Saddle Bag Saga

[Gorilla]

As far as longevity. I've had mine on for 5 years. They look just like when I put them on 50k miles ago.

[ctdair]

Mine have been rock solid!!! You have to pick the right 3M product! VHB = Very High Bond https://www.itapestore.com/3m-dual-l...-the-yard.html

Harley needs to supply a MUCH BETTER Template with the bags for drilling. You are not the first Dealer botch job.

That is the tape I used , no problems with the vhb peeling it was actually the velcro to velcro connection that was not holding well. Knowing that the template was off I made my own reference marks and centered the holes and leveled the center lines. It would also be possible to get the bottoms straight but while marking the top per instructions the bags could rotate and cause the top hole to be off and then the bags would still be crooked. I cut a 3/4 spacer and held between the bags and the fender to keep bags parallel to the fender while marking. I do think the bags are overpriced but what isn't from Harley. They are handy for quick access storage , I would miss them if I had left them off.

[TheXCepsion]

Plus that's a lot of money for such a small gain of questionable storage,they seem to be made fairly cheap IMO.

I wanted a set of those saddlebags for my Trike, until I investigated the pricing. Very little extra storage for what I thought too be a very high price indeed. ( $400 plus ) ??? Decided quickly against ( unless someone has a set they wish too part with? lol

[Texan]

...... I now have installed My self using the See Through Braz no drill mount. What a long and painful process to get to this point.....

Dang good choice utilizing SeeThroughBraz products. I've been using their stuff for years now. Al and the gang are great to deal with.

8~\o

[Jack Klarich]

I wanted a set of those saddlebags for my Trike, until I investigated the pricing. Very little extra storage for what I thought too be a very high price indeed. ( $400 plus ) ??? Decided quickly against ( unless someone has a set they wish too part with? lol

http://www.boardtrackerharleyonline....ebags-84031-11

Check here before you buy

These guys have the best prices I can find with free shipping and no tax

My local dealer says he cannot price match them or his boss would fire him

[GARYD]

I've had these bags on my 2012 and both of my 2014's. Life is so much simpler with them. price doesn't mean a thing to me = I bought a Harley didn't I? If price was so important, I'd buy a Yamaha or Kawasaki bagger.



The very first set was installed crooked - per the instructions. Hopefully H-D has corrected the instructions. The dealer fixed the problem by re-drilling the bracket on the back of the bags and not the body. Expensive??? How about the windshield pouch = $130 and can barely put a pack of cigarettes and a pair of reading glasses in it? Now that's expensive.

This is what I carry in mine. Additional water bottle, sunscreen, chapstick, eye drops, 2 disk locks, Novus windshield cleaner and rag, mileage logbook, camera for ABC points, energy bar, extra ear plugs. Lot better then trying to open tour pac while on vacation with a bag strapped to the top luggage rack. That's just me solo. I'm sure if I had a significant other she'd have some stuff in there too. I think the bags are worth their weight in gold.

AGREE, I wouldn't hold my breath on someone sending you their bags. If they have them, I'm sure they love them.

[NC Triker]

So they took a body off a trike they had on the floor and put it on your trike. What did they put on the trike that was on the floor???

[Rooster57]

Several months ago I chuncked out the 400 bucks plus and bought these bags for my 2016 triglide.......At first, I installed them with Velcro.....but it just looked to flimsy for me......So, I pulled out the paper template that came with bags....... On each side I moved the template towards the center of the trike 1/2" more than the instructions directed because I thought it just looked better!............After a few hrs I began to get over my "gonna drill holes in the body" anxiety...........Then, I drilled the holes....It was easy to do after I drilled the first hole because "There Ain't no goin' back now!" replaced my previous anxiety and I just drilled away!

...I am extremely happy that I have these bags.... and I'm glad they are mounted properly as Harley intended. (and they are easily removable)

....Now when I ride solo I can reach back into one of these bags and pull out a drink at 70 Mph, slurp it down, and put the empty container back in the bag!!!!!!!!!.............It is much better than waiting until the next stop to get a drink!!!!

