Planning for a getaway- a weeklong ride on your motorcycle, away from the humdrum of life?
Can’t find a perfect storage unit to carry your motorcycle gears and other travel utilities?
Do you want a motorcycle saddlebag that suits your rider personality instead of dangling on the side in all its misplaced demur?
Too many dilemmas, eh?
We understand your hunger for perfection, so here we are, helping you plan your week-long road trip and perfecting every detail. One of the most primal utilities for riders is a Saddlebag. A very underestimated product, but utterly necessary if you wish to stay departed from the clutter.
Motorcycle saddlebags are designed to be compact and convenient to reduce the hassle of carrying around your motorbike tools and personal supplies, wherever you go. Much like any other motorcycle gears, the choices are many. To help you choose the best Motorcycle saddlebags for your road trip, we have collected the top products in the market along with a helpful buyer’s guide.
Here is a quick comparison table for a quick insight if you are not much of a reader
Best Motorcycle Saddle Bags Reviews
1. Nelson Rigg (SE-3050 BLK) Sierra Dry Motorcycle Saddlebag
Pros
- Easy mounting and installation
- Versatile and durable design
- A good Storage capacity
Cons
- The latch can only be attached to the rear of the motorcycle on a rack.
Nelson Rigg Sierra Motorcycle Saddlebag is perhaps the most versatile option on this list. The brand has earned quite a name, offering riders high quality and innovative products over the years. This saddlebag from Nelson Rigg is designed to be lightweight with a soft-shell pannier structure. The mounting element is robustly made out of an aircraft-quality mount, eliminating any chances of your saddlebag from getting away. Although, it is important to note that the Nelson Rigg saddlebag can only be attached on a motorcycle rack.
The saddlebag sports a waterproof fabric along with electronic rechargeable seams that heat up to enhance the water-resistant ability of the gear. The fabric on the exterior is covered with an anti-ultraviolet coating, which will prevent the color of the saddlebag from fading away. The coating also protects your motorcycle gear tucked inside the bag from the harsh sunlight.
The total storage capacity of the bag is impressive, rounding up to 27.53litres. The sturdy and rigid back supports help the saddlebag to retain its shape when mounted. Conclusively, the Nelson Rigg SE-3050 BLK is the ultimate storage solution for riders on the go. The unit is available in two solid color variants. The choice, durability, premium look, storage capacity, and a sturdy structure make this product one of the best motorcycle saddlebags you can get your hands on.
2. Dowco Willie & Max 59588-00 Black Jack Series Motorcycle Saddlebag
Pros
- An extremely premium and stylish design
- Easy mounting
- Durable and sturdy with semi-rigid outer walls
- Synthetic leather
Cons
- The product package does not include an instruction manual.
The Dowco Willie & Max saddlebag sports an ever-trendy design coupled with some modern trinkets for enhanced convenience on long riding trips. The brand has a long and shiny history in the motorcycle realm. With so much experience on their hands, Dowco Willie & Max has evolved to perfect their offerings such as this Black Jack series of motorcycle saddlebags.
The product is a well-bred mix of conventionally premium integrations such as the high-grade synthetic leather, quick release straps, and smooth zip-off yoke, perfect for the modern rider. The fabric is UV, as well as water-resistant. The leather-like exterior is ultra- crack proof even when exposed to extreme sunlight and outdoor pollutants.
The interior of the saddlebag is well reinforced, allowing it to hold its shape. The unit has a total capacity of 10 liters. The brand offers a lifetime warranty, which reaffirms that the product is made to last long. Overall, if you are looking for some of the best motorcycle saddlebags with a medium capacity, the Dowco Willie & Max can be a great purchase.
3. Tour Master 8261-150540 Black Elite Motorcycle Saddlebag
Pros
- Extremely durable build and fabric
- Modern design
- Good storage capacity
- Easy mounting and installation
- Better night visibility
Cons
- The single zipper hinders safety.
The Tour Master, as the name professes, is the best motorcycle saddlebags in terms of durability. Each piece of the design is meticulously structured to ensure longevity. The pannier sports an ultra-sturdy polyester fabric with a rating of 1680 and 840 diener. To bolster up the durability even further, the unit is coating with a heat resistant material protecting the material from burns when the pipes of your motorcycle heat up during long rides.
The saddlebag comprises of a heavy-duty and adjustable mounting yoke. On the exterior, the bag comes installed with a large light-reflecting triangle for enhanced visibility during night-time road trips. The installation is quick and simple, requiring no further adjustment. The storage space is generous with a soft structure to accommodate all the motorcycle gears in one unit.
The only noticeable disparity is the single zipper, which might make it harder to lock the saddlebag for safety. Overall, the premium quality, storage capacity, and ultra-modern looks make this product worthy of being considered as a bang for the buck buy.
