Nelson Rigg (SE-3050)

mebgardner

Active Member
Joined
Mar 27, 2015
Messages
384
Location
Tucson AZ
Yup, I like them. Reasonably priced, waterproof.

Here's the thing: You have to pony up to the idea of unrolling the top flap for each entry into the bag. There's no getting around this, it's the only way into the bag.

If you're good with that idea, then I have a tip for when you get them. Hang them very carefully onto whatever side pannier mounts you buy. The rear panel that is supported against the pannier mount is stiff, but not rigid. The idea here is the rear panel next to the rack has to be fully supported around the full edge of the rear panel. Wherever portion is not supported by rack metal, that position will fold, flex and bend around whatever support it does have, in very short order.

It can be done, but it needs careful attention from the get-go. Do this, and you'll be very pleased with them.
 

Tosspilot

New Member
Joined
May 24, 2018
Messages
9
Location
Ventura County, CA
I recently picked up these bags and they seem really nice for the price point. I also installed the Motek quick lock racks. The idea was to strap the bags on to the rack and just remove or add the rack when the bags were needed. The only thing I do not like is the saddle straps have to go over the top of the rear seat. You can unbolt the rear seat and put the straps under just fine, but now you can not undo them easily if you want to remove the bags or rack since they are Velcro together under the seat. I do not ride anyone on the back, so it will be fine on top I guess.
 

mebgardner

Active Member
Joined
Mar 27, 2015
Messages
384
Location
Tucson AZ
Tosspilot said:
I recently picked up these bags and they seem really nice for the price point. I also installed the Motek quick lock racks. The idea was to strap the bags on to the rack and just remove or add the rack when the bags were needed. The only thing I do not like is the saddle straps have to go over the top of the rear seat. You can unbolt the rear seat and put the straps under just fine, but now you can not undo them easily if you want to remove the bags or rack since they are Velcro together under the seat. I do not ride anyone on the back, so it will be fine on top I guess.
Yup, I forgot about that. He's right, you def have to use the saddlebag straps. Over the top, under the bottom, your choice.

Pay attention to the saddle strap that goes near the exhaust silencer. I tied mine up to the top rack with a heavy duty tie wrap, after wrapping the strap with gorilla tape (to spread the load across the tie wrap, to prevent the tie wrap from cutting into the strap).

Edit: Full disclosure: Mine are mounted to a KTM 690 Enduro R, not my Tenere.
 

14kmtnman

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 18, 2014
Messages
476
Location
Yakima, WA
I just bought a set of theses in yellow too. I have mine mounted to a Happy Trails SU rear rack. I'm very impressed with them. Metal parts instead of plastic, better/more straps & stitching, inner liner bags included! 2 days after I put them on, my right one was stolen from from the bike in a "secure" underground parking garage with lots of cameras. FYI Nelson Rigg doesn't sell individual bags yet. But customer service was going to check with management to see what they could do for me. The next morning, I got a call from the building security stating they found the bag in one of the stair wells. Yeah! ::012:: I retrieved it, & the only thing missing were the g-hooks & the rubber strap keepers. My bungee nets & rok straps were still inside. I called Nelson Rigg back & they sent out new g-hooks & the strap rubbers bands. Great customer service. It's strange that whoever took it spent 5 minutes to take it off & not take anything when all they had to do was to open it up on the bike. I have re-positioned the cross over straps under the passenger seat which works much better than over the top. I can make the connection tighter. The only way someone can take them now is by cutting the cross over straps. On our trip up & down Pikes Peak this last Saturday, by buddy ridding behind me said the bags never moved. I did have the stiffeners in & some jackets & such in them, so not a lot of weight. My buddy was so impressed with them for the cost that he bought a set too. He was a big fan of the Wolfman brand, but now for the bang for the buck, these can't be beat. The icing on the cake is their lifetime warranty.

Speaking of lifetime warranty... I have had one of their (Nelson Rigg) 1050 tail bags since 2013 on both my KLR & the Tenere under an almost daily use. On one our rides a couple of weeks ago, one of the hold down strap hooks broke (plastic), I emailed the company & they said send the whole bag back, so I did & they replaced it with a brand new version on the same bag. Now that is another wow for customer service. Make sure you keep your receipts, to make the process much easier.
 

SugarD

New Member
Joined
Sep 7, 2018
Messages
13
Location
Saint-Quentin NB
I have them on my DRZ400S. They are nice and tough. Well designed. They hold their shape well with the plastic insert. Just like any soft bag, they are a pain in the arse to tie securely to the motorcycle with 4 straps on each side and the 2 big straps across the seat. They are on the bike now and will stay there.
 

Nerd_ADV

Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2018
Messages
105
What racks are you guys using with these bags? I just picked up a pair and need some simple racks without any fancy locking mechanisms or anything on them. Suggestions?
 