................would not be without these jewels now.....Hell no!...."Gotta have 'em!"

Cheers!

[GARYD]

Several months ago I chuncked out the 400 bucks plus and bought these bags for my 2016 triglide.......At first, I installed them with Velcro.....but it just looked to flimsy for me......So, I pulled out the paper template that came with bags....... On each side I moved the template towards the center of the trike 1/2" more than the instructions directed because I thought it just looked better!............After a few hrs I began to get over my "gonna drill holes in the body" anxiety...........Then, I drilled the holes....It was easy to do after I drilled the first hole because "There Ain't no goin' back now!" replaced my previous anxiety and I just drilled away!

...I am extremely happy that I have these bags.... and I'm glad they are mounted properly as Harley intended. (and they are easily removable)

....Now when I ride solo I can reach back into one of these bags and pull out a drink at 70 Mph, slurp it down, and put the empty container back in the bag!!!!!!!!!.............It is much better than waiting until the next stop to get a drink!!!!

................would not be without these jewels now.....Hell no!...."Gotta have 'em!"

Cheers!

You don't have a handlebar drink holder? I've done the reach for a bottle in the saddlebag routine once or twice. I don't recommend it. I worry about something else I have in there flying out. On trips I do keep an extra insulated bottle with ice and tea in one of the bags. That way I can switch bottles when the one in the handlebar holder is empty. By the time both are empty I'm ready to get gas, at which time I replenish both bottles. So I'm never without a nice cold drink while riding.

I'm glad you enjoy your bags. I think if others had them, they wouldn't complain about the price.

[Rooster57]

You don't have a handlebar drink holder? I've done the reach for a bottle in the saddlebag routine once or twice. I don't recommend it. I worry about something else I have in there flying out. On trips I do keep an extra insulated bottle with ice and tea in one of the bags. That way I can switch bottles when the one in the handlebar holder is empty. By the time both are empty I'm ready to get gas, at which time I replenish both bottles. So I'm never without a nice cold drink while riding.

I'm glad you enjoy your bags. I think if others had them, they wouldn't complain about the price.

Hey Gary!

Nope.....sure don't have a drink holder on handlebars, just don't care for the looks myself........I have no problem reaching back and grabbing a drink from bag (solo only).....If drink has a twist lid on it, then I already have the lid removed when I put it in the bag so I can just reach back with one hand, flip the lid and snatch the bottle! Eazy-Peezy! (especially when on cruise control....or if in traffic) I finish the drink and put empty container back in the bag using the reverse action.......Now, if I'm riding 2 up, then passenger gets drink and opens container, then hands it to me over my shoulder....I then guzzle what I want and hand the drink back......Nuthin' 2 it!!!!!! ....and as far as the "OUTRAGEOUS price!" (and it is), well....I figure your paying for what these bags do for you (being located for your personal use) while riding; more than what it actually costs them to make it...........I guess.

.....I know some say these bags look ugly, but they are the same people that say trikes look ugly anyway!..So, I see it as "their loss!" ....I find them essential and i like the looks too!!!!!

....During the summer especially, I only keep drinks in these bags mostly.........store bought bottles of water and or tea.

Cheers!

PS....the unfortunate thing about getting a drink this way is its always "room temperature", mostly warm...but I'm usually not drinking this way for pleasure; am just staying hydrated.

PSS....anyway, after a while I forgot about the absolute wicked bank robber price tag I paid for these bags.... now I always get to enjoy their use with no further cost! (damn well worth it, me thinks!)....I recommend them to all trike riders....I really do.

[GARYD]

Hey Gary!

