What Type Of Bag Is Right For You
- Motorcycle Gear Reviews
- Feb 10, 2022
- 6 min read
Updated: Apr 3, 2024
It doesn't matter if your motorcycle is your primary transportation, if you are going for a quick ride for a few hours, or heading cross country, you will need to bring things with you. This is one of the things I love most about a motorcycle. You are limited in what you can take with you, which makes you evaluate what you really need. For me, it is one of the things that makes riding so freeing. Of course, sometimes, you have to be a bit creative to carry the things you need for a trip. It can be a challenge.
The bag or bags you choose will largely be decided by how much you need to carry, but also may be limited by the size or style of your bike. You also have to consider how the bags attach to the motorcycle, do they allow easy access to items you might need quickly or often, and does it fit in the style of your bike. In this article, we are going to explore the different style of bags that are available and help you determine the right bike for your riding style and your needs.
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Windshield Bags
Windshield bags are small bags or pouches that attach to the inside of your windshield. Of course, for this bag to be practical, you would have to have a windshield on your bike. Usually, these are single bags or three smaller connected bags. They are great for carrying small items that you may need quick access to during a trip. They attach to the windshield using one of the existing bolts that holds the windshield to the windshield frame. You may need a longer bolt to accommodate the thickness of the additional material.
Tool Bags
A tool bag is a small bag that normally varies in size from 8 inches to 14 inches long. They can be attached to the motorcycle in a variety of places. They could be mounted to the forks of your bike (this is why they are often referred to as fork bags), on the risers, sissy bar, or small luggage rack. Typically, I run mine on the risers. They are ideally suited for cruisers, as there is limited places to mount them on a touring bike. Tool bags were originally intended to hold tools. Yeah, go figure. So, they are obviously suited to that purpose quite well. You certainly aren't going to pack for an overnight trip in a tool bag, but you might be surprised by what all you can fit in them. When the weather is warm, I usually pack items I might need if I'm out after dark. So I can usually fit a pair of full finger gloves, clear riding glasses, a face mask to stay warm, and a multitool (just in case).
Tank Bags
A tank bag is a bat that mounts to the tank of your motorcycle, just in front of the rider. Tank bags are best suited for sport bikes or adventure touring, but can be used on most any motorcycle. I'm not a huge fan of tank bags on a cruiser or touring bike. Yes, they can provide a lot of additional storage space, but I always worry too much about scratching the paint. Tank bags do have a lot of great advantages though. They can provide a lot of extra space, depending on the size of the bag. The size of these bags can vary quite a bit. Some are just big enough for a few small essential items. Others are large enough to hold quite a bit. On the larger side, they might hold a lap top (if you commute to work on your bike), and a light jacket. They are also great for items you might want to get to quickly while on a trip. You can access the compartments while still on the bike. Most have a main large compartment and several small compartments on the sides and front of the bag. Click Here to check out a variety of available tank bags!
Swing Arm Bags
A swing arm bag is usually a triangular shaped bag that mounts to the swing arm of your motorcycle. I'd give swing arm bags a 10 for style. They look great and offer an old school style. They also offer a fair amount of storage for smaller items. You could back an extra shirt, socks and pair of gloves in most of them. For most riders that are only going to ride for a few hours, they will offer enough storage to carry what you need for a day on the bike. Swing arm bags are best suited for cruisers. It is very important to verify the fit to your motorcycle and ensure proper installation. You want to make sure that no part of the bag could interfere with the operation of the bike. That means making sure a strap couldn't get caught in the wheel, chain or belt. Also ensure that the bag doesn't interfere with the exhaust. A big consideration is that on many bikes, you have to remove passenger pegs for the bag to fit and mount properly. This is especially true for Dyna's. If you have a solo seat or never carry a passenger, you are all set. For many riders, this drawback is a deal killer on this style of bag.
Saddlebags
Saddlebags are usually the first thing people think of when they consider bags on motorcycles. Saddlebags track their history back to horses. Throwing a set of bags attached with a yoke over your horse was a quick and easy way to carry items on your horse. Now that we ride horses of steel, they have evolved quite a bit. Saddle bags can vary greatly in size, but usually have enough room to pack for an overnight trip for two or, if you are creative a weekend getaway.
There are two primary types of saddlebags. Hard bags, which are usually made from plastic or some other form of composite material. These are what you typically find on touring bikes. They are usually hard mounted to the bike or attached with a quick release feature. Hard bags will usually come from the manufacturer on a touring bike, but could be added to a cruiser. Depending on your bike, you will require mounting hardware and possibly a turn signal relocation kit. Soft bags are more traditional on a cruiser motorcycle. Soft bags are usually made from leather or a synthetic material. Soft bags can be attached to a motorcycle a few different ways. They can be mounted in the same fashion as hard bags with mounting hardware or they might be throw over bags. With throw overs, the two bags are attached with a yoke. The yoke is a piece of material that is used to drape the bags over the rear fender. Most yokes are adjustable to allow the best fit for your bike. With throw over saddlebags, you should also have bag supports. Bag supports are mounted to the motorcycle and keep the bags from possibly rubbing the rear tire. Obviously, that could be a huge safety issue. Throw over saddlebags offer the convenience of removing the bags from the bike once you hare reached your destination. You can remove the seat (if you put it under a seat), undo a few fasteners and throw them over your shoulder to head to the hotel.
Related Article: The Best in Leather Saddlebags
Sissy Bar Bags
Sissy bar bags are small bags that attach to the back of your sissy bar. they attach to the bar itself, so a luggage rack is not required. They are great for the small essential items. They are a great way to add additional storage and keep the sleek look of your bike. You will want to check measurements for your bike to ensure they will fit. The taller your sissy bar, the easier it is to find a bag to fit. With a short bar, the bag may rub the fender. So, just be sure to check the measurements for width and length.
Trunk / Travel Bags
A trunk bag or travel bag is a large bag that either rides on the rear seat or on a luggage rack on the rear of the motorcycle. Other bags that fall into this category are bags that mount to the luggage rack of your tour pack for expanded space and storage. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes to allow you to find one that fits your style and volume requirements. Be careful of adding a bag that is too large to a luggage rack as most have a weight limit of 10lbs. These are perfect for those long distance hauls. You can usually pack enough inside of a large bag for a few days on the road. Usually, these bags offer one large main compartment and additional side or top compartments for smaller items.
You can find them made of synthetic materials or leather. I have been a hobbyist leather worker for years, so I bet you can guess my preference. Functionally, they are about the same, but I prefer the look of the leather bags. Of course, it's your bike and your call. Click Here to check out a variety of styles in the travel bag category!