Bag too big for skinny a$$ Vaquero seat...

[toy4bob]

Just received Saddlemen BR3400, very happy with the quality / design of the bag, as well as the "versa mount" under seat system. See below review and mounting is at 3:05. Notice how nice and big that bikes passenger seat is... not like the Vaquero...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybPmEMdf56M&feature=related

I have a drivers backrest, so between the versa mount holding it down and sissy bar wrap holding it from sliding back, it shouldn't go anywhere... but it does wiggle more than I like. Oh, and while the backrest can normally be just pulled off the seat, because the bag is also held down with mount the backrest won't be able to just pop up out of place.

However, since the seat gets so skinny at the back, the semi rigid bag bottom tends to sag / conform to the seat, and make it less stable. Again, I don't think it would go anywhere, but I would like it "less flexible".

So, what I am thinking what I need is something close to the size of the bottom of the bag to keep it sturdy, but I don't want to use a piece of plywood :). Any ideas, and keep in mind don't want to damage the seat or bag...

[cnc]

I had a soft bag and I did use a piece of 1/4" plywood, but inside the bottom of the bag. if you round the corners and edges it should not harm the bag, at least it didn't for me.

[toy4bob]

I like the idea of it inside rather than outside, but I think since the straps are about half way up the bag, pulling down on 4 corners, the bag would still flex wouldn't it? You would still have a flat surface inside, but the corners of bag would still flex down away from the plywood...

[cnc]

I like the idea of it inside rather than outside, but I think since the straps are about half way up the bag, pulling down on 4 corners, the bag would still flex wouldn't it? You would still have a flat surface inside, but the corners of bag would still flex down away from the plywood...

I guess it all depends on the actual strap arrangement. In my case the bag I used was soft leather and so as long as it was fully packed before mounting it on the bike too much flex didn't seem to be an issue. I did also have the passenger back rest for extra support and I was able to criss cross the straps instead of pulling straight down.

[2x18wheeler]

I bought the BR3400 when I was at JP Cycles near Daytona back in February. Haven't tried it yet but do have a Blue Knights rally coming up next month in Bangor. Will try it then.

Toy4bob, for the Vaquero, I wonder if you took the base and had extra velcro sewn on. You would be able to make the base narrower to fit under the back of the seat.

I also want to know how that guy got on the bike with the saddlebag on the passenger pilon. I have enough trouble getting onto my Nomad with the Grasshopper backrest. I end up leaving the backrest off when I mount up. Then put it in place once I am on the bike.

[Loafer]

A friend of mine had a similar problem, and he used plexiglass.

[cnc]

I also want to know how that guy got on the bike with the saddlebag on the passenger pilon. I have enough trouble getting onto my Nomad with the Grasshopper backrest. I end up leaving the backrest off when I mount up. Then put it in place once I am on the bike.

I usually Mount from the high side and hold my foot in tight against my leg with my hand to clear the driver back rest and/or pack if it is on the pillion seat.
If that does not work, try this trick that sly showed me. With the bike on it's side stand put the passage foot rest down on the low side, step up on it with your left foot, your now nice and high, swing your right leg right over the top of the pack.

[Loafer]

That's a great tip from Sly.

[cnc]

That's a great tip from Sly.

Yeah, he gets on his bike that way all the time pack or no pack.

[recumbentbob]

Go to WalMart and get a black plastic cutting board they come in different sizes about $12

Works great for lots of things.

[toy4bob]

Thanks guys for the ideas.... thinking some type of fairly sturdy / hard plastic that is just a bit smaller than bottom of the bag