Nope.....sure don't have a drink holder on handlebars, just don't care for the looks myself........I have no problem reaching back and grabbing a drink from bag (solo only).....If drink has a twist lid on it, then I already have the lid removed when I put it in the bag so I can just reach back with one hand, flip the lid and snatch the bottle! Eazy-Peezy! (especially when on cruise control....or if in traffic) I finish the drink and put empty container back in the bag using the reverse action.......Now, if I'm riding 2 up, then passenger gets drink and opens container, then hands it to me over my shoulder....I then guzzle what I want and hand the drink back......Nuthin' 2 it!!!!!! ....and as far as the "OUTRAGEOUS price!" (and it is), well....I figure your paying for what these bags do for you (being located for your personal use) while riding; more than what it actually costs them to make it...........I guess.

.....I know some say these bags look ugly, but they are the same people that say trikes look ugly anyway!..So, I see it as "their loss!" ....I find them essential and i like the looks too!!!!!

....During the summer especially, I only keep drinks in these bags mostly.........store bought bottles of water and or tea.

Cheers!

PS....the unfortunate thing about getting a drink this way is its always "room temperature", mostly warm...but I'm usually not drinking this way for pleasure; am just staying hydrated.

PSS....anyway, after a while I forgot about the absolute wicked bank robber price tag I paid for these bags.... now I always get to enjoy their use with no further cost! (damn well worth it, me thinks!)....I recommend them to all trike riders....I really do.

Here is the best drinking bottle ever made (in my opinion). I've been using one for over 10 years. Started with an 12oz and now have a 16oz.

Easiest one handed bottle on the market. And best of all you don't have to tilt your head back - you keep your eyes on the road at all times. No squeezing the bottle or unscrewing the cap. It has kept my drinks COLD for up to 8 hours. You can even get one with the Little Mermaid on it.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Thermos-16-...-/362204129912

I have the one with the rubber straw. I didn't know they made one without it. Completely leak proof.

[Rooster57]

Here is the best drinking bottle ever made (in my opinion). I've been using one for over 10 years. Started with an 12oz and now have a 16oz.

Easiest one handed bottle on the market. And best of all you don't have to tilt your head back - you keep your eyes on the road at all times. No squeezing the bottle or unscrewing the cap. It has kept my drinks COLD for up to 8 hours. You can even get one with the Little Mermaid on it.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Thermos-16-...-/362204129912

I have the one with the rubber straw. I didn't know they made one without it. Completely leak proof.

....looks good!

[ctdair]

Mine have been rock solid!!! You have to pick the right 3M product! VHB = Very High Bond https://www.itapestore.com/3m-dual-l...-the-yard.html

Harley needs to supply a MUCH BETTER Template with the bags for drilling. You are not the first Dealer botch job.

That's the tape I used , problem wasn't the bond to the body or bags, it just seemed every time with passenger they would get knocked loose from the velcro connection. Never had a problem Solo riding?

[Trampas]

Glad to see they took care of you, man did they screw it up the first time, I'm glad the tape is working out for you, I thought of it myself then decided I didn't want the bags after all, I ride solo, so the tour pak and trunk storage is good for me.

All for now Trampas

[HDB0B]

That's the tape I used , problem wasn't the bond to the body or bags, it just seemed every time with passenger they would get knocked loose from the velcro connection. Never had a problem Solo riding?

I ride mostly dual with my wife behind me. She has never knocked one off. Takes a pretty good tug to pull mine off. I use the high count mushrooms.

[Peter A.]

http://www.boardtrackerharleyonline....ebags-84031-11

Check here before you buy

These guys have the best prices I can find with free shipping and no tax

My local dealer says he cannot price match them or his boss would fire him

Agree, prices there are great........the killer for me is the SHIPPING cost!

Most things come out being close to my local dealers price unless I can

get a coupon.

[FuzzyWuzHe]

You can even get one with the Little Mermaid on it.

I can't believe I don't have one of those ... I gotta get on that.

[GARYD]

I can't believe I don't have one of those ... I gotta get on that.

LOL

I think you can even get the lunch box too.