OldRider

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Vendor
Joined
Jun 7, 2013
Messages
2,111
Location
Western Kentucky
I've used a set for two riding seasons and agree with all the above post. Rode in some hard rain and everything stays dry. I'm using a set of Givi side rails. This winter I'm going to make a bottom support on each side for the bag to set on. It may not be necessary, but I just want to take a little bit of the load off the straps.
 

Nerd_ADV

Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2018
Messages
105
Is there any functional difference between the HT SU and Givi PL2119? Seems like they can be had in the $150 range

Edit: HT is made in USA. Just placed my order. Will report back after install!
 
Last edited:

Nerd_ADV

Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2018
Messages
105
Just an update. HT pushed the shipping date back to Dec 19th. Then again to Dec 28th. I'm right on the edge of going with the Givi rack. Pretty GD annoyed.
 

Nerd_ADV

Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2018
Messages
105
Updating this AGAIN just in case this thread comes up in anyone's search like it did for me. I called them today to see if my package was shipping out. The phone rang 6 times and when he answered it sounded like I just woke him up. He gave me a line about his powdercoaters not delivering on time; he might have it out by the end of the day, he might not. I've been MORE than patient until now but I told him if it's not shipped out by Wednesday (after the holiday) that I'll cancel and buy a Givi that I can have shipped to my door practically same day, and cheaper at that. I'm still hoping it works out but this experience definitely echoes others' that I've read going back several years. So HT if you ever stumble upon this post, here's some FREE advice: If you can't keep up with demand - 1) Hire another fabricator. 2) Move your powdercoating in house. 3) Implement some sort of inventory control so you have stock on the shelves and aren't building shit to order. 4) realize that consumer expectations have changed over the last decade, and try to keep up - especially if you're selling online & competing with the market.
 

Mak10

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Joined
Aug 20, 2018
Messages
2,567
Location
SE Idaho
I had an excellent experience with Happy Trails this last fall. I ordered racks and panniers. They were shipped quickly. My order was missing the puck mount kit that was supposed to be included. A phone call and they had them on their way ASAP. One of my racks was missing a square tubing plug. They bolted up and were straight and fit well. Overall a good experience for me. I understand mistakes happen sometimes and they quickly made it right. I hope they get you taken care of. I appreciate that they are made in the USA.
 

14kmtnman

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Joined
May 18, 2014
Messages
476
Location
Yakima, WA
I have had good experiences with Happy Trails too. Quick no fuss timely shipping on everything I've ordered. Everything seems slow at this time of year, with just about everybody on vacation....
 

Checkswrecks

Ungenear to broked stuff
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Mar 7, 2011
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Damascus, MD
Had NR soft bags on the first Tenere. Flipped the left handle to the right to keep the bag out of the wheel. Protected the muffler cover with some taped on foam sheet.


 

Nerd_ADV

Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2018
Messages
105
Oh yeah, I saw that in another thread I think. I ride 2-up with the wife though so it wouldn't work for me. Anyway I got my shipping confirmation today so hopefully it'll be smooth sailing now!
 

Nerd_ADV

Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2018
Messages
105
I guess really should have just started my own thread, but too late for that now. I really wanted to come back and give these things a good review but I'm afraid that's not the case. I received my racks on Friday the 4th, a full 23 days after I placed my order. Because it was the holidays, I was way more patient than was deserved, to be honest. They finally showed up MISSING two of the four main (M10x75x1.25) bolts that hold the racks on through the passenger grab handles. I guess they don't count all the way to four up in meth county Idaho. They fit well enough, and the fabrication is sound, but the welds weren't cleaned well enough before going to powder coating so there's already a couple little pinholes of rust showing after being on the bike for only 3 days. I made out alright using the instructions provided, but they were poorly written, mixed up SAE and metric hardware, and confused allen head with torx.

The racks are on the bike just fine and will be staying there, but the experience was NOT worth it. For anyone who's reading, just go with the Givis or ANYTHING else.
 

Mak10

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Joined
Aug 20, 2018
Messages
2,567
Location
SE Idaho
I guess really should have just started my own thread, but too late for that now. I really wanted to come back and give these things a good review but I'm afraid that's not the case. I received my racks on Friday the 4th, a full 23 days after I placed my order. Because it was the holidays, I was way more patient than was deserved, to be honest. They finally showed up MISSING two of the four main (M10x75x1.25) bolts that hold the racks on through the passenger grab handles. I guess they don't count all the way to four up in meth county Idaho. They fit well enough, and the fabrication is sound, but the welds weren't cleaned well enough before going to powder coating so there's already a couple little pinholes of rust showing after being on the bike for only 3 days. I made out alright using the instructions provided, but they were poorly written, mixed up SAE and metric hardware, and confused allen head with torx.

The racks are on the bike just fine and will be staying there, but the experience was NOT worth it. For anyone who's reading, just go with the Givis or ANYTHING else.
Now that you mention it mine were short two bolts as well. I just happened to have an extra couple of bolts to make them work. It wasn’t worth the bother or wait of them shipping me two more bolts. Sorry for your experience.

I guess this is one of those examples of you get what you pay for. It would be really nice to have the quick turn removal of the racks as well.
 
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