THE REPORT
Explaining the RKA Seatbag Attachment System
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In the beginning there were Bungee cords!!

Bungee cords are not very good support or attachment systems for motorcycles!
So in 1985 Kathy and I quit our jobs, moved the northern California, got married and started the “RK” company. Changed to “RKA” shortly thereafter.
Is this not the way a new business starts? And on top of that it started in my mom’s garage in Northern California.
In 1985 the sport bike revolution was just beginning, and those riders needed a better way to carry stuff.
These new machines now had bodywork, fairings and side panels with beautiful paint schemes, and the exposed twin shocks were leaving the building.
The MIRAGE I & MIRAGE II Seatbag series was our very first bag design

The bag was designed like a oversized rear race cowling and ran with the flow and design of the motorcycle.
Here is Richard & Kathy setting up the Kat.

Getting images for our very first ad in Motorcyclist Magazine.

I believe appeared in the 1985 March issue.
Our design attached to the seat (NOT the bodywork or over any plastic) with four rubber coated hooks.

These hooks were hidden with usable pockets that covered them.
You may notice RKA did some pretty awesome saddlebags at that time also! We incorporated a Sherpa backing and the bodywork was safe.
The seatbag and saddlebags combination are hard to explain in this article so this will have to be a following story. 
RKA IS the innovator of this seat attachment design.
AND the innovator if "THE PAD" application discussed below
At this stage in the business NOTHING touched bodywork with the seatbag. The seatbag design was all about attaching to the seat itself.
Here is Kathy and Richard at the machines way back when…
As the years went by and the motorcycle designs started leaning toward solo riders and much smaller passenger seats RKA had to rethink our design as the rubber coated hooks and attachment points for them became harder to locate.
ENTER THE PAD!
The PAD attaches to the seat like a pant belt
The Seatbag attaches to the PAD
As you can see, nothing touches the bodywork.

PLEASE, Do not be fooled!
"THE PAD"
can fit on ANY seat from the smallest to the biggest.

The seatbag design evolved into four different designs two set longways, and two set crossways.

All of them expandable.
14-liter Star I 
MSRP $175.00
18-liter Star II 
MSRP $200.00
21-liter Star IV 
MSRP $225.00
33-liter Star III 
MSRP $250.00
14, 18 liter there are 2 compartments, Main, Expansion,
21, 33 liter there are 4 compartments, Main, Expansion, Two side bags
All the seatbags are divided into two separated areas with a floor in between.
The expansion can be opened and used as a small storage compartment without expanding, The organizer, in the expansion has a mesh pocket, key holder, and a unopened button hole to bring power to the top.
All our luggage is designed in such a way that the “BINDING” covers the zippers when they are zipped up making for better weather protection.

(Arrows are pointing at the BINDING)
Optional features & accessories
The Raincover option also expandable so when the bag is closed you get a double raincover.

The RKA optional “Premium color” choice personalizes your luggage.
Main compartment is completely finished and lined inside with a 3/8 inch foam combined onto our 200 denier urethane coated rain cover material. And a special plastic insert all the way around the main area
14 L STARR I
18 L STARR II
Material used in Construction
These seatbags are, the very best quality, the very best functionality, the very best for your application.
They are designed, manufactured, assembled in Sonoma County California
In other words

“MADE IN THE USA”

since 1985!

Here are a couple if videos on our “YouTube Page”,



We will continue on this journey to explain where RKA came from and why we do things the way we do them.
Our first story was about our tankbag applications CLICK HERE to go back and read that story

The next story will be about our Saddlebags which integrates with our seat bag like they are one unit, so stay tuned.
Then after that how our most popular product got started … Our liners for your hardcases
SO more to come.
Lets end this story with some trivia images, Fun Mover at Sears Trackday, Richard on the BIG TLS at Buttonwillow, and a Happy R&K with no grey hair, well almost.
...“MADE IN THE USA” ... Since 1985!
Order online at www.rka-luggage.com or CALL to order yours 707 836 7659
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Ride Safe ..... Have Fun
Richard & Kathy