2014-2024 Touring Models This Section Is For Rushmore and Gen 1 M8 Touring models from 2014 to 2024
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Airwing bag rails

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 25, 2017 | 08:11 PM
  #1  
cwsharp's Avatar
cwsharp
Thread Starter
|
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,395
Likes: 153
From: Utah
Default Airwing bag rails

I want to protect the tops of my bags and I like the looks or the airwing rails.

I could use some advice as to whether to get them or not.

1. I want to add the LED lights. Is the routing of the wiring stupid and ugly or well planned? Can I set the LED's up to run as brake/turn only? (Run is ok, but I think without run would be more noticeable.). Since they are LED's and the regular bulbs on a 2014 RK are not, what happens then?

2. Does anyone use these rails to hold sleeping bags, tents, or whatever? Any good ideas on hold downs for bedrolls or pad rolls or tent rolls?

3. How hard are they to mount straight?

Thanks in advance.

C#
 
Reply
Old Mar 26, 2017 | 09:04 PM
  #2  
cdestuck's Avatar
cdestuck
Supporter
Veteran: Marine Corps
15 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,723
Likes: 233
From: Altoona, Pa.
Supporter
Default

Originally Posted by cwsharp
I want to protect the tops of my bags and I like the looks or the airwing rails.

I could use some advice as to whether to get them or not.

1. I want to add the LED lights. Is the routing of the wiring stupid and ugly or well planned? Can I set the LED's up to run as brake/turn only? (Run is ok, but I think without run would be more noticeable.). Since they are LED's and the regular bulbs on a 2014 RK are not, what happens then?

2. Does anyone use these rails to hold sleeping bags, tents, or whatever? Any good ideas on hold downs for bedrolls or pad rolls or tent rolls?

3. How hard are they to mount straight?

Thanks in advance.

C#
you asked for comments so mine is, not a fan of those rails one bit. They make a bike look like a bike out of the 60-70s. Or a bike belonging to a guy that will stick anything he can buy in his bike. I'd look into Hogskins I think they're called. 3m plastic that can be put over the kids. But hey, we're all different so if you like them, have at it.
 
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2017 | 09:46 AM
  #3  
cwsharp's Avatar
cwsharp
Thread Starter
|
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,395
Likes: 153
From: Utah
Default

Originally Posted by cdestuck
you asked for comments so mine is, not a fan of those rails one bit. They make a bike look like a bike out of the 60-70s. Or a bike belonging to a guy that will stick anything he can buy in his bike. I'd look into Hogskins I think they're called. 3m plastic that can be put over the kids. But hey, we're all different so if you like them, have at it.
I am interested in some protection but more importantly I think the location of the lights as turn and stop signals is very good. I also could use, from time to time, a place to strap on a tent and bedroll. I don't think that the plastic sheet is any better or worse looking... it just serves only a single purpose.
 
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2017 | 10:03 AM
  #4  
BigMike's Avatar
BigMike
Club Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,551
Likes: 1,930
From: NE Florida
Riders Club Member
Default

I agree with cdestuck, they look like ****. Riding around Bike Week 2 weeks ago I saw people with lid bras. WTF are you people doing that you need to "protect" the top of your saddlebags? I've ridden Harley baggers for 14 years without ever getting a single scratch on the top of my bags.
 
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2017 | 07:37 PM
  #5  
firefox23508's Avatar
firefox23508
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 124
Likes: 13
Default

I don't mind the looks, but I never mount anything that requires drilling through visible body panels. If you decide you don't like the looks and want to take them off, you'll have a hefty lid repair or replacement bill. Also, they may be a deal breaker at sell time--since they can't just be removed if a potential buyer doesn't like them, it could easily kill a sale.
 
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2017 | 09:19 PM
  #6  
CVO SG's Avatar
CVO SG
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,937
Likes: 254
From: US
Default

Just put the clear paint protector film on top of your bags. That stuff is hard to detect, yet you can drag your boot across your lids with no risk of damage. When you get tired of them or need to replace with a fresh film, just peel it off. Obviously, this doesnt address the abilty to use for more storage
 
Reply
Old Mar 31, 2017 | 07:39 AM
  #7  
big papa AZ's Avatar
big papa AZ
Stellar HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,335
Likes: 328
From: Arizona
Default

You talking about these?


 
Reply
Old Mar 31, 2017 | 08:50 AM
  #8  
BigMike's Avatar
BigMike
Club Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,551
Likes: 1,930
From: NE Florida
Riders Club Member
Default

Originally Posted by big papa AZ
You talking about these?


I just threw up in my mouth a little
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Mar 31, 2017 | 08:54 AM
  #9  
tpcowfish's Avatar
tpcowfish
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,926
Likes: 193
From: ohio
Default

They look like a pain to open saddlebag to me, and in the above pic, the pigtail for charger seems like it would flap around in the wind, and wear paint
 
Reply
Old Mar 31, 2017 | 10:59 AM
  #10  
cwsharp's Avatar
cwsharp
Thread Starter
|
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,395
Likes: 153
From: Utah
Default

Originally Posted by big papa AZ
You talking about these?


]
Yes, with the LED lights.

I am going to replace my turn/run lights that are on the horiz. light bar with RTS fillerz from lighting dynamics. These are sort of hidden between the rear fender and the bags... so if I don't think they are visible enough then I am going to add the airwing rails with the LED light kits. I >think< I can hook the airwing lights into the controller for the fillerz and they will be RTS also. I like that they are up higher but that I don't have to have a tour pack on to get higher lights. They will not affect how easy it is to open the bags on a Rushmore... the new design makes it simple to open the bags.

I can easily see the plastic film protectors... I agree that they work in the best bang for the buck and protect the original HD look but they don't make riding in front of texters and drunks any safer... which more lights may not do either... sigh. I may use both the film and the rails so that the sleeping roll and tent also don't mar up the bag tops. When I am solo I won't need the tour pack to still be able to go camping.
 

Last edited by cwsharp; Mar 31, 2017 at 11:02 AM.
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:20 PM.

story-0
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-4
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-5
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-9
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE