Motorcycle Saddlebags

Saddlebags also are available in ballistic Nylon like most soft sided suitcases are made from. Like Vinyl, these bags tend to be waterproof but can melt. They tend to be slightly less expensive than vinyl bags, but more expensive than leather bags.

Sissybar bags and toolbags each have the same features as saddlebags. They are made from different substances, either leather, vinyl or nylon. They come in different styles and unlike throwover saddlebags, they have different attachement mechanisms. They may have leather loops with buckles or they may have velcro fasteners. Whatever bags you get, it is best to try them on your bike first. We recommend a local Discount Motorcycle Accessory Store.

You can look at the specifications of a motorcycle and determine what fits where and how it will look, but an awful lot of motorcycle owners have 'customized' there bikes. Different exhausts, different seats, with sissybar or without, new foot pegs, lowered and on and on. So what may have fit on a stock bike, may not fit on a 'customized' bike. Also, it is hard to tell what would look good on an individual motorcycle, with the owners personality in mind. Different strokes for different folks.

Saddlebags come in various materials with various shapes and features. Hard sided saddlebags look quite nice when painted the same color as the bike and are mounted on special brackets to fit the bike. Many Hard Sided Saddlebags come with locks, reflectors and other special gear and tend to be larger than leather sided bags. They come at a pretty steep cost though. A set of Hard Sided Saddlebags to fit your bike will cost between $600 and $1500 depending on the bike, and the features of the bike. They are waterproof.

An alternative to hard Saddlebags are throwover Leather Saddlebags. These saddlebags come in many different shapes and styles. Throwover saddlebags are like the standard saddlebags that were carried on horses. Unlike the horse, the bags are thrown over the rear fender, underneath the seat to hang down and be used. Normally brackets are used to keep the saddlebags away from the wheel and any moving parts. The leather saddlebags are usually made of very stiff split leather so they retain their shape better, however, a very thick (8 to 10 ounce) soft leather look very good and hold shape surprisingly well. Grades of leather and quality of stitching vary greatly among saddlebag manufacturers. Some on line retailers have actually sold leather covered cardboard saddlebags so buyer beware. Most retailers, on line as well, carry pretty good leather saddlebags for less than $100.

One of the problems with leather saddlebags is they are not waterproof. The bags need to be oiled with leather oil frequently to prevent water damage. Split leather will actually blister and the leather fibers will begin to separate. Newer bags and most bags sold by large part houses are made of PVC or other vinyl substances. These bags are made to look like leather but will resist moisture and aging better than leather. Often called Leather-Tech or Leather-Like, these bags look as good as leather and unless inspected carefully, no one would ever know the difference. With the high price of oil, these non-leather bags are now more expensive than leather bags. Most come with unique features though, such as quick release straps, zip off bags so they can be removed quickly to be taken into a hotel or tent when you park the bike. These bags ususally run $100 to $200 depending on size and features. Vinyl bags will melt though, so good clearance from the exhaust pipe is a must.