Softail Models Standard, Custom, Night Train, Deuce, Springer, Heritage, Fatboy, Deluxe, Rocker and Cross Bones.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Help with luggage

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 25, 2011 | 12:02 PM
  #1  
NoRegerts's Avatar
NoRegerts
Thread Starter
|
Seasoned HDF Member
Veteran: Navy
Shutterbug
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 10
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 16,982
Likes: 9,059
From: Texas Hill Country
Default Help with luggage

I've used the search function and have decided what swingarm bag I want. It will be my next purchase. Garage Leathers.

I'm planning a week long trip to Kansas to visit my Mom and it's about 850mi one way. I can do that in a single day so my concern is not camping gear or anything like that. My concern is luggage for the overnight stay there.

I'm looking for something that fits over the sissy bar and that I can place on the passenger seat, not a rack. I need something so I can lean against it on the long trip.

In my search I have found many things, and also many materials. The swing arm bag will be a permanent fixture and I want that to be leather, but the luggage is only when I need it and I don't care about what it is made of.

Ideas, experiences, anything would help. I've never been in the market for this before.

BTW my wife and I did a 330mi trip last week to the rally in Ruidoso, NM. A short ride. But I found the lack of even a little storage had me scratching my head when it came to storing small items, like an extra pair of gloves I bought.
 
Reply
Old May 25, 2011 | 12:31 PM
  #2  
hspring03's Avatar
hspring03
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,891
Likes: 54
From: Mansfield, MA
Default

A SAC bag.... slips over the sissy bar and sits on the passenger seat

I've had this for 5 years....

http://www.coolsac.com/ProductGroup....y_code=LUGGAGE
 
Reply
Old May 25, 2011 | 12:41 PM
  #3  
jbg's Avatar
jbg
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,620
Likes: 0
From: Irvine, Orange County, Ca
Default

I use a Saddlemen bag for trips. http://www.saddlemen.com/store/index...oducts_id=6473

It's easy to throw on the bike, has wheels to roll and holds plenty for a weekend.
 
Reply
Old May 25, 2011 | 01:06 PM
  #4  
klf33's Avatar
klf33
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,796
Likes: 36
From: Toronto, Ontario
Default

I use cheapo roll bags from the motorcycle show, it will work, tie it down to the pegs and rear turn signals and you are good to go.
going 850 Miles in one day though is super hero stuff
 
Reply
Old May 25, 2011 | 01:22 PM
  #5  
Keithhu's Avatar
Keithhu
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,148
Likes: 6,170
From: SE Michigan
Default

Leatherup sells some very inexpensive stuff. If you want cheap, but decent quality (not so high of a fashion statement, tho), here are some suggestions:

http://www.leatherup.com/p/Motorcycl...Set/54610.html

http://www.leatherup.com/p/Motorcycl...em/194797.html

http://www.leatherup.com/p/Motorcycl...em/195035.html

http://www.leatherup.com/p/Motorcycl...ets/87984.html
 
Reply
Old May 25, 2011 | 01:29 PM
  #6  
klf33's Avatar
klf33
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,796
Likes: 36
From: Toronto, Ontario
Default

P.s. on the cheap luggage (like mine) do not let the luggage rest its weight but on the seat.. and the ties are just to keep it in place .. I made the mistake of putting the whole weight of the bag on the sissy bar (bag hanging on it) and the stitching of the bag arms snapped right off.. luckily I caught it before I had to collect my stuff off the hwy .
 
Reply
Old May 25, 2011 | 01:31 PM
  #7  
06 flstfise's Avatar
06 flstfise
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 556
Likes: 5
From: wisconsin
Default

I have used a T-bag for years now and love it. It has the top roll bag which I used to use on day trips till I got saddlebags. It is expandable as well. It did make a difference on what seat I had on to how good of a back rest it made. Buddy has a saddle man that has removable back rest on it. Both he and I got them off craigslist for 50 bucks. Good luck
 
Reply
Old May 25, 2011 | 01:31 PM
  #8  
TheNameIs"B"'s Avatar
TheNameIs"B"
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 381
Likes: 0
From: Southern Indiana
Default

Sounds like you need the one from Biker's Friend. I think they are a sponsor on here. Just google it.
b
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old May 25, 2011 | 01:38 PM
  #9  
iupsig97's Avatar
iupsig97
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 391
Likes: 1
From: Southeast PA
Default

I would recommend the Kuryakyn Tombstone bag. Love mine... Click Here

Easy on/Easy off and provides great back support with 3 different zip-on pads for just the right depth. Holds it's shape completely when empty.
 
Reply
Old May 25, 2011 | 03:41 PM
  #10  
DeLuxeLady's Avatar
DeLuxeLady
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 986
Likes: 6
From: NY
Default

Something like the tombstone above or the grand tour are great as they hold their shape no matter how full or empty they are and double as a back rest. The outside pockets are also great for things like the gloves you mention above :

http://www.kuryakyn.com/Products/344/GranTour-Bag

I've used softer bags and they tend to want to do their own thing if they aren't packet full and strapped right. For a shorter trip not needing multiple bags this offers an easy to carry all in one option.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:21 AM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE