Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Accessories Stupid motorcycle parts

No points for the obvious one...apehangers.

I got some new saddlebags for my America and like them (Viking Bags shock cutout type) but I can't understand the idea of putting locks on soft saddlebags. Anyone that wants in can just cut them and then you not only loose what was in the bag but now you have to buy new bags as well.

Viking Bags

Just a deterrent. If somebody really wants your stuff, nothing will stop them. It keeps the nosy kids out.

How is the workmanship on those bags?

Yeah they are nice looking bags. The price is even nicer. I can barely see the locks. Does it take a key or is it a combination lock? This thread is going to be moved to the accessories section any second, I can feel it in my bones.

I got a set of those, tossed the key. I hard mounted mine, very nice bags those Vikings.

Had a TR-7 once. Never locked the doors. My hope was that they'd try the doors before cutting the convertible top.

I used to have a jeep with a canvas top. It was the same for me. Never locked it. Anyone that knew jeeps could open a locked jeep with canvas in about 3 seconds. If you didnt know jeeps, a jacknife took maybe 20 seconds longer. the lock served no purpose other than being a feel good idea for the ignorant.

I can't see the locks either, under the flaps or something? I put an alarm on my bike, move my bags enough to get them off and the whole block is gonna know. Or they just move faster LOL not sure yet. Hope never to find out.

I had a set of Viking bags once (on my Vulcan). Very similar to the ones you're looking at. I was very pleased with the quality and function. Never had a complaint.

I didn't use their free mounting bracket. I preferred the bike specific hardware.

They look similar to the ones triumph sells for $500

The lock is on one of the straps, it just turns a cam 1/4 turn to block the quick release quick clips from being compressed to release. I'll try to add some pictures to this thread today.

These Viking bags fit the America perfect and the quality is very good. The materials especially the back plate are thick and appear very durable.

This is my third set of bags on this bike. The first were Saddlemen Midnight Express bags on Easy Brackets. Those were ok but the straps were not the quick release type and the thin material ripped at the buckle within a few months.
The second were Willie & Max Revolution bags also on the Easy Brackets. I bought these because I had Willie & Max traditional bags on my last bike they were American made, very durable and really took a beating for many years. Well their new "Revolution" series bags are Chinese made and the materials are thin and cheap. The strap is quick release but there is nothing to support the weight of the fake buckle so it flops around at an angle seperate from the clip behind it. Their shape is odd and you can't fit much in them either.

I hard mounted the new Viking bags with their enclosed hardware and am not using the Easy Brackets this time. Never liked the way they looked on the bike and they put the bags a couple of inches out. The Vikings come with 2 holes at the top for yoke mounting and these holes line up perfectly with the America's fender support holes. Just drill the 2 bottom holes and assemble the hardware provided. They look great and the shock cutout allows enough room to remove the rear brake caliper or adjust the shocks without removing the bags.

Thanks for the review. I looked at these a while back and they seem to have come down in price. My old leather bags look good, they just don't carry anything well.

I strongly dislike quick release buckles. (Try cinching down the lid when overstuffed.) Hum, you can't cinch that which does not draw! grrr

Saddleman bags suck anymore. Why? Because they now have quick release buckles. and they are flimsier then they were 8 years ago...

So, one example of Stupid Motorcycle Parts are Quick Release Buckles.

I'm with Moe. My old saddleman bags got tore up when I layed my bike down. Insurance bought me a new set and I hate the quick release. Just feels cheap and I know I'm gonna break it someday.

For example, with the new saddleman bags, my hammer drill would have never been able to have a closed lid over it. These are the old bags on the new girl.