Well after finally getting my bike running and back on the road, I figured if I am going to be riding it more often, I need some storage. I'm interested in getting the Distressed Leather Saddlebags P/N 88200-09 from Harley-Davidson. I know I would need to relocate the turn signals which wouldn't be a problem as I can do that with the layback license plate.

My question is do I need to get the saddlebag support brackets? I've never done saddlebags before so I have no idea what I would need for mounting these bags to my bike, which is a 2006 Street Bob.

 

Your options here are wide spread to be honest. There are alot of ways to accomplish this. First, do you need them. Well that depends. I am not completely sure, but I can tell you what the intent is for. It is to eliminate the possiblity of the bags wearing paint away or something to this effect from anthing they rub up against without these support brackets. Now as for the support brackets, well there are several choices here. HD's, Ghost Brackets, Easy Brackets, Barebacks and so on. I am assuming the bags you are looking at are throw overs. I can not say alot on them, but I can tell you that I own a set of HD bags that have the rigid backs that I mounted to a set of Bareback quick release setups and now I have bags when I need them and when I do not, it take less than a min. and remove/add them. Hope this helps ya.
Do you need the backets, in my opinion, yes. Is there a better way, yes, Ghost or Easy brackets, (BareBacks I would use only with rigid back bags).

 

No, from the picture they don't appear to be throw overs. So I don't know if they have a rigid backing on them or not.

 

Answer: No you do not need any other supports. They are integrated in the ridgid back of bag . They will mount with a 2 - 3/8" bolts through the rear struts on each side.
and as you stated you do have to relocate the signals

 

Awesome, so all I need to get is the saddlebags and the layback license plate kit and I will be set? Seems simple enough.

 

You are correct sir.

Sammi

 

Done and Done.

I ordered both the saddlebags and the layback kit from Zanottimotor.com and saved a ton. The MSRP for those bags from Harley-Davidson.com was 599.95, I got them for $480.00. Hopefully they will get here soon so I can put them on.

Thanks for the help, as always!