Honda Valyrie Saddlebags .... ??

[Xyzzy]

The boulevard screen does look kewl, tho.   

I'm only considering it for the looks. The wind doesn't bother me. The air is really clean and without turbulence. I think having the reverse side of the boulevard screen tinted dark would look really cool.

[Bagger]

Well, got my studded saddlebags installed today.

Thanx to Xyzzy, I got the installation instructions ... none were included in any of the 3 packages Honda sent my dealer.  But, Xyzzy's  posted them and I printed them out.  Don't think I would have been able to install the bags without these.  Thanx, man !

Anyway ... took me about an hour to remove, install and replace the left side of the bike.  Took longer for the right side.  2 bolts mounting the brackets to the stays were missing from the lot.  So, had to make a run to the local hardware sto to fetch some.  Of course, there were no flange metric bolts in my flavor.  So, I had to get some g/8 USA flange bolts in 7/16 and match them to some SS nuts, flat washers.  A bit longer than those that were to be included, but all's good.

Installation was pretty straight forward.  Doing it again would take prolly 45 minutes (without the run to the h'ware sto).

I'll post some photos later.  It's raining presently.

1st take ... ?  Well, (sigh) I would have preferred something different that blended better with the bike and was closer to the bike as well.  But, with the bulges in the sides of the rear fender, I guess Honda didn't want to 'sculpt' the inside of the bags to get a closer fit.  As posted before, there's quite a bit of room between the inside of the bags and the fender.  Some aftermarket folks may make better looking bags ... perhaps some hard bags.

Also, I'd like the bags to lock.  These do not.  So, any valuables will not be safe inside these guys.

I liked the studded retro bags on my VTX1300, but not so much on the Valkyrie.  These would be OK on the older version IMO.

At least I now have someplace to store some "stuff", now.   

[Bagger]

I got the bags installed.  Called Tony at Ironbraid and ordered some conchos for the bags ... felt they were a bit plain and needed some "bling" to appease my bag boredom.  Got the conchos in 2 days.

I'm sure some won't care for the conchos ... which do match my Ironbraid laced brake / clutch levers ... but, I do like 'em.  Very patriotic color scheme, too.

Let's see if I can dial up the photogs.




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[HayHauler]

I wonder why they didn't extend the bags down closer to the pipes?  They look sort of out of place being mounted that high.
Just my $.01875.

Hay 
Jimmyt

[LL]

I bet if they supplied some heat deflectors they could extend lower.


LL

[mrtappan]

I decided to play the waiting game with the bags.  I spent my $1000 of gear on the tall windshield, solo seat kit, both mounts (solo and seat), and the lower mount. 

Those don't look bad in photos to me.  I'm used to owning bikes with EZ Bracket mounts and they stick out fairly far from the bike by design.  I'm just hoping 2015 brings stock mount hard bags.  If not I'll join the club and get a regular set. 

I opted not to buy the bags from Honda as they were the only accessory I found on Ebay out of all the parts I bought for under list price.  Someone on Ebay was selling the bags for $470 shipped.