I'm getting ready to buy a sissy bar for the wife and so I can put a bag on it for trips to work and other places. My question is....do you recommend quick detach or rigid mount. I really want the quick detach because I don't want it on all the time, but....have ya'll heard of many of them getting stolen since they are so easily removed? That's my only worry about the QD version.

 

Thought of it, but haven't heard of it. I'm in the middle of nowhere, so I don't think about people stealing the **** too often...Guess it's always a possibility though...

 

I guess it getting stolen depends on where you live or go with it but I don't personally know anyone that has the detachable that has ever had it stolen. You have to decide for yourself, obviously. But, I'll share with you my experience. I went in a dealer (not my usual dealer) before Christmas just after getting my bike. I was on the way to the airport for business so I thought I'd pick up the sissy bar stuff to have my wife have my kids wrap it up to give me as a gift. I had my mind made up that I wanted the detachable sissy bar and associated hardware. At that point, I had only had my bike a few weeks and was, let's say, much more impressionable based on other people's opinions because I still basically knew nothing about Harley's specifically when it came to accessories. Hence, the reason I was in a dealer store to begin with vs. finding what I wanted online. Anyway, I let this wet behind the ears kid working at the parts counter talk me into getting a rigid sissy bar because, in his opinion, the required signal light relocation kit for the detachable "ruined the look of the signal lights". So, I bit, and I bought, and ended up putting it on my bike. I regretted it from day one after I installed it because, as you can see in my sig pic, that wasn't really the style I wanted for my bike. So, a few months later I went and bought all of the detachable stuff and changed it out. I was able to sell the rigid sideplates but by no means recovered my money spent on them. Fortunately, though, the uprights and pad I had already bought fit the detachable sideplates and didn't have to be replaced.

The detachable is nice, I must say. I don't normally have it or want it on my bike but I won't carry a passenger without it. Same goes for my 2-up seat and detachable windshield. But, within 3 minutes, I can change my bike up for 2-up riding by pulling my solo seat off, throwing on the 2-up, clamp on the sissy bar and the windshield. Then, I can change it back just as quickly. I have the sissy bar sideplates, uprights, back pad, and luggage rack all bolted together and it just clicks right on anytime I need it.

My2 cents - hope it helps.

 

+1,000,000!!! Same EXACT boat with the on/off, don't like the look stuff!!!

 

I also agree with the detachable. Since I do like my lady riding with me from time to time, she insisted on a sissy bar after her first ride. 95% of the time I am alone and I don't care for the 2up setup. But I do like to keep the boss happy and this works for both of us...

 

I vote for the detachable sideplates. I ride solo but carry a T-bag most of the time to carry rain gear, mail, groceries, etc. I garage my bike most of the time but don't think someone stealing it would be a problem. Only other riders would know whether it was detachable or not.

Ride Safe.

 

+3...I too couldn't stand the look of the fixed side plates and switched to detachable. At the dealer, I saw some replacement latches thatmake itlockable, didn't buy them however. If I really care to lock things up, I've used a thin, retractable cable combination lock that is acutally for skiis. The detachable set up rattled at first. I took it off, put the assembly on a flat table and shimmed up one corner or the other with a few playing cards, tightened up the bolts and that took the rattle out.

 

I've not ever heard of anyone having them stolen but I guess it depends on where you live. I have, however, heard of the detachable side plates vibrating and making noise. Personally, I have the rigids because I have no intentions of removing my sissy bar. I like the way it looks. I'm also having the turn signals relocated and will be adding moderately large saddlebags. This may not be the look you desire but for me it's a matter of functionality.

 

I have the detachable because I got talked into the Essentials kit when I got my bike.08 FatBobI have no intension of removing the sissy bar. I seem to always have something to carry so I just strap it on. I also have EasyBrackets for removeable saddlebags. I'll probably hardmount them and sell the brackets. But that is just me. Harley does make locking latches for the detachable stuff.

 

The parts guy at my dealer told me I had to choose betweena detatchable sissy bar and detatchable saddle bags because there was only one mounting place. Reading what you said makes me think I need to see a different parts guy.