Quality Motorcycle Saddlebags

In our opinion, quality motorcycle saddlebags are a must!

There are saddlebags available for almost every type of motorcycle. Touring, sport bike, cruiser or commuter motorcycle… there are saddlebags made for your ride or ones that can be adapted.

Saddlebags are an essential accessory for any motorcycle. For even short rides, at a minimum you’ll want to carry tools for minor mechanical issues. Commuting, day rides or long distance, you will need enough storage to meet your needs. In addition to saddlebags there are touring bags and motorcycle luggage that can be temporarily attached and detached easily for when you need extra storage, such as when on a road trip. We’ll cover these options in another article.

Soft or Hard?

Saddlebags are constructed using man made and natural materials. Soft bags are made from materials such as cowhide leather or synthetic materials. Hard bags are constructed from rigid materials such as cowhide leather, hard fiberglass, metal, ABS plastic and Cordura. Several hard saddlebags manufacturers offer painted or color matched bags to coordinate with your ride. Rigid bags are more resilient to harsh weather that most soft bags. That said, with proper care and cleaning, soft bags can last for years of riding.

Mounting Options

The simplest saddlebag type to install on your motorcycle are soft throw-over bags. This type will be less expensive and can be used on most motorcycles without having to be specifically matched to the make and model. Throw-over bags are usually mounted without having to drill into the bike or make modifications. If you have a passenger or pillion seat, you simply remove the seat and drape the bags over the rear fender, then replace the seat. There may be straps or sinches supplied to tighten the bags to the bike if you ride without a rear seat.

Hard saddlebags, also know as rigid-mount saddlebags, will be more exspensive with the painted or color matched bags being the most costly. You will have to confirm the saddlebags you choose can be mounted on the year, make and model of your motorcycle. You will need to mount the bags using mechanical fasteners and most of the time it will require special brackets. You may need to drill into the fender or existing parts on your bike.

Hard VS Soft Throw-Over Pro’s and Con’s

Hard Saddlebag Pro’s:

• Security – Some hard bags can be locked to keep your belongings safe. Not only locking them from being opened, but locking the bags onto your bike
• Weather Resistance – Hard bags resist water and dust from damaging the contents
• Longer Life Expectancy – With proper care, hard bags will last as long as you have your motorcycle.
• Curb Appeal – The painted and color matched bags look great and can make the motorcycle look more streamlined.
• Portability – Some hard bags can be removed from the bike with a latching mechanism to carry them inside when you have reached your destination.

Hard Saddlebags Con’s:

• Expense – Unless you find a “Cheap” hard saddlebag (which we do not recommend), hard can be harder on your wallet.
• Tougher Installation – You will need to be mechanically inclined to mount most hard saddlebags. It will require drilling and using specialized brackets.
• Selection – You will need to find hard bags that are specific to your year, make and model motorcylcle.

Throw-0ver Bags Pro’s:

• Cost – Less expensive than Hard Bags
• Installation – Simple to install. Most can be thrown over the rear fender and secured. If there is a rear seat, remove the seat first and replace over the bags.
• Selection – Not as restrictive when it comes to choosing the bags. Throw-over bags can be adapted to fit on most motorcuycles.

Throw-Over Bags Cons:

• Security – Easier to be stolen or opened. Bags can be cut off the bike with a good sharp knife. Bags are usually secured closed with a strap and buckle.
• Weather Resistance – Some may be water resistant, but not water and dust proof. Waterproof liners can be used to keep the contents dry.
• Durability -Throw-over bags have a shorter life expectancy. Proper maintenance of the bags can extend their life.

Our Saddlebag Recomendations

Hard Rigid-Mount Bags:

• Boss Bags bossbags.com
• Accessory International accessoryinternational.com
• Viking Saddlebags vikingbags.com
• Leather works Inc. leatherworksinc.com bags
• Saddlemen saddlemen.com
• Corbin corbin.com
• Nasty Hog nastyhog.com
• Harley Davidosn harley-davidson.com
• Nelson-Rigg nelsonrigg.com

Soft Throw-Over Bags:

• Boss Bags bossbags.com
• Viking Saddlebags vikingbags.com
• Leather works Inc. leatherworksinc.com bags
• American Legend Rider americanlegendrider.com
• Nelson-Rigg nelsonrigg.com