Honda Valyrie Saddlebags .... ??

[Bagger]

Since I just got the Honda '$1000 accessory' special program, I'm tending to buy the plain saddlebags for the Valkyrie.  I'm not all that enthusiastic about how they look, but I'm sure they function well.  And, I need some storage capacity.

Soooo .... wondering from those that know, how difficult are they to install?  And, can they be removed EZily, too?

Lemme know, please !   

[Bighead]

If it were me I would hold out and put a roll on the back and spend the $$$on something else and wait on the aftermarket crowd to come through

[Bagger]

If it were me I would hold out and put a roll on the back and spend the $$$on something else and wait on the aftermarket crowd to come through

Holding out may take some time.  Maybe by next spring there may be a smattering of bits out there.  Maybe ...

And, since the grand disappears on the 30th of September ... what would you suggest I buy with my 1000 buck$?  Not much in the Valkyrie accessory bin.

[Bighead]

Well I dunno about that but I think the aftermarket crowd will come through soon
Hell you could buy $1000 worth of oil and filters

[hubcapsc]

 what would you suggest I buy with my 1000 buck$?  Not much in the Valkyrie accessory bin.

I plan on getting the LED running lights... that'll eat up some of that bonus...

I have a "rear carrier" on the way, hopefully I'll be able to mount my Givi
trunk on it... then it won't be so hard to wait on Corbin or someone to
produce some bags...

-Mike

[F6Dave]

what would you suggest I buy with my 1000 buck$?  Not much in the Valkyrie accessory bin.

I plan on getting the LED running lights... that'll eat up some of that bonus...

I have a "rear carrier" on the way, hopefully I'll be able to mount my Givi
trunk on it... then it won't be so hard to wait on Corbin or someone to
produce some bags...

-Mike

As I've mentioned I'm buying an F6B.  Living in Colorado and riding year-round, the one thing that jumped off the page was heated grips.  Of course the Deluxe had those, but I could only find standards, so the first thing I ordered with my $1000 was those grips.  I don't know if they're available on the new Valkyrie, though.

[Bagger]

These are all good suggestions.

I have a Wing that I use for year 'round riding with heated grips, dual Powerlet plugs to run Gerbings .. and plenty of luggage capacity.  So, I don't need heated grips.

Also, I purchased EC amber fogs from Lewis the 1st week I had the bike.  Shop is installing them now.  So,  I don't need oem fogs.   

I did order a black headlight nacelle cover and fuel filler lid/housing.  That's around $250ish.

I still have 8 oil filters in stock, since I had an ST1300, the Wing and the VTX1300.  So, I'm all set there.

I'll have to look around some and read the fine print, too.

[VALKYRIE1800]

1000.00 is not too much for a good set of bags that fit/function well these days. most likely you won't touch corbin bags for that. corbin has priced themselves out of the market as of late. their fit/finish has been less than perect as well. i am on my third seat, and a year of screwing around shipping back and forth for my NC700x. the honda brackets go on easy enough, 1/2 hour or so. i bought honda brackets, and a pair of SUMAX bags off a wrecked bike. i am in the process of cutting them up an shaping the corners to match the new look of the valkyrie,using the radiator shrouds as a template.

[VALKYRIE1800]

corbin thinks they are the only one out there that makes a nice bag  or seat, and they try to charge accordingly.  i will never buy from them again.

[Bagger]

I agree that Corbin has "slipped" over the years.  I've never had any of their products as tho't they were over priced, and reviews have been less than stellar.

[hubcapsc]

I think real Valkyrie bags could look good...



They run into the blinkers, though, and can't be moved back as far as they
need to be...



Here's an integral taillight/blinker system that supposedly fits the new Valkyries from eBay,
it (or something like it) could solve the move-back problem...



-Mike

[jimmytee]

I think real Valkyrie bags could look good...



They run into the blinkers, though, and can't be moved back as far as they
need to be...



Here's an integral taillight/blinker system that supposedly fits the new Valkyries from eBay,
it (or something like it) could solve the move-back problem...



-Mike

I think the Valkyrie bag would look really good, especially if a color matched rear fender extension with a proper mounting place for the license plate built in were to be made. Some jumbo strong bags might work in place of Honda line. Similar lines.

