| Author | Message | ||
     Cdale136 |
I just sealed the deal on a 08 blue Uly! I got it for retail without freight or shipping charges. After talking to other dealers in the area I don't think it's a bad deal. The dealer offered me 10% off accessories. I usually buy mail order from Chicago HD which is 20% off and shipping is usually cheaper the tax. I want to get the factory luggage but have been reading about the latch problems. Most of the posts I have searched are from 2006. Have they upgraded the latches and fixed this problem? If not, is this something that can be repaired or is the entire bag scrap when it breaks? My bike is coming in on Tuesday but I will probably not pick it up till the end of the week. Thank you for all the great information on this site ! | ||
| Panhead_dan |
The latches are inexpensive and easy to replace. My new ones were nearly two years old and were giving me good service. Also, the bags are very large and user friendly. They will protect the bike in a tipover. | ||
| California |
The latch issue is really only a problem if you're likely to be overstuffing the bags, or riding in the dirt and crashing! If you don't over stuff, and don't crash, no problem! btw, congrats, you're gonna love it! | ||
| Hoon |
Cdale136, Hello,welcome. My H&B case latches have been fine,two years old now-treat them with care and I don't see how you'll break them,'course if they're weak to start with then it may be pot-luck as to how long they last. | ||
| Chas1969 |
IMHO: Top loading bags are much more easy to work with while touring or putzing around. This is from one that had Givi boxes for years and then got touratech's ... Top-Loaders are much better! Look @ Happy Tails, Tourtech or KLR650.com + Happy trails rack (about 120$ cheaper than full HT system) Chas | ||
| Crusty |
Cdale; Congrats on the new bike! The latches have been upgraded, they take about seven minutes to change, should you have to. I have an '06 and had one latch break. The replacement latch cost me around $20.00. I've had top loaders and side loaders and I really like the H&B Journeys on my Uly. A full face helmet fits in any of the bags, and they look good on the Uly. Also, it's hard to beat the price. | ||
| Chad_nc |
I bought the factory luggage for mine used. Two days later I tried over stuffing the case and broke the latch. Took a week to come in, which they told me 3-4. Took all of 5 minutes to change not reading the silly directions. Laid it down on both sides since and latches are still intact. | ||
| Nevrenuf |
congrats on the purchase. just picked my bike up on friday and brought it up to greenville yesterday so already for the 1k service. everything i've read so far, it looks like the latch issued isn't as bad and i had my bags packed pretty good but not really overstuffed.  | ||
| Cdale136 |
Thanks again for the great info. I just put the order in. Hopefully they will be here in a week or so. | ||
| Xbimmer |
The important thing to remember when closing the HB cases is to make sure there's nothing trapped between the two halves, and that you DON'T use the latch to lever the case closed. If you have to stuff the case, remove it from the bike first. Even when not stuffing it, clear the channels and then push it home using the grab handle before levering down the latch. I'd been using my cases for months before I started reading about breaking latches here. Thought it wouldn't happen to me but sure enough first one fell apart while I was closing it and soon after the second disintegrated while sitting in the garage with an empty case. Had to fight with my dealer for replacement but eventually got it done and with care the new ones have been fine so far for over a year. I think I use the cases more than most Uly guys maybe since they are always on the bike and I'm averaging 25k per year, that's a lot of opening/closing cycles. The new latches are supposed to be better, maybe so but they look the same to me so I take precautions. Mine originally had the seals falling out every time I opened them, an item of discussion here. I was ready to glue them in but found that they were never properly seated in the channels from the factory. Once seated with finger pressure (you can feel them snap in) they haven't popped out since. Some say the cases don't leak, in rain mine do and collect a small amount of silty water in the bottoms. I like the size of the things and I can get lots of stuff in there when two-up traveling. You will need to experiment with rear shock adjustments and expect your Buell to handle like a cow. Congrats on the the new Uly!  I saw two blue ones today, they look good and both guys gave the same look I probably do when I see another Buell... first it's "What the" and then a big smile and bigger wave than usual!  | ||
| Nevrenuf |
thanks, it's a hoot and the luggage capacity on the side bags is greater than on the ultra which really makes a difference. |
