Stretched Saddlebag Question
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Joined: Feb 2009
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From: Hoboken, NJ
Stretched Saddlebag Question
So I've had my eye on these bags for weeks now:
http://www.easternperformance.com/pr...Harley-Touring
I like to research before spending $ on stuff and there is SO much out there in the stretched bag area that it's a tad overwhelming. Like, why are the Ness bags $1600? The name?
Do these FF bags seem like a good deal? They do to me.
http://www.easternperformance.com/pr...Harley-Touring
I like to research before spending $ on stuff and there is SO much out there in the stretched bag area that it's a tad overwhelming. Like, why are the Ness bags $1600? The name?
Do these FF bags seem like a good deal? They do to me.
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Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Eastern Washington
I am in the same boat and have been searching. From what I have read the cheaper bags require more work to get them to fit right. If you are doing the work yourself it may be worth it, but if your paying a body guy to do the work, the labor charge could get just as pricey. From what I have seen companies like Top shop, sinister, and bad bad need very little work. Havent heard good things about FF, but hopefully someone with these bags can chime in.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,317
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From: Idaho
Subbed... You are not the only one thinking about these. The painter here said almost any bag is going to need work to get it to the same painting level to match up with HD body work.
He gave me a flat fee for prep vs by the hour. I think picking your paint / body guy is more important than anything else.
He gave me a flat fee for prep vs by the hour. I think picking your paint / body guy is more important than anything else.
I've been doing research on bags for over a year now, so I know exactly how you feel. After doing Bike Week, a few rallies, a lot of bike nights, some dealerships, and talking to several people, I've decided to go with Top Shop. Price is in the mid range, quality on the high side, have not heard one bad thing about them, the body shops seem to like them, they come carpeted and have a hidden storage, offer different shapes and cuts, and also for a reasonable fee they will paint your bags to match. I have FF lowers, good quality and price, but a few of the people I have talked with that have their saddle bags aren't as happy. Ness is high $$$$ just like Sinister, I won't add comments there, I'll keep them to myself. I almost went with Millwaukee Bagger, but over all after talking with both shops, Top Shop gives me a much better feeling, and has been very patient.
Last edited by dbell66253; Sep 18, 2012 at 04:23 PM.
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From: Hoboken, NJ
My auto body guy painted my Night Train did a great job and I trust he'll do the same with these.
When you guys mention making them "fit right", what are you referring to? The indentations where the rails sit? The holes for the twisty-bolt thingies? The holes for the lids? Why would they be wrong?
When you guys mention making them "fit right", what are you referring to? The indentations where the rails sit? The holes for the twisty-bolt thingies? The holes for the lids? Why would they be wrong?
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Joined: Aug 2008
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From: N.E. Wisconsin
I've been doing reearch on bags for over a year now, so I know exactly how you feel. After doing Bike Week, a few rallies, a lot of bike nights, some dealerships, and talking to several people, I've decided to go with Top Shop. Price is in the mid range, quality on the high side, have not heard one bad thing about them, the body shops seem to like them, they come carpeted and have a hidden storage, offer different shapes and cuts, and also for a reasonable fee they will paint your bags to match. I have FF lowers, good quality and price, but a few of the people I have talked with that have their saddle bags aren't as happy. Ness is high $$$$ just like Sinister, I won't add comments there, I'll keep them to myself. I almost went with Millwaukee Bagger, but over all after talking with both shops, Top Shop gives me a much better feeling, and has been very patient.
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Joined: Jul 2009
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most of the time its mould process which can create more work or sand and shoot iam a painter that why i bought ness big bags. didnt want any down time i have painted all kinds of bags some fit some dont u have do a little tweeking here and there. u get what u pay for i have a set of fairing factorys here that i have been working on for a week now. and they were rough they are injection moulded but at the bottom of the bags is where the injection is made when i got the bags there was tittie at the bottom of each bag a 1/2 inch long. across the face of the bag there was line going across the bag. it takes time to prep these cuz the PPO plastics and they dont sand very well and your sand paper will plug so u go through alot of sand paper. all in all that why i paid $1100.00 for ness bags all i had to was sand primer for adhesion and paint. another reason why i bought fiberglas cuz i can fix em PPO will break into pieces there for u cant fix them properly. just my 2 cents good luck on your decision.
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From: Hoboken, NJ
Hmm. Methinks I'll have a LONG chat with the sales dude at EP. Make sure what I'm getting is a quality piece.
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Baa Haaba, Maine
I have a set of FF bags. I did not buy the from Eastern Performance, so I can't comment if they are the same or not.
Mine needed prep work. My painter is a Bad Dad dealer, and swears by their product. Because I was able to get a good deal on the bags, it was worth it to get them, despite the prep work. If I had not been able to get a good deal, my painter said it would have been the same to just buy from Bad Dad.
So....if you can prep your own plastic or have a good painter/prep guy you trust and can get a good deal, go for it. If you can't prep your own stuff, you may pay more for them in the end.
That said...they fit fine, all the holes lined up and they look great on my bike. I did NOT get lids with them, so I can't comment on that.
Mine needed prep work. My painter is a Bad Dad dealer, and swears by their product. Because I was able to get a good deal on the bags, it was worth it to get them, despite the prep work. If I had not been able to get a good deal, my painter said it would have been the same to just buy from Bad Dad.
So....if you can prep your own plastic or have a good painter/prep guy you trust and can get a good deal, go for it. If you can't prep your own stuff, you may pay more for them in the end.
That said...they fit fine, all the holes lined up and they look great on my bike. I did NOT get lids with them, so I can't comment on that.
Last edited by Peculierboy; Sep 18, 2012 at 04:04 PM.