So I've been admiring / looking at Road Kings for about 5 or 6 years now. Ever since I purchased my EG Classic. (Long story)

Anyways, I've even looked at used RK Classics and have noticed that on quite a few of them the tops of the bags are wavy as though they're warped. It's not that the leather is loose or bunching up or anything just that the tops are warped.

Is this a normal occurrence with RK Classics?

Thanks for the input!

 

It has been a big complaint for many Classic owners for some time now. Check out ebay and see how many you can find for sale. Lots of Classic owners have converted to hard bags. Those leather bags look killer but don't hold up in the weather. Keep them dry and conditioned and they will look new forever.

 

from having a RKC in the past the answer is yes, nearly all of them seem to do that eventually. But seems to happen faster is bike is left in the sun for long periods of time and or someone decides to sit on them.

 

With the bag issues and the high maintenance of the spoked wheel and fat white tires, I would look closely at the Road King (FLHR). You will like the hard bags and the wheels and tires are much lower maintenance.

My $0.02 (after having 2 road Kings)

 

Yes it's a very common occurrence. I just switched over to hard bags this year and couldn't be happier. Not only do the bags look great, especially with the Mustang lid covers, but now I can lock stuff up on the bike!

I loved the classic look of the leather bags, but after living with them I'd definitely recommend the hard bags.

-Dusty

 

To all the people who switched from the leather bags to hard on the RKC's - did you buy them from Harley or find them somewhere else? I'm looking to replace mine and can't believe how expensive they are - about $1,500 to replace both leathers with hard bags???

 

Hard bags are insanely expensive. Your best bet is watch ebay and try to pick them up there. If you have a common color, and get lucky, you can pick up a set of bags in good condition for less than 500 bucks. If you have to paint a set of bags to match your bike, it gets kinda pricey.

 

Over time the tops may develop some warping.
I have seen really warped bags on desert bikes.
They are leather wrapped material and age as such.
If bike sleeps outside and is exposed to daily desert heat and sun cycles for hours or snow then they will age quick..
On the positive side if they are cared for and conditioned they will look good and last a long time. But you will see abused bags if you look around.

 

I've had my bike/bags for 4 1/2 years and they still look great. I treat mine once a year with Doc Bailey's and seems to work. They've been out in the weather/rain quite a bit and still look great.