View Poll Results: Does removing the tour pack change the handling of your dresser?
Voters: 82. You may not vote on this poll
Tour pack removal poll
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 627
Likes: 195
From: St. Louis
Tour pack removal poll
Looking to hear from those who have removed their tour pack and its effects on handling. Please respond ONLY if you have first-hand experience, not just your opinion.
Does removing the tour pack change the handling of your dresser?
Does removing the tour pack change the handling of your dresser?
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,519
Likes: 640
From: Saint Charles, Missouri
Of course it does, its weight that is high and back. Now, the question that would be better asked is
oes removing the Tour Pack make a difference in handling that you notice? Most people that ride Touring bikes self adjust their riding style for passenger, for luggage, for passenger and luggage, that they don't even think about it.
oes removing the Tour Pack make a difference in handling that you notice? Most people that ride Touring bikes self adjust their riding style for passenger, for luggage, for passenger and luggage, that they don't even think about it.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 2,314
Likes: 1,137
From: Oklahoma
I think any time you remove 50# of weight that sits a little high and behind the rear axle the handling is effected... so yes. But to me its most "noticeable" at slow speeds and parking lots. I can tell the difference at speed and in corners too... but none of it is earth shattering lol
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 244
Likes: 280
From: Las Vegas
I think any time you remove 50# of weight that sits a little high and behind the rear axle the handling is effected... so yes. But to me its most "noticeable" at slow speeds and parking lots. I can tell the difference at speed and in corners too... but none of it is earth shattering lol
This is pretty spot on IMO.
Club Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 4,528
Likes: 5,831
From: Syracuse NY
IMO it does. Like others have said above, it's something you adjust to. At highway speeds, I don't "feel" any difference. But for local curves and at slower speeds, yes. The bike "feels more nimble to me.
I have a '16 Ultra Limited and the tour pack is off 95% of the time.
YMMV
I have a '16 Ultra Limited and the tour pack is off 95% of the time.
YMMV
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 10,790
Likes: 19,651
From: On the move
I can tell the difference especially at low speeds as others have pointed out. I ride with mine off at least half the time and the bike is more fun.
Best thing about the full touring Limited/Ultra is that it's like owning two different bikes.
Best thing about the full touring Limited/Ultra is that it's like owning two different bikes.
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 762
Likes: 435
From: NE Oklahoma
I ride almost exclusively with the Tour-pack on along with a passenger - probably around 90% of the time. To me it's a huge difference with it removed but I think it's more attributed to no passenger on back. That extra weight up on high certainly affects the slow-speed maneuvering.
Good thing the Mrs. is of slight build
Good thing the Mrs. is of slight build
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,075
Likes: 11,096
From: San Diego, CA
When I bought my first bagger, a 2012 Limited, I was going to pay for the removable tour pack brackets, etc... It was kind of an expensive mod for me at the time, so I removed the tour pack to see if I liked how the bike rode without it...
I learned two things.....
1) I really didn't notice a big enough handling change to even care whether it was on or off.... Kind of like a passenger... I notice when my wife (110lbs) is on the back, but it really doesn't affect the handling in a significant way IMHO...
2) I really loved the convenience of the tour pak... Seems I'm always putting something in it, even during around town rides...
I have admit, I am a function over form kind of guy... While I like my bikes to have a certain look to them, the tour pack does not offend my senses when it's on the bike.. I know some people really hate the look of it.. doesn't bother me at all...
I haven't removed my tour pack since, on two consecutive baggers....
I learned two things.....
1) I really didn't notice a big enough handling change to even care whether it was on or off.... Kind of like a passenger... I notice when my wife (110lbs) is on the back, but it really doesn't affect the handling in a significant way IMHO...
2) I really loved the convenience of the tour pak... Seems I'm always putting something in it, even during around town rides...
I have admit, I am a function over form kind of guy... While I like my bikes to have a certain look to them, the tour pack does not offend my senses when it's on the bike.. I know some people really hate the look of it.. doesn't bother me at all...
I haven't removed my tour pack since, on two consecutive baggers....