4. Givi EA100B 40 Liter Easy Range Motorcycle Saddlebag
Pros
- Large storage capacity
- Convenient and easy portability
- Durable
- Easy mounting
Cons
- The plastic buckle loop might need a bit of reinforcement during mounting
The GIVI Easy Range saddlebags are made for sport bikers and those who love trekking rough terrains. The design is universal without any hindrance to touring. Mounting a saddlebag on the motorcycle is one of the main concerns for riders, deterring them from buying such products. However, the GIVI easy range panniers eliminate any installation hassle. They slide on your bike via sturdy attachments.
The storage capacity is expandable to a whopping 40 liters, offering ample room to store every gear and utility you might need on a weeklong road trip. Moreover, since the build is extremely lightweight, they are highly portable. The fabric is polyester fortified to be resistant to water and heat. The panels on the bottom are essentially heat resistant to protect the saddlebag from burns when the bike heats up.
For better accessibility, the saddlebag sports a shoulder strap if you want to make a stop somewhere on your road trips to carry the saddlebag along with you. Overall, considering the high-quality offerings by the brand, time and again, you cannot go wrong with this product. Moreover, since the product comes as a pair, it is easy to bet on this unit as one of the best saddlebags on the market.
5. WILD HEART Waterproof Motorcycle Saddlebag
Pros
- Good storage space
- Sturdy and durable fabric
- Good storage space
- Affordable
Cons
- The buckles and straps are too weak.
The WILD HEART motorcycle saddlebag is quite an attractive option for our readers who wish to stay true to their budget and still pick one of the best motorcycle saddlebags in the market. The unit is made of tarpaulin material with excellent stitching work at the seams. The build quality does surprise us. It is excellent, promising a long-lasting life. The material is water-resistant, supplemented with another waterproof zipper. The seams are reinforced using plastic material, meaning the bag retains its dryness even on those days when its raining cats and dogs.
It is important to note that the saddlebag does lack when it comes to those straps. One of the biggest rider nightmares is the saddlebag falling during the rides. If you are worried about, this saddlebag might need some reinforcement on that part.
We do recommend the bag if you are looking for a cheap alternative as well as one of the best motorcycle bags to choose from. However, it is best if you keep the storage minimal, as the straps might give away if the bag is too heavy. While you are mounting the unit on the motorbike, it would help if you supplement the attachment with extra straps or belts. In terms of fabric quality, storage space, and durability, the actual unit is nothing short of excellence.
Motorcycle Saddlebag Buying Guide
Riders revel in the sense of freedom that comes with motorcycle rides, which is why, as a rider, you would often find yourself craving or planning long road trips with your mates. While carrying all your luggage does not require much consideration when it comes to short road trips. It becomes an imminent dilemma for longer ones. If you fret over backpacking issues a lot, a motorcycle saddlebag can work wonders remedying the problem.
But how do you choose?
What sets apart the best motorcycle saddlebags from other products available on the market. Here’s a buyer’s guide that will help you figure out how do saddlebags become fruitful purchases.
Types Of Motorcycle Saddlebags
Soft Motorcycle Saddlebag
Soft saddlebags are a great option if you want to squeeze in a little more storage space for your riding gears. Although, on the side, since the fabric is well—soft, it is easier to cut open. Hence, not the best when it comes to safety. On the brighter side, due to the non-rigid structure, you can easily carry them on your shoulders via a strap when you wish to stop somewhere during the ride. Originally, it was harder to find a water-resistant soft saddlebag. However, today, brands reinforce these storage units with layers of waterproof materials and coatings to make them equally as usable as hard-shell saddlebags.
Hard Motorcycle Saddlebag
Hard-shelled saddlebags are understandably more expensive compared to soft bags. They are inherently resistant to water. However, in terms of portability and installation, the hard-shell variants can be a little tricky. Due to the rigid structure, the storage space is limited, but there is more safety as they are lockable and harder to break open.
Fit And Size
the fit of your saddlebag on the motorcycle is one of the most important considerations that you must make while making a purchase. The smartest way to ensure there is no mismatched fitting is to choose panniers that have a universal fit. Now, the size of the motorcycle saddlebag determines its storage capacity. The specification depends on the duration and variety of your road trips. For longer trips, it is better to look for saddlebags with at least 40 liters of capacity if you are planning to take a lot of equipment along. However, if your trip is a short one, you can choose a smaller one for better portability. It is important that you check the specifications of the product before deciding.
Durability And Safety
Panniers that sport multiple chains are better in terms of safety. Choose a product that can easily be locked or has a built-in safety mechanism. While hard shells are more reliable for riders, soft shells bags do not fall too far off, since they can be easily carried along instead of permanently sitting on the motorcycle.
Conclusion
There are several products that can act as good storage units for riders. However, the best motorcycle saddlebags stand out when they easily fulfill all your requirements irrespective of how short or long your road trips are. It is best to look for elements such as durability of the materials, locking, and safety, mounting as well as the dimensions of a saddlebag to make a fruitful purchase.
Hopefully, this guide directs you to the ultimate motorcycle saddlebag that satisfies all your requirements. Happy Riding!
