There's nothing wimpy about riding as a passenger on a motorcycle. So one can only imagine where the term sissybar originated. Perhaps the inventor had a sister who rode shotgun. Whatever the case, the slander stuck...like Saran Wrap® to cellophane.
Aside from holding your passenger in place, sissybars have always been a popular mounting point for parcels of all shapes and sizes. But you can put away the bedraggled bungees and do-in-a-pinch duffels -- these days there are more dedicated sissybar bag designs on the market than ever before. They can be tall or short, soft or rigid, but all use the passenger backrest as their main anchoring point.
Until recently, what's been available was more travel trunk than bag. Trunks are commonly made of rigidly supported leather or Naugahyde,TM, adorned with chrome curios and other fringy fare, and require a rack to mount. Travel trunks like these are still quite popular, but now there are alternatives -- including some copious and cleverly designed bags made from more pliable leather or Cordura nylon.
The most functional sissybar bags can either be mounted on the rear seat, where they double as a backrest for the rider, or turned around to sit on a rack when the passenger seat is occupied. The soft nylon or lightweight leather bags make the most pleasant back supports, and their comfort can be greatly enhanced with thoughtful packing. The new nylon bags are typically roomier, lighter in weight and -- more often than not -- incorporate shoulder straps so they can be carried as backpacks.
What you gain in comfort and convenience with a soft bag you may lose in appearance. Unsupported bags tend to look a bit sloppy. In contrast, the traditional trunk-like leather bags we garnered for this guide are visually outstanding and add a classic look to the bike, especially when coupled with similarly styled saddlebags like the Heritage set on our Kawasaki Vulcan Classic. The trunks won't hold an enormous amount though, which (for some) might be considered a benefit. Undisciplined packers should steer clear of bags capable of stowing a portable sauna.
Most of these bags include (or feature as an option) a separate, cylindrical bedroll sack intended to fasten atop the main case. These are great if you sleep in a bag when traveling. If you don't camp, the additional space may prove excessive and a challenge to make proper use of (it should carry only extremely lightweight items). Regardless, extending the bag upward without good reason is an aerodynamic and handling faux pas.
Whether you choose a sissybar bag for fashion or function, it's wise to keep in mind how easy it is to upset a motorcycle's supersensitive balance. All of these bags sit well above a bike and rider's center of gravity, so packing improperly can unduly affect your bike's handling -- especially when you're carrying a load as far aft as the luggage rack. This is often a subtle shift in the attitude of a bike which is not even perceptible at stoplights. The manufacturer's warnings that improper loading can cause injury or death aren't a joke.
So, simply pack the heavy stuff in the bottom of the bag -- or better yet -- evenly distribute your weightiest whatnots between saddlebags, then continue up the luggage chain pyramid-style.
All American Large Rivet Bag
All the bags in the All American line of luggage are made from synthetic Ameritex, a heavy, padded-grain material that looks and feels like leather. It's claimed to provide greater durability while requiring less maintenance. Certainly it will resist staining and mildew better than animal hides, which are more porous and attract moisture if not consistently treated to repel it.
The Large Rivet bag system offers a 51-quart capacity and measures roughly 13 inches high x 20 inches wide x 13 inches deep. It secures by sliding the sheath on the back of the bag over your padded sissybar. This full-coverage technique gives the package a clean look. Nylon cords are then used to cinch the bag down tightly to a rear rack. The Rivet bag features three large outer pockets that seal tightly using hook-and-loop fasteners. The pockets, as well as the main compartment, feature sturdy box-type lids to keep moisture and dust out.
The Rivet bag is designed to receive the All American Barrelbag Classic bedroll case. This 15 inch-wide x 9 inch-diameter cylinder attaches to the top of the Rivet bag using two, small plastic clips. Unfortunately there isn't a secondary system to secure it more adequately.
All American Sissybar/Travelpacks come in two basic styles. The Rivet is available in medium, large, and extra-large sizes. The basic three-pocket bag design can be purchased as a "Classic" (sans studs and conchos in the same three sizes). The "Large" version with bedroll sells for a suggested $210. The other style is called the Box Sissybar Case, since it has no pockets. It comes in small and large sizes, with or without decor. The firm offers saddlebags in styles and sizes to match these sissybar bags.
American Eagle Beach Street SC
Here's a company that knows a thing or two about research and development. American Eagle has been refining their traditionally styled sissybar bags for 24 years. With that kind of time and effort, it's no wonder their product outshines the other leather trunk-style bags we've seen, in both appearance and craftsmanship. