RoadKrome Sturgis Saddlebags

[Sny]

So I finally ordered these bags from Classic Cruiser for $350 w/free shipping and this bracket for $192

First, the brackets are impressive: very rigid, solid pieces. High strength fasteners and overall a complete and well thought out kit. They mount under the seat with bolts through where the plastic pop thingies are. RoadKrome includes a brace that goes underneath which looks like it could hold 300 lbs. Installing these will add a little time to removing the rear side plastics for maintenance/repairs but not painfully so. These brackets can be used with almost any RoadKrome bags, soft or hard, and it looks like many other bags (looks like Easy Bracket spacing.) I would say that even if you were getting "throw over" soft bags, these would be fantastic for keeping them straight and steady (off the paint and lots of places to strap to.)

The bags themselves are a lightweight, double walled plastic (kinda like a cooler without the insulation) imprinted with a "leather" texture. They open from the top and are lockable. I'm not as impressed with these. They seem OK and I don't really have much to compare them to but they just don't seem to have the same quality as the brackets.

On the lids there is a felt strip that goes all the way around the inner lip to reduce rattling. Both of mine were smashed and deformed and the lids rattle badly. I stuck some black RTV in there and clamped a piece of wood there for a day or so to help un-deform the felt. Will have to see how that goes over time but it does stop the rattling for now.

The hinges seem a big sloppy too but I doubt it'll cause any real issues.

Had some other installation issues, but I want to point out I'm not the most mechanically inclined and have the cheapest tools can imagine to put things in perspective. I learned enough that I could probably help through most of the issues I encountered (or caused...) feel free to ask.

The size is impressive. Very usable inside shape.

I'm pretty happy overall for $542 to my door. Both Classic Cruiser and RoadKrome were very helpful and their customer service was spot on.

Mounted they look better than I'd expected. I'll have them with me at Spyderfest this year if anyone wants to see them in person.

 

[COOLMACHINE]

Thanks for the info.

Thanks for the info. I would like to see a pic or two of them on your machine if you get a chance.

 

[Firefly]

Good to have other options. From the photo it almost looks like those racks are screwed into the rear fender brackets? :yikes:

Probably just the angle of the photo.

I still love the BRP / GIVI setup with the quick release bags and brackets - just got a set for Tina's Spyder. We were gonna wait but found a 1 time deal too good to pass up ($500 brand new delievered ).

Give us an update after you ride a bit-- and some pics of your setup..... :2thumbs:

 

[fastfraser]

:thumbup: Looks good . What is the clearance between the mounting bracket and the fender ?

 

[Sny]

From the photo it almost looks like those racks are screwed into the rear fender brackets?

nah, that would be scary. They're attached under the seat through the same subframe the grab bars are connected to. I'll take some pictures.

I still love the BRP / GIVI setup with the quick release bags and brackets

The brackets won't come off without a fight but the bags come off easily. I wanted the givi bags originally so I could remove the brackets quickly as well but I've decided they will probably be on the bike more than off so it really doesn't matter. Also they don't look terrible without the bags on. Different, but not terrible.

What is the clearance between the mounting bracket and the fender ?

About 3/4". Looked a little close but I leaned on the bags and it's pretty difficult to get them to move towards the fender. Guess I'll have to find out the hard way.

I'll take some pictures soon (need more freetime during daylight hours)

 

[WackyDan]

About 3/4". Looked a little close but I leaned on the bags and it's pretty difficult to get them to move towards the fender. Guess I'll have to find out the hard way.

I'll take some pictures soon (need more freetime during daylight hours)

I bet they'll hit the first time you bottom out or lift a front wheel real high and come down hard. My Givi racks scraped my real fender supports after I lifted a wheel real high on a tight turn. I'm no the only one it has happened to, so it is plausible with that small a gap that you could scrape. Superficial damage at best, but still...

 

[Sny]

hm. Well I could mess with the brackets some... there is some adjustment to them

 

[rking02]

How are they holding up?

hm. Well I could mess with the brackets some... there is some adjustment to them

Whats the latest on the bags? Still good? I'm looking at them for my '09.
Thanks.

 

[Sny]

Whats the latest on the bags? Still good? I'm looking at them for my '09.
Thanks.

Well... I miss them They're sitting on the garage floor.

Multiple "incidents" have lead to the brackets being unusable (got rear ended...) and the bags are just sitting there now.

I did finally get the brackets adjusted and there's plenty of clearance even with a heavy load in them.

The brackets are almost indestructible. I rolled the Spyder last year and the brackets minimized the damage to the bike. The bags actually held the weight without cracking or any real damage to them other than some minor scuffing.

Then this year I got rear ended , mostly hit the bag, which pushed away from the bike and the bracket pulled away from the side ripping the passenger grab bar piece apart and the lower part of the bracket snapped the passenger footpeg support.

In other words... the bike came apart instead of the bag and bracket.

The hit was hard enough to... get this... UNBEND the 90 degree bend in the exhaust.

We couldn't save the exhaust or the right side bracket. It might be fixable but it's beyond my ability. It's 1/4" steel, which is too hard for me to manipulate.

Again no damage to the bag.

So now I have 2, scuffed, bags and 1 good bracket.

I could order a new set of brackets (about $200 if I remember correctly) and keep on using these bags... or use this as an opportunity to try something different.

I love having top opening saddle bags. And these did the job nicely for 15000 miles and multiple accidents (I've been rear ended 4 times, all superficial 'cept the last one) and I have to say, they might not be the best looking bags, but they're really tough.

So maybe I'll start looking for a new top opening bag. Or Corbin bags, tho you can get 3 full sets of the RoadKrome bags for the price, and these are removable.

Not sure if this helps you any. I had multiple minor issues with the bags, but not enough to stop me from recommending them if you're happy with saving a bundle over the alternatives.

If you have any questions or concerns feel free to ask. And if you're interested in some "used" bags I might be willing to sell them off to a good home.

 

[photophil33]

Sturgis Saddlebags & brackets

I just bought a Spyder ST and am looking at these bags. Does the brackets attach anywhere other than under the seat?
Thanks for the help.

 

[Sny]

I just bought a Spyder ST and am looking at these bags. Does the brackets attach anywhere other than under the seat?
Thanks for the help.

Yes they attach where the exhaust does and the brackets included a bolt and collar for the left side to match it.

I had these on my GS and the brackets were specific to that model. Not sure if they make an ST bracket yet.

 

[oldgoat]

Yes they attach where the exhaust does and the brackets included a bolt and collar for the left side to match it.

I had these on my GS and the brackets were specific to that model. Not sure if they make an ST bracket yet.

They don't even list an RS/GS bracket now.

 

[latony007]

Man after getting rear ended 4 times and rolling the spyder(??) im just glad your still around to help us!!!
im getting ready to order these for my 08 GS. Not only is it a lot cheaper than the givi but you dont have to relocate the turn signals which i understand you do with the givi and they seem a little bigger. Your review of how well they stood up to all that has helped my decision

thanks

 

[isthatahemi]

Rear Ended 4 times

Might be time to invest in an inertia brake light and re-evaluate some driving habits. That is flat out crazy!