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Good morning! BLUF, does a swingarm bag (single side, on the left only) add significant weight to affect the handling of the bike?
I'm getting back into riding regularly. Had ridden a 1200 Sportster for 20 years, and traded for a 2018 Fat Bob 114 recently. Really enjoy the Fat Bob. It rides great and handles well. I'm considering adding a swingarm bag on the left side to carry some gear I like to have on most rides, patch kit, rain gear, first aid, etc.
I'm refreshing my riding skills, reading and practicing on the bike. And thinking about the geometry of the bike and how it affects handling. The bike is still stock, except for an aftermarket Bassani exhaust.
Swingarm bags seem very popular now. I'm wondering if the additional weight on swingarm - which would be unsprung weight - will adversely affect the handling of the bike. I can't imagine the weight of the bag and gear will be more than five-to-ten lbs.
Has anyone noticed changes in handling when adding a swingarm bag to your bike?
It wont make any noticeable difference. The swingarm bag is un-sprung weigh
IMO on a 800 lb + motorcycle 10-20 lbs is not noticeable no matter where it is located other than on the forks and then it changes the the way the steering, handlebar weight is especially at low speeds. That is one of the reasons I liked the Road Glide better, the front felt lighter IMO. On my Fatboy the MS Batwing is not much heavier than the full sized windshield so not much difference.
My bike feels the same riding with my saddlebags on or off, I also have a old swing arm bag that i used to use.
No difference in handling whatsoever. Mine is quite heavy with tool roll, puncture repair kit, rain gear and a few other minor 'essentials.' Wanted to get mine off the frame and slightly higher after fitting Shotgun Air Ride System so double clipped some stainless pole to the frame to belt the bag to.
It wont make any noticeable difference. The swingarm bag is un-sprung weigh
IMO on a 800 lb + motorcycle 10-20 lbs is not noticeable no matter where it is located other than on the forks and then it changes the the way the steering, handlebar weight is especially at low speeds. That is one of the reasons I liked the Road Glide better, the front felt lighter IMO. On my Fatboy the MS Batwing is not much heavier than the full sized windshield so not much difference.
My bike feels the same riding with my saddlebags on or off, I also have a old swing arm bag that i used to use.
Adding weight to swingarm
