There are few things in motorcycling as enjoyable as hitting the road for a multiday tour. At the very least, the ever-changing scenery provides a great way to unwind and refresh your spirit. While the biggest difficulty is often finding the time for such an undertaking, the second largest problem is figuring out how to carry all your gear. Saddlebags are fine for a day or two, but beyond that-especially if you're carrying camping equipment or a passenger-even the largest ones won't hold enough. Enter the backrest (aka sissy bar) bags. They range in capacity from small backpacks to walk-in closets. And you can always pair them with saddlebags if you need even more room.
Aside from added capacity, backrest bags have a few advantages over other pieces of moto luggage. The first is their mounting systems. Unlike saddlebags, which usually require specific mounting brackets, sissy bar bags will work with almost any backrest. All the bags in this guide have adjustable mounting systems to fit different sizes of backrests. And if you're traveling solo, you won't need a rack, as you can mount the bag in front of the backrest on the passenger seat. In that position the rider can use the bag as a back support, and with a rack, a solo rider can add even more gear (but if you need to carry that much, we hope you're at least crossing the continent). Finally, unlike permanently mounted bags, backrest bags mount and remove quickly, making that end-of-the-day haul to your hotel or tent a thing of ease.
There are a number of things to consider when shopping for a backrest bag. The most obvious is size: Be realistic in considering the length and type of trips you take rather than just choosing the largest bag. Many of these bags have detachable roll bags or top cases that make them more versatile. When comparing the volume of one bag with the next, remember that the sizes given occasionally include the side pockets in the width of the bag. Similarly, sometimes pocket volumes have not been calculated, and the total may be a little low. Also, if you have a particularly bulky item, pay attention to dimensions to ensure it will fit inside.
Next, make sure the mounting system actually will fit your backrest-first by checking the specs before buying, and then by test-fitting it to your bike before your actual departure date. Style and materials may be factors for you as well: Nowadays you can choose from traditional rectangular bags made of leather or vinyl, as well as more modern-designed bags made with heavy-duty nylon fabrics. Finally, buy a bag that has the features you want. If you're concerned about storage capacity, choose one with a big main compartment. If you like to have your gear organized, get a bag with lots of pockets. Ride at night? Then look for reflective material on the back and sides.
Just be sure to follow the instructions for mounting the bag to your motorcycle. There's nothing worse than arriving at your destination and realizing the bag fell off somewhere in the previous 150 miles...
 Auburn Leather Company Pac-Mate...  Auburn Leather Company Pac-Mate Luggage Rack Bag $644Leather. Classic and classy. The Pac-Mate Luggage Rack Bag is all that and more. Start with large panels of thick, durable top-grain leather and back them with strategically placed plastic reinforcement panels and a hard plastic frame around the inside top of the main bag. Treat the leather to be UV- and water-repellent, lock-stitch the seams for strength, and then beef it up with rivets on all the straps and stress points. This is a bag that can stand up to hard riding. Both bags and the pockets open with quick-release buckles (hidden under the traditional leather straps and chrome buckles) and lids that flip up. There's even decorative piping around the edge of the lids. The attachment system consists of one adjustable wide strap and two leather-cord security straps. The top bag can be mounted by itself to the backrest. On each side of the main bag is a very large pocket. But the coolest feature is that those pockets can be unzipped from the bag and have backpack/carry straps on the back-neat! On top of all that, the Pac-Mate is made in the USA. Size (main bag): 11.5"H x 20.5"W x 10"D Size (top bag): 8.5"H x 12.25"W x 10"D Volume: 2358ci (main bag)/1041ci (top bag) Warranty: Lifetime auburnleather.com |  Fieldsheer Micro Maxi Back...  Fieldsheer Micro Maxi Back Rest Bag $60If you think backrest bags are all the same, the Fieldsheer Micro Maxi Back Rest Bag may give you pause. With a three-side zippered top and a dust flap the MMBRB swallows a lot of gear, but when you're done with your trip (or on your way to the grocery store) it compacts down a bit smaller than a notebook-computer bag, still attached to the motorcycle's backrest and providing a small but useful pocket on the back. The main compartment holds a heap o' gear, and there are five external pockets of different sizes-two on each side of the bag and one large pocket on the back. The zippers are heavy-duty and have large, easy-to-grab pulls. An included rain cover stores in one of the outside pockets. For off-the-bike convenience there's a carry handle on the top as well as two side handles. Reflective logos adorn the back of the bag and the rain cover for nighttime visbility. The bag is constructed of heavy-duty ballistics nylon material. Size (expanded): 18.5"H x 14.75"W x 10.5"D Size (collapsed): 9.5"H x 11"W x 6.25"D Volume: 2865ci Warranty: 1 year fieldsheer.com |  Fox Creek Leather Classic...  Fox Creek Leather Classic Leather Travel Bag/Carroll Leather Road Pack 306 $99One of two all-leather packs in this guide, the Classic Leather Travel bag doesn't use any bag stiffeners except around the perimeter of the expansion section (which opens via zipper). Though it's sewn from smaller, remnant pieces of leather rather than large panels, the Classic offers solid construction and a full nylon lining. The main compartment opens with a zipper going around three sides of the top. The four side pockets are large enough for carrying all your gadgets: cell phone, wallet, etc. There is a carry handle on each side of the bag as well as additional padded straps to convert it into a backpack. The roll bag has a large zippered opening and is held on top of the bag by three straps with quick-release buckles-a bit of overkill. The straps are also too long for the job (though they can be shortened). Conversely, the mounting system is simple, relying on a sleeve and three sturdy straps for security. Since the weather can't be controlled, a rain cover is included that fits over both the main and roll bags. Size (expanded): 19.5"H x 16"W x 11"D Size (collapsed): 19.5"H x 16"W x 6"D Size (roll bag): 14"W x 9" diameter Volume: 3432ci (expanded)/1872ci (collapsed)/891ci (roll bag) Warranty: 30 days foxcreekleather.com |