Hey,

I just got a ninja 500 last week and I'm really happy with it. I ordered some saddlebags for it on ebay only to realize they were too large and rested on the exhaust when I tried them on. Does anyone have recommendations of affordable luggage options that fit on the ninja 500? I want to be able to carry my schoolbooks in it instead of carrying the weight on my back and also groceries sometimes.

If anyone has any suggestions of what to search for for affordable luggage that would be great. thanks

 

I've got a Tourmaster Cortec (I think that's what it is...I'm at work and am relying on memory) tailbag and I love it. I know there are matching saddlebags that are small enough to fit the 500R, but in order to avoid the pipes they are so small, I don't think you're gonna fit much in them. At least not books and such, but the tailbag doubles as my briefcase when I'm riding back and forth to work. It's got a lot of nice features. I'll edit this and get the name right (and possible a link to them)when I get home, if I remember.

 

Is it the cortec sport tailbag? those seem reasonably priced if they fit on the ninja 500 well.

 

Another vote for the Tourmaster Cortech Sports. They're the dog's bollocks and the cat's pyjamas:



Peace!
-CCinC

 

Those saddlebags are bigger than I thought. Nice pics Chris. I may have to break down and get those if I go on any trips. I've definitely gotten my money's worth out of the tailbag. And the tailbag is big enough to fit notebooks and textbooks if that's what you're looking for. A twelve pack of be...ah, soda fits nicely as well. With the bags built in bungee hooks it fits the cargo hooks of the 500 like it was made for it.

 

wow i really like those bags...it beats the hell outta my bungee net! lol is there any down falls to the bags at all? (ie ...burnin off exhaust pipes,fuelin issues, paint scratchin...)?

 

The only downsides to them I'm aware of is that they cost money (though not much), you must lift your leg higher to mount and dismount the bike, and they're only available in black, red or blue:



Oh yeah, and they take forever to wear out. I finally gave up on trying to wear out my pre-Coretech Tourmaster bags, and just bought the Cortech's. They're (the luggage on the left) still in my garage and still perfectly functional, but I couldn't wait any longer:

-CCinC

 

cool i just ordered a black tail bag to start off with and see how it goes from there

thanks!

 

The only downside to getting one half or the other is that they work ~beautifully~ as a complete, modular set. The tailbag by itself is held in place by four bungee hooks. But the saddlebags are strapped more securely in place with adjustable (non-bungee) straps, and the tailbag is buckled to that in addtion to those bungees, which is much more secure. (Notice the buckle to the upper right above her right turn signal.)
Either way, the tailbag (which is expandable BTW) will carry a full bag of groceries.
Good luck and let us know how it goes.
Peace!
-CCinC

 

i strap my lunch box every mornin and evening to my seat w/ that bungee net. the lunch box slides from side to side, slides forward so i keep pushin it back so i can have most of my seat back lol , so i hope this tailbag will help eliminate that so maybe i can take my lunch to work and maybe leave the box at work if room is an issue..