I removed the bags: it's a new bike!

[Jeremy Mitchell]

The bags are 36" edge to edge (I measured them.)  The mirrors are 39" wide.  Removing the bags has zero effect on your ability to get around obstacles, and/or lane split.

But it is like going from a 38 waistline to a 34.  You can fit through the door either way but with a 34 you just feel better about it.   

[cltsig]

I always find myself in a position to need to put something in the bags. I use the bike to go to the grocery store, and on beer runs. I often find myself at the hardware store. So basically they're trunks for my bike. So i never take them off.

Me too.  Plus bungee cords, gloves, rain gear just in case, etc.  That's part of the reason I bought the bike!

[Pokey]

The bags are 36" edge to edge (I measured them.)  The mirrors are 39" wide.  Removing the bags has zero effect on your ability to get around obstacles, and/or lane split.

Never said they did, but the bike is much narrower in the rear without them. Ride with them or ride without them, I like riding either way but "prefer" without them. And with the HUGE exhaust gone, the C14 looks pretty good going bagless too.

[EpicBadass]

Me too.  Plus bungee cords, gloves, rain gear just in case, etc.  That's part of the reason I bought the bike!

Ditto.  I take them off probably once a month because most of my trips I have something in them, and I hate using a tank bag if I don't have to.  I don't know how so many people run no bags?!

[ugocon]

The bags are 36" edge to edge (I measured them.)  The mirrors are 39" wide.  Removing the bags has zero effect on your ability to get around obstacles, and/or lane split.

I'd instead say that it has a great effect on this! 
I experience it every day in my garage.
There are columns all around and WITH the bags I must pay attention to not scratch them once passed with the mirrors.
WITHOUT the bags, once passed the column with the mirrors... I don't care and can tighten the curve as I like, way more smoothly. 

And this can be applied to any obsatcle

[jjsC6]

Saddle bags are like mustaches.  When you are younger you want one because they make you look older.  But when you get older and shave them off it makes you look younger.  I'm approaching 60 years old and I like the fact that I look and feel younger without saddlebags 

[stevewfl]

Saddle bags are like mustaches.  When you are younger you want one because they make you look older.  But when you get older and shave them off it makes you look younger.  I'm approaching 60 years old and I like the fact that I look and feel younger without saddlebags 

Man that crazy nice back seat rig stands out with those bags off

[Mister Tee]

Saddle bags are like mustaches.  When you are younger you want one because they make you look older.  But when you get older and shave them off it makes you look younger.  I'm approaching 60 years old and I like the fact that I look and feel younger without saddlebags 

What IS up with that rear seat?  Do you have a Kawabusa?

[maxtog]

What IS up with that rear seat?  Do you have a Kawabusa?

That is a standard Sargent seat with Pod storage instead of rear seat.  I have one on my bike and it is very nice.  The seat is modular.

[jjsC6]

That is a standard Sargent seat with Pod storage instead of rear seat.  I have one on my bike and it is very nice.  The seat is modular.

 

[ZG]

Number of times I have ever been 145 mph.....  zero.  Number of times I expect to ever even go over 100.... zero.

Maybe you should trade your Connie in for a Honda Rebel 250 and a minivan Max... 

[MrPepsi]

I'm with you, I don't know how you can own this bike and not at least accidentally go 100 a few times.
I know I "accidentally" do all the time.

[DeansZG]

I'm with you, I don't know how you can own this bike and not at least accidentally go 100 a few times.I know I "accidentally" do all the time.

Yep, even on my C10, weekly excursions past the "ton" were commonplace.

[Tremainiac]

I find riding with the bags on gives the bike "a presence" on the road that cagers see, and LEO doesn't see as a squid on a crotch rocket.
Like a stealth bomber? 

[Jeremy Mitchell]

I find riding with the bags on gives the bike "a presence" on the road that cagers see, and LEO doesn't see as a squid on a crotch rocket.
Like a stealth bomber? 

+1

Nothing better than smoking a young squidder with the bags on.  When they catch up and we talk they can't believe how fast it is for a "grandpa" bike.   

[JS_racer]

+1

Nothing better than smoking a young squidder with the bags on.  When they catch up and we talk they can't believe how fast it is for a "grandpa" bike.   

     i am a bag guy, always on, thought about a top box, or a tail bag instead, but it just works like this. I do a ride a week of say 400's miles and always have stuff in the cases. i just try to keep them balanced from side to side. Now on the track, they are off. my thought is its one less part to replace if i skip it in the fence. 

[maxtog]

Maybe you should trade your Connie in for a Honda Rebel 250 and a minivan Max... 

I could care less about top speed.

Now, try to keep up behind me and see how fast I *get* to the speed limit + 10, and WITH my bags on (that never come off) 

[lt1]

I like the bags and trunk for the stealth factor as well as for the practicality.  It was almost like getting a new bike when I switched from the OEM tall w/s to the OEM short that I cut 4".  Maybe if I pull the bags and trunk, the transformation will be compete.

OTOH, that would kill much of the practicality and strealth, but I may try it for a bit just for fun.

As for speed, there is just too much traffic and enforcement anywhere close to home.  Even short bursts can attract a lot of unwanted attention for the first hour or two in most directions.

[Deadeye321]

2 weeks after I got my Connie came acroos a large accident on back county road.  Every cop around was there.  Hmm, what to do when I found a nice long strech.  Gotta see how she feels 60 to 115 in the blink of an eye.  Stable and no wabble.  Ok back down to normal speeds sheed limit +10 or 15.  Just had to find out.  BTW that was with bags loaded.
   Now ride w/o bags and have large Givi top box.  Love my Connie

[maxtog]

I'm with you, I don't know how you can own this bike and not at least accidentally go 100 a few times.
I know I "accidentally" do all the time.

OK,  it might be possible I have accidentally gone over 100 a few times.   But it is pretty damn rare.