Aerostich panniers bags:
1. Phil's thought regarding mounting them in front of the hard bags and resting on pasenger foot pegs; I don't think this to be workable, I believe they will not leave you room for your legs to worl well when stoping starting etc. The straps migh go through under the seat and be either laid over framework and wiring etc, of be secured to main frame, to simply use the seat to support the straps they will be under your but and probably cause iritation
2. Charley B's thought of using them over rear bag lids could work , but make them rather wide like if filled to capacity like with a gallon water jug inside of one, yes it will fit! but that will have them sticking out quite a distance Think a extra 6 - 7 inches on each side, also in that position if carrying a pinion rider as in # 1, unless you run straps under seat passenger will be setting on them maybe mounting them to frame would work. I didn't go to the extent of pulling seat to check, also I didn't go to the point of crawling arround on floor to see if there is a place to secure the bottom flex rops to keep them from flaping in the breeze. Again it would work but not for me and I very rarley pack a passenger.
3. Mounting in front over gas tank: Yes it will work I have the honda tank pad mountged on my bike also I have the horseshoe looking devise to mount the tank bag to the fuel tank lid. with the tank bag removed the hooks that it attaches to work well to kee the back strap in place, if tank bag is secured to the horseshoe ring the rear bag straps go under it with no problem and won't hinder fuel door access.
The front straps will cross the fuel tank in front of the fuel door. I didn't acurally do the next thing which would be to take a security strap and run it arround the steering head and put it arround the cross over strap, but I think it would probably be a very good idea.
The Bottom of the bags are nicley resting on the top of the tip over bumpers. To hold the bottom of the bags there are several options, for those of us who have The(UGLY) Hepco - Brecker tank guard system htere is ample room to put the security elastic rop arround it , or the freeway pegs . Another possibility I didn't get into would be attaching the stretch strap to the main tipover bar under the rubber bumper pad, for those of us who have AUX driving lights mounted to them I don't think that would be a good place. possibly go to bottom of main frame or maybe rider foot pebs. OR if you want to drill a hole in the tupper-ware you could go to that, BUT I DON"T RECOMEND that as it would probably crack out or break. with the Bottoms of bags resting on tip over bar pads they do not interfear with handle bar clearance / movement,I have 1 inch higher than stock and one inch to rear risers so I can't say how this will work with stock bar risers.
My bags are the large size and will hold a 1 gallon Igloo water jug with ease for diamiter, although closing the zipper is not possible all the way arround. There is rooom with the hard jug to place a bag or two of Jerky in same area along with water. Oh yes one other point, with the straps and bags in place the straps are going over the little storage pockets so the will not be handy to access with out moving some things.
My bags have a 1/2 thick rubber pad tha sets between the bag and the surface it lays against.
I did shoot some oictures, but I am not into figuring out how to post them, If anyone wants to see them send me a PM with a email address and I will try to download and send them to you.
I did set on the bike with the bags in place over the tank, They will make a bit better wind buffer , My thoughts , weather not ot my liking to try a ride with them yet today. Maybe a little later. I wish I were on the SE coast , I would call Linda T. and make the trip to the Keys and have her do her magic . A thinner and perhaps differant angle could be done and possibly a better mount and security system created.
I speculate that she will be in Denver at the IBA International meet in August, if she is I will get her to look ath this bike if she has not already done so.
Eldon
