Bags broken into?
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 419
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From: Florida
Bags broken into?
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!
Or at an event and nowhere near your bike?
It must be real simple to just crack that latch open!
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
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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.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 18,262
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From: backwoods
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.
But like anything, it depends where you are I guess. We don't even lock our bikes around here.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
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From: Somewhere on the Bourbon trail
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.
Last edited by RKZen; May 9, 2024 at 04:43 PM.
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2021
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From: Texas Hill Country
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.
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.