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[Greaseball]

For those of you that have your bikes already....

What's the deal with the skid plates on the bottom of the saddlebags??  Is this the first point of contact when leaning heavily into a turn??  It used to be the rider floorboard supports, followed quickly by the floorboard itself.  Has this changed now with the skirts on the '09 SERG???


Thanks!!

[Hugh Janis]

For those of you that have your bikes already....

What's the deal with the skid plates on the bottom of the saddlebags??  Is this the first point of contact when leaning heavily into a turn??  It used to be the rider floorboard supports, followed quickly by the floorboard itself.  Has this changed now with the skirts on the '09 SERG???

Thanks!!

I'd recommend keeping the skirts on until you find out.

[Carlos Silva]

we were doin' some heavy twisties this past weekend and my buddy behind me said I was 'one short one' from draggin' the bags on the corners...it seems that with this new frame there's more lean room, for I certainly would have been draggin' on my 2000 RG

[Greaseball]

we were doin' some heavy twisties this past weekend and my buddy behind me said I was 'one short one' from draggin' the bags on the corners...it seems that with this new frame there's more lean room, for I certainly would have been draggin' on my 2000 RG

So did you actually touch down with anything...floorboard bracket...anything???   

[GregKhougaz]

Curious as to meaning of "one short one."  Since the bags have skirts now, imagine leaning in a tight fast turn and hitting a divot, bump, rock etc.  The skirts could conceivably catch on something ....  Not likely but very good idea to have a skid plate for protection just in case.  HD lists Lean Angle (per SAEJ1168) at 31° / 32° (l/r). 

Just sold my 2004 RG w/ lowered HD suspension.  Out her in So. Cal. with our canyons, regularly scraped the right front floor board and kick stand on the left.  Imagine same on SERG.  I'd argue that scraping skirt first would be a design flaw.  Curious minds want to know, has anyone scraped yet?

[Talon]

HD have a design flow, never!

The new bags do sit pretty low, looks nice.

I usually hit the support, not the boards, but thy do have a little rough edge on the back outside corner, can't even see it.

[GregKhougaz]

Nice pic!  Good to know where the limits are, I think.  Nice twisties in CO. 

[Talon]

Nice pic!  Good to know where the limits are, I think.  Nice twisties in CO. 

Thanks, that's on a RKC, still doesn't answer the question on the new SERG, come on guys we need someone to test this out on you brand new bike!!

[GregKhougaz]

Thanks, that's on a RKC, still doesn't answer the question on the new SERG, come on guys we need someone to test this out on you brand new bike!!

Ditto! Though most guys are still breaking in (i.e. too much braking) and taking it easy.  Good idea on a new ride.  Carlos?  Helps keep the shiny side up.  BTW love the RKC.  Used to trade off w/ cousin in Phoenix. 

[Carlos Silva]

well, the guys I was ridin' with on Sunday aren't as 'brave'  (stupid) as I am on the roads we did in the Shenendoahs, this next Wednesday we're skippin' school and goin' to the opening of President Madison's home Montpelier, twisties will abound down there, I'll see if I can't satisfy y'alls curiosity

[sblair]

I've leaned pretty hard on mine and have not scraped anything!  This bike likes the corners!!!!

[GregKhougaz]

Carlos, looking forward to your report -- be safe though.  Sblair, say hi to Mrs. Madison for me. 

[Greaseball]

twisties will abound down there, I'll see if I can't satisfy y'alls curiosity

Alright Carlos!!  GO FOR IT!!.......then get back to us!

[acevtwin]

I would have to say that the skid plates on the bottom of the saddle bags are for CURB protection. How many of you have backed your bike into a spot, put your kick stand down and leaned your bike over only to find out that your back to far and you just crunched your pipe or saddle bag? I have not seen the "Skid plate" in person so I am just offering one possible explanation.

[Jim Kerr]

I agree with acevtwin on this one.  The skid plates are for cub protection.  Right after I got my my SERG I parked it in downtown Chicago against a curb like I have always done with my other bikes.  When I leaned it onto the kickstand the bag was was 1/16" from hitting the curb.  I didn't even notice until I got off and looked back at it.  I was sure glad the skid plate was there.  I could have easily scratched the paint. 

FWIW, the pipes will hit backing up, but if you miss them and lean over it can easily hit the bag.  In a riding lean, the bike would hit many other pieces well before it would hit the rear corner of a saddlebag.