First off; yes I understand this is a bar hopper, not a touring machine.
That said, I am in the market for a set of bags for this bike. I mainly ride it to work because taking any real amount of “stuff” with me is like sneaking contraband into prison.
I priced bags from HD.
UM, no.
So let’s say my budget is WAY south of a grand (if I mount them myself) and WAY WAY south of $1400 (if the local dealer installs them).
You go, HD.

Anyway, the GF has a set of cheap bags on her Sportster, but they are cheap, and mainly held on with zip ties.
Biggest difference with the Roadster is the bobbed rear fender. To pull off the look, there is also a few inches of frame missing back there.
That knocks me out of most “Sportster” bags.

So, opinions?
Suggestions?
Anyone else have one of these bikes?

On a side note, I’ve also considered turning my 2012 NC700x Into a Poor Man’s Africa Twin....

My dad has Viking bags on his Vulcan S.
They aren't big, but do hold enough for a small grocery run.

It will not hold an average sized backpack with a laptop in it...

https://www.vikingbags.com/

Overall they're pretty sturdy. They have a twist slot on the sides & a keyed lock on top. The key cannot be removed while unlocked.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: P250UA5,

Are you opposed to adding a sissy bar, like seen here?

That one does not look like a detachable setup, but if they do make one for that model I would recommend considering it. With something like that, you can do what I do which is using a duffel bag butted up against the backrest pad and bungee-ing the bag down. Although the bungee points also seem limited, it looks possible. I took some paracord and made a loop at each top shock mount to create an additional place to hook bungees. It's not ideal but it works.

quote:

Originally posted by AH.74:
Are you opposed to adding a sissy bar, like seen here?

That one does not look like a detachable setup, but if they do make one for that model I would recommend considering it. With something like that, you can do what I do which is using a duffel bag butted up against the backrest pad and bungee-ing the bag down. Although the bungee points also seem limited, it looks possible. I took some paracord and made a loop at each top shock mount to create an additional place to hook bungees. It's not ideal but it works.

I am NOT opposed to a sissy bar. I had one on my old CB750 and it was indispensable.
But again, that missing 3” or so of frame back there severely limit my choices.

What do you want to carry?

You could go with a back pack?

Or a tank bag

For after market you might start with JP Cycle to start

Or just search the Internet for after market bags

Not going with the HD bags may mean some possible modifications to the bags ,the mounts or possible the turn signals

Why not a HD backpack. I paid $140 a few years ago. The FXDL is gone but I still use the backpack.

What am I carrying?
Small lunch during the week.
On weekends, a bottle of water, Tire kit, some small sundries.

I have backpacks, but would like to leave a few things on the bike. There is the fatigue issue with a back pack also. And having to keep up with it when you stop.

Really don’t care for tank bags. Not sure one would work well on this bike anyway.

My NC700X has spoiled me with its pretty roomy “frunk”.

My suggestion would be to look on a HD owners website. Most have a “for sale” section. Another option would be ebay.

quote:

Originally posted by hudr:
On weekends, a bottle of water, Tire kit, some small sundries.

For this, you might be able to get away with a tool roll/bag on the front forks.

OGIO Mach 5 backpack.

OGIO does make removable saddlebags that are well-designed for casual use.

Have you thought about looking at tank bags. You can get them in all different sizes with or without magnets.

quote:

Originally posted by Jelly:

Have you thought about looking at tank bags.

Original poster said (above), "Really don’t care for tank bags. Not sure one would work well on this bike anyway."

What about the Single Sided Swingarm bag,P/N 90201326A on pg. 75 of the 2020 H-D P&A Catalog?

Retails for $199.95 Fits XL's with solo seats, does not fit XL1200T, yours is a XL1200CX. Leather construction. I have a Dyna version that I'm going to rework for my '82 FLH.

Be forewarned, at this time we (as in Harley dealerships) are seeing extended order times for parts from the MoCo. If your local dealer does not have stock they can check the dealer locator. The locator is only updated every few days so you will still have to call to verify they have it in stock.

Shovel head: I’ve considered the swing arm bag, but I think I have to remove the passenger peg, don’t I?
Plus, I’ve a friend with one on her bike, and it is pretty small.
Of course, I’m not looking for Gold Wing storage here....

Yes, passenger peg would have to be removed.

Do you have a 2020 Catalog? If not you can go online to H-D.com and see what is available.

I'd go with a short passenger backrest setup and mount a small "trunk" bag to it, like this one (which I have on one of my own Sportsters):

https://houseofharley.com/Harl...y-Bag.-93300017.html

Big wagon; most of the sportster stuff says “except xl1200cx”

And that is the big hold up. Stuff for the roadster is just special enough to be super expensive.

For a bar hopping Sportster? Swing arm bag. I had one for awhile before I moved my license to the primary. It’s probably still in my box of abandoned parts. Pretty sure mine was made by Viking. Straps to the swing arm. And actually didn’t look half bad. Other options would be a fork bag or a small barrel bag on a sissy bar.

I’ve got a 1200c that I’ve slowly turned into a bar hopper by swapping the fender and bars from a Nightster. It’s street legality is questionable (tail lights, brake lights, and signals were replaced by a LED strip, but I don’t ride it anywhere near as much as my Road King.

If you’d like, I’ll check the garage and see if I still have the swing arm bag. It’s big enough for a sandwich, some tools, and a couple of small personal items. Consider it a loan and if you like it, keep it.

quote:

Originally posted by hudr:
Big wagon; most of the sportster stuff says “except xl1200cx”

And that is the big hold up. Stuff for the roadster is just special enough to be super expensive.

Here's the backrest that fits the CX. That's all you need to use the bag I linked.

https://www.harley-davidson.co...sportster/p/52300403

quote:

Originally posted by bigwagon:

quote:

Originally posted by hudr:
Big wagon; most of the sportster stuff says “except xl1200cx”

And that is the big hold up. Stuff for the roadster is just special enough to be super expensive.

Here's the backrest that fits the CX. That's all you need to use the bag I linked.

https://www.harley-davidson.co...sportster/p/52300403

Thanks for the link. I looked at that before. Probably just need to start there and get a bag. The more I think about it, the main times I ride the bike is with the GF. She has her own sportster so I don’t really need the rear pegs. So maybe between this and a swing arm bag I can make it work.