Plastic snap feature is rather nice and if you ever over stuff the bags you can extend the belt length at buckle in order to give you a little more vertical room.
Cutting the straps diminishes value if you intend to sell.
If you have back issues or some kind of health issue causing difficulty to access then the diminished value thing is secondary.

 

I think about half the time I forget to buckle one side anyway and never had a problem. I thought about using a little velcro under the strap just to hold it down and not buckle them but never put any more thought into it.

Check out the mechanism on the new sportster leather bags. I was trying to figure out how to modify them onto my bags but it looked a little tricky due to the recessed switch.

 

IMO, you will be ruining value. I would leave them as is.

 

Kind of funny, after owning both RKC leather bags and the SG Hardbags, I think the functionality of opening the leather bags are a lot easier than the hardbags. The functionality of the new Rushmore hardbags is why I think that is one of 14s best ideas. As an engineer, I am at a loss to why the hardbag latching hardware design had to be so complicated.

Beary

 

Well, I for one did almost the exact thing the OP was asking about. After installing the saddlebag guard rails, even the plastic connectors were a major pain. I drilled out the rivets holding the straps, marked the sides of the bags, drilled a few holes for each strap, and re-attached the straps to the sides with nice leather bolts from Tandy Leather. (No glue involved.) They looked just like they always did. To open, obviously, just lift the lid. I tested extensively at speed and the bags never opened and I never lost anything. When I traded the bike I showed the mod to the dealer and they did not discount it for that at all. Obviously again, any mod like that should be expected to lower the value some, but I figured I could just unscrew the leather bolts and replace the straps in their original positions if they showed any concern.
I am sorry I never thought to take any pics, but other than two stainless looking studs on the lids in the old holes, the whole set up looked great and I could easily get in the bags. I thought it was a great mod and a major improvement. Just a different opinion from someone who did it.

 

Agree with LS Bob. I did essentially the same thing, using binder post screws/caps (just do a search for them). Just attach the top of the strap to the top edge of the bag. Works great!!