2014 CVO Deluxe, saddlebags locked in, cruising along highway, hit a small pothole and left hand saddlebag flies off.

Once upon a time HD would use higher quality plastic lugs that wouldn't be prone to splinter. $1,400 out of pocket.

Not good.

Its pretty fucked mate….shit happens

Not good bud , no warranty on that ?

yeah wouldn't warranty still cover a 2014 model

As you have indicated, better quality materials would solve the problem, so perhaps short to the point emails may assist. If not for you today, then in future builds.

Paying for a CVO (or any other HD), you'd expect top quality materials to be used. It's small things like this that ruin a brand's reputation.

Lot of money to be out of pocket for such an error. I feel for you.

If warranty doesn't cover it then you should be able to claim it on your insurance, I claimed a left pannier that came off a Triumph I used to own without any hassle from the insurance company (had to pay the excess first though).

Have had my 2012 street glide pannier come adrift twice. They are now bolted on!

I always make sure of double checking the locking mechanism and the lock is "clicked" in. It's totally fucked me how it could come off.

I've researched the US forum and there are heaps of threads with saddlebags falling off. They cable tie them to the bike which makes sense.

Having said that I've got a $40K bike and I shouldn't have to use cable ties to keep my saddle bags from falling off. (nothing is infallible I guess).

Insurance normally only covers you if you hit something like a roo etc. but in my case I hit a pot hole before it came off so will give it a go.