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Hitchcocks front side bags?

Has anyone tried, or at least seen firsthand, the front side bag set that Hitchcocks sells? There are several things I like about them.

They're made for the Himalayan.
Nice compartments with what appears to be easy access.
Reasonable price.

The web site doesn't say anything about waterproofing, but I don't need a 100% waterproof dry bag - too hard to get into on a commuter-type basis.

I'm not too crazy about the 'mountain range logo' on the side of the bag. Just my opinion, but I think it cheapens the look of the bag. I'd rather it was a bit more business-like. But I might be able to overlook it if the bag is outstanding in other ways.
 

byteofthecherry

Well travelled
Location
west somerset
That's what put me off the bags...the logo..I hate any form of branding..what I always did was 'Black felt tip indelible'...tones it it down.............personallly I went and bought the 'Lomo' side/throwover/tank set....check them out..I still had to felt 'black out'(am I allowed to say that..BLM..??)..tip the 'Lomo' name..all ride safe.
 
"the 'Lomo' side/throwover/tank set"

Is that a set including their throwover rear panniers, tank bag, and front bags? I just wish the Lomo front bags had a small, zippered pocket on the outside. The idea of having to undo two buckles and unroll the top just to get out my wallet at the gas station seems inconvenient. Maybe I'd get used to it. I'm looking at front side bags as an alternative to a tank bag for around town. I even thought of adapting a simple fanny pack (even good ones can be very inexpensive), but a bit more capacity would be nice.

"'Black felt tip indelible'...tones it it down" Good idea. I wonder if those mountain range logos would take the ink properly. On some kinds of surfaces it just beads up.
 

GaleForceEight

Well travelled
Location
Southend on Sea
I plan to get the rotopax mounting plates and bolt a fuel tank to one side and an ammo box on the other. The fuel tank will be used as a water carrier for bike rallies once this damned Coronavirus is given the heave ho!
 

GaleForceEight

Well travelled
Location
Southend on Sea
LOL. How much ammo do figure on carrying?

Seriously, though, how would you figure on attaching the ammo box to the rack? With the rotopax mounting plate? Maybe it's a dumb question, but how would that work?
The rotopax mounting plate is formed from several components - you don’t have to fit the twistlock mechanism that holds the container in position - you can just bolt the ammo box to the base plate that is attached to the forward frame of the bike.
 

RSD-Moto

Finally made it
Location
Surrey UK
The idea of having to undo two buckles and unroll the top just to get out my wallet at the gas station seems inconvenient.
Have you seen the Lomo Leg bag? perfect for a wallet and phone, and stays with you if you leave the bike unattended. Far better (imho) than having stuffed pockets. You still have the buckles and roll top, but is 100% waterproof. I have tested mine in some biblical rain :)
 

ianr430

Getting there...
Location
Bay Area CA
Has anyone tried, or at least seen firsthand, the front side bag set that Hitchcocks sells? There are several things I like about them.

They're made for the Himalayan.
Nice compartments with what appears to be easy access.
Reasonable price.

The web site doesn't say anything about waterproofing, but I don't need a 100% waterproof dry bag - too hard to get into on a commuter-type basis.

I'm not too crazy about the 'mountain range logo' on the side of the bag. Just my opinion, but I think it cheapens the look of the bag. I'd rather it was a bit more business-like. But I might be able to overlook it if the bag is outstanding in other ways.
Now hold on Im about to find out if these are the perfect bags for the front racks.
I have many of these viking bags and they are the best locking bags I can find. I will know in about a couple hours when I test fit them.

 

ianr430

Getting there...
Location
Bay Area CA
Yeaaaaa the gamble paid off. I knoe you guys will like this. Its a perfect fit and mounts on the fuel tank brackets. I can swap between 1 fuel tank 1 bag, or 2 bags or 2 fuel tanks. Its like the bags were made for those front racks. The bags are key lockable so more storage for secure items. Only thing is the bags are 250 bux but more than worth it.
 

Attachments

you can just bolt the ammo box to the base plate that is attached to the forward frame of the bike.
That would make the ammo box more or less permanently mounted, right? To remove it, you would have to unbolt the base plate. Looking at Rotopax mounts, they're a bit pricey, especially if you aren't going to use the twistlock parts. To accomplish the same thing, I'd probably just fabricate my own mounting plates.

I do rather like the basic idea. It'd be nice to make the ammo box easily removed though. By the way, looking at ammo boxes on Amazon, there are quite a variety - even some pretty durable-looking plastic ones. What type of box would you be using?
 
I looked at these, but they have been unavailable for some time, so ended up with the Lomo bags.
I hear ya. I was thinking I might end up doing the same. However, by amazing coincidence, this morning I received an email from the Indian distributor telling me that the Viaterra bags are now available again. (Their website gives the option to be automatically notified when the product is available.) Now I have to make a decision. Life is tough.
 

RSD-Moto

Finally made it
Location
Surrey UK
I hear ya. I was thinking I might end up doing the same. However, by amazing coincidence, this morning I received an email from the Indian distributor telling me that the Viaterra bags are now available again. (Their website gives the option to be automatically notified when the product is available.) Now I have to make a decision. Life is tough.
Well, I checked this morning following your post, and they are indeed in stock. So I ordered a set. The product and shipping came in at about 55 GBP, but even if I get hit with import duties, they will still be cheaper than Amazon, which last time I looked were 99 GBP

2004

I won't get the luxury of next day delivery, but I can live with that ;)
 

GaleForceEight

Well travelled
Location
Southend on Sea
Well, I checked this morning following your post, and they are indeed in stock. So I ordered a set. The product and shipping came in at about 55 GBP, but even if I get hit with import duties, they will still be cheaper than Amazon, which last time I looked were 99 GBP

View attachment 2004

I won't get the luxury of next day delivery, but I can live with that ;)
Would you consider ordering more than one set and share the postage costs/duties? Just a thought for other UK forum members?
 

GaleForceEight

Well travelled
Location
Southend on Sea
That would make the ammo box more or less permanently mounted, right? To remove it, you would have to unbolt the base plate. Looking at Rotopax mounts, they're a bit pricey, especially if you aren't going to use the twistlock parts. To accomplish the same thing, I'd probably just fabricate my own mounting plates.

I do rather like the basic idea. It'd be nice to make the ammo box easily removed though. By the way, looking at ammo boxes on Amazon, there are quite a variety - even some pretty durable-looking plastic ones. What type of box would you be using?
Just a small one for carrying a few bits and pieces for emergencies. Nothing massive! I could mount it to the plate with wing nuts, and a spacer between the plate and box, so the mounting plate would stay in situ whether the box is mounted or not, but as it would pretty much do everywhere with the bike anyway being a permanent fixture is not really an issue. I want a small fuel can for the other side, and the Rotopax mounts come as a pair.
2005
 
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