A Buyer's Guide To Backrest Bags - You Can Take It With You

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...