Hard Bags vs Leather

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Jan 31, 2009 | 08:01 PM

#31

bigjames19

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 3,261

Likes: 1

From: Deltona, Florida

I like the hard bags because my leather ones have gotten really soaked with my gear. Here in Florida we can get caught in some real good soakers.

Jan 31, 2009 | 09:14 PM

#32

swlamedic

Tourer

Joined: Jan 2009

Posts: 270

Likes: 1

From: Lake Charles, La

I love the way the Road King Classic looks with the leather bags. I almost bought one and wanted to put the leather tour pak on it. I ended up getting an Ultra Classic, which has the hard bags. I did not really like the way the hard bags looked, even on the Road Kings, but they are starting to grow on me. Also, the hard bags lock and all that jazz, but I also have the bags that go insde that I can bring into the hotel with me. I saw a lock for the leather bags, but I am not sure if it locks the bags to the bike, or if it locks the bags shut. But, for the hard bags, they now make a keyless entry. I guess they are follwing suit with the Goldwings.

Jan 31, 2009 | 09:37 PM

#33

BigGdawg

Club Member

Joined: Nov 2008

Posts: 5,481

Likes: 4

From: Georgia

The idea of a bike being practical almost makes me laugh. I ride because it's cool but I don't think it is very practical. Get a cage if you want to lock up tight. The leather bags are far cooler for an early-to-mid 20th century throwback like the bike, and many of us.

Jan 31, 2009 | 10:56 PM

#34

mphamrick

Road Warrior

Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 1,313

Likes: 1

From: Wagoner, Oklahoma

After several years you know what those bags are going to look like if you don't keep treating them........

Feb 1, 2009 | 12:40 AM

#35

skratch

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 20,616

Likes: 4,440

From: anacoco, la

i like the leather covered hard bags on the custom. kinda gives you the best of both worlds. plus, a gallon of milk will easily fit. and they are relatively easy to take care of.

Feb 1, 2009 | 01:04 AM

#36

txfxstrider

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2006

Posts: 6,913

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From:

I like the looks of the leather bags (they are actually hard bags covered with leather) on my RK Custom but the humongous latch inside takes up too much room. I do have HD locks on mine. I would rather have soft leather bags because you can stuff more into them. I have ridden my Custom in very heavy rain for three straight days and my bags did not leak. I cannot get my half helmet into my Custom bags without scratching it but it fits easily into my leather throw-over bags for the softail.

Feb 1, 2009 | 01:57 AM

#37

Klinger

Cruiser

Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 107

Likes: 0

From: Queensland, Australia

I like the leather bags, just because, but probably for the reasons stated by G-dawg. But .. and there's always a but ... I'd really like to have a set of hard bags to run with. I change the appearance of the bike a bit (as a lot of RKC owners do, I'm sure) with screen/no screen, bakrest/no backrest, luggage rack/no luggage rack etc, etc and woud like the opportunity to do the leather bags/hard bags swap and to learn what the actual differences are. I'm sure they both have their places. But I still len towards the leather.

Feb 1, 2009 | 05:10 AM

#38

stevepacman

Road Master

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 774

Likes: 21

From: Florida

Quote:

Originally Posted by tenacean

I own a bike pretty much the same as the one in the attached picture (w/leather bags but less the bitchin' wheels)...it's an '05 Road King Custom...

I really do get the security issue...maybe the convenience of not having to treat the leather...any other reasons I'm missing? Anyone else out there a leather bag lover (which seems to buck the mainstream)?

Harley makes a lock for the RK Custom bag that can be ordered to match your keycode. They too have a pull-out "tote" bag that fits inside.