In this video, we’ll be showing you how to remove the saddlebags on a 2018 Harley-Davidson Road Glide. This job is super easy and requires no tools. Some of the reasons you’d want to remove the saddlebags are: to check rear tire pressure (so you don’t have to push the bike until you can see the valve stem at the bottom), to wash the rear wheel, to adjust the belt tension, or to get under the side covers.

First things first: Unlock the saddlebag lid if it’s locked. With the lid open look inside; against the back wall you will see two handles. Start with either the front or back handle (it doesn’t really matter), and unthread it. Once one is out, move to the next one and repeat the process. Make sure to support the bag when taking out the last piece; although the bag is resting on a bar and won’t fall onto the muffler, it can still fall forward. With both handles removed, the saddlebag will come right off, and now you can get to your rear wheel or side covers easily.

Harley-Davidson also makes saddlebag stands if you’d like to have a safe place to set the bags while working on the bike or washing it. I do recommend getting one of these as those bags can tip over quite easily, and if they do, well, there goes your paint job.