This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 31st, 2009 at 8:58 pm and is filed under Motorcycle, Saddlebags. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
March 31, 2009
It used to be that motorcyle saddlebags carried the bare essentials for a long pony ride. Today our steeds and needs have changed, and our bags have grown appropriately. We like our stuff more than ever, and we like to take as much of it along as possible when we are on our motorcycles. We’ve got the necessities: rain suit, wrenches, flat fix and duct tape. We’ve got our essentials: clothing, toiletries, comely shoes and helmet-hair-hiding hat. We’ve got our basics: camera, film, binoculars, cell phone, palm-top computer, global positioning receiver…
Even the most conservative packer can find fodder enough to fill a set of saddlebags when heading out for more than a day ride, and you’ve got lots of choices. You can spend the big bucks on custom hard bags, which look nice, but if you have a pack attack or carry a passenger you may wish for something a little more pliable. They’ll also get banged up if your bike gets a little tipsy, whereas soft bags will actually cushion the fall somewhat. The soft side leaves you with a choice of leather, wannabe leather and synthetic fabric luggage.
Cowhide is the fashionable choice, and if it’s been properly treated and maintained it can stand up fairly well to most weather, though it probably won’t protect your gear from it. However, if you’re simply a fan of leather for its practical and natural properties, you’ll be hard-pressed to find any motorcycle saddlebags that aren’t laden with doo-dads (like conchos and fringe) or that use functional closures (like quality zippers and fasteners). There are loads of traditional leather saddlebag options on the market most are pricey but careful shopping can reveal many quality and quite reasonably priced motorcycle luggage alternatives.
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.