Is there a simple way to lock my quick detach rack on my sportster so that I can park the bike and not worry about anyone detaching the rack and just leaving with it and everthing that's attached to it?

 

Harley makes lockable latches for the QD racks.
p/n 46063-98 Price has probably gone up, but in the 2011 catalog it's listed at $46.95

 

How good and durable are they? Have you tried it?

 

Don't know, don't use it.

 

Not saying it would never happen but Id say the chances are pretty slim. Not only would it have to be a thief......it would have to be a thief familiar enough with it to know its detachable.

 

I have one on my detachable tourpak. Plenty durable. As far as stuff on the rack goes, good luck with that! BTW - If they want it bad enough they'll take the bike and all!

 

Insurance wise, I'd be better off them taking the entire bike than just the rack.

The rack is pretty expensive. If I can lock it, I will. As for the bags, a small padlock will prevent curious minds to go opening it.

 

I purchased the 2X kit from Kutter and put one lock on my solo rack and one on the backrest. They work fine. I had to mount the latches on the backrest backwards because the shape of the sides would not let the locking latch rotate properly and the key hole is inaccessible. That would have sucked if I locked it on the bike. Its just as easy to operate flipped and the key hole is easy to get at. Locks are for honest people but it would not be good to loose a $500 backrest for the lack of a $30 lock.

 

Do you have a link to them?

 

a cheap pistol trigger lock is a good thing to use. easy to cary , you can lock your helmet up with it and i would think your rack. I have one of the hd quick detach locking mechanism things on my backrest/luggage rack and it works nicely. the key is giant and unsitely but it works.