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Dyna Glide ModelsSuper Glide, Super Glide Sport, Super Glide Custom, Dyna Glide Convertible, Super Glide T-Sport, Dyna Glide Police, Dyna Switchback, Low Rider, Street Bob, Fat Bob and Wide Glide.
please forgive my brutal honest here as my intentions are simply to word this the way I (and many others) seem to see it....this is the excuse they use every time there is a negative thread about their product. You are making excuses rather than solutions. Spend some time conducting R&D, and build a product specific to each bike (like the rest of the companies do) and stop producing a product that's one size fits all, customer tries to mount it, hope you get it right, but it's your fault if you get it wrong. We should never have to drill holes in our bags to fit them. We shouldn't have to go to a hardware store in search of the correct fasteners. When we have problems/questions, we EXPECT customer service in a timely fashion, not unfulfilled promises of a returned phone call. When our bags need to be warrantied, we shouldn't have to wait days at a time in between responses only to find that we have to ship the bags back for inspection, and HOPE they will be warrantied. Overall, I like the bags, but the company that sells them needs to start listening to its customers, and showing us just how valued we really are.
"Brutal honesty is the best policy"-nick d.
If Viking and every other company made products that weren't universal but made to fit every bike out there and all the little differences then the price would go way up.
I'm not bashing the Viking saddlebags as I myself bought a pair of the extra large Lamellar hard painted bags for my 03 Low Rider as I didn't want to spend $700-$1000 for HD or Leather Pros or who else. I myself don't like the looks of the soft leather bags even if they have plastic liners to keep the shape. The Bags themselves are good for the money. I would have bought the leather covered ones but I plan on having mine painted to match my bike.
I'm also not using any of the mounting hardware that came with the kit. The mounting brackets that came with the kit were welded incorrect as if you lay them on a flat surface they don't line up. I had 1/8" SS plate laser cut to the backside saddlebag shape and I'm welding spacers to that plate to mount my bags up.
As as for the turn signal bracket that came with the kit, it's just too long even if I place it in the upper license mounting holes so I can't use it ether as I have a laydown plate and where the signals end up it won't let the lids open. I'd ether have to go back to a stock HD license plate setup or I'll probably get the Great Bike Gear laydown setup along with shorter signal standoffs.
So yes, I've had problems too but I'm still not spending anywhere near the cost of some of the other saddlebags out there. I like the looks of the Viking had bags I bought is why I bought them.
I understand, but something needs to be done. Even if they include a template to drill the bags for people who aren't comfortable doing it. I cut 1/8 plates for inside and outside the back of the bags and built my own QD mount but if they build bike specific bags, they might be worth the extra money. I'm sorry but when you advertise "hardware included" it damn well better have the correct hardware. I've heard countless reviews that state none of the included hardware was correct. That's ****in pathetic. It doesn't take very much work to find out what threads/bolt length fit. My point is that they have a lot of improvements to make. Yea, it's a decent product for those who don't want to spend the extra money, but the company as a whole needs to get it together.
REW13
Please stop, there is no need to you to drill on the fender. You will need to drill the bags but nothing on the bike. Please call 888 208-1949 and speak to one of our agents, we will gladly guide you throughout the process
I have a set of viking bag's that are supposed to fit my 01 low rider. I was going to do the quick release set up as well, but after looking more into the fitment on my bike I noticed that it wasn't going to work. So I must do the permanent mount. So I'm not to happy to drill an extra hole in my finder.
Why would you have to drill another hole in your fender?? I don't know what Viking Bags you have but there is no way I have to drill another hole in my 03 Low Rider to mount the Viking bags I bought. Even the smallest bag that shows up on their site when I type in what bike I have HD 03 Low Rider, that bag is 13.5 x 11 x 6. The spacing on the fender bolts (if I remember right) is 10 3/8" center to center so the bag should be long enough to cover that.
I just installed them on my 2007 Low Rider no problem. Before I started I tapped a 2x4 on top of the exhaust pipe for a reference point which gives me 1 1/2" space between exhaust and the bottom of the bag, Viking recommends 1 inch. You can slide the bag and locate a position you like, it just makes it easy and you can stand back from the bike and see how it will look.
I did use easy brackets to mount the bags, the bike already had quick disconnect sissy bar and luggage rack, just installed quick disconnect tour pack as well.
I did a lot of research before purchasing viking warrior bags and the conclusion I came to was that the bags themselves are pretty good for the price, but the mounting is universal and you have to get custom. I'm all about working on stuff to save a back so I went for it. I had to tweak the mounts that came with the bags, spent some time figuring out where I wanted them, I cut the brackets down to retain my quick release setup for my sissy bar while keeping the bags hard mounted, and everything seems to be working out so far. I ended up even using the bolts they gave me, although I would like to replace them with standard at some point. I already didnt have turn signals so I wasnt concerned with that, and the relocation kit that came with them i'm not sure I would have ran.
Ya I had to spend some hours mounting them, but I also only paid $120 for bags. Just couldn't justify leather pro's right now. Plus you dont see these as much and I kind of like that. Lots of T sport bags and leather pros in my area.
I do have a considerable amount of tools in one bag and I am a little worried that the fiberglass might eventually rip but I'm prepared to make plates for the mounting surface, both inside and out that would sandwich the bag and then bolt through that.
I just recently installed some Viking bags and had them on my last bike also. I don't think I used the mounting hardware on either bike. Some bolts were too long some too short. Overall I am happy with the install but it definitely required a few trips to the hardware store.
My only complaint is the locking mechanism is to short to actually engage and lock the bag. Most saddle bag locks would only keep out criminals of opportunity anyway.
If you live in Canada, save your money on buying Viking's quick release bracket and purchase Easy Bracket's quick release. The shipping is literally 70% less. Not to impressed with Viking's customer service. My experience... They're only in it for your money, not your satisfaction!
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