Any ideas on saddle bags? My buddy is telling me to get leather ones and another says that they are high maintenance if you ride a lot and that the hard shell ones have a water tight seal and you can lock them.

Newbie so I have no idea what to think.
Thanks all

 

I bought the leather throw over saddlebags for my Iron.
They came with some saddle soap or something, haven't used it yet.
The lid is just a flap of leather so you can't lock it and it's not waterproof.
But you can strap the lid down tight and it helps a little.

Rain can get in the bags, so you will need to waterpoof the contents.
When I go on trips I pack my changes of clothes in individual 10gal ziplock bags.
I've been on 2 trips like that and never had a problem with my clothes getting wet.

I only put the bags on when I go on a trip.
They don't look BAD when they're on but I'm a minimalist.
I have a windshield and those bags I can throw on when I need them.
I love the options.

 

I've got the hard bags, and they are nice.

 

I have had leather bags since 2001. I never had a problem, and they haven't leaked in the rain.

 

Thanks for your inputs. Blackcherry Low, what brand hard shell do you have. I like the look. Username17 and BigBen, what brand leather do you have? Think it might be nice for short runs to have the leather and the hard shells for longer trips..

 

HD hardbags.

 

Try a search. I think I remember a pretty good thread about bags not long ago.

 

Since saddle bags on a Sporty look like a saddle on a sow, I use a set of shortened throw overs that fit under the seat and take about 1 minute to take on and off and leaves no ugly hardware.

 

escellent I will definately check those out. Look great on your bike

 

Some of the synthetic materials are pretty good too. The leather look without the maitenance. Been running my Willie & Max's for over 3 years with no problems.