Saddle bags
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 52
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From: Coatesville PA
Saddle bags
I am looking for some lets say... "inexpensive" saddle bags for my fatboy. This automatically means don't look at any HD ones I know! My first question is, to keep the cost down they have the ones that just sling over the fender and are held on by the seat screw, is that correct? If you go down this road, do they scratch up your ride? Will I be unhappy with these? I currently don't have any bags on my bike and would probably only use these for long rides and trips. Seems like the hardware alone for the ones that fasten to the sides will set you back a hundred and a half. Also looking for a bag that sits on the back seat, do these just attach to the sissy bar? These can also act as a backrest? Anyone have any suggestions on these bags? Pics would be cool too, hard to envision them on my bike...
Thanks
Joe
Thanks
Joe
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,145
Likes: 2
From: Ontario East
You will want a set of saddlebag bars that mount to your rear fender struts to hold them away from your fender and swingarm. Before I had them, my bags actually wore the paint off the rear swingarms, right to the bare metal. I had to repaint them with many coats of hi-gloss Trem-clad Black, applied with very fine sprays. You don't want to have to do that. I found the one-piece bags were actually hanging too low, unless I had the p-pad on, so I split the cross-flap and used leather thong to sew together in holes I made so they would be adjustable and had them mounted under the p-pad with a protective pad between the leather and the fender to stop rubbing. I also used a sewn-on velcro strap to secure them to the saddlebag support bars. When I never did that, they would flap in the wind if they weren't loaded.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: Mesa Az
you get what you pay for.. throw overs are probably the least expensive.. usually they have ties to hold down on the sides. google saddle bags.. there are many sites, companys, options. or buy used off ebay or craigslist if you want to save $
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,145
Likes: 2
From: Ontario East
BTW...mine were heavy leather, about 1/8th inch with no supports other than a plastic bottom inside strip. They never sagged or lost shape over the 11 years on my FXSTC. When I sold the bike, they still looked like new. Take care of them and they will last just as long, if not longer because of the thickness, than your leather gloves or jacket.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,884
Likes: 912
From: South La.
You can find cheap bags and mount them to easy brackets. On and off in seconds. I have easy brackets on my stock bags but I find myself leaving them on more than taking them off. Some people don't like the look of bags but, I can't see mine when I'm riding down the road. lol
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,780
Likes: 69
From: Al Bu Ker Key, New Mexico
I have leather Harley Davidson bags on my FXR2. They are now 11 years old and still look great despite the rain, the rides, etc. They are the throwover type that are actually two separate bags with the "flaps" laced together over the rear fender. You will need the supports mentioned previously to keep them tied down. Dont buy the crap that you see sold at rallies, you will be throwing your money away. That garbage is paper thin and look like crap anyway. You should also consider hard bags available from aftermarket vendors. Just my 2cents worth.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,208
Likes: 374
From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74
If the throw over bags rub painted surfaces they will scratch. Depends a lot on the size of the bags and how they are positioned. Sometimes the Yoke can be adjusted, so the bags won't rub. You also can put the clear 3M scratch protector film on to protect the paint.
For occasional use usually just throw them across the passenger seat and tie down the bottoms of the bags, no screws just a string on each bag.
For a backseat bag look at the Kurakyn Grand Tour Bag. My wife has one and uses it as a backrest, even when empty.
For occasional use usually just throw them across the passenger seat and tie down the bottoms of the bags, no screws just a string on each bag.
For a backseat bag look at the Kurakyn Grand Tour Bag. My wife has one and uses it as a backrest, even when empty.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,508
Likes: 169
From: WPB, FL
You get what you pay for
WATCH OUT! IMHO you get what you pay for! Once, on the open highway, I had a car come zooming by me blowing his horn and waving like crazy. When I looked around I saw my "trunk bag" being dragged behind me at 60 mph all but lost. That was the last "inexpensive" piece of crap I ever bought for the bike. While the Harley line isn't cheap I find it a durable value for the money. I replaced that POS trunk bag with a Harley sissy bar bag (nylon - about $100) and am still using it 3 years and 2 bikes later. In fact I purched a Harley luggage "system" and while in fact I don't use it a lot, when I do use it I'm not constantly looking over my shoulder to make sure it's still there.
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Club Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,478
Likes: 137
From: PA
I bought a like new set of U.S. Saddlebags off of craigslist and then bought new mounts from www.ussaddlebag.com . If you go to there site and click saddlebags, then click on there video you can get a real good look at them. They are simular to the springer heritage bags but less expensive and I think they are made better. They are ABS plastic lined very sturdy. The mounts are bike specific. Check them out.
Last edited by jc15025; Mar 1, 2011 at 03:55 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,039
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From: Central FL
LoL, I bought these recently. Surprisingly awesome for the price, but you have to overlook the "not-cool" factor. Pretty roomy as they can hold a gallon gas tank with room for a road atlas in a single bag!!
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Classic-Ac...-Bags/10802875
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Classic-Ac...-Bags/10802875