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If that's all you can afford to pay for saddlebags, then that's what you should buy. But be ware - they say leather, but are most likely reconstituted leather - kind of the same concept as pressboard. They grind up leather bits and pieces, mix them with something to hold it all together and voila - reconstituted material that they call leather. And so technically/legally, it is. At least if you only spend $60 and they fall apart you aren't out a crap load of money, and maybe that's what you need to do at the moment.
As everyone has said, you get what you pay for. My hubby makes custom throwover saddlebags and they go for around $275 to $350 depending on size, special features, etc. and they could outlast your bike with proper care. Check out www.cellardwellerleathers.com. Shameless plug.
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__________________ If you ignore the dragon it will eat you. If you try to confront the dragon it will overpower you. If you ride the dragon you will take advantage of its might and power.
These are older ones (70's vintage), and I have had them for about 20 years. They're real leather throw overs, and have held up amazingly well for all the miles that are on them.
I had planned on using them on my current scoot, but decided it looked better without bags.
They prob will go on my next Harley though
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V-Twin Cruisers MC Springfield Ohio Chapter President
Patriot Guard Rider 163818
It is prob to late for my answer to help you - sorry, I have been gone.
I purchased throw overs, T-bar bag, and leather duffel from Jafrum.
The first trip with them was around 3,300 miles across OK,TX,NM,AZ,UT,CO,KS, & back to OK ... the second trip was 2,200 miles doing a giant loop in Colorado ... It was the rainy season there, so they got drenched quite a few times.
I have no complaints with anything but the leather duffel, the first time I picked it up, the strap broke. It was an easy fix, but still.
BUT - I also purchased a leather conditioner/protectant & I take care of them.
Hope this helped.
Thank you Amzie. However you're the only one that actually had something positive to say about the bags. I'm leaning toward the Saddleman bags or the Tour Master Cruiser II Slant Saddlebag Collection. I figure with hardware and relocation kit, they should cost me about $300-$350 for everything. Anyone have thoughts about them?
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2008 Sportster XL883L: Dark Blue Pearl, V&H FuelPak, SE Stage 1 A/C, V&H Straight Shots w/qb's 2008 Softail Deluxe FLSTN: White Gold Pearl & Pewter Pearl, V&H FuelPak, SE Stage 1 A/C, V&H Double Barrel Long pipes
Yeah, I got some gloves and a spare helmet from them, and they are ok for what I needed, but both products seem somewhat sub-par.
Edit: can't beat the prices though. $16 for the gell palm leather gloves, and $45 for the retro half helmet. to give you an idea of why I say they are sub-par, the left glove is missing a ton of gell compared to the right glove.
It is prob to late for my answer to help you - sorry, I have been gone.
I purchased throw overs, T-bar bag, and leather duffel from Jafrum.
The first trip with them was around 3,300 miles across OK,TX,NM,AZ,UT,CO,KS, & back to OK ... the second trip was 2,200 miles doing a giant loop in Colorado ... It was the rainy season there, so they got drenched quite a few times.
I have no complaints with anything but the leather duffel, the first time I picked it up, the strap broke. It was an easy fix, but still.
BUT - I also purchased a leather conditioner/protectant & I take care of them.
Hope this helped.
It's funny that Amzie has the only post in this thread that directly addresses the question. Plus, he's put MILES on the product. I got a set of these bags b/c they were cheap. I needed something now. I also conditioned them with mink oil and sprayed them down with a water repellant.
They're clearly not MoCo bags, but they will hold my stuff until I can get something of higher quality leather and they look pretty darn good.
__________________ "I'm a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it." - Thomas Jefferson
I bought a set two years ago. I expected them to be of lesser quaility than the brand name stuff so I wasn't disappointed. They did everything I needed, I stuffed tools, jerky and other crap in them, rode through rain and even a little snow with them. I have no complaints. Just sold them on ebay for $15 and they live on. I do think they would wear out with regular use but for the price I think they are a good value.
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