Gang, I'm going to be doing some riding state to state soon. I'm on a very limited budget and trying to decide the most efficient way of carrying my luggage back. I'm buying a Saddleman bag for my 2012 SG. To hold the bag, I'm trying to decide if I should go with either (i) the standard sissy bar (part # 54247-09) or (ii) the Detachable 2-up Gloss Black Luggage Rack (part # 50300042). I'm trying to deiced which has the best advantage for securing my luggage.

Does anyone have any advice?

Thanks!

 

Here's chrome for $138 Sissy Bar a & Pad

http://www.mutazu.com/products.php?c...457&s=prod.php

 

Thanks but I'll put 3 .357 bullets into my Harley before I put any of that cheap jap **** on my bike.

 

well, you better buy a large magazine.....its hard to get parts that aren't foreign made. back to the question, i think i'd go for the sissy bar. you can get a bigger back pack/luggage behind you that way. think just a luggage rack would be hard to secure luggage on.

 

If I could only do only one, I would go with the sissy bar. Attach the Saddleman bag backwards and let it rest on the passenger part of your seat, that will take place of the luggage rack. With it that way you also get back support by leaning back on the bag.

On my old FXD anytime the better half wasn't with me and I needed my TBag I would always turn it that way and have something to lean on.

 

Now that's funny . You better get a gun with a much bigger mag than a 357 unless china chits is considered better than jap chit !!!!

 

I use my luggage rack for smaller, light things (a bag that is big enough to hold my full face and a couple of other items), but use the sissy bar when travelling. As others have said - I can use the luggage for a backrest (although now that I have a backrest, not such a big deal).

Also, can carry more weight (racks do have a weight limit although it is more than the official rating) and I feel it is less likely to shift or fall off. And, if it shifts, you will have some warning since it is close to you and you will either feel it or see it in your mirrors. I can't see my bag on the tour rack in my mirrors, so have to reach way-way back to feel if it is still there.

 

I am getting ready to do the same and I am going the sissy bar route. Just seems more secure to me I guess than something falling off a rack at 80mph. I don't want to lose that SAC Deluxe bag for sure.

 

Many times a luggage rack by itself isn't enough to secure the luggage as most attach to sissy bar too.

As others have said, a sissy bar will allow you as a solo passenger to put luggage on seat. But do yourself a favor, get the 4-point QD hardware to allow for future luggage rack.

 

I've always been a fan of a sissy bar at least for securing luggage, and a luggage rack for smaller, lighter incidentals. I have a Saddlemen sissy bar bag that a throw on the passenger seat, secured to the sissy bar. Works great, lasts long time.

For my new Road King, I bought my stuff at Kutter HD, and saved over $100 altogether, plus free shipping, and no sales tax. Can't beat that with a really big stick. Plus, everything was in stock and ready to go. It seems that a lot of those things are on backorder on the HD website.

If you're on a budget, the $$ you save on the sissy bar upright, pad, and 4-point docking hardware combined will go a long way toward a luggage rack in the future.