Hard Bags vs Leather

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Feb 1, 2009 | 12:16 PM

#41

Chula

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 2,114

Likes: 1

From: 20 miles north of Pittsburgh, PA

Quote:

Originally Posted by skootchnc

hard bags.... lether bags..... same deal as cast wheels laced wheels.... more what floats YOUR boat, than anything else... I think...

+1.......

Feb 1, 2009 | 11:52 PM

#42

bigskyhd

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2008

Posts: 8,051

Likes: 50

From: Florence, MT (Bitterroot Valley)

Prefer the hard bags so you can lock, less maintenance, better looking (imho) and you can paint em up to match the rest of the scoot. I also believe they are a little more durable. May or may not be true, just my thoughts....

Mar 11, 2010 | 01:41 PM

#43

MadIrish

Tourer

Joined: Dec 2009

Posts: 338

Likes: 2

From: North Central CT

I'm thinking about doing the opposite...buying a 2010 RK and putting leather bags from an RKC on it.

Does anyone know if there are any fitment issues with leather bags from older RKC's going on to new RK's? Are the supports the same between leather and hard? Any issues between older and newer bikes?

Thanks

Mar 12, 2010 | 12:17 AM

#44

thereal142

Road Captain

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 602

Likes: 51

From: central MN

Quote:

Originally Posted by jag1886

I bought an FLHR because I wanted the hard bags. I just think they look better.

+1....

Mar 12, 2010 | 01:10 AM

#45

monstead

Club Member

Joined: Oct 2008

Posts: 1,864

Likes: 3

From: Dallas, TX & Santa Fe, NM when I can find the time....

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobros

They do make locks for leather bags.

http://www.mid-usa.com/

I had the Dealer put locks on my leather bags...HD locks. It's a big, fat PITA to lock/unlock. Lock mechanism is back by the turn signals and was/is very touchy. Could take anywhere from 5 sec to 50 sec each side to lock/unlock depending on wheter or not I have the "magic touch" that day.

Also, the mechanism itself takes up some space in the bags and the lock doo-hicky sticks out in the opening...making it harder to get certain things in the bags.

What'd I do? I removed the lock on the Primary side so I have easy access to the stuff I get in and out of a lot. I kept the lock on the other side...for items I might want to lock up. When i get to a hotel...it all comes out anyway. As for my jacket, I have a 4' cable and run it through an arm and attach it to my bag guards.

Personally, I prefer the leather bag look on the RK's, which is why I ended up with a RKC rather than a RK std. What I do hate is how much of a pain it is getting inside the bags since I added the Nostalgia bag guards...I have thin fingers and it's a feat working the buckles...can't imagine what the fellas with big 'ol man fingers do. Maybe they don't snap the buckles - I know there are times I just tuck the while strap behind the rail and off I go.

I have rented a SG and loved the functionality of the bags, but in the case of the RK family, not enough to change out from leather. Next bagger is likely to be a SG (NO plans at this time though!), and I'll be lovin' the hard bags I'm sure.

Last edited by monstead; Mar 12, 2010 at 01:13 AM.