Motorcycle Saddlebags

We have all been out for a ride, seen something we wanted to take home, and had to leave it behind for lack of space. This has been a problem since the motorcycle was invented, but the solution was invented before the problem. The solution is the cowboy's old standby: saddlebags. Certainly the first motorcycle saddlebags were borrowed directly from the nearest livery stable, but it is no longer necessary to do so. There is a variety of custom-made saddlebags available today, from studded leather to bomb-proof cordura. The manufacturers don't expect them to just be flung over the saddle, either, as they usually come with straps and brackets that ensure safe and permanent mounting to the bike. There are many types of bags which are intended for many uses.

The most obvious use for a motorcycle saddlebag is to create luggage space on the bike. This enables the rider to stop and pick up the odd grocery item, or that latest issue of his favorite motorcycle magazine. No more stashing things in your jacket, just drop them in the bag. If only occasional use is anticipated, then a soft-sided bag made of cordura or some other fabric is the most practical and affordable solution.

If you think that you will want to have the bags in place permanently, then upgrading to leather motorcycle saddlebags are a good idea. Leather bags offer much better protection than soft bags, and also add a rakish look to most cruisers. They can be had in many sizes and shapes, with all sorts of decorations, and with lids that either lock or buckle. Leather bags are usually mounted to a metal frame that sits behind them out of sight. This type of mounting ensures that they will not flap around or fall off, and helps them maintain their shape and appearance.

At the high end, there are two choices for saddlebags for motorcycles. One choice is the hard plastic or metal saddlebag that is covered with leather and designed to look like an old-fashioned leather saddle bag. These will generally be a bit larger than the all-leather item, and will offer permanently attached lockable storage suitable to traveling overnight. Another similar solution is the fiberglass or plastic saddlebag. Hard saddlebags for motorcycles can usually accommodate even more luggage, making multi-day trips practical for two people. They will generally be mounted permanently to the cycle, although many are designed to be unlocked from the bike and carried into the room for the night.

Buying motorcycle saddlebags can be a chore, mainly because there are so many types and makers. The first source to be considered is the dealer for the bike to which they are to be mounted. Usually they will have good-quality items that are designed to be custom mounted to the bike. They are also, unfortunately, frequently the most expensive, but bring the advantage of someone local to deal with in case of a problem. Catalogs and the internet will turn up a host of choices, and the variety of styles and sizes is larger. The most important thing when buying this way is to make sure that the manufacturer intended the bags for use on the specific bike in question.