[Bagger]

I agree that the original Valk bags look good on the new version, too.  I had looked at some aftermarket bags that looked similar, but wondered how to mount them to the bike with the rear fender having such a bulge in it. 

I think this is problematic with just 'some' bags that aren't specifically made for this bike curves.

And, the blinkers would have to be moved somewhere.  ?? 

Personally, I don't care if the bags come off or not.  I'll prolly leave them on once they are affixed.

[hubcapsc]

Here's how they look around the bulge... I could probably accept that if the blinkers were gone...



-Mike

[jimmytee]

Uh, I like these bags.

[hubcapsc]

Uh, I like these bags.

-Mike 

[Bagger]

I wonder if I could take the butt end off an F6B and splice it on to the Valk ...... uhhhh, then I shoulda bought an F6B, eh?   

[jimmytee]

Uh, I like these bags.

-Mike 

That pic is from the web, but my red F6B is obviously the same on the rear end.
My F6B actually garners a lot of positive attention with many compliments on the ass end. True story. Many of the admiriers are Harley riders. No kidding.

[hubcapsc]

That pic is from the web, but my red F6B is obviously the same on the rear end.
My F6B actually garners a lot of positive attention with many compliments on the ass end. True story. Many of the admiriers are Harley riders. No kidding.

Thanks for not taking it the wrong way. Goldwing based bikes are awesome bikes, I'm
just not up for buttons and knobs and unitized rear-ends, it took the stripped one
to pull me into the fold...



-Mike

[brew1brew]

Easy to install, not really meant to be removed often.

[The Dark Knight]

I think those tourer hard bags look totally awesome. Hopefully they will be available one day. I would need them painted exactly the same as my blue Valkyrie. It's got that cool metallic flakes in the paint.

[The Dark Knight]

These bags would probably look nice. Hopefully these guys make some that are usable on the '14 Valkyrie one day.

http://www.sideroadcycles.com/AmericanMotorcycles/Hard_Bags/Honda_750_Aero_Retro_Patriot_Sport.html

[hubcapsc]

These bags would probably look nice. Hopefully these guys make some that are usable on the '14 Valkyrie one day.

http://www.sideroadcycles.com/AmericanMotorcycles/Hard_Bags/Honda_750_Aero_Retro_Patriot_Sport.html

Patriots look almost like original Valkyrie OEM bags, but they are real nice fiberglass...

-Mike

[Bagger]

Here's the problem with the original Valk bags.  They don't take into consideration the front rear fender bulge, so they stick out 4 inches.  That's not a good fit for hard bags IMO.  Plus, there's no oem mounting stuff for them to the new Valk.

Someone needs to make hard bags that hug the rear fender ... and,  have a fill in piece to bridge the gap.  Heck, my '13 HD SG has 35 year old bags that fit the flat sided rear fender very well.  I don't understand why Honda made such a bulge in the front part of the rear fender.  Of course, I could look at this and maybe determine why, but I'll leave that to smarter folks out there.

Moving the rear blinkers is not a big deal.  There are many ways to do this ... even placing aftermarket blinkers on the bags themselves.  One could even use a LED light bar above the marker plate mount.  Or, use some of Custom Dynamics stuff.  They have many LED very bright rear end lighting products that are pretty neat.

[Jess from VA]

I don't have a new Valk, but I've been looking at them and the bag issue.

If you had some good hardbags to mount, why not just radius-cut those bulges off the fender sides and mount the bags in tight like they should be?  The fender cuts would be covered, and signals can be moved.  (I realize solid mounts for such an operation will also be required)

Of course, before I did this, I would wait to see what Corbin or even Honda might come up with.  Yes, it could certainly affect resale.

On the other hand.... is there structural stuff inside the bulges?

 

[hubcapsc]

There's stuff in there...

-Mike

[Bagger]

The bulges will certainly cut into bag capacity no matter who makes them.

Mike ... what "stuff" is inside there?

[hubcapsc]

Mike ... what "stuff" is inside there?

Not dead air... there's frame rails and...

-Mike "you'll have to go look, I'm in Chicago  "

[Bagger]

I'm still thinking about purchasing the Honda bags.  Of course, I'd like to have something different.  But, gotta spend the moolah before end of Sept, eh?   

