Hey all,

If you were buying a new set of saddlebags for your Softail and space was an issue would a set of bags that were different sizes on the inside but not on the outside influence your purchase?

Let me explain what I mean. On a Softail as you know, there is a belt drive on the left side of the bike and nothing on the right. So there is less room for saddlebags on the left than on the right. Over the years saddlebag manufacturers build clearance for the left side and make the right side exactly the same.

The disadvantage is the you waste space on the right side that doesn’t need to be wasted. What if a set of saddlebags were made to give as much space inside as possible. The right side having more room than the left. Would that be something you would like and or use?

 

It would bug me to have them visually different from the outside but when it comes to capacity, a little extra room goes a long way.

My current are built with the right being larger inside than the left for the clearance reason you mentioned. I just keep the smaller stuff on the left and bigger stuff on the right. I can roll up my leather jacket and stuff it in the right side with room for my beanie, just the jacket takes up almost the entire bag on the left. A six pack cooler fits in the right but not the left etc.

Hope this helps.

 

The more space, the better, but the bags would still, visually, have to be pretty close to indistinguishable from each other. I think if I were to look at the bike from the back, and say see a huge step or something on the left, and not on the right, that would be a negative...

 

yep i would go for the more space if visually they both looked the same from the outside which I believe is what you are saying

 

Yes they would be identical on the outside. Their is a molded tub that the bag fits around and they would be different only on the inside. there is just so much more room on the right side due to no sprocket. Basically it only the bottom of the bag that gets releaved so it doesn't show from the back or the front.

 

Indistinguishable on the outside but full utilization of space on the inside? Sounds pretty smart to me. If I were in the market, it wouldn't stop me. Might even encourage me.