Soft Saddlebags

When most people think of adding luggage to a motorcycle, they think of soft saddlebags. These versatile carriers have been around since before Pony Express riders were hauling mail in the Old West.

So many companies have built soft saddlebags that it seems just about every conceivable configuration has been tried, from tiny nylon wedges designed to fit a sportbike to big leather bags with the right look to finish off your cruiser. 

There are two keys to buying soft saddlebags—the fit and the attachment system. Upswept exhaust pipes on sportbikes can destroy a set of saddlebags in no time, and could even catch fire while you ride. Make sure you buy a set with ample clearance between your muffler and the bag.

Dual-sport and adventure-touring machines, with their high-mounted pipes, can be even tougher to fit. Some companies sell metal guards you can install to keep the bag and the muffler from making contact.

Saddlebags for cruiser bikes, too, often come with metal guards to keep the bags from making contact with the drive chain or belt. Don’t use these bags without their guards. 

Besides that, proper fit comes down to making sure the bags won’t get in the way of your rear turn signals and that they won’t block access to footpegs if you’re planning to carry a passenger.

Mounting soft bags is usually easy. Typically, you’ll have a pair of straps that go over the rear seat. These may be adjustable with Velcro strips to determine the height of the bags when mounted. A clip-on strap usually extends forward from the bottom front corner of each bag to a secure mounting point like the passenger footpeg mount. Another strap usually goes around the back of the bike to connect the two bags. Once you have everything adjusted for your machine, removing the bags is often as simple as disconnecting three clips and picking up the bags. 

Some systems attach via a harness that stays on the bike. You then disconnect the bags from the harness, which leaves all your adjustments in place.

Either way, the major drawback to soft saddlebags, like all strap-on luggage, is that they can’t be locked. This can present a problem if you want to leave your bike parked somewhere while you’re sightseeing. You can use a cable lock to secure the bags to the bike, or you could carry your valuables in something more portable, like a tankbag with backpack straps, and figure that no one will want your extra shirts and underwear enough to take them.

Two other considerations are moisture (most soft saddlebags aren’t waterproof and will require rain covers) and comfort, since the straps that hold up soft bags usually sit on top of the passenger seat (and therefore under your passenger’s seat) and the front straps can get in the way of your passenger’s feet.

But if you find a set of soft bags that properly fit your bike (and with the wide range of choices available, chances are you can), they could provide all the luggage you’ll ever need.