Saddlebags for 1981 XJ650 Maxim

I was just wondering what kind of saddlebags I could get that gave me ample storage but still allowed for someone to be on the back of the bike and what the best way is to mount them whether hard or soft to the bike? Thanks!

 

Soft sided will be easier to find and mount. Storage will be probably smaller than hard bags but hard bag options are limited to basically only what can be found second hand. I have leather bags on my 650, they do the trick but I wanted more room. Eventually found a set of Yamaha hard bags locally. EBay sometimes has full sets. Both should allow passenger peg access, I'm in the process of figuring out how to mount mine since the brackets that came with mine were falsely advertised as being for a 650 maxim (my own fault for not lining them up before buying). If you get the original Yamaha hard luggage they have the advantage of being locking and quick release to remove the bags. Soft bags fit underneath the seat easily.

 

Check out hogfiddles' showcase of the full dress maxim to get an idea of what the hard bags you should be looking for look like.

Check out the "maximus" showcase and go to the last and second last pics to see what my leather bags look like on the bike.

 

Thank you very much!

 

Will the 1982 XJ750 saddlebags and trunk (hard) fit on my 1981 XJ650? Or different sizings?

 

Not without making your own mounting brackets. The frame is different and will not accept the 750 Seca luggage rack (plus it will make your Maxim look funny).