How to Select Motorcycle Saddlebags
North America is a single-land continent, meaning it is not an archipelagic country. That means traveling across it is quite easy since theoretically, you don’t have to cross large bodies of water to get from one end to another except maybe for rivers and streams.
Because of the physical characteristic of the continent, many people take up a recreational activity called cross-country traveling. It involves traveling from one state to another or one country to another in a vehicle. With regards to vehicles, cross-country travelers have a variety of choices. Many use cars, RVs, or bicycles. Some ride buses or even hitchhike to get to their destination.
One of the most popular vehicles that cross-country travelers ride is the motorcycle. It is convenient and fast. The problem is that motorcycles do not have much space to accommodate a traveler’s equipment such as maps, clothes, camping equipment, first-aid kit, tools, gadgets, food, and others. Obviously, you cannot carry them in your arms while you are driving, and you certainly can’t carry them all in your backpack; the weight and quantity is too much. So where are you supposed to carry all these important stuff? You can put them in your motorcycle saddlebags.
Saddlebags are containers that can be attached to the sides of a motorcycle. Typically, saddlebags are placed at the back of the vehicle, just beside the rear wheel.
This device for storing items began as bags made out of leather. Leather was tough and can withstand the harsh elements of the wilderness. However, this traditional material for bags was quite heavy. In the past, they were used by American cowboys. Usually, they were tied behind the saddle, specifically to the saddle’s girth. Thus they were called horseback riding saddlebags.
During that time, there were three types of bags—pommel bags, which were placed in front of the saddle; regular saddlebags, which were attached beside and at the rear of the saddle; and pannier-style bags, which were fitted over a saddle. The third type of bag makes the saddle useless for riding. The cowboy then needed a second horse where he would ride on.
Although these bags haven’t changed in their use, the storage of saddlebag luggage, they changed design. A cowboy’s equipment such as tools, knives, stirrups, spare horseshoes, and rations were stored inside. They were as useful in the past as they are today.
As mentioned before leather saddlebags were ponderous and induced extra strain for the horse due to the weight. Also, the material needs to be maintained so it would be supple. Today, saddlebags are made of other materials that are lighter, more maintenance free, but are as tough or tougher than leather.
Horses were eventually replaced by bicycles and, of course, motorcycles. Since these vehicles are equivalent to horses, saddlebags were developed and used for them. Thus, motorcycle saddlebags were invented. These saddlebags are becoming popular, especially on cruiser style motorcycles. Aside from practicality, they add a lot of style to the vehicle.
There are many sizes and styles of saddlebags to fit a biker’s needs and his motorcycle’s design. Motorcycle saddlebags are normally termed as panniers. Some saddlebags are permanent fixtures to motorcycles. There are also saddle bags that can be removed, which do not take up too much weigh and space if they are not needed. Most panniers are made out of leather, plastic, or even metal. Saddlebags that are installed on police motorcycles are perfect examples.
However, if you are cross-country traveling, you don’t need to buy those big hard panniers. Indeed, saddlebags that are made of softer materials will work fine. All of them are versatile, light, easy to use, and good looking. These saddlebags come in different colors and styles.
How do you know the right saddlebag for your motorcycle? Here are some guidelines:
1) Check the number after the denier when you buy synthetic saddlebags. The number indicates the thickness of the stitching string used in holding the bag together. A larger number means that the thread used is thicker. Following that, if the thread is thicker, then the saddle bag has more tensile strength. The thicker thread also retains the bag’s shape and stiffness even if it is empty.
2) Try fitting the bag to your motorcycle before buying them; most shops allow that, it’s just like buying clothes. You have to know if they fit you or if they look good on you, and that can be done by fitting it. The same principle is true with saddlebags; you would like to know if they would fit your motorcycle.
3) Fitting the saddlebags to the motorcycle also allows you to check how they are or should be installed. It allows you to make sure that no section of the motorcycle saddlebag touches any moving part, lights, and pipes. It also enables you to check whether the bag interferes with you or your passenger’s leg.
In the same way, check the receiving mechanisms (the part where saddlebag attaches to) of your motorcycle. These parts must be able to hold the saddlebags. Check if you could attach the bags easily.
4) Do not skip on waterproof bags. Remember that you are outside and you will never know when it rains. It wouldn’t be a nice experience if your extra clothes are wet, would it?
5) Buy saddlebags that are big enough to hold your things. Your things should fit the bags without any part of it protruding through the bag’s lid.
6) The more features the bag has, the better it is. Choose bags, whether plastic, metal, synthetic, or leather saddlebags that have several compartments in them. Separate compartments make it easier for you to organize your luggage.
Check for saddlebags with carrying handles, loops for bungee cords on the tops, and oversized zipper pulls. Also don’t pass on bags that have reflective strips, especially if you are planning to travel at night. Reflective strips allow other motorists to see you on the highway, increasing your safety.
Tags: motorcycle saddlebags | leather saddlebags | saddlebag luggage | saddlebag luggage | saddlebags