Would like some saddlebags for my 07' Deluxe. Any opinions on what you madmen are using?

Are leather saddlebags worth the money or just go with a good synthetic leather like Willie and Max series with EasyBrackets?

 

Price goes with quality... and I personally can't stand poor quality so I tend to go with what ends up being alot more money. But the stuff will last and makes my riding a LOT less troublesome.

I spent months researching the bags, mostly looking at looks. I liked the Willie/Max style, and found a few others that had something I'd be happy with. But then I decided to go with my local custom leather shop... Just Leather (http://www.justleathers.com) and they're right now making me my very own custom style/size/look for twice the money as the rest, pretty much. But they use the best leather, life-time warranty I guess cause my 10 year old jacket still can get free repairs. I also added an inset design of the HD logo and a silver valence to match my bike, which is sure gonna put it above the rest IMHO.

I went to realhog.com's shop nearby and checkout the other brands I was looking at... and WOW! They're quality was JUNK!!! The leather was super thin, no wonder people have sag problems! And I didn't see any that really felt like real leather, even if they said "leather" it felt cheap and looked cheap. And hence their price.

I'd go and checkout the quality stuff, then the cheaper stuff, in person, and decide from that.

Good luck!

 

After doing much research here, I decided to go with Osprey Limited's Bull bags. They come with lockable Easy Brackets and are very well-made and extremely reasonably-priced. I looked at several that were considerably more expensive but didn't see that they were any better than what Osprey offers. I'm very happy with them.

Roger

 

Those Osprey bags look fairly well made and are a great price, especially since they come with brackets (compared to others at ~$1000). I also have an 07 Deluxe like the OP, but I just dont feel the designs fit the style of the Deluxe. I think the Boss bags match the Deluxe much better but they are 2x the price.

 

Call them and talk to Carl (owner) - when I spoke with him it sounded like he could make whatever I was looking for... perhaps he can set you up also?

 

Ironbags.com, they can make whatever you want plain or like mineand can be made detachable !!

[IMG]local://upfiles/11433/D3A3AF43E5814EC595CE3A381D6CB356.jpg[/IMG]

 

My problem with picking bagswas that literally all of the aftermarket bags were represented by photos only. No one around here carried aftermarket bags. I ended up with theHarley quick-detachable bags (90388-04) that I could see and handle at the dealer. With the 20% discount (Chicago HD et al) they became more affordable too. They are large enough to carry everything I need, and fit the bike well. Plus, I just throw a leverand they're off the bike, leaving only an extended pin (an extension of the detachable backrest). They ride very close to the fender, unlike the easybrackets, etc. I guess it comes down to personal taste, like everything else on your bike. They do get a lot of compliments...





[IMG]local://upfiles/26361/B6050D17568D4092A12653549FC4D4E2.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/26361/E449F6B7AA1D480FA206F6D2076D92D6.jpg[/IMG]

 

I secondIron Bags. They are the thickest leather I have ever seen. They have so many stud, fringeand concho options it will make your head spin. What really did it for me was the option of the cargo straps for the lids of the bags. I can strap my jacket and my wifes jacket to the lids on trips so we dont use up any of the interior space. You can also use the cargo straps for things like a sleeping bag or a tent. I love my Iron Bags and will never have another bike without them.

Chris

 

now compare those with these from just Leather:
(note they also have the top straps for extra carrying but they also made it incorporated into the quick-release lid straps making for a cleaner look IMHO... they also include metal D-rings on the top-outside for strapping down even more luggage pieces)

Just Leather









And after all that, you can still have them make any design change you want, size/angle/shape/etc., user different colors, have embrordered designs, insets, etc.

I can't say enough about these!

 

I put the Leatherworks 120 angle bags on the Deluxe. Had them Basketweave and laced for the same look as the seat. Great looking and durable bags. Heavy Leather, great customer service, and plenty of space even with the stock pipes.

http://www.sideroadcycles.com/Import...ks/120Bag.html




[IMG]local://upfiles/9327/85BB5C6C81154886AA9ADA1634E43BAA.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/9327/7C5B9AC2AA104765907A55483AFE9EFD.jpg[/IMG]