Normally I always carry a few basics with me, Tire repair kit,Spare Fuses a few tools, owners manual, Garage door opener, Cell Phone and Lots of times a camera as well..Try and stuff even half that in my pockets and start looking like a blimp..So when riding the StreetRod haven't been carrying anything, Feel "Nekkid", :eek: , was looking at the pouch for side of bike til I read threads about what it did to the paint. Have found a couple of sites that have picture of Synthetic Bgs with Rubber reinforcments from Harley Davidson @470-500 a set, Any one tried these and how do they look on Bike..would prefer color matched Lockable Hard Bags..
Also has anyone tried rigging up any kind of holder for the small area behind Gas tank over the rear fender and under the front end of the passenger pillion, seems like a small tool kit would fit there, but area is open slightly at bottom..Personnaly I have always felt a tool Kit with Tire plugs and spare fuses a must on any bike..But the R just doesn't have anything except the one Small opening behind Gas tank.. :biker:

I just picked up some soft luggage for my R that I think is going to look and work very nicely. I got the Chase Harper Stealth saddlebags and Stealth tankbag, haven't quite finished the installation though. None of the pieces offers huge carrying capacity but they all blend great with the lines of the bike and have plenty of room to carry basics. They also come with clear adhesive protective film for paint protection.

I'll post some pics when I get them installed tomorrow.

Funny I was just looking at the space behing the tank this afternoon and thinging the same thing with regards to using it for some tools etc.. Will be interested to see what ideas develop for using this space..

I just picked up some soft luggage for my R that I think is going to look and work very nicely. I got the Chase Harper Stealth saddlebags and Stealth tankbag, haven't quite finished the installation though. None of the pieces offers huge carrying capacity but they all blend great with the lines of the bike and have plenty of room to carry basics. They also come with clear adhesive protective film for paint protection.

I'll post some pics when I get them installed tomorrow.

Looking forward to seeing pics, Don't need huge carrying capacity, But need some, even though I love the naked look of bike, my peace of mind comes with being able to bring some of my stuff with me :ithappen: :)

H-D makes a set of bags for the R that don't look bad and will hold more stuff than the saddle bags on my FatBoy, plus they're detachable. I had them installed before I rode out the back door and have found them very serviceable.

Wipeout is correct, there is a good sized space located under the VRSCR's seat, just behind the gas cap and tank. It will hold a wallet, keys, cell phone and maybe a few small tools. I tried the V-ROD black vinyl pouch sold by H-D for the A and B models, but, it doesn't exactly fit the R frame. So I took it off the frame and stuffed it into the space under the seat, and it held all the personal items I generally carry for a ride.

This space makes me wonder why H-D didn't just increase the fuel tank capacity another half gallon.

This space makes me wonder why H-D didn't just increase the fuel tank capacity another half gallon.
They didn't want the range on the R to be more than the touring bikes.. :)

H-D makes a set of bags for the R that don't look bad and will hold more stuff than the saddle bags on my FatBoy, plus they're detachable. I had them installed before I rode out the back door and have found them very serviceable.

I also put on a set of these on my R. I think that they are great and go with the bike pretty good. They are detachable and work really well. There is a place called Zanotti H-D in PA and they give 30% off for any thing that you order online. You just have to pay shipping, but no tax unless you are in PA. I will take some pictures and post them on here of my bike with the bags and without.

The bags that Harley makes for the R have been recalled. There is a weld cracking, the salesman didnt know which one and also didn't know when the new ones would be in the store. If you have them you should contact your dealer and get on the waiting list for replacements

Looking forward to seeing pics, Don't need huge carrying capacity, But need some, even though I love the naked look of bike, my peace of mind comes with being able to bring some of my stuff with me :ithappen: :)

The Stealth is just right for me, saddlebags tuck in with just enough clearance at the blinkers, shocks and pipes.

Has anyone tried the Cortech (Tourmaster) Sport bags? I put a set on my wife's SV650 and they work real well. I also added the integrated tail bag that I can swap between her bike and the Triumph. The saddle bags are only $129 retail and can be found at most sport bike shops.

http://www.tourmaster.com/pics-large/82-332.jpg
http://www.tourmaster.com/pics-detail1large/82-332.jpg

Funny I was just looking at the space behing the tank this afternoon and thinging the same thing with regards to using it for some tools etc.. Will be interested to see what ideas develop for using this space..

Hmm, not sure where this area is but i believe on my bike what i assume to be this area is filled with an evaporative emission device.... Please somebody correct me or tell me how to properly remove it, as i would like to have the extra space...