I looked at the bags on the accessory page of Honda Power Sports.  The script says they have a "magnetic catch"  ... instead of a buckle, and there appears to be NO locking mechanism.

WTF ?   

Is this true?  Who makes a bag that can't be secured?  Tell me this is not true.  Tell me .... !

[imrubicon]

I bought the studded honda bags and they look good and also draw a few comments from others.
They dont have a lock but a buckle with hidden quick release under that so they do stay shut .

[Bagger]

My Honda dealer in Columbia, CT texted me last night saying that my "stuff" had arrived, and that he'd meet me at the shop today ... even tho the shop was closed ... to give it to me.

Excellent service, don't ya think?

Anyway, I picked up my studded saddlebags and mounting stuff this morning.  Haven't looked at them, but plan to install the whole enchilada this weekend.  I'll post photos.

Oh, and this will be interesting.  I ordered some conchos matching the Ironbraid lever braid I installed.  I'm going to stick 'em on the bags.  Tacky?  Prolly.   

[Bighead]

MC shop closed on Saturday? What's up with that?

[Bagger]

MC shop closed on Saturday? What's up with that?

Labor Day weekend, I guess.

Opened for me.  That's all I give a $h!7 about.   

[Xyzzy]

I posted (a different forum) a mini review/assessment that might be useful, or not: http://www.f6cforum.com/forum/9-honda-f6c-parts-accessories/6050-saddle-bags.html

(It is hard to keep track of all the Gold Wing/Valkyrie related forums! Especially since the engine/drivetrain is shared.)

[Bagger]

I posted (a different forum) a mini review/assessment that might be useful, or not: http://www.f6cforum.com/forum/9-honda-f6c-parts-accessories/6050-saddle-bags.html

(It is hard to keep track of all the Gold Wing/Valkyrie related forums! Especially since the engine/drivetrain is shared.)

Zyzzy ...  I posted such a while ago regarding the reuse of Honda bags and mounting stuff.  And, altho I haven't unboxed the stuff yet ... it appears as tho the saddlebag mounts are the same/same as they were on my VTX1300 from 2003.  I would not be surprised.

Just changing the Valk to bag mounts is pretty inexpensive for Honda.  The mounting points on the bags would be the same/same, too.  Eh?

I'll unbox the stuff tomorrow and report back.  Plus, I have the Honda bags for the VTX1300 in the garage to check out.

I can say that I'm not all that enthusiastic about the bags (even unseen) ... but, what am I gonna spend my free buck$ on?

[Xyzzy]

How have your older ones held up?

What do you use to clean them? The instructions do not cover this.

About the "free" $: I had the same dilemma as you. I guess I'm satisfied with the bags. I might get the boulevard fairing if I can get some better photos of it from a distance.

Thanks!

[Bagger]

How have your older ones held up?

What do you use to clean them? The instructions do not cover this.

About the "free" $: I had the same dilemma as you. I guess I'm satisfied with the bags. I might get the boulevard fairing if I can get some better photos of it from a distance.

Thanks!

I never rode in the rain with the bags on my VTX1300.  The bags look perfect.  Studded, with a the cover coming from the side, not the back.
I never did anything to them, just put stuff inside.

I'm going to check them out when I mount the new bags on the Valk.

But, the older bags were never quite 'pumped'.  They had a bit of sag here and there.  Nothing that anyone would see other than me.  But, I see it.  I guess it's nostalgia looking crap, eh.  A bit of a saggy top, saggy side, yada, yada.

[Bagger]

I don't think the boulevard windscreen is worth ten buck$.

My modification of the taller windscreen does make a difference if you are interested in some wind protection.

The boulevard screen does look kewl, tho.   

[Bagger]

Opened the box containing the bags.  They look pretty substantial to me.  Better than the VTX bags I have in the garage.

Bags are firm, nicely contoured, finished well, too.

I'll post photos when I get the bags mounted.

[imrubicon]

My bags came with a protector wax inside one of them from the maker . Ill order more someday maybe LOL
Coated them and let sit in sun and coated again before I mounted them.
ALC Auburn leather weather proofer black was the makers for Honda Saddlebags