From RoadBike, March 2011

The full kit saddlebag supports include all the hardware youneed to do the job.

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Remove the grab rail spools and washers from both sides ofthe bike with a 6mm hex key. If you have stock turn signalsinstalled, you’ll need to remove them now.

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BY TRICIA SZULEWSKI

After a couple of week-long trips on my Suzuki Bandit1200S fitted with soft luggage, Irealized the downfalls of not hav-ing hard bags. While soft bags can

be used effectively, there’s really nothing that cancompare to the convenience of keyed hard bags onyour bike. Besides being able to stow your gearsecurely, there’s no need to mess around withbungees, tie-downs, locks, or rain covers with hardluggage. I’ve also had plenty of opportunities to useremovable hard luggage on our test bikes, and appre-ciate being able to carry the cases into the hotel atnight for easy loading and unloading.

Shopping around for hard bags led me to a com-pany that manufacturers them for some of the OEMmotorcycles I’ve used before. SHAD is a Europeanmanufacturer who’s been in this business for yearsproducing quality products. With a variety of shapesand sizes to choose from, I chose to outfit my Banditwith the company’s large-capacity cases, the SH43side cases and SH50 top case, with color plates thatclosely match the Bandit’s red paint. The one pitfall ofputting luggage like this on your bike, is that you’restuck with a system of support racks that isn’t neces-sarily the prettiest way to show off your ride when thebags are at home. But, the sacrifice is well worth it ifyou’re more interested in traveling. SHAD’s mountingbrackets for the Bandit were easy to install and

required no permanent modification tothe bike. The side case brackets evencame with a set of turn signals premount-ed, so you don’t need to remount yourstock signals in an alternate location.

The SHAD side bags and top caseuse a separate set of keys, which are dif-ferent lengths, so knowing which iswhich is simple. However, the side bags

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SHADSH43 Large Capacity Side Cases,$460 (Pair)SH50 Large Capacity Top Case,$369Side Master Mounting Kit, $301Top Master Mounting Kit, $105Garnet color plates, $79www.SHADUSA.com

harddata

came with an extra barrel that can beused in the top case so you only have theone key to deal with. All the bags can belocked to the bike and still opened andshut, but I recommend locking them shutbefore setting off on a ride. Flip-out han-dles make carrying the bags easy, thoughthey can be pretty hefty, especially whenfull of gear. Measuring 23.5" wide x12.6" high x 18" deep, the huge, 50-litertop case is big enough to fit two full-facehelmets and includes a document holderin the lid. A “lumbar” backrest is includ-

Install the left-side support bracket at the grabrail using a spacer, washer, and the M8 x 55screw with a 5mm hex key.

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At the left footrest, insert the lower end of thesupport bracket onto the protruding screw. Iadded a spacer up top. I used a 6mm hex keyand 1/2" wrench to tighten the M8 nut over thewasher and bracket.

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Install the upper portion of the right-sidesupport bracket as in step #5. Remove theexhaust pipe screw, nut, and washer. Secure thelower portion of the bracket, spacer, washer, andlocknut using a 1/2" wrench and 5mm hex key.

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Using the washers, M6 x 20 screws, and M6nuts, attach the union pipe supports. You’ll needa 4mm hex key and 10mm wrench. Note: SHADinstructions picture this support bracket withthe middle brace in the upward position. Myfender eliminator didn’t allow clearance for this,so I installed it upside down, which still offersenough strength.

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Connect the turn signal indicators and use thezip-ties to clean up the wiring.

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Attach the side cases. First, tilt the bag andsteady the lower portion of the case in theanchorage rod, and push forward until the notchin the bag connects with the hook on thesupport bracket. The internal mechanism locksthe bag in place.

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Disconnect the bag from the bracket by liftingthe inner portion of the handle with the key inthe unlocked position.

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Remove the pin and circlip from the leftfootrest. While holding the peg in place, insertthe provided M8 x 65 screw and stock washer.This will hold the footpeg in place for now.

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ed, but is located way too high up to bereal lumbar support for your passenger,though simply having the case back thereoffers peace of mind. A brake light thatruns the horizontal length of the top casesupport plate is offered as an option,which I chose to skip. Another SHAD topcase, SH46, is a little smaller than theSH50, but it offers the brake light optionintegrated into the case, above the handle,which offers even more visibility.

The side bags measure 21.65" wide x15.75" high x 11" deep and can also fit afull-face helmet in each, with lots of roomto spare. I filled a duffel bag and set it eas-ily on the internal shelf that offers a full-size resting spot for your stuff. This is a niceconvenience feature; it prevents you fromgetting material caught in the lower seam aswell. Thick elastic bands connect in themiddle with a snapping closure. The liparound the seam of the bags includes a rub-ber gasket and works well to keep out rain.

If you’re not into hard bags, SHADalso offers a variety of soft luggage,including tankbags. But for a lot lessmoney than a new sport-tourer, the SHADsystem turned my Bandit into a real pave-ment pounder.

Push the retaining clip through the hole in thescrew and bend the ends.

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The color plates just screw on with three smallPhillips head screws.

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A lower, internal “shelf” and elastic bands alsomakes loading easy and secure.

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Before you ride, it’s a good idea to lock the bagsshut, to keep them from accidentally poppingopen. (Though this didn’t happen to me on myfully loaded test run.)

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The top case attaches to the Bandit with thetop kit supports shown here with includedhardware.

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To open the bag, lift the handle and the spring-loaded lever on the handle. Pivot the flapforward and upward to release the lid.

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The bag can be locked to the bracket withoutbeing locked shut. Shown on the bottom here,the bag is locked to the bike, but the lid canstill be opened. Shown on top, the bag iscompletely unlocked.

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With the side cases off, remove the stockforward bungee point spools with a 6mm hexkey.

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Then remove the screw and washer that we justused to install the side bag supports in the grabrail area.

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Attach the top case support using a 6mm hexkey with the M8 x 85 screw and washer over thefull kit side case support in the rear.

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Use a 5mm hex key with the M8 x 75 screwsand spacers in the forward area.

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Repeat steps 21 to 24 on the other side.

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The top case comes assembled with the platethat attaches to the supports. You need tounscrew these three screws to remove the plate.Save these screws (arrows).

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Now the Bandit is a true sport-tourer, ready forlong-distance touring. RB

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Or I could leave the top case at home and usethe side cases.

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For around town, I may just use the top caseand leave the side cases at home.

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I can just as easily leave all the bags at home.

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Use the four provided screws in the top of theplastic plate cover to tighten it down.

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This plate serves as a tool-less, quick-connecting point for the top case.

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To attach the top case, make sure the key isturned to the release position. Pull the spring-loaded mechanism back while fitting the caseto its mounting points. Turn the key to lock thecase in place.

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The color plate is installed by first drilling fourholes in the lid using a 3mm drill bit.

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Fit the color plate tabs into the slits on the topof the lid and secure it using the four screwsprovided.

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The top case can be left locked or unlockedwhile secured to the support bracket. To openthe lid, make sure the key is in the openposition. Push the button until the handle popsout. Then squeeze the hidden tab to release thelid-locking mechanism.

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Use the four screws and washers that camewith the supports to attach the metal plate tothe supports.

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Then attach the plastic cover back to the platewith the three saved screws.

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