www.BurgmanUSA.com

by **rustynail** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 9:21 09

I stated in a previous post that one of the things that drew me to purchase a Burgman is the copious amount of under-seat storage. At 15 gallons, the Burgman has nearly the same storage capacity as a sport-tour bike and about half that of a Goldwing. Up until the Burgman, I have only owned soft luggage. I really envied the guys with Street Glides and Goldwings and all their storage.

One of my buddies had custom made liners that fit in his Street Glide luggage. On one particular trip, we arrived at our cabin, he pulled out the liners with his clothes in them laid them on his bed, and we headed back out to a grocery store to get supplies for the night. I covetously spied his cool integrated luggage with custom liners while standing over my soft luggage with all my junk in it. I would have to unload the bag that night and then re-load the whole thing in the morning. CRAP!

When I bought the Burgman, I immediately set out to find someone who would make a custom liner for me. After years of hiking, I abhor wasted space in the pack (not empty space, but space taken up because of ill-fitting pieces or extra material from lots of little bags). If I had 15 gallons to deal with, I wanted to be able to maximize the space. I wanted ONE bag.

In addition, I really like the idea of packing all my stuff inside my bedroom and not my garage - and the added security knowing that when you take it to the bike, it will fit. After a quick search, I found the Cee Bailey's Burgbag.

$80.00 - OUCH!

I hemmed and hawed over the cash outlay for a few weeks, but I eventually gave in to the SURE solution. I didn't want to fuss with trying to find a different bag that fit perfectly - or commission a nice elderly lady to knit me one out of pink and yellow yarn.

I considered posting pictures, but Cee Bailey's has plenty on their website.

http://www.ceebaileys.com/bags/burg_bag.html

What I can add are my own observations.

The bag is well constructed of high denier nylon. It is a durable fabric with double stitching in the important seams. The inside of the bag is laminated with a rubberized material. I presume this is to provide some water resistance. The zipper seams are not sealed, so this bag is not waterproof.

The zippers seem a bit weak and small. Since the main compartment zipper weld arcs across the bottom when carrying the bag, I worry about the zipper coming apart and dumping all my clothes. For now, the zipper shows no signs of yielding to internal pressure, but you know how zippers get when they get old. If it ever does bust, I will have a more durable zipper sewed in.

The embroidery they show on the website does not come on the bag.

The bag has four "D" rings on the bottom side for use with included back pack straps. The back pack straps are crap. I was really disappointed with them. They are not made with the same quality as the Burgbag. It looks like Cee Bailey's ordered a set of off-the-shelf adjustable strap from a supplier for use with their custom bag. I threw them in a drawer and they haven't seen daylight since. If I really want backpack straps, I will fabricate my own out of dental floss and they will be more durable than those things. For now, I just carry it by the top handle. I really don't see needing the backpack straps.

The bag has TWO top compartments that are useful to keep things from swimming in the big compartment with your clothes. One is not immediately visible, and the other has a mesh covering so you can see the contents. These two compartments expand into the concave space under the rider seat for storage. They are nearly the same dimensions; as they are sewn in on top one another. In the pictures on Cee-Bailey's site, you can't really see the compartment under the mesh bag, but it's there.

The bag fits the inside of the trunk PERFECTLY. I filled the bag with 2 sleeping bags to stuff it full and then put it in the trunk. You may be able to stuff some very small items around the bag like gloves, or a set of thin nylon rain gear, but there isn't room for much else.

On a recent pleasure/business trip, here is what fit into the bag:

3 pair slacks
2 long sleeve button-up shirts
2 polos
3 pair shorts
3 logo t-shirts
3 white t-shirts
4 pair underwear
5 pair socks
1 pair running shorts
1 synthetic t shirt
1 belt
1 shower bag
1 watch
1 Ziploc with owner's manual, registration, insurance, MSF card, et cetera.

I had room to spare for maybe another shirt and pair of slacks.

I did have a rain bag under a bungee net on the passenger seat in order to carry 3 pairs of shoes (running, dress and sandals).

With the under-seat storage and the option of a bungee net on the seat, I am confident I can pack for any trip on the Burgman without needing any more storage. Multi-week trips just need some laundry facilities. If I don't ride the Trans America Trail on my dirt bike in 2012, I plan on taking 2-3 weeks on the Burgman traveling the country. This setup will be fine for me.

I use the bag daily on my (one mile) commute. It is my gym bag.

I like the bag so much that I am considering purchasing a spare.

by **Norms23** » Fri Jun 24, 2011 20:47 20

This bag no matter how stuffed fits under the Burgman 650 seat with space to spare. Dunno whether it is waterproof but between the underseat space and this I think it would be fine. Its a good Job and it is a good bag in its own right.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Berghaus-Mule-4 ... B002TUSX4O