No matter where you are headed on your bike, you are going to need something to carry your junk. Personal bags like backpacks can be helpful, but bags that attach to your motorcycle can be even better. Saddlebags are a perfect solution to the problem of where to stash your stuff while you are riding.
Motorcycle saddlebags work much like their old-west cousins. Originally, saddlebags were slung over the back of a horse and used to carry everything from food to tobacco. On a bike, saddlebags hang over the back of the bike, above the rear wheel, and they serve much the same purpose, though they probably don't carry as many stale biscuits as the cowboys? saddlebags did.
Saddlebags are made from a variety of materials. You can find them in classic leather or made from a more recently developed material like nylon. Most are soft-sided, though formed to a certain shape, while others are hard-sided. It really depends on your personal preference as to which kind you choose. Some even come with cool designs like eagle wings, an excellent choice if you already own an eagle patch for your jacket.
It's important to consider what you are going to be carrying when you are looking for saddlebags. How much you plan to carry in them will largely determine what size of bags you will need to buy. Saddlebags vary greatly in how much they will hold.
From the old west times, saddlebags have been the best way to carry your gear, whether it be on a horse or your brand new roaring hog. They will keep your gear safe and dry, and your hands and arms free to enjoy the ride.
