Tank bras and saddle bag covers - Protects or damages?

[mungo]

Hey,

I'm considering some saddlebag lids for my Street Glide, but I have a question.

Regardless of how soft they make the lining that actually comes in contact with the paint, I can only imagine dirt and grime making their way under in between the cover and the paint. This combined with wind and vibrations just seem it would wear the clear coat right off.

Do fairing and tank bras and saddle bag lid protectors work well? Or do they do more damage in the long run?

[jerry34208]

Glad you asked. I've been wondering the same thing.

[Captain Bligh]

I bought a set of bag covers because my wife keeps dragging her boot over the top of my hard bag when she gets on/off. Then, I got to thinking. A good waxing always buffs out her scuff mark. Grit under a cover could be like sandpaper on the paint?

I took the bag covers back without ever putting them on. I think I'll just keep a good coat of wax on it, and rub out scuff marks when I get 'em.

Bags look great, BTW.

[Mr Cujo]

Mine came with saddle bag protectors. After about a month I yanked 'em off the bike.

First, the two sided sticky tape was failing and the lid protectors were sliding up and looking like crap.
Second, the glue was dribbling and running all over the inside of the bag lid..Sticky fingers every time I opened 'em
Third, the more I messed with 'em the more pissed I got...

Fourth..ya wanna buy a gently used set of bag lid protectors?..Carefully removed.. (I was pissed, but am no dummy)..provide your own sticky stuff...

Now.. we have to be a bit more thoughtful when getting on or off the bike, but now you can see all the pretty pin striping that was covered up underneath.

I've seen some lid covers that were sharp looking.. tight, smooth, well kept..but the guy at my local parts counter said they are old style and they don't make 'em that good anymore..just the crappy looking ones that you see way too often now.

Good luck

.

EDIT: No comment on fairing bras.. my bike goes commando style in that department...although I've wondered....
Also, can bra-less be called commando ?? things that make you go hmmm...

[Fourcats]

My 1200s Sportster {bought it used} had a Tank Bra....with a scratch under it.
Use a little forethought and you won't need the covers.
On another note, I don't believe all the marks on the RKClassic bags. They must come from the inside out...

[kingClassic]

I put the clear 3M film on my bags lids. You can get it for the fairing, tank & forks too. Works great.

[20538]

Do your best to keep your bike polished and waxed but remember it's made for riding and in time it will like any thing that's painted will show some marks and scratches. So just ride the thing and enjoy it and don't let the little things in life drive you nuts, i try not too although yes I've acquired some scratches over the small amount of time I've hade my scoot.

[BamaFan]

I have had a tank bra on my 05 RKCustom since it was new, not because of protection but because I think it looks good. After buying three covers because of the elastic becoming stretched and the cover gets loose I decided to leave it off. I have no scratches under the cover but the thick overlapped edges have left there mark. Yes I can see the scuff marks where the cover was. I have not tried to buff it out yet but they are there.

[07roadking60]

I had saddlebag lid covers on my Road King for two years. The velcro that holds them on kept peeling up from inside of the lids and I finally gave up and took the covers off. After two years, the clear coat on the saddle bag lids had dulled a little bit from the dirt collecting and rubbing under the lid covers. I used some Maguires Scratch X followed by Harley glaze and the lids look like new again. Harley paint is soft but it is actually pretty forgiving and can be brought back with the right products.

[petrock]

Getting dirt/grime under the bra is definitely a concern, but another one is uneven paint fade. No matter how well you care for your paint, it will fade slightly over time due to sunlight hitting it (unless your bike is a garage/trailer queen). If you put a bra/cover on it, the area that is covered will not fade, but the area that is uncovered will. So over time, your paint will in effect turn into a two-tone paint scheme. If thats what you want, then cool. Otherwise, just leave it alone, be more careful around your paint, and wax/polish out any scratches/scuffs you get. The clear vinyl stickers work too, but do leave a sticky residue if you ever want to take it off and can look bad if installed improperly (air bubbles, folds etc). Good luck...

[Krayven Sumhead]

Saddlebag lid rails keep boot scratches from happening. I put a set of these on my Ultra.
http://www.rivcoproducts.com/product...cat=273&page=1

[brwk]

Bike had a tank bra on it for 75K miles. I did glue black felt on the seams. Looked good, didn't see a 2 tone affect, but I did take care of the bike. The bra came off during it's bi-yearly bath/wax, whenever it went to the dealer, and whenever I did a quick clean job, I pulled it up a little and the rag went underneath. I actually starting using them on my bikes because my jean leg seams always rub the paint off down by the seat.