Three Windshield Bag Review

[BluesBelly]

I recently did a hands on comparission of Three Pocket Windshield bags from three different companies. The bags fit 2014 and newer vented Batwing fairings. All bags are synthetic materials and have lining inside the pockets. All three have sturdy molded pouches of similar thick plastic and are of similar size. All three bags are almost identical with the exception of the top flap closures. They all offer adequate access to the vent door control button.

1) The HD bag is of excellent quality and workmanship. It has strong magnetic closures on the pocket flaps. The flaps of the smaller side pockets are asymmetrical and not pleasing to the eye. Cost is $129


2) T-Bags offering is virtually a copy of the HD bag with the same excellent attention paid to detail and workmanship. The side pocket flaps ARE symmetrical and much more pleasing to the eye. The closures are heavy duty Velcro. $80 -$89


3) Kuryakyn has Magnetic flap closures. The styling is pleasing to the eye and symmetrical. The fit and finish was nowhere close to HD or T-Bags. When I received this bag I was immediately put off by the quality of the stitching which at one point ran off the edge of the front flap. The pockets were not even close to being attached in a straight fashion to the back mounting panel. The Kuryakyn logo plate on the front pouch flap was crooked. $80 - $89


I choose the T-Bags version at $80 on sale. Great bag! Here it is on my bike.

 

[Yarddog]

Sir, is the attachment to the fairing good and secure to the fairing on the T-Bag you selected? Also is it convenient to mount and dismount, or do ya need to futz with it to get it right?

 

[BluesBelly]

Sir, is the attachment to the fairing good and secure to the fairing on the T-Bag you selected? Also is it convenient to mount and dismount, or do ya need to futz with it to get it right?

Yarddog,
Takes about two minutes to mount. Loosen the three windshield screws. Slide the bag into place. Tighten three screws. Bag is very secure. All three bags I reviewed mount in the same fashion.

Blues

 

[Yarddog]

Good deal, and I thank you. I keep going back and forth on getting one. Not certain I want to lose the visibility, and I wouldn't wanna put my cell phone or my stogies in it due to the vibration.

 

[iron mule]

do you know if these or if one is made that would work for a 6 inch windshield
mule

 

[BluesBelly]

do you know if these or if one is made that would work for a 6 inch windshield
mule

The backing plate of the T-Bags fairing bag is exactly the same shape and size as the stock SG shorty windshield. So with the stock windshield installed on the bike the installed bag is flush with the windshield top and mirrors its curve. I can only speculate that all three bags I reviewed would be similar. Hope this helps.

Blues

 

[Jimbo670]

This is a big help. Thank You!

One quick question. Have you ridden with the vent open? How does it affect the air?

 

[iron mule]

The backing plate of the T-Bags fairing bag is exactly the same shape and size as the stock SG shorty windshield. So with the stock windshield installed on the bike the installed bag is flush with the windshield top and mirrors its curve. I can only speculate that all three bags I reviewed would be similar. Hope this helps.

Blues

Thanks for the info Blues Belly
Will get one and let you know the results
Mule


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[BluesBelly]

This is a big help. Thank You!
One quick question. Have you ridden with the vent open? How does it affect the air?

Jimbo,
I always ride with the air vent open unless it's raining.
I am 6'-4" tall and ride with a 10" WindVest
re-curve dark tint windshield. Obviously the air flow is redirected and dispersed under the windshield bag but any effect on me as driver is unnoticeable or negligible.
Over the past months I have read every windshield bag review available to me. Most of these reviews concern the HD bag but also pertains to the aftermarket offerings. HD website has a bunch of reviews as well as other biker forums. After reading these reviews I have come to the un-scientific conclusion that a taller windshield and rider exhibits less air redirection effect with the bag than a shorter rider with a shorter shield.
I have a tendency to research things to death before taking action. In this case I finally picked the bag of my liking and bit the bullet. Nice thing about all of the bags I reviewed is that they are easily removable for cleaning and for that occasion where a rider would swap out his taller touring sheild for a snotty short shield for a night of bar hopping or a bike show.
I bought mine from J&P Cycles only because they are having a sale at $80. There are quite a few online stores including T-Bags website that have them at $89.
T-Bags part # 104455

Not a plug for T-Bags just passing information

Blues

 

[Jimbo670]

Jimbo,
I always ride with the air vent open unless it's raining.
I am 6'-4" tall and ride with a 10" WindVest
re-curve dark tint windshield. Obviously the air flow is redirected and dispersed under the windshield bag but any effect on me as driver is unnoticeable or negligible.
Over the past months I have read every windshield bag review available to me. Most of these reviews concern the HD bag but also pertains to the aftermarket offerings. HD website has a bunch of reviews as well as other biker forums. After reading these reviews I have come to the un-scientific conclusion that a taller windshield and rider exhibits less air redirection effect with the bag than a shorter rider with a shorter shield.
I have a tendency to research things to death before taking action. In this case I finally picked the bag of my liking and bit the bullet. Nice thing about all of the bags I reviewed is that they are easily removable for cleaning and for that occasion where a rider would swap out his taller touring sheild for a snotty short shield for a night of bar hopping or a bike show.
I bought mine from J&P Cycles only because they are having a sale at $80. There are quite a few online stores including T-Bags website that have them at $89.
T-Bags part # 104455

Not a plug for T-Bags just passing information

Blues

Thanks for the info. I agree the vent doesn't really seem to have a difference for the me either. I'm 6' 1". I just wondered about the bags and blowing the wind more directly on me.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[Aviator5456]

I have the HD version and I'm very pleased with it. My last bike had a version with the velcro and I found I liked the magnetic closures better. As for symmetrical side bags?....they look fine to me. The center bag is cut so as to not block the vent. I'm 6' and and have a 10" HD clear windscreen and it does make a difference with the airflow.

If I had once complaint, it would be I get dirt, water...just about anything...stuck between the bag and the windscreen. After I wash the bike, I have to pry the two apart and slip a towel down to dry it, then I'll leave the towel in as a wedge until all the moisture escapes. After awhile, I'll loosen the windscreen screws and remove it to clean the inside real good.