Last Update: 26 February 2023
It’s time to hit the road for your motorcycle vacation or perhaps a night away with a friend. Packing a motorcycle has always been a challenge due to the obvious lack of stowage availability and the need to ensure it endures the elements and stays safe. For most travelling light adds to the adventure of travel by motorcycle. Of course buying motorcycle touring luggage that works, will make your ride all the easier!
The best mode of packing gear and travel essentials is hard cases or panniers as is the term. This is the choice among long distance enthusiasts/ true touring riders. These don’t get in the way when riding and have a large capacity including secure locks. Softer luggage options such as tank bags, tail packs and backpacks are also something to consider depending on the length of your journey. There are many variations on soft and hard luggage – so think carefully about what will suit your lifestyle and your budget.
Choosing The Right Type of Motorcycle Luggage: Hard or Soft?
Be it hard or soft luggage there are numerous variations within these categories to choose from.
The majority of soft luggage available is designed for universal fitments and are usually made from sturdy materials such as canvas, nylon or occasionally leather and usually water-resistant but not waterproof. These are great for riders who can pack light or generally ride on during fair weather days. These are also suitable as they’re easy to mount onto any type of motorcycle.
Typically, throw-over panniers and tank bags come in the form of soft luggage, and these can be fastened by a bungee or straps often supplied with the bags, to the luggage rack or passenger seat. Some soft bags have internal frames/supports, usually made of plastic, so that the bag can hold its shape even when it’s not full. The biggest disadvantage of soft cases is they’re generally not waterproof, and will leak. Also, soft luggage is not very secure in the sense of your valuables when parked/stopped and has usually less stowage capacity than that of hard luggage. Why would you purchase it with all these disadvantages? It’s rather inexpensive does have a lot of flexibility being it can fit on most motorcycle models.
Hard luggage is rigid in construction and generally comes in the form of panniers and a top box. It is made of a hard plastic or aluminium and is rigidly mounted to your bike with metal or plastic brackets. Hard luggage is expensive, but for good reason- it has a longer lifespan and is entirely waterproof. Plus it has a much larger storage capacity. Hard luggage is also much more secure, both in terms of possible theft and in terms of falling off. It can be difficult to find hard luggage that fits your bike properly (unless you own a BMW) and it can also be quite tricky to fit the mountings.
TANK BAG is another very popular option making the most of the unused area in front of the rider. Usually mounted by way of strong magnets on the bottom keeping the tank bag fixed to the tank. Handy to attach and remove! Other tank bags such as in the BMW or Triumph brands fasten by straps to your tank. And ther’es also a tank bag which connects to your gas tank fuel lid.
Tank bags are great for “quick access” items or softer items. Perfect for long or short trips and are usually expandable. A great feature when you’ve picked up too many souvenirs along the way. Just use caution to ensure the bag doesn’t restrict operation of your motorcycle controls while turning.
Another handy item is a tail pack or tail bag. These fasten and sit on your motorcycle passenger seat. These can be fastened with a bungee cord or come with their own tie-down straps.
Backpacks are very popular among solo riders especially urban commuters as these can carry your laptop safely without harm. And when riding two up, your passenger can easily wear it. These again are great for shorter journeys but must be properly packed and fitted so they do not cause discomfort (too heavy can restrict movement or fatigue you) or become loose.
What To Look For When Buying Motorcycle Touring Luggage
Before making your motorcycle luggage purchase, it pays to think about how much you will need to carry and how often. This will help define your budget and the size/type of luggage best suited for you. Whatever you choose, ensure it will keep contents within dry and secure. Use caution for those ‘good deals’ you might be find the item will not stand up to the task!
Here Some More Tips!
- Follow your manufacturer’s guidelines on loading your motorbike and that the luggage is fixed to the motorcycle correctly and securely.
- Load heavy items within your luggage as near to the motorcycle’s centre of mass as possible to reduce adverse effect on handling.
- Check/adjust your suspension settings and tire pressures. With added load, just as when carrying a passenger, the handling and performance of your motorcycle can have significant side effects.
- Carrying any type of luggage on your motorcycle will have an effect on the handling characteristics of the machine – be sure you can manage/handle this. If you find your skills are not up to the task, reduce the items/weight or find another luggage solution such as a backpack.
- Never exceed load capacity guidelines of the luggage brand you are using. This includes manufacturer maximum speed capacities. These limits are in place for your safety and for the best use of your luggage.
- The addition of mounted saddlebags or side luggage/ panniers will increase the width of your motorcycle. You’ll need time to adjust for this – and watch up when parking close to fuel pumps etc. And as a good measure be sure the luggage you want doesn’t exceed the width of your mirrors..
- Check luggage security regularly throughout your trip. Soft luggage in particular will move around on the motorcycle to a degree and newly fitted parts/carriers can become loose.
- Have your motorcycle with you when shopping for luggage – you’ll be able to see first hand if it will mount properly.
- Get advice from your dealer before you buy and try soft luggage on the motorcycle to ensure a firm and secure fit.
- Take your luggage spare key with you on your trip. A lost key can spoil your trip.
