on the bike is very helpful.

After seeing your saddlebags on the bike, I'd have to agree with you that the 77 does look like it would be a little too large for comfort, although after re-evaluating my options I think the 45 would be a little too small.

At this point, I'm open to other brands that are better suited for the 250. I found that the Givi T469 (http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/4/71/37499/ITEM/Givi-Silver-T469-Saddlebags.aspx?SiteID=SLI|Givi&WT.MC_ID=10010) might be a good option, though after looking at some images (below), I'm once again concernced that the bag would be a little small:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4106/4954729347_4e29352aa4.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4087/4954727425_4c7286c5c8.jpg

The Givi T477 Roll bag (http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/4/71/37504/ITEM/Givi-Silver-T477-Roll-Bag.aspx) may fit very nicely with the Givi saddlebags though...

It's so hard to find the 'perfect bag' without seeing them on the bike!

no problem on the pics and test fitting them, i was curious as well so it was motovation to get off my ass and put them on it lol.

I am going on an overnighter this weekend so ill load the ninjette up with the bags and fuss with them and let you know how they hold up.

since you are looking at other bags take a look at the neslon rigg stuff, i really dig these bags, they are very sturdy and very secure on the bike. They don't lock but with soft bags i am kind of meh about that as all of them can be opened with a good knife lol.

I use this one. It's called the Gears Navigator (http://www.gearscanada.com/products/details/83/7/navigator-tail-bag.html) in Canada, while it's called the Bags-Connection Cargobag (http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productview/922/543/) in the U.S.


There's plenty of space for a weekend getaway, it takes three minutes to mount, does not shift while riding and is well-away from the exhaust.

http://i938.photobucket.com/albums/ad228/cbjjames/DuffyLake_Bag2.jpg

http://i938.photobucket.com/albums/ad228/cbjjames/250Rluggageone_Summer2010.jpg