I run a 2015 Street Glide and would never put a tour pack on it, personally. I get great storage for long trips using a large T-bag on the detachable luggage rack, along with a large Biker's Friend bag. And when the long trip is done, those bags store away without a care... leaving the SG to look as she was meant to look- stripped down and sleek. Also a MUCH cheaper solution. Go with what makes you happy!

 

Congrats! I've been riding 35 plus years and have taken many long distance trips. My wife has been coming along on at least a couple of 1800 to 2000 mile trips a year for the past 12 years. We've learned to pack light and carry a lot less than we did several years ago. The allure to me is living totally off the motorcycle for a week or two and having to deal with whatever Mother Nature throws at me, and she's thrown some curve ***** over the years. Unexpected cold, storms, hail, wind, driving rain, whatever; it's all good to me. Motorcycle touring is a throwback to the pioneer spirit. If you'll notice you will sometimes get a look from some poor dude in a minivan wishing he was doing the same thing you are.

I've previously had an Ultra with a tour pack, but I actually prefer no tour pack now. I invested in a good Saddlemen bag that mounts on the luggage rack of my RGS, and it holds more than my tour pack did. The bigger benefit is that it rides lower than a tour pack making the bike noticeably less top heavy when loaded. I remove the bag and leave it in the hotel room if we're staying at a particular destination, so I don't have to carry the weight all the time.

The color matched lowers are well worth the cost to me especially if you get them 20 percent off online at New Castle Harley or one of the other dealers that do online discounts. You can get off brand lowers cheaper, but I'm not hassling with getting someone to fix any imperfections, prime, match the color, paint, etc. I've ordered two sets from New Castle and both have arrived in perfect condition within two or three weeks.

If I may offer some advice FWIW: If you don't have one, consider buying a helmet with a face shield. I wear either a full face or 3/4 when touring, and having a face shield keeps the rain off my face, which I appreciate when I get caught having to ride 350 miles in inclement weather. Good rain gear: there's nothing worse than riding with the seat of your jeans and crotch being wet. Waterproof boot covers: it's miserable riding once your boots get wet and they seem to take forever to dry. I've owned so called waterproof boots and water always seems to find a way in after a while at highway speeds. Keep your seat dry. Even if it's vinyl it will still absorb water.

Stay flexible and have fun!

 

I was thinking a bag would hold more than a tourpack. I think the main draw to the tour pack is the lock and the weather proofing plus it would make it easier to commute. Of course a bag that could double as a backrest would be sweet.

 

I was concerned that the hard lowers would roast me in Hotlanta traffic, so I went with the soft lowers, for winter/fall riding. I'm going to invest in the hard ones since they will have better flow than the soft ones.
I recently got a modular helmet that I wasn't comfortable wearing on my 1st trip, but I've been breaking it in since I've been back seems like the answer for touring and cooler temps.
Got rain gear on this trip have to get the boot covers

 

Yes- I can definitely see the appeal of the locking feature of a tour pack! But as for weatherproofing, all the good bags have rain covers or are otherwise quite weather resistant. In the end, it's what your needs, taste and budget dictate I think.

Now you've got me thinking about a long ride. Haven't done a multi-day jaunt since last year!

 

This is an awesome suggestion, I have been wanting to wonder around in Florida for a week, but honestly never thought about other states.

 

Not being able to lock soft bags is a good point. If I'm concerned that someone may take the whole bag, I'll loop a cable through the part of the bag that goes over the backrest and through the luggage rack and padlock the cable. That way someone would have to cut the bag to take it. Of course, that won't stop someone from opening the bag, but I keep valuables locked in the side bags. I've never had anyone mess with anything on the bike. Packing a motorcycle and taking off on a trip is foreign to most people, so the majority of people will leave stuff alone.

 

what locks the tour pack to the bike? I was concerned about it being stolen, then you know HD is going to sell every single nut and washer you need to install it
separately! I wish I had bought the ultra and just took off what I don't need.

 

I feel like since I did that ride
1 I can't stop thinking about the next one
2 I wonder if the around town riding will be enough

knowing me I'll wind up with the bags and the tour pack!

 

Start planning for Sturgis now. Be a great ride from where you're at, whichever way you go.