[vtbme]

Here's one for those WITHOUT bags that bolt/lock to the bike AND/OR that do NOT come with a lock to prevent someone rooting through the bag.

How do you secure the bag and items inside...or do you just accept that it is a roll of the dice?

I'm considering getting bags for longer trips and have my eye on either Kuryakyn Gran Throwover Saddlebags or Vartex K-drive bags. They are at radically different price points, but I like the looks of these two the best.

 

[PerfectStranger]

You're really at the mercy of others when it comes to that kind of thing. I've never thought that anybody has rifled though my stuff. Try to keep it in sight if you can't lock it up. A cover over the whole shebang helps deter people, too.

 

[dgingrich]

How do you secure the bag and items inside...or do you just accept that it is a roll of the dice?

I don't worry about it. I have a set of the soft sided Cortech bags. A lock would be fruitless. About the only thing I ever leave in there is my jacket. Once I had an expensive bottle of Scotch in the bag, but I rode right home with that!

Honestly, I am more concerned with someone running off with my helmet, it won't fit in the bag anyway.

 

[The_Hamster]

My bags lock to the bike with a key (k-drive). I accept the bags themselves don't lock and don't leave things in there that are irreplaceable, or expensive. Normally all that is left in there is, cheap sunglasses my wife uses under her helmet and a bicycle lock I use to lock the helmets to the sissy-bar.

 

[Shane72]

The Kuryakins came with a cable lock for securing the bags to the bike but I don't even use that. I usually drape my jacket over the seat or bars and hang the helmet on the bar end when I stop but I do try to position my bike where I can keep an eye on it. The bags can be removed in seconds so I can carry them in if staying somewhere for a long time. I agree with The Hamster, I just try not to carry anything that would be a significant loss if stolen.

 

[Easy Rider]

I don't worry about it.

lus1: I recently discovered that I can ride in light to moderate rain without getting too wet.......except from the knees down......so when nearby, I can leave the rain suit at home. That leaves the only thing of any real value as the liner for my mesh jacket.

For "longer rides", I take a larger case, strapped to the sissy bar.

 

[cyclesinct]

Like everyone else I don't worry about it and I don't keep anything of value in them. I have a spare set of sunglasses, a pair of clear lens glasses, the liner to my jacket, and a pair of leather gloves. If I'm traveling I have more in them, but when I get where I'm going that stuff goes inside with me usually. If you stole everything in my bags I would be out less than $40. I'd be royally pissed off and upset that my personal space was invaded, but I wouldn't be out a lot of money. I do cover the bike when I'm not riding for awhile, that might help too.

 

[SnowMan29]

lock

I have hard bags now that lock, mainly for doing trips (they are much larger) but I used to have bags that didn't. For mine though, if you tried to go through those bags at all or even attempted to open them, it would have triggered the bikes alarm system. Plus as many mentioned, I really try to not put anything of real value in there. My biggest worry/issue is what to do with the helmet since I can't get to the lock with the bags on there.

 

[sangria7]

I dont lock my saddlebags as they are Cortech soft bags. I just dont put anything valuable in there with exception of my gloves, extra light bulb, and some smelly rain gear. Everything is easily replaceable, with the exception of the bags themselves.

 

[DrBob]

Loxks on soft bags are quite worthless, and can even be counterproductive. Sort of like locking the doors on a Jeep to protect the radio- the thief just slits the top or plastic window and takes the radio anyways, plus you have additional damage. So your best be is to not leave anything in them that is worth stealing.

 

[vtbme]

The Kuryakins came with a cable lock for securing the bags to the bike but I don't even use that..

Yeah, my Kury Gran Tour came with one...worthless. I never could get it to work.

Thanks for all the comments folks - All are very similar to what I was thinking. Bottom line.. if someone wants something bad enough from you, they'll find a way to get it.

I usually don't leave much in the Cargo Endurance tailbag I use either. Some bungees, ball cap, book from from time to time, and gloves. Just need to decide how much $$ I want to drop.

Of course my spouse will never understand if saddlebags show up - because the bike came with bags...but they're not my style (or the bike's). Of course, he'd probably never know the difference between the two. :twisted: