Leather saddlebags in the rain

[Koop08]

I have a 08 RK Classic with the hard leather saddlebags. I'm going cross country in September and am sure to hit rain somewhere. Will the rain damage the leather? Is there a product to treat and waterproof the bags? Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[thrasher]

Originally Posted by Koop08

I have a 08 RK Classic with the hard leather saddlebags. I'm going cross country in September and am sure to hit rain somewhere. Will the rain damage the leather? Is there a product to treat and waterproof the bags? Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Just clean them then lather them up good with the HD leather dressing and they will be fine. There are many leather conditioners and dressings,... I just use the HD stuff, though.

Rain won't hurt them. The cleaner you keep them the better,... and don't let them dry out and crack (the reason for the leather dressing).

[niget2002]

And put anything you don't want to get in double-upped trash bags.

[Dr.Hess]

Just use a good leather conditioner regularly. I use Lexol.


Oh, and thrasher, Gig 'Um!!! and Beat t.u.!!!

[kustom_flames]

You might try a 'protect all' type leather spray. The type you would use on a leather jacket or boots. Remove bags spray, and it will help waterproof your bags.

The dressing will be good too to keep the leather moist and prevent cracking.

[harleymike77]

Originally Posted by Koop08

I have a 08 RK Classic with the hard leather saddlebags. I'm going cross country in September and am sure to hit rain somewhere. Will the rain damage the leather? Is there a product to treat and waterproof the bags? Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

thrasher is exactly correct. Many products out there. I have had good luck using the Lexol Cleaner, followed by the Lexol conditioner. My bike is 3 years old and the bags look better than the day I got it..........

[emirharley]

No problem at all. Do not worry. You could protect 'em with leather spray, but that is not a must.

Ride safe, H-D RKC leather saddlebags are good product!

[Maxum96]

I've had my leather saddlebags on my Softail since 2004. I've ridden in many rainstorms with them. I wash them with water. They're still in excellent condition. I just use a good leather conditioner and water repellent every now and then.

[Dr.Hess]

The best water repelant I've ever used is Snow Seal. It's a beeswax product. You heat the leather up with a heat gun or the wife's hair dryer, then put it on and it melts in. Protects the leather too. It might darken it slightly. I first found it at an outfitter in Alaska and I've been using it since.

[thrasher]

Originally Posted by Dr.Hess

Oh, and thrasher, Gig 'Um!!! and Beat t.u.!!!

Giggin is for frogs, silly Aggie.

[HogDreamer]

I've used mink oil which is more of a light colored paste than oil. It soaks into the leather well and does a great job waterproofing. A plus is that it is quite inexpensive.

[xxxflhrci]

Originally Posted by HogDreamer

I've used mink oil which is more of a light colored paste than oil. It soaks into the leather well and does a great job waterproofing. A plus is that it is quite inexpensive.

That's what I've been putting on my 2000 RKC bags since new. They still look great.

[garyad]

Originally Posted by Dr.Hess

The best water repelant I've ever used is Snow Seal. It's a beeswax product. You heat the leather up with a heat gun or the wife's hair dryer, then put it on and it melts in. Protects the leather too. It might darken it slightly. I first found it at an outfitter in Alaska and I've been using it since.

Yea, that stuff is great. I've used it on leather boots for years. It seals up around the stitching and seams makes it purt near waterproof.

[Saturday]

You might try Doc Baileys, works well and restores the nice shiny black to the bags.

[rde]

I was concerned at first just like you are. If you regularly treat the bags you'll have no problem. I've been in some serious rainstorms and my bags look great. I usually treat them every 8-10 weeks.