"Bagger" Defined; Agree? Disagree?
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Southern Colorado
"Bagger" Defined; Agree? Disagree?
I've often wondered where the line was drawn between 'what is' vs. 'what isn't' a Bagger. In a recent Hot Bike -Baggers Buyers Guide Editor Courtney Hallowel, asked his staff to create a definition for 'Bagger'. According to the magazine, a Bagger is (quote): "a bike that meets the criteria of being a cruiser, but comes with hard bags, not leather, and a windshield." Continuing...."Yes, the Dyna Defender fit that profile, but so does the Harley Road King"
So now I'm really confused..according to Mr. Hallowell, the RK Standard w/hard bags is a Bagger; but the leather bagged - RK Classic and RK Custom are not!? If the bike comes from any (yes, according to Hallowell, even metrics) factory w/hard bags + windshield it is a Bagger, but, if you aftermarket hard bags and a windshield it is not?!?
Hmmmm........?
So now I'm really confused..according to Mr. Hallowell, the RK Standard w/hard bags is a Bagger; but the leather bagged - RK Classic and RK Custom are not!? If the bike comes from any (yes, according to Hallowell, even metrics) factory w/hard bags + windshield it is a Bagger, but, if you aftermarket hard bags and a windshield it is not?!?
Hmmmm........?
Last edited by Whiskers; Jan 3, 2009 at 11:28 PM. Reason: Clarify
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
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It's a "subjective" answer to that question. I myself agree that it must be a "cruiser" and it must obviously have "bags" but hard or soft, it doesn't matter. Now I've seen Sportys with bags mounted and I don't consider them to be "baggers". Windshield is optional in my opinion...
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,599
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From: Hoffman Estates, IL
I've always figured a "bagger" to be a touring bike where luggage was part of the actual design of the bike - as opposed to tossing some bags on later.
I mean, look at how goofy our (any HD Touring model) bikes look when you take the bags off...
I mean, look at how goofy our (any HD Touring model) bikes look when you take the bags off...
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Ontario, Canada
+1 on that.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Washington State
Whew, I'm glad I switched to hard bags on my RKC...... I wouldn't have wanted to be left owning a non-bagger 
Those magazines are just drawing attention to themselves, and they do it well. As far as I'm concerned any bike called a "touring" bike is a "bagger".
Whiskers, are you stirring up a debate
Why do you care anyways, what anyone thinks? We ride the "KING" !
I still love that bike of yours, very nostalgic.
Those magazines are just drawing attention to themselves, and they do it well. As far as I'm concerned any bike called a "touring" bike is a "bagger".
Whiskers, are you stirring up a debate
Why do you care anyways, what anyone thinks? We ride the "KING" !
I still love that bike of yours, very nostalgic.
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Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 534
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From: Good Old "New England"
bager, geezer glide, car on 2 whels, why bother you can stay home on your couch,
hao much stuff do you need, what!!!! a radio?, remember when baggers were called police specials?
just kidding.
simple if it has factory bags & is a touring model it is known to us real bikers as a bagger.
a RK is not realy a bagger, it may be to people who cant tell the difference.
hao much stuff do you need, what!!!! a radio?, remember when baggers were called police specials?
just kidding.
simple if it has factory bags & is a touring model it is known to us real bikers as a bagger.
a RK is not realy a bagger, it may be to people who cant tell the difference.
