I'm getting ready for an awesome season of riding and camping. We want to get saddlebags for the Versys, but have concerns about safety. There doesn't seem to be much for the bags to attach to- most I've looked at have velcro that goes over/under the passenger seat and some bungee cords... but what's stopping the lower edge of the bags to swing into the space between the bottom of the seat and the rear wheel? The safest way I'm thinking is to get a system that has the hard framing- but it's expensive and I'd hate to ruin the clean lines when the saddle bags aren't being used. Has anyone had this problem? Which make of bag do you like the best and why?

As well, with magnetic tank bags, how well do they REALLY work? If you had a choice between magnetic and strap on, which would you choose? And is there problems with scratching the paint?

Magnetic tank bags work well but there are only a limited few that work well with the versys due to the plastic fairings on each side of the gas tank.
I went to a local Honda dealer that had a good selection of tank bags, the guy there was good enough to carry all the ones i liked out to the parking lot to try on the versys. Seems only smaller magnetic ones worked and I ended up buying a Cortech strap-on bag.

All tank bags have soft foam type material on bottom to protect your paint but with a magnetic bag you have to be careful you dont get bits of metal debris (staples, pins etc) stuck to the bottom of the bag.

As far as sidecases go, I use hard cases that can be removed very quickly along with the racks to mount them,leaving the bike looking lovely and naked.
They are somewhat pricey but if interested, check them out here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvH5tchsOCQ).

John

Oxford humpback soft panniers work great. Have been using them for almost a year now with no problems at all, the bungee and velcro works just fine

Try the Wolfman Tailpacks. I use the Alfa Rear Bag (former KLR owner:rolleyes:) and the Explorer (now Rainier) strap mount Tankbag; along with a topcase mounted to the tailrack.

The Alfa Rear is kinda U-shaped, hangs down over the side of the passenger seat about 5 or 6 inches, but doesn't pull under the seat (makes a good backrest, too). Can also be mounted over the rear rack if not using the topcase. I guess the Beta Rear Bag would work as well. There is also available a small duffel which attaches to the Rear Bag, if one didn't want to use a top case.

I've used this setup on trips of two weeks and more.

I much prefer strap on tank bags, once they're fitted properly, you know they're going nowhere. I've had decent quality magnetic ones in the past and have had one fall off, a bit overloaded maybe, but never happened with a strap fix bag.

If you're riding solo, I'd agree with pegrider, a decent tailbag may well be all you need. The Wolfman Beta and Mini Beta are a good fit on the bike, easy to take on and off and secure once strapped down.

SW-Motech Quick Lock Evo pannier frames remove easily and quickly in seconds if you want to go that route, and like you mentioned, don't spoil the clean lines of the bike if you're not using them. Not the cheapest solution, but a real neat fix if you have a pillion and need to go with side panniers.

See photo's here - SW-Motech Frames (http://www.kawasakiversys.com/forums/showpost.php?p=71852&postcount=36)

..... and tank bag options - Here (http://www.kawasakiversys.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6324&page=2)

..... and more luggage - Here (http://www.kawasakiversys.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7261)

Thanks, everyone, for your replies! It's good to hear what's working and what people like!

Look at the tank ring bags. Bags Connection makes quite a few and they don't touch the paint on your tank. http://www.twistedthrottle.com has quite a few.

I have a Rapid Transit Recon 19 magnetic tank bag which I really like, but I am worried about the security of it with the side flaps flipped under (as someone on here has done). I looked at the Bags Connection bags, and the ones listed for the Versys on Twisted Throttle seem small. I look at all of them and the Trial seems to be a good size and is even shown on a Versys. Wonder why they don't list it in the Versys section?

I second the Bags-Connection Quick-Lock tank bags from Twisted Throttle. Just put one on my '08 Versys, and it's absolutely the best tank bag I've had on a bike yet.

http://kauffman.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2008-Kawasaki-Versys/Farkles/IMG3852/823073254_yhWBW-M.jpg

http://kauffman.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2008-Kawasaki-Versys/Farkles/IMG3853/823119581_Cf7ee-M.jpg

http://kauffman.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2008-Kawasaki-Versys/Farkles/IMG3851/823072742_Xi7cG-M.jpg

http://kauffman.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2008-Kawasaki-Versys/Farkles/IMG3854/823074760_GZvBH-M.jpg

http://kauffman.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2008-Kawasaki-Versys/Farkles/IMG3855/823121191_nkhWN-M.jpg

Thanks everyone! We decided on the Motopak panniers and tail roll. http://www.motopakluggage.com/luggage.html
The service was great and we got them REAL fast! Still looking at tank bags, though!http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs442.ash1/24375_10150166620095131_887730130_12035619_7756351 _n.jpg
...will have to take a better pic with the roll on...