New to riding and my '08 Heritage Softail Classic has the standard soft leather bags with buckles. No locks. I have been taking my bike to town and often have some work to do on the computer...I'm in the trucking business...so I take my ipad with me in case I need to do some work. I generally don't leave it in the bags unless it is in sight.

But, just wondering, has anyone had anything stolen out of their bags? Seems unlikely to me. But, I suppose it happens. Just wondering how often.

 

A friend of mine sent his to these guys, small padlocks secure the bags. Won't stop a determined thief, but few things will.


http://www.bossbags.com/heritage.html

 

I leave all my stuff in my Heritage and Heritage Springer bags, so far no thefts. But there's nothing irreplaceable like a computer nor expensive belongings like my leather jacket , just stuff like rain gear, first aid kit, gloves, microfiber etc.

I would guess it would depend on where your bike is parked and whether you're in a high crime area. Overnight at a hotel I take everything out.

 

Locks are for honest people. 5% of Americans are not honest.

 

I have a left side leather bag, with no locks and when we go on long rides, I carry my iPad in case we get off track aka lost. Half of the time if we go eat, I leave it in the bag. If I take it out where I can be seen, I take it in with me. SO FAR, no ones bothered it. I've seen leather bag locks but to me, that might indicate there's something in it worth stealing.

 

Locks generally keep your bags from being stolen, not necessarily the contents.

 

Don't leave anything you would hate to lose...just saying. That 5% is everywhere.

 

I always have one of my cameras with me on the bike. While I love the look of the leather bags on the RKC, I hated not being able to lock them. I got lucky and found a set of color-matched hardbags. My point is that knowing the bags are locked and bolted to the bike (no pins) gives me piece of mind when I walk away from the bike.

I like what Chicken said. If someone sees your stuff, then take it with you. But if they don't know it's there then you're probably OK. Of course based on the area you're in too; that's an obvious biggie.

 

never had anything taken out of mine (non-locking)... I've taken 1 or 2 trips a yr, 6-7 days long for the last 5yrs and never had a problem staying in Hotels

 

Same situation on my RKC. I have ridden all up and down the East Coast and parked in big cities (NYC, Boston, DC etc) and have never had anyone mess with anything on my bike.

I only lock my bags when I am parked at a hotel overnight. How do I lock them? I installed these saddlebag locks, which also work with Heritage bags. http://www.saddlebaglidlocks.com/ They won't stop a determined thief (nothing will), but it will deter someone who just wants to look and see what you have (if you encounter such a person).

Here is a video showing how easy they are to install on a Heritage.