08 RK classic
I’m assuming I should stay away from those.
Should I keep an eye out for used factory bags? or can someone point me to a worth while aftermarket option. I DO NOT want stretched bags. Also do the hard bags attach with the same 1/4 turn fasteners?
Some on here converted to hardbags. The hardbags are good for '97 - '13 bikes. You can get '14+ bags with a very minor mod to the mounting points. Basic difference with the factory vs aftermarket is aftermarket are made of ABS plastic. The H-D bags are a bit thicker and more rigid.
Many of the better aftermarkets are usually not complete, meaning they don't normally come with the latch mechanism. Some of the popular aftermarkets are Advanblack and Hogworkz. You can probably find used factory bags on fleabay or a CL, and others have had some luck with the cheaper aftermarkets.
Some on here converted to hardbags. The hardbags are good for '97 - '13 bikes. You can get '14+ bags with a very minor mod to the mounting points. Basic difference with the factory vs aftermarket is aftermarket are made of ABS plastic. The H-D bags are a bit thicker and more rigid.
Many of the better aftermarkets are usually not complete, meaning they don't normally come with the latch mechanism. Some of the popular aftermarkets are Advanblack and Hogworkz. You can probably find used factory bags on fleabay or a CL, and others have had some luck with the cheaper aftermarkets.
Yes the bags all use the 1/4 turn dzus fasteners until HD finally upgraded the standard fastener to the screw down much more secure style, around 2018 I think, which I urge you to consider upgrading to on your bike - Amazon offers them $15-$35 per set, depending on style, The HD ones are like $50. And the super Gee whiz ones from RikRak are $65 ish…the kits all come with the replacement base nuts as well as differing styles of screw on bolting fasteners.
Keep checking your local area Craigslist and OfferUp ads - i stumbled across a set of pristine black bags with black hardware - 2021 Harley oem stretched takeoff bags for $300.00 for the set…..
When I had my Road King, I looked into swapping bags - you can find HD oem bags on eBay as well, and might even be able to find color matched bags to work for you, if your bike happens to not be black.
Last edited by HM_SanDiego; Aug 9, 2022 at 01:28 PM.













