Check out www.motoleather.com
I like the quality of these bags from
www.motoleather.com better than the following brands that I have examined, handled, and talked to owners of: Ameritec (thinner side walls than I like), Honda (for the price should be thicker leather or reinforced with ABS or something to help retain the shape), Yamaha (same as Honda) and I don't like the mounting kit that must be used with both Honda and Yamaha, Willie & Max (wimpy-thin man-made material), TourMaster (less than desirable quality/appearance to me), K-Drive (thinner than I think a bag should be), Iron Horse (good leather, but not quite up to my liking for saddle bags and I can't locate any ridig mount and don't like a throw-over yoke type to scratch my fender's paint), Saddleman (about the same as K-Drive, and the JUMBO just aren't), and even the LeatherLyke bags that are hard plastic textured to look like leather are just plastic. The closest thing these bags come to based upon their looks (Super Reinforced bags) are BOSS bags. The price of both bags from Motoleather compared to their competition in the same category don't come out on the same quality score. You'll get more for you money at Motoleather. Motoleather bags far surpass the others. My opinion.
I had ordered the
Slant Bags from
www.Motoleather.com at the same time as I ordered the Super Reinforced bags. They are a very high quality bag. I preferred the classic look of the Super Reinforced bag for the Retro X. This was my next choice. They are great -- thick leather, thick rigid solid back to mount to Ghost Brackets, etc. The photos that Motoleather uses is of my bike with the bags sitting on the muffler as they were not mounted to the bike, so if mounted, they would be mounted a little higher up from the exhaust. The slant of the bag is in perfect angle to the rear suspension and allows enough room between the bag and the rear blinker/turn signal.
Hopefully this will give you some idea of what they look like ON a bike
http://store1.yimg.com/I/motorcycle-accessories_1857_71921581 and
http://store1.yimg.com/I/motorcycle-accessories_1857_70148431 . These may be the bags you're looking for. They are larger than the other bags that are available and these are a lot more quality, all leather, and
MADE IN THE U.S.A. These will carry a lot of stuff and have room left over, but won't look like too much on the bike. They are a perfect match.
Super Reinforced Saddlebags
If you are concerned for your paint finish like I was and didn't want a yoke or throw-over type of bag attachment with the saddlebag brackets to keep the bags out of the wheels, then
use GHOST BRACKETS. Ghost Brackets are stronger than Easy Brackets. I have the Ghost Brackets on my '05 Retro X. They are VERY strong (amazingly) and when they are off, you only see a 1/2" nipple that is stainless steel and looks like it belongs on there anyway -- nothing unsightly at all. They also have a new design that is designed just for the VTX and not a 'one size fit's all' so you know you are getting a bracket designed to protect the finish and paint on your bike. The other cool thing is that with the Ghost Brackets, they lock on the bike with a barrel type key and when you want to take them off, all you need to do is unlock them and put the Ghost Bracket carrier between the two bags and carry them like luggage. Ghost Brackets also has a Carry Handle option that lets you attach the bags together and carry them as a large bag if you are on a road trip and you need to take you bags into your hotel room, for example. This feature is VERY helpful and convenient.
I am more than satisfied with the quality of these bags from Motoleather. The quality of service from them (Mike) has been no less than superior when it comes to customer service. Their bags are so very well made, strong, tough, etc. Think of it this way. You'll pay a little more, but the quality is a LOT more than a less quality bag and these bags will last you. My bags (Super Reinforced) are the same quality of the BOSS brand bags at less than 1/2 the price that BOSS wants. The bags from Motoleather are MADE IN THE U.S.A. -- quality and it matters. They come standard with the rear outside pocket for a cell phone, garage door opener, keys, small camera, misc. small tools, etc.
The Super Reinforced bags also have quick-detach hidden buckles under the leather straps and you don't have to use the chrome buckle that you see; however, the chrome buckles that you see are also functional should you 'over pack' the bag and need to adjust the tension on the quick-detach buckles. The Super Reinforced bags are also lockable by placing a lock between the two chrome "D" rings on the strap. These features are not standard or available on the slant bags. Also, there is a small back pocket on the Super Reinforced bags that will allow you to hold small items (cell phone, e-trex sized GPS, cigarettes & lighter if you're a smoker, garage door opener, small tools, a rag, glasses, etc.). I also like the conchos in addition to the rivets.
The Super Reinforced bags have 4 "D" rings on the top of each bag to tie down other items (rain coat or gear, 1-man tent if you're camping too, one of those fold-up chairs (one each side), etc.). The top of the bags are very secure to keep out the elements from the way they are constructed and the lid fits overlapping the sides. The lid on the slants are great also, but don't fit as tight/precise due to the shape of the bag. It is not sub-standard by any means, but is just better on the Super Reinforced bag in my opinion. I think the slant bags fit amazingly for the angle of our rear shocks/suspension and the rear fender mounted blinkers.
Best of luck to you in your quest. I am more than thrilled with the bags from Motoleather and the Ghost Brackets -- all were purchased at
www.motoleather.com. If I had all the money in the world and the choice of any set up, I would go with the same one that I have now -- Motoleather and Ghost Brackets. By the way, if you look for the Ghost Brackets, you'll find that Motoleather sells them cheaper than getting them from Ghost Brackets themselves. When I called they said that they let their vendors (like Motoleather) sell them for less so they have vendors. If they (Ghost Brackets) sold their own product for less than their vendors, they wouldn't have any vendors. Makes sense. Get 'em all from Motoleather.
