BRP Saddle Bags

[Firefly]

Not really a 'Step by Step', but here are some photos that should help clear up the poor BRP destructions.

A few things:

Make sure you are mounting the proper turn signal to the proper side. The pics should help.

You have pull on the turn signal wires while pushing them into the hole and then into the bar - you can only really fit one connector through at a time - kind of tricky - but pulling from the other end helps a ton - just had to pull a bit harder than I expected.

Hopefully the photos will help with the rest. PM me if you have any questions.

 

[Firefly]

More pics

 

[docdoru]

Nice instructions :thumbup:

 

[NancysToy]

Well illustrated! You win the instructions prize. :firstplace:
-Scotty

 

[Firefly]

Some more pics....

 

[bone crusher]

Fire,

You're a good guy....thank you for posting this...when I get around to getting the bags, I'll probably nag you to tell me where this thread is again...

Thanks in advance..

 

[NautiBrit]

Thanks, very much appreciated. Next step is the new seat which arrived last night.:shemademe_smilie:

 

[Capt John]

Thanks for the info. I ordered my saddle bags last Friday, when I went to pick up my new comfort seat. These pics will definitely come in handy.

 

[NautiBrit]

Firefly, I have a follow up question

I'm not entirely sold on the turn signal relocators so I searched some previous posts and found that a member had installed shorter stem turn signals with the Givi setup. Would there be enough room behind the BRP bags to install a short stem turn signal, could you give me a dimension? Thanks.

 

[2faston3]

Thanks, but too little too late.

I already installed my wife's bags and found out the hard way that the instructions left much to be desired.

I have installed the I7's on my Spyder and prefer the BRP's for ease of fitment. Although getting at the battery is just as tough with either set up.

Oh yeah, it took me 4 hrs to install...

2faston3

 

[Some Guy]

Well illustrated! You win the instructions prize. :firstplace:
-Scotty

Good job. Thank you!

 

[glynnk]

Is the relocation of the turn signal lights the hard part of putting on the BRP hard bags? Does anyone make hardbags for the Spyder that doesn't require the relocation of the turn signals?

Glynn "Skeetshooter" K

 

[Firefly]

I wouldn't call the install 'hard' - but more of a PITA.

I'll take some measurements tomorrow and post them.

As far as I know there is no kit that doesn't move the turn signals.

Now, that being said - NMN has some new lights that replace the reflectors on the GIVI bags - so they could be used to replace the stock ones--- BUT - the BRP install requires those turn signal stems to mount the rack to. You could trim it off I suppose. - maybe make some kind of fitting for plugging the stock signals in where the racks mount when you are not using the racks and bags.

The Spyder looks so sharp with the bags on I have been leaving them on all the time for now.

 

[NautiBrit]

Thanks for the response. You can see that I haven't spent much time preparing for the install, but I had hoped that the relocators were stand alone pieces and served no other function.:gaah:

 

[PE2817]

I have looked for them for sale online and can not find them. Can someone post a link. How much were they?

 

[Firefly]

Many dealers have the whole BRP catalogue onlline.

I ordered mine from robsperformance.com

http://www.robsperformance.com/cata...744226&cat=5616-61186&pagenation=next&imgview=

 

[NancysToy]

Disappointed!

Picked up the BRP bags yesterday. The dealer never called, despite regular remainders and a note on the file to do so as soon as the bags themselves came in. That's another story, though. Naturally, today the dealer calls to say the seat that was expected in July is in. Story of my life. Worst part about these 75 mile round trps to the dealer is that I have to take the truck for this bulky stuff, and can't ride.

Today I went out to do the install. I certainly appreciate Firefly's extra pictures and tips. I'm sure they saved me some time and grief. The install went quite smoothly up until the very end. More on that later. I did decide to replace the BRP supplied muffler grommet with a more substantial one, and to use a stainless locknut and fender washer on the muffler capscrew instead of their flanged nut. Too hard to torque a bolt with a rubber mount.

Now for the disappointment. After getting all the brackets installed, I mounted the right rack. Fit like a glove. I went to the left side, and it does not fit well at all. I can force it on there, using just the right sequence and a little pressure, but it still leaves an ugly gap at the rear bracket. Just laying against the mounting points, the mounting flanges are not parallel to the mounts. The brackets look right, are symmetrical, and are mounted correctly. It appears that the angle that the rack brackets are welded at are incorrect. The two racks do not match. I have not measured the lengths and angles yet to see exactly where the problem lies, but I really don't want to fix this thing myself. At very least it will probably mess up the powdercoating. At worst I would have to cut and weld, then recoat both racks and rear brackets to match. What a pain! I suspect it will take months to get a replacement from BRP, too, if they are even willing to replace it. As I said, very disappointed. What ever happened to quality control?
-Scotty

 

[Some Guy]

:yikes: AH! I saw Firefly's bags at the Gilmore event and I was planning to get them! I thought the set up was very good. Could it be you got a "factory second"? (which would :cus

I'll keep watching the posts. opcorn:

 

[NancysToy]

:yikes: AH! I saw Firefly's bags at the Gilmore event and I was planning to get them! I thought the set up was very good. Could it be you got a "factory second"? (which would :cus

I'll keep watching the posts. opcorn:

Hopefully this is an isolated incident. I seem to have the luck of the Irish...everything I touch turns to :cus:. Don't give up until a few more people report on the bags.
-Scotty

 

[NancysToy]

Update

Well, I was able to loosen and adjust the bolts and get the left rack to fit better. Not great, but tolerable, and it doesn't have to be leaned on to be mounted anymore. The racks definitely have some problems with their geometry. There is about five degrees difference between the angles of the rear mounting stubs from side to side. The rear support (taillight) brackets are at identical angles, so the problem lies with the racks themselves. I would not pass by these bags just because they take some fussing to install. They seem well worth it. Still, a little better quality control would have made life easier, and would have assured a professional looking installation. This is a substantial amount of money for a product which doesn't fit perfectly, or match side to side, and has gaps in the installation instructions.

I did have to notch the under fender panel a bit to clear the new front bracket on the right side. I marked it the width of the bracket and ground out maybe 3/16" deep. Otherwise the under fender panel will not fit. (paragraph added)

On the other hand, these things really look sharp! They are striking in yellow, and certainly don't detract from the Spyder's looks in the least. Very pleased! Nice to get the rainsuit and some other stuff out of the trunk, too. I am also very pleased with the turn signal brackets. The signals are much more visible in this elevated location, even without the bags. They look very normal, and a novice would be hard pressed to know they were not stock. On the other hand, the new bags block the view of the mudflap lights now...guess some of NoMagicNeon's new GIVI bag lights are in order. I will have to call Evan after he returns from LA to ask a few questions about my particular needs. Bag lights would really wake up the rear end of this beast, what with the center taillight and HyperLites already there. Can't be too visible.

All in all, we are quite pleased. I think this was a good purchase. Now to head back to the dealer to pick up the comfort seat, just to try it. We like the feel of the stock seat just fine, but thought we would try the other. If we don't like the comfort seat, we can always list it for sale. On the other hand, it may make a good thing even better.
-Scotty