Jason

The bags that Harley makes for the R have been recalled. There is a weld cracking, the salesman didnt know which one and also didn't know when the new ones would be in the store. If you have them you should contact your dealer and get on the waiting list for replacements

Does anyone have a copy of the recall or #? I heard it was a parts and accessories advisory.

Hmm, not sure where this area is but i believe on my bike what i assume to be this area is filled with an evaporative emission device.... Please somebody correct me or tell me how to properly remove it, as i would like to have the extra space...

Jason
Jason,

Just a hunch but you may have a CA model. I had a Buell with a similar setup.

Mitch "If you got time to check the speedo, you're goin' too slow!"

I traded my old H-D bags for a new set just today. The problem is NOT with a failing weld, but the possibility of the plastic back of the bag developing a crack.

When we took the old bags off the bike and looked inside, under the pocket, sure enough, the back of the bag was cracked. It had never been apparent to me that anything was wrong.

It's taken care on the recall, so we start over with a new pair.

The sport saddle bags for the R from H-D are definitely on recall. I wanted to order them at HD Crystal River but Curt told me that they are not available at the moment. For a period of time they also did not show on the HD website. Those stealth bags sure look nice though. Maybe a good alternative - how much are they?

Those stealth bags sure look nice though. Maybe a good alternative - how much are they?

About $130 for the saddlebags, $60 for the tankbag thru Aerostich. I used mine on a tasty sporttour thru the NW today, pretty happy with them overall.

I traded my old H-D bags for a new set just today. The problem is NOT with a failing weld, but the possibility of the plastic back of the bag developing a crack.

When we took the old bags off the bike and looked inside, under the pocket, sure enough, the back of the bag was cracked. It had never been apparent to me that anything was wrong.

It's taken care on the recall, so we start over with a new pair.
It sounds like H-D is slightly ahead of schedule for the replacement bags. Do the new bags fit the existing mounting hardware? Has the size or appearance changed?

Steve

The stealth bags look good. How far are you riding? Noticed the sheepskin seatcover - hows that working or are you just waiting to put on a new seat?

The stealth bags look good. How far are you riding? Noticed the sheepskin seatcover - hows that working or are you just waiting to put on a new seat?
I've done a few 400 milers and a 500 with this setup. The sheepskin helps tremendously but still have serious deadass at the end of a long day.

The Stealth stuff is good for day rides, but don't hold enough for longer trips. I've got the tall sissy bar that I'll use to support a seat bag and tie a little camping gear to for my 10 day assault of California's finest twisties.

My H/D bags came in yesterday, picked them up last night - haven't mounted them yet. They're MUCH nicer than I imagined they were - semi-rigid and look like they'll hold a bunch of stuff. I was expecting something more like the cheap nylon bags they make for Sportsters ($199.99 MSRP). These are actual saddlebags. Sweet!

I'll mount them next week (hopefully) - and try to post some pics (I need an avatar).

I Got a Set of used HD bags from a forum member, they arrived on monday, I like them..easy on and easy off, can take the bags off with 1 push of a button, also the frame comes off with just 4 allen head bolts leaving only 2 small mounting plates under outside edge of fender..I probably wont be taking them off very often, the Black powder coated frame wraps around the back lip of fender with them on, I like the look..Heres a few pics I took today of them on the Bike.

It sounds like H-D is slightly ahead of schedule for the replacement bags. Do the new bags fit the existing mounting hardware? Has the size or appearance changed?

Steve

Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. The new bags are duplicates of the old ones with the only difference being in the plastic material on the inside of the bags where the mounting brackets are riveted through - it being of a slightly different plastic. They didn't replace the fender mounting hardware.

I traded my old H-D bags for a new set just today. The problem is NOT with a failing weld, but the possibility of the plastic back of the bag developing a crack.

When we took the old bags off the bike and looked inside, under the pocket, sure enough, the back of the bag was cracked. It had never been apparent to me that anything was wrong.

It's taken care on the recall, so we start over with a new pair.


Can I have the number of that service buliten or recall please?

thanks
Brian

Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. The new bags are duplicates of the old ones with the only difference being in the plastic material on the inside of the bags where the mounting brackets are riveted through - it being of a slightly different plastic. They didn't replace the fender mounting hardware.
Thanks, George. My local dealer called me today to tell me they had my new set too. Unfortunately, I couldn't get there to pick them up. Maybe tomorrow.

Steve

Can I have the number of that service buliten or recall please?

thanks
Brian
Brian,
It's P&A No. 847, dated 04-25-2005

Steve