Have any of you ever had your bags broken into while you were stopped somewhere, in a restaurant say?
Or at an event and nowhere near your bike?
It must be real simple to just crack that latch open!

 

No, I haven't. While I wouldn't leave a firearm in my bag if I could help it, I generally do lock valuable property in there on a regular basis and I haven't had an issue. I don't park it in dark alleys though.

 

I guess it depends where you are. I have left a gun in mine, but don't as a rule. I lock old bags cause they can pop open, newer bikes I don't.

But like anything, it depends where you are I guess. We don't even lock our bikes around here.

 

I have not on mine. If you have the '13 and earlier bags, they are a bit easier to get into than the 14+ bags. Not necessarily the latch, but usually the lid mounting bracket and mounting plate is the weak point and the bags can walk away. I upgraded to the 14+ bags on my '13 King.

 

Never! But do have a habit keeping them locked to prevent from flying open while rolling down the road.

 

Bike stolen or broken into?

 

Ridingsince 1972 and never had an issue. Knock wood....

 

I never had any issue with TP/SB broken into. We always try to park in a public/busy area.

 

Not at all.....
Hotel/motel parking lots over night on long haul trips.......
Nothing!

 

I was attending a rally in Hot Springs AR. In the mid nineties. I saw flashing blues emanating from the parking. After a few beers I can rubber neck with the best. I wanted to get close enough to find out but far enough to be out of the splash zone.

Police investigating a whole string of baggers with the backs of their saddlebags kicked in. The contents were pulled out and strewn behind the bikes on the ground. All fiberglass, all.splintered, heck of a mess.

I've never seen or been perrsonally victimized since then but just seeing it one time left me with an impression I won't forget.
My take away is that I don't keep anything in my saddlebags that I can't replace. Right now I can't replace an expensive leather jacket. I would not leave a firearm in there. Other than that it is left up to my insurance company.

OK, my experience is with older equipment and even genuine leather. The whole thing is like a flimsy box made to be lightweight and weather resistant. If your new bike takes saddlebag experience is to take it up to a new level of security, cool.