pweiss@sun.uucp (Paul Weiss) (09/06/85)
*** REPLACE THIS LINE WITH YOUR MESSAGE *** I think that the Bagman "hard" bags which were mentioned a while ago are the "hybrid" bags as currently sold by California Motorcycle Accessory Wearhouse (or something like that - they have ads in the big 4 cycle rags every month). They claim to have bought Bagman's remaining stock about 16 months ago. The original price on the bags was about $230; they sold them at $99 for about a year (tremendous deal) and have just dropped the price to $69 and change (unbelievable). I bought a pair in June 84 for 99 bucks, and used them on several trips. They are great: they have all the stuffability (etc.) of the soft bags - in fact they ARE the soft bags, lacking the soft bag mounting system. Instead, they've got a hard (fiberglass?) half shell with a layer of 3/8" felt on the back, and a set of nylon tapes, nylon buckles, velcro, and steel hooks to attach the thing to the bike. The mounting system is rock-solid and very convenient. As you travel, you pop a couple of quick-release buckles, remove the bags from the clamshells, and go into the restaurant (or where- ever) without trailing yards of nylon spaghetti. The handles are offset, so the two bags can be carried back-to-back conveniently with one hand. Rain covers are included, too. I think that they are by far the best bang for the buck available, giving you the convenience of soft bags and the solidity of hard bags (almost). I called Bagman to find out what the story was, and they said that at $230, they were competing with hard bags, and not getting any action, and that they decided to drop the product rather than try to compete in the soft bag market. Rough translation - the market niche wasn't there. I'd encourage you to profit from their marketing blunder - the fundamental idea is sound. Paul Weiss Sun Microsystems, Inc.
daw1@rduxb.UUCP (WILLIAMS) (09/08/85)
> Accessory Wearhouse (or something like that - they have ads in the big > 4 cycle rags every month). ... Funny, but I don't recall seeing their ad in DIRTBIKE :-) Doug Williams AT&T Bell Labs Reading, PA mhuxt!rduxb!daw1