A motorcycle is a type of transportation mean that’s hard not to love. They are appealing, sexy and can take you almost anywhere you want. That’s why making the driving experience as comfy as possible is one of the main things bikers want to do. Except for taking good care of it and maintaining it on a regular basis, having a storage space aka ‘motorbike trunk’ is another required thing. Without a doubt, travelling on two wheels is fast and one of the most exciting and fun ways to get somewhere. But to truly enjoy the experience, you’ll need to buy motorcycle luggage.
How to Carry Luggage on a Motorcycle?
Whether you are tight on a budget or not, there is luggage for motorcycles for all of us. You just need to go over the several luggage options and choose the one that suits you the most.
Saddle Bags
Without a doubt, saddlebags are one of the most popular and commonly used types of motorcycle bags. The great capacity and simple style are the things that make motorcyclists buy motorcycle luggage of this kind. These luggage options, in fact, are designed to carry the weight down low to avoid disrupting the motorcyclist’s centre of gravity. Saddlebags are soft bags with a semi-rigid construction and can be made of textile, leather, synthetic leather or a mix of some other flexible materials. On the other hand, they can also come in the form of hard bags that are made of moulded plastic, aluminium, fibreglass, etc.
In case travelling with your motorbike is not something you plan to do, nor carrying lots of things in the luggage, you can opt for throw-over saddlebags. They are quite affordable and can be installed quite easy thanks to the cross-strap that goes under the seat pan or over the top of the seat. A thing to have in mind is that these types of saddlebags are not specially designed for any motorbike model, you will need to adjust them carefully. This is essential, otherwise, they could get loose when driving and can cause a problem.
Soft Bags
Soft motorbike bags can come in different materials like leather and synthetic leather for example, and all of them can range in shape, size and durability. You should choose according to your style, personal taste and budget of course. A thing to have in mind when buying soft motorbike luggage is that usually they are not waterproof, so considering an inner waterproofed lining would be smart. When out on the road when it’s raining, you can even choose to use rain covers for both you and the bags as additional proof that your belongings won’t get soaked and ruin your day.
Hard Bags
When looking for something that offers greater protection and security, then you should think about buying hard motorcycle bags. Although more expensive and in the need for a more professional installation, hard bags have better weather-resistance properties and are worth the money. Since they offer utmost protection, a laptop, helmet and many other things can be carried in them. Just make sure you choose the right size. Unlike soft bags that can be stuffed with things until completely full, hard bags don’t allow this because of their rigid construction. They have a fixed capacity, so before making any decision, it’s recommended to look at its dimensions, weight and volume options.
Sissi Bar Bags
If you are in need of a large storage capacity, considering investing in a sissy bar bag. Usually, these come with a large primary bag that has an additional round bag installed on the top. Both of these bags are designed to be joined together and fastened with a sissy bar. With a great capacity, amazing look, durable construction and option to be weather-resistant, these bags can really double the storage when planning a long road trip.
Tank Bags
If you are looking for affordable, convenient and comfortable piece of motorbike luggage, then you need to consider tank bags. Although practical, these bags are not designed for carrying a lot of things. They are perfect for carrying small items like your phone, wallet, GPS, some snacks and drinks. And that’s it. On the other hand, they are extremely easy to install and remove as a great number of them have strong magnets installed inside the textile flaps. Their purpose is to hold the bag in place on the bike.
Backpacks
Last but not least, you can invest in a motorcycle backpack as they are extremely easy to carry. As for the storage capacity, just like tank bags, they are designed for storing only smaller items.
