We have a pretty set standard here fro what a Bagger is to us, but maybe you can enlighten us to just what you feel a true bagger is!  

well by sure definition it should have bags, I don't know if that means hard or soft, but bags.  and some type of fairing or windshield of some type.  It should be able to do the long haul, not that you have to use it for that reason alone, but 200 to 600 (iron butt) miles should be do able, at least by the bike, if not the rider. lol

It doesn't matter what make or model it is, but that is my thought.  I like them all, and I can afford one.  Some day my son will be in college or out of it, and I will have enough cash to have what I love, and I am sure that will change as he still has 5 more years BEFORE college.

Tony  

I agree with tong1500 it should have bags (soft or hard) and have a windshield and/or fairing.  This also could mean a chopper bagger like Redneck builds or even an old bike.  I would also like to respond to last months issue on trikes, are these baggers or??????  I think they have their places but to see them in Baggers Mag......sure why not.  Just my two cents worth.  Ride Safe  

Personally I think it should have hard bags and a fairing.  

I don't think it matters if it's got anything at all in the front, fairing, etc.  But it should be a cruiser in style, heavy and low, regardless of whether or not the bags are leather or fiberglass. Not a 650 with some throw over leathers.  Definately not a sportbike or european enduro with a set of add-ons.  

I'd agree with 'maddevilmac'. Fairings optionals, bags (hard or soft) are a must, and cruiser in style.  

Hello, my two cents worth:

Bagger - Comes stock with bags. A Fatboy, or Dyna Low is not a bagger. A Street Glide is. If they ever come out with the V-Rod touring it will be a bagger [so long as it comes with bags]. A Heritage Softtail is a bagger. [Sorry it is the one bike I don't care for...]

The tri-glide, well I've read the debate in the magazine, I think it is. That trunk has a lot of storage no?

As well it gives those that want the motorcycle feel, with the stability of the trike [older bikers, or people with disabilities.] I know a friend of my dad was paralyzed on a bike, and the story kept me off a bike until last year. He built a trike, called it the 'gimp-mobile' ha ha . He took another friend of the family who was a quadriplegic for about a 4 hour ride. Helluva lot nicer than a wheel chair.

I guess I am pro-trike. I am happy for anyone that enjoys biking in general. There is that kid who developed the uni-cycle motorcycle. If it came with hard bags I dunno...  

Cruiser style, w/bags  

Well implied by the name "Bagger" it would refer to any bike that comes with bags.  Don't think the term bagger has anything to do with what type of equipment is on the front of the bike.  

Any Cycle with HARD BAGS deserves to be in "Baggers"
Anything with soft bags is a pretender & rarely mentions (i.e. the 950 Star) C'mon guys there are only 4 bikes out there that reall desreve any consideration. All the H-D Glides & Throw in the
Road King, Victory Vision, Kawasaki Nomad
(& the return on the Voyager, big bagger props)
and the Triumph Rocket 3 Tourer.
We get it that H-D is 90 to 95% of the market but, there a lot of us out there who ride "Something else" and are just as happy if not happier. And with the upgrades & redo's of the Nomad/Voyager (belt drive, 100 more cc's, cruise control &
Oh My, TOP opening bags) I would think it's worth a FEATURE article, Hell, Share it with Billy B. over at "Motorcycle Cruiser", since Toph did a guest spot over there (& will probaly do more in the future). I subscribe to BOTH mags & would not mind reading the article twice!!!  
BlackMax  

Oh Yeah and one more thing
"Baggers Forever, Trikes, NEVER" !!!!!!!
Go get your own specialty mag & keppit afloat
BlackMax  

I am not sure that I own a Bagger. Maybe not. My bike has Hard Backed Saddleman bags, and no windshield or fairing. I am not sure that I am really trying to make my Vulcan 1600 Classic fit the Bagger Category. Right now it is my only bike and it does all of the overnight/weekend long trips I can take and it works for me.  

There's a fine line between a bagger and a touring bike and depends on how you define the two.  For me, a bagger is a bike (regardless if came stock, cruiser, sport, etc)that has bags (soft or hard) and functions the same way, carry your junk.  Heck, look at some of the metrics that first released a cruiser then a year later slapped some bags and a windscreen and now it is a bagger/ touring bike.  

A tourer on the other hand is a bike that comes stock and is designed to handle a long ride.  For example, a sport bike or 650cc (or a sportster for that matter) with bags and fairing would not be ideal to ride 500 miles in one day(s) (although it can be done).  Where as a tourer (step up from a bagger) would provide the power and comfort to go on a log haul.  

So with all that said, a bagger is a bike with functional bags (not on a rack but along side the rear wheel) and a tourer is the next step up.

V