Goldwing F6B's 2013-2015 Electronic Saddlebag Door Release Kit

[2wheelsforme]

I guess I'm lucky in that I don't have a problem with the locks and love the way they work. I have the valet key with a small knob always in the keyhole in the unlock position, not noticeable at all and never keys hanging from the lock. That sounds like the biggest gripe you have about this system and I did not like it either until installing the always unlocked key and knob. Just a pull on the lever and I'm in the bag. Can be removed if I wish to lock the bags, seldom needed. The ignition key is either in the slot or in my pocket, not needed anywhere else. Another Valet key with an even smaller knob is always in the right side to open the middle cubby and easily removed to unlock the fuel door, no need to remove the ignition key to access sunglasses or fuel door. Now if you want to go modern we need a fob with a proximity switch and starter button that only works when you are close to the bike. No having to dig in a pocket. You would still need to pull the lever to open the bags. Friends with HDs and those switches seen to have some problems sometimes but the one on my my Pathfinder works great. My remote control garage door opener is much more easy to use now that is mounted hidden on the bike with a momentary push switch mounted in the panel to the left and can even be pressed with my knee to open garage. So if I had a remote to open the bags I would want it mounted (hidden I guess) on the bike to avoid having to carry it in my pocket but don't see how that would be more easy that just pulling the lever.

[JMartin]

I also wonder why if you are preparing for a failed battery in the remote by packing the tools required to manually open the bags why not just pack an extra battery for the remote? But I often don't understand. t

I don't think the concern here is for a failed battery in the remote, but for a failed battery on the bike... in which case you could push the remote as many times as you want, but there is no juice in the bike battery to power the actuators and open the bags. The tools then become necessary to open the saddlebags... but you still have a dead battery on the bike.

But you are correct in that carrying a small screwdriver and an extra remote battery would be a much easier solution than the removal of the seat... because the real problem, as I have heard from others, is the nightmare of trying to re-align those factory seat bolts for the re-installation of said seat. Which, if it happened only once, would eliminate any collective time savings for each time you didn't have to simply move the key from the ignition to the saddlebag lock and its return.

Having said that, it often amazes me how dependent people become on things like remote fobs. You would be surprised at the number of AAA calls we receive from people who "can't get into their vehicle" because their remote fobs don't work... and they have become so numb to this technology that it's actually entertaining to see the look on their face when my drivers ask them for their fob... flip out the key... and STICK IT IN THE DOOR and turn it to open their car. Which of course starts right up once they are inside it. (I run a towing company here on the West Coast - if you hadn't guessed).

[2wheelsforme]

I bet a lot of people don't know the fob has a hard key inside it to open the door and that the fob works if really close to the starter push button.

[53driver]

I do not understand the advantages of the remote control opener for the bags. I mean you are right at the bike anyway and it only requires a gentle pull so why is it better to carry a remote control rather than just pull the lever? I'm guessing if it came with a remote control someone would be trying to figure a way to mount it on the bike rather than carrying it in your pocket. Now if your levers are gone like 53driver then yes it is needed.

Yes....

I also wonder why if you are preparing for a failed battery in the remote by packing the tools required to manually open the bags why not just pack an extra battery for the remote? But I often don't understand. t

The failed battery would be the bike's not the remote....

When we going riding?

Cheers,
Steve

[2wheelsforme]

I'm going on a ride tonight, another Sat morning and again Sunday morning with our local SCRC. Taking advantage of this great 70 deg weather. You are welcome to come ride as a visitor on any/all of them. I'm leading the Saturday ride. DQ on Scenic KSU 9:00 Sat and Sun.

[scoplin]

I have it installed and really like it, comes in handy when the wife wants in the side bags time and time again. Don't have to unlock the locks to open the bags just click a button and she is in. I am addressing the dead battery issue via the trailer wiring plug. I can use the plug to run my battery tender and can plug into if the battery is dead and open the saddle bags.

[BACA]

I've got it installed on my F6 and would do it again........works great........ In case of a battery malfunction - I have the tools in the left hand compartment by the handlebars so I can remove the seat and the rear panel to open the saddlebags manually and also to the remove the left side cover to get at the battery. Sounds like a pain, but it's a small price to pay for the convenience of opening the saddlebags. I've had it installed for a couple of years now and have had no problems.

Bike battery not the remote battery.....sorry!

[3Chief]

I guess I'm lucky in that I don't have a problem with the locks and love the way they work. I have the valet key with a small knob always in the keyhole in the unlock position, not noticeable at all and never keys hanging from the lock. That sounds like the biggest gripe you have about this system and I did not like it either until installing the always unlocked key and knob. Just a pull on the lever and I'm in the bag. Can be removed if I wish to lock the bags, seldom needed. The ignition key is either in the slot or in my pocket, not needed anywhere else. Another Valet key with an even smaller knob is always in the right side to open the middle cubby and easily removed to unlock the fuel door, no need to remove the ignition key to access sunglasses or fuel door. Now if you want to go modern we need a fob with a proximity switch and starter button that only works when you are close to the bike. No having to dig in a pocket. You would still need to pull the lever to open the bags. Friends with HDs and those switches seen to have some problems sometimes but the one on my my Pathfinder works great. My remote control garage door opener is much more easy to use now that is mounted hidden on the bike with a momentary push switch mounted in the panel to the left and can even be pressed with my knee to open garage. So if I had a remote to open the bags I would want it mounted (hidden I guess) on the bike to avoid having to carry it in my pocket but don't see how that would be more easy that just pulling the lever.

My Concours has that proximity for the ignition and it works great plus the fob has the removable key that I use for the fuel cap and the bags. The BMW I test road had the full on remote that worked great. My bags have been rifled more then once at work so I would be pulling the valet key setup everyday. Coming up with a system like the BMW's, to me, would seem the best setup. Like I said before it's one of the few things about the B that irritates me and I'll get the remote setup this summer barring any unforeseen issues that arise. That hidden switch for the garage is great idea, the new place will have a gate minder and eventually a remote garage door opener.

[tiltingf6b]

I have it installed and really like it, comes in handy when the wife wants in the side bags time and time again. Don't have to unlock the locks to open the bags just click a button and she is in. I am addressing the dead battery issue via the trailer wiring plug. I can use the plug to run my battery tender and can plug into if the battery is dead and open the saddle bags.

Scoplin - great idea! thanks.

[Gssbmm]

I installed this kit and love it. In case of a battery failure I have one of the battery jumpstart kit. The pod that cycle gear sells. It fits nicely in the cubby below the handle bars. I have a lead hooked up to the battery that plugs straight into the unit so it is plug and go. Mostly the pod gets used for jumping dead harleys. I also keep a spare remote battery in there as well.