My girlfriend and I are headed to Sturgis this year; I am taking my Softail Slim (getting her ready for the long trip from Cali) and it looks like I will be placing my travel bag directly on the fender (I have a Bowman sissy bar) and NOT on a rack (I will be placing the tent and the camp stuff on the luggage rack which will be right behind my seat).

Is there any issue with this? I will have a fender bib under the bottom of the bag, but I am wondering about any possible stress or pressure that will be on just the fender itself. I know that folks have been doing stuff like that for eons, but as I am new, I would like to defer to the experienced riders here.

 

Should by fine on your Slim, as long as you protect the paint.

 

Or mail to Sturgis Post Office general delivery and pick it up when you get there.

 

+1 on protecting the paint. Don't see any other problems as long as it's not super heavy or overstuffed so it droops over the sides

 

Protecting the paint is easier said then done. The problem you will have is everything moving and shifting while you ride. What works when you leave might turn into a paint rubbing mess 100 miles down the road.

I would look into some kind of rack to keep the luggage away from the paint.

 

Done this before ... excellent option!


And protecting the fender ... Tape lot's of tape sticky side down!

 

Ive done this before. The sissy bar racks are only rated for 10 lbs anyways. Scratching is the big issue. If it can you should also make sure your suspension is adjusted for the extra weight. I have also done the UPS shipping thing and you can also rent camping gear in most places.

 

Really easy

Go to Walmart. They have rolls of rubber mesh cabinet and drawer liner. It comes in different colors. Bike is black, I use black.

Buy a roll of it.
Cut it to fit to cover the paint.
It is a soft rubber in a loose mesh and doesn't move.
Set the luggage on it.
Done.

I use it all the time. Anywhere my saddlebags or t-bags might contact the paint.
I have a tank bag on my gas tank almost all the time.
I just lay a piece of it over the tank and set the tank bag on it. The bag's magnets still hold through it and it has never left a mark. Thousands and thousands of miles in all weather and never a mark.

Thank me when you get back, or just send money.

 

Another option for you is to use the wide blue painters tape. I use this under my rear seat pad. Occasionally I remove my rear seat pad for a different look. The blue painters tape always comes up with no problem.

 

I have some of that and yea, I can see where that will work. I also will have a fender bib that I do not use that I think will work. I will have to try both when I go on a short overnighter with the gf in a couple weeks