I just pulled the trigger on the OEM bags because I was concerned if I don't, I'll never be able to find them.
Most are out of stock or low stock. I couldn't find a single Honda dealer/evilbay seller that had everything needed to mount them (stays/brackets/bags/hardware) I pieced my order with several sellers, actually worked well with one seller offering sale price and free shipping, combined with money from returns in my PayPal account saved me several hundred dollars.

Just mentioning in case someone is interested in buying, the sellers are eBay sellers "Hondaoftroy" and "Powersportsxpres"

My experience too.

How mine attached

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Another two views

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Would love to see a "zoomed out" image.

I received my OEM "leather" saddlebags today. I was disappointed in the materials. The only thing I am sure is leather is the lid keeper at the inside hinge. The top might be leather. The sides don't appear to be leather at all. On the upside, the bags are very accessible with a wide opening, the lid swings completely open and the bags are easy to mount & remove. On the upside, the Obenauf's Leather Preservative I got for the bags can go for my boots and jacket.

Sorry you don't like them. I am quite happy with mine, and I believe them to be leather top to bottom. I could be wrong, as there are some really good faux leather products out there. But Honda says they are leather, and I have no basis to question them. Did you get them mounted? Any issues? Did you remove the passenger pegs or leave them on?


Richmonder

I think they are ok and I am warming to them. The Honda bags are more user friendly than the Leatherworks, Inc., bags I had on my 1500 Valkyrie. I'm glad I got the studded ones. On closer examination, I have to agree with you they are all leather with the exception of the side that mounts to the braket. It will be interesting how well they absorb the Obenauf's Leather Preservative Oil.

The saddlebag hardware is all installed on the bike but the saddlebags are not mounted yet. I have a wide variety of stainless steel fender washers out in my storage unit and I want to use them to help spread out the weight on the saddlebag mounting surface. It may be a solution to a non-existing problem but it can't hurt. I'm also replacing the OEM socket head bolts with stainless steel button head bolts to have a smoother rounded profile in the bag. I'm thinking the button head bolts will do less damage to anything in the bags.

I was considering removing the passenger footpeg, passenger seat, and sissybar pad since I don't plan on having any passengers. But then I am going back for my 52nd high school reunion and I promised my old girlfriend that I would give her a ride so the passenger stuff may stay.

I was having an issue with both the gear shift and rear brake peddle being too low so today I did replace the factory driver's footpeg with Knight Design LLC lowering pegs with a 29mm drop. I have yet to try them out.

So I gather then that you installed the brackets without removing the rear pegs. That is shown as a step in the Honda instructions but for the garage mechanic, it's virtually impossible without specialized tools, and is not necessary if you're careful. The hard work is now done. Installing the bags is a piece of cake. Congrats!


Richmonder

I did take the passenger pegs off with no issues. I've got a nice set of short and long hex bit sockets that made removal/reinstalling with a 3/8" ratchet a simple process.