I own a 1999 RKC and the bags were starting to show their age. After reading on this site I took a gamble and bought a new set of 2013 leather classic bags that were take-offs from a member on this forum. The bags fit with no issues other than bracket adjustments. The only issue I have is the tops of the bags have slight ripples in the leather where my old bags didn't. Truthfully, I think my old bags appear to be better constructed. Yes, this was an online purchase and didn't see this in the pictures nor was it described to me. Maybe I'm just OCD. If these were on a new bike in the store I would have asked them to be exchanged for some other bags on another bike. Anyway, have you guys also experienced these leather ripples on the tops and is there any solutions or fixes other than buying fiberglass bags in the future?

 

I had hard leather covered bags on my road king to... the custom ones though, not the classics. To me, and it's just me... I don't care for the leather covered ones that much. they look great new, but if you ride a lot, and for long distances like we do, they end up looking pretty crappy after a while. Rain, heat, cold... all of that does unpleasant things to leather, regardless of how well you try to keep it looking new. I just recently put some stretched hard bags on mine, and I like the look much better.

 

Leather looks the best, IMHO With hard bags, it's too much "painted surface" in the rear for me, unless they are black. Kinda like the same reason fat chicks wear black.

I actually bought a spare set of brand new take-off leather bags real cheap off CL a couple years ago just in case mine started looking old, but I condition them all the time & they still look mint.

 

I also like the look of leather bags. I have both and use plastic ones traveling and in the winter but leather goes on just riding around. No problem with ripples?

 

What products are is best for putting on these bags? I also have the leather tour pack and love the look. Want to make sure I am doing the best for them. Using a silcon based product that I got at the feed store currently.

 

I carry and apply often leather and protection product called "Black Rock". We used this on all of saddles etc. I can't begin to tell you the number of days our horse gear endured the harass winter weather out west in CO & Montana.

It's like anything else you have to build that protective layer. A lot of guys stop and start polishing chrome. I start on my leather bags.

 

I much prefer the look of leather also. Plastic looks cheap to me. Odd I guess since the plastic ones actually cost so much more.
I use leather conditioner made for car seats and furniture. Had a really beat up set I used black shoe polish on also.
I get the top ripples when it's hot but they dissapear when they cool off.

 

To protect, I spray on Turtle Wax Formula 2000, available at Walmart and parts stores everywhere. It conditions and contains sunblock. In addition to my bags, I treat my chaps, vest, jackets, and even my outside spa cover. Price is not bad. For the $, you cannot beat it.

 

1998 road king classic owner.
The older bags are very slightly different as if it was a different lot number.
The older bags have a longer rubber support bar along the bottom and the inside/backside plastic wall is slightly different.
The plastic material is slightly different also.
There were a few years a while back that the tops/lids had loose leather on new bikes in the dealers.
The leather looked loose and not glued to the top lid. Very visible ripples and shops would change them out before delivery or under warranty.
Many people improved them visually tremendously with vigorous conditioning and placement in the sun.
A shoe shop can improve them for less than $30 or you can go to a drug store/walmart or whatever to the shoe section (shoe lace/polish/shoe shine) and get a small flat can of mink oil (will likely require two). Harley also has a little plastic tub.
Warming the bags (warm not hot) in the sun or with a hair dryer opens the pores and allows the stuff to penetrate so does warming(not hot) the mink oil.
I would try to stay away from DIY stuff with dye in it because eventually the dye rubs off and stains stuff.
Unless the plastic in the lids of your older bags are broken you might be surprised how a shoe shop can revive old leather and how they could improve your new bags.

 

In 2005 my new RKC bags had the same thing. But on the third day I had it I got caught in a rain. The bags got soaked. But when they dried the leather became tight against the lid. They looked great. I have a 2009 now. When it was new it had a little rippleness but it went away as I rode for the first few hundred miles. Others have had the same experience. So once they weather a bit they seem to tighten up real good. New leather needs a little time to settle in.