Hard time opening side bags on 2020 RT LTD - anyone else?

[FINFAN3DP]

Anyone else have a hard time opening the side bags on the 2020 RT LTD? I think i actually have one side that is either broken or the latch has come unhooked. The other side you have to pound on with the latch open to get it to pop open. Seems like they may be misaligned or something.

[Roadroach]

Hi,
If you're sitting on my bike, I have a hard time opening the saddle bag on the left. I've learned to place pressure against the saddle bag with my thigh while simultaneously pulling on the latch and it releases. I just remind myself not to pull too hard and break the plastic latch! Not an issue with the right side saddle bag. It operates perfectly.

[Rider Steve]

Anyone else have a hard time opening the side bags on the 2020 RT LTD? I think i actually have one side that is either broken or the latch has come unhooked. The other side you have to pound on with the latch open to get it to pop open. Seems like they may be misaligned or something.

The saddlebag latches can be adjusted for easy opening.

[Peter Aawen]

Anyone else have a hard time opening the side bags on the 2020 RT LTD? I think i actually have one side that is either broken or the latch has come unhooked. The other side you have to pound on with the latch open to get it to pop open. Seems like they may be misaligned or something.

There are a few threads here about this sorta difficulty &/or broken latches, and a couple more discussing how to adjust the latches to make opening sticking side bags/panniers easier/possible - IIRC, that's including at least one pretty good thread in which a post from cptjim of Squared Away fame is quite detailed . Sorry I can't search them out for you atm, but I'm mobile & on my phone, so it'd take more concentration & effort than I have available/can spare right now! . Over to you!

[WilcoJunoHotel]

Push in at the top with one hand while pulling on the lever with the other. Be careful to not pull too hard on the lever as it is plastic and it will break (DAMHIK). Sometimes it takes a couple of tugs and pushes. They are not the easiest saddlebags to release and this is mostly due to the way the cable is routed near the lever: It has to make a hard turn and the wire inside the cable binds on the metal ferrule on the end of the cable. The cable is just like a throttle or clutch cable but lubing it up won't help because of the way it binds where the steel wire exits the cable sheath. Poor design IMHO.

[ThreeWheels]

Anyone else have a hard time opening the side bags on the 2020 RT LTD? I think i actually have one side that is either broken or the latch has come unhooked. The other side you have to pound on with the latch open to get it to pop open. Seems like they may be misaligned or something.

There are a few threads here about this sorta difficulty &/or broken latches, and a couple more discussing how to adjust the latches to make opening sticking side bags/panniers easier/possible - IIRC, that's including at least one pretty good thread in which a post from cptjim of Squared Away fame is quite detailed . Sorry I can't search them out for you atm, but I'm mobile & on my phone, so it'd take more concentration & effort than I have available/can spare right now! . Over to you!

I found this thread to be very helpful. I think this is the post Peter Aawen is referencing.

https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...=1#post1541298

[Pooch]

My '21 RTL is just opposite... the left bag will pop open as I drive. To avoid this I make sure it is locked with the key.
Never any problems getting either bag to open.

[BUZZARD II]

I have a '16 RT and have found that cleaning and lubing the latches a couple of times a year works. It depends on accumulated road dust.

[FINFAN3DP]

Well, i tried everything. Nothing worked. So I dropped it off at the dealership today. While there i opened two on the floor, WOW they operate perfectly, which mine has never done. Hopefully they fix it like those were, because I would be thrilled!

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Well, i tried everything. Nothing worked. So I dropped it off at the dealership today. While there i opened two on the floor, WOW they operate perfectly, which mine has never done. Hopefully they fix it like those were, because I would be thrilled!

... and it should be done " under warranty " ..... It should have been checked before delivery .... jmho ... good luck .... Mike

[Kingz]

THANKS!! Can’t believe I struggled with this for two years and it was this easy to adjust.

[stebrock]

This is a "known issue". BRP has issued some type of bulletin that addresses the fix for the dealers.