The Right Motorcycle Saddlebags & Luggage Make Your Rides So Much Easier

When people are considering a motorcycle, either to buy or just to ride for daily errands, storage is often seen as a deal-breaking point.  Bikes can’t hold as much as a car, which makes many people see them as impractical – but that shouldn’t force you onto four wheels!  You actually have plenty of options for storage, including motorcycle saddlebags, and other types of luggage.

Before you forego the fun of two-wheeled riding, think about your options in cargo-carrying.  There could easily be a solution that lets you enjoy the open road in all its glory.

Six Great Options for Better Storage on Your Motorcycle

1 – Built-in storage

Motorcycle manufacturers know that storage is an issue, and many bikes come standard with more storage built-in than you might expect this can come in a couple of different forms.

• Hard luggage.  Many bikes have built-in motorcycle saddlebags, or other side-mounted storage, which are a part of the frame.  The nice thing about these is that they’re easily accessible, and the bike has already been balanced around them.
• Under-seat storage.  Another popular option is to leave an empty cavity beneath the seat, which can be flipped up to grant access.  This doesn’t increase the bike’s width, but the amount of storage is usually limited.
• Rear storage.  Occasionally, you’ll see a bike that simply sticks a storage compartment on the rear.  It doesn’t look pretty, but it definitely gives you more room to stow goods like groceries.

2 – Saddlebags

Motorcycle saddlebags are almost always the most popular option for adding storage to a bike.  Even if your bike doesn’t have any bags built-in, there are plenty of aftermarket saddlebags that simply strap onto the seat and hang off the sides.  These can significantly improve your storage capacity.

The important thing is to make sure they aren’t too big for your bike and won’t sag to the point they come into contact with the wheels or other critical parts.  Open Road Leather and Accessories provides a simple sizing chart to assist you in choosing the right size. You’ll also want to choose between hard or soft saddlebags.  The former tends to be more permanent but may increase the bike’s overall width.  Soft bags are usually removable and can be stowed when not in use.

Also, should you ever end up with your bike on top of you, you’d want soft bags rather than hard.  Just saying.

3 – Luggage rack / top trunk

With most bikes, it’s not hard to add a small luggage rack to the rear, behind the seat.  This will take a bit of modification to attach it, but once the rack is in place, it can easily hold a small piece of luggage.  There are also all-in-one systems that include both the rack and attached luggage, to make the upgrade easier.

The main issue here is that sometimes they can press into your back if they aren’t fully behind the seat.  Plus, they do tend to stick out.  Be sure to get a good lock for your luggage if you’re going this route.

For larger bags, you may also want to install some straps or bungee cords to further secure the bag.  You don’t want it coming loose when you’re flying down the highway!

4 – Tank bags

If you have a metal gas tank, these are great.  They have magnets on the bottom and can just be slapped directly onto the tank without the need for any more attachments or other alterations.  Plus, in most configurations, this puts the bag directly in front of you – meaning you can potentially access it while on the road, without needing to stop and pull over.

We don’t recommend distracted driving, but this can be extremely convenient while you’re waiting at a stoplight.

In some cases, tank bags have straps allowing them to be used as backpacks as well.  Speaking of…

5 – Backpacks

Don’t forget your carrying capacity!  Just about any backpack you could wear will extend the cargo space of your motorcycle.  In the case of larger outdoorsman-style backpacks, they may even be large enough to rest directly on the seat, taking some of the weight off your back, while acting as a seat for you.

The big downside is simply that this will add a lot of extra weight to your body, which can be wearying.  Especially heavy loads could also throw you off balance.

6 – Sidecars or trailers

If you’re going for a long ride, such as on vacation, you probably will want more storage than can fit on the bike itself.  In these cases, you might look at buying either a sidecar or a small trailer the bike can tow.  It’s not sexy, but it’ll give you all the space you need.

Some trailers are even large enough to serve as a tiny apartment, making them perfect for camping trips or other extended road trips.

Open Road Leather & Accessories Has the Upgrades You Need!

Since 2005, we’ve been providing the best in motorcycle gear and accessories, to give you the best possible ride.  From concealed carry to motorcycle saddlebags, to great apparel, we have it all.

Click here to browse our gear!