Saddlebag Guards??
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: Middle TN
I did the opposite and took mine off because I like the cleaner look. I figured the guard in the front of the saddlebag should protect it from a slow tip over. I'd see the main advantage of keeping them on is if your bags did come loose you wouldn't lose them on the road. If you do decide to buy the rails they are, or at least were, all over Ebay.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,878
Likes: 17
From: The Desert SouthWest
They are absolutely protection for those EXPENSIVE bags. In fact I literally did not take delivery of my '09 RK until the bag rails had been installed.
Things happen and that includes a slip/drop of the bike and down she goes. That's an expensive drop of you don't have bag rails.
Another thing not thought of as much is sometimes after having removed the bags for cleaning you put them back on. Only to realize later that you didn't secure the twist-bolts as well as you thought you did. Some here have discovered the mistake as the bag is falling off the bike and spinning away on the pavement behind you! Had there been bag rails the bag would just wobble around inside the rails and be undamaged. Yes it's happened a number of times.
Things happen and that includes a slip/drop of the bike and down she goes. That's an expensive drop of you don't have bag rails.
Another thing not thought of as much is sometimes after having removed the bags for cleaning you put them back on. Only to realize later that you didn't secure the twist-bolts as well as you thought you did. Some here have discovered the mistake as the bag is falling off the bike and spinning away on the pavement behind you! Had there been bag rails the bag would just wobble around inside the rails and be undamaged. Yes it's happened a number of times.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
They protect well in a fast tip over, too, like when I hit a dog in Oct. '09 at about 45mph and the bike took a dive on its left side and slid 50' down the highway. There was minimal damage to the saddlebag, mostly a few scratches, requiring only superficial repair and repainting. The guard was replaced, of course, but it sacrificed itself for the common good and did its job. I'm glad I added saddlebag guards to this SG when I first bought the bike.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
Another thing not thought of as much is sometimes after having removed the bags for cleaning you put them back on. Only to realize later that you didn't secure the twist-bolts as well as you thought you did. Some here have discovered the mistake as the bag is falling off the bike and spinning away on the pavement behind you! Had there been bag rails the bag would just wobble around inside the rails and be undamaged. Yes it's happened a number of times.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,706
Likes: 14
From: Near Frankenmuth, MI
They make a classic bagger look complete!
I really notice the bikes that don't have them, they look like their missing something ... at least to me.
Don't they come stock on LEO vehicles? Maybe for a "real" reason?
Mentioned earlier was something about the bottom rails. They add support to the bags which only mounts on two tabs along the top of the bag. The rails have rubber mounts to add some protection too.
And yes it does give you protection, better at slow speeds, but still adds protection no matter how fast your go down.
I really notice the bikes that don't have them, they look like their missing something ... at least to me.
Don't they come stock on LEO vehicles? Maybe for a "real" reason?
Mentioned earlier was something about the bottom rails. They add support to the bags which only mounts on two tabs along the top of the bag. The rails have rubber mounts to add some protection too.
And yes it does give you protection, better at slow speeds, but still adds protection no matter how fast your go down.
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