A buddy of mine has a 2006 Yamaha Roadliner, the basic model.

He didn't buy the Stratoliner (which comes with hard bags and windshield) because he needed to save money and buy the bags and windshield later. He's in the Marines, so he doesn't get paid much money.

Anyways, finally he decided to buy some bags and a windshield.

So, he opted to order the bags and windshield that Yamaha offers specifically for the Roadliner. Turns out the bags cost $1,119.95, and then you have to buy the mounting hardware separately for $203.95. Basically, $1,323.00 for a set of hard bags!!!

And get this, the bags don't have any latches to keep the lids shut. Yamaha instead sells locks as optional, for another $76.95. Without the locks, there is no way to keep the lids from flapping up and down in the wind. Actually, the bags have holes in them where the locks are supposed to go. So, my friend runs shoelaces through the lock holes to keep the bags shut.

Not all bags come with locks, but all bags come with a latch or buckle to keep the lids shut. You'd think for $1,323.00, the bags would at least have latches!

I guess you have to hand it to Yamaha, they did Harley Davidson one better. At least Harley provides a latch AND lock on their hard bags, without charging you extra.

Well, the Marines are sending him to Iraq next month. He'll be getting double the pay for going into battle. I suppose Yamaha will get the money for the locks when he comes back.

Labels: Yamaha Roadliner