Leather Motorcycle Gear

Saddlebags and Panniers

Saddlebags have been around since, well, saddles. The concept is easy to grasp, with bags hanging over the sides of a bike’s tail section. Saddlebags are available in both hard and soft designs. Panniers on a motorcycle refer to hard bags, often metal and box-shaped, which are fitted for hard-core touring duties.

Soft saddlebags are made from either textile material, which complement sportier models, or leather, which are popular on cruisers. Advantages with soft saddlebags include the fact that a rider can stuff a lot of material into the flexible interior. Soft bags are also often easy to mount and remove, although a little more intensive that most tankbags. One potential wrench in soft saddlebag plans are hot exhausts, which can melt or burn nearby bags.

Hard saddlebags are for Tourers with a capital “T.” Most hard bags require more permanent mods to a stock bike with mounting brackets, but once installed, they can transform a regular bike into a formidable touring platform. One advantage hard bags enjoy is the fact that they are often lockable and easy to remove from the bike.

Another consideration for saddlebags, especially hard bags, are removable interior bags. Detaching the entire saddlebag every night gets tedious, especially after a long day of riding. Opting for easy-to-remove interior bags to carry into a hotel room, or camping tent, is a definite convenience.

Luggage Racks, Topcases and Tailbags

There is a lot of equipment that can be added to the rear end of a motorcycle. Saddlebags have been covered already, but there are also top cases and tailbags, some of which are available as complete luggage systems along with matching saddlebags. Tailbags for the rear luggage rack run the gamut from simple models similar to a tankbag to more advanced designs. Some purpose-built bags can even be attached to a sissy bar on a cruiser and look just like the small suitcases wheeled through an airport. However, if these fancy cases aren’t your style, less sophisticated options are available.

A bungee cord and small duffel is a simple motorcycle luggage solution. The bungee cord resides in the useful motorcycle item hall of fame right next to the duct tape and zip-tie for a reason. There’s not much that can’t be wrenched down to the rear end of a luggage wrack. You don’t want to go crazy and overload the rear, but a rolled sleeping bag, tent or small backpack can be bungeed down, no problemo.

Special Considerations

As motorcycle luggage is exposed to the fickle elements, a rider needs to consider waterproofing their equipment. Most soft bags come with waterproof rain covers. If not, plan on several plastic bags to keep gear dry.

When loading up, remember to use some common sense. Adding luggage to the rear can affect a bike’s handling and the suspension may need to be adjusted to counter the extra lbs. Also, it’s important to keep things nice and balanced. So don’t do something stupid, like packing your bowling ball in one saddlebag while leaving the other side empty. Though we’re kidding about the bowling ball, it is important to distribute weight evenly when loading your bike.

Another thing to remember is keeping things secured tight. A loosely-bungeed pack sliding off into the rear wheel doesn’t sound pretty.

Good luck in your motorcycle luggage search.  

Article excerpt is courtesy of motorcycle-usa.com author by staff writers

Disclaimer:  www.motorcycle-leather-gear.com and www.openroadcyclegear.com are wholly owned by RobyCo, Inc. of Reading Pennsylvania.  Excerpt articles do not represent the management opinions of RobyCo, Inc or its holdings.  Selected information is provided for discussion purposes.