Take Off Bags When Washing Road King Classic?

Bags come off as well as seats. They get special treatment. Don't like to sit on a wet set anyway. Windshield is easier to clean on the bike.

You don't want any chemicals on the leather bag skins.
 
I take mine off and treat them with Doc Bailey's every time I clean the bike. My bags are pretty worn and I don't want to get them any wetter than I have to. It's also easier to get to the rear wheel without them.
 
I leave mine on and wash them just like the bike. If I'm still in the cleaning mood, I'll take them off to wash the bike underneath. I haven't found any cleaning product that has caused any issues to the bags. I use my bike to commute everyday, year round and some nasty stuff has gotten on my bags. When I do get a wild hair up my .... I wash the bags on the bike with soap and water, dry them with a leaf blower, then apply a good coat of the HD leather treatment that came with the bike. Wipe it off the next day and the bags still look like new except where the lids rub on the backrest quick releases but thats a seperate issue.

I know I'm not the norm. Like I said, I ride everyday and haven't really "cleaned" the bike since June. It sits out in the sun and rain during the day at work by the chemical plants. But just 10 minutes applying the HD leather treatment, sit over night and when I wipe it off the next day, my bags will look as good as any ones.

Sorry, that was a long post when all I meant to say is, you can treat em like crap and they'll still clean up just fine.
 
Although my bags differ from RK (hard) - I take them off every other wash cycle. Wouldn't want to spray S100 on the soft bags though - best to wash separate & treat w/proper leather product.
 
I wash my bike pretty often. I remove the bags and my rear rack and passenger back rest. I unclip my windshield and move it forward. I dont think the water is much good for the leather bags. Removing the bags is a good opportunity to wipe off the back sides...they get pretty dirty back there. I use doc baileys maybe twice a season and use the harley leather conditioner in between (the gel stuff, it buffs out nice) For the 15 seconds it takes to remove the bags, I think its worth it, plus there is better access to the side covers, the rear wheels, and driver belt area...no brainer.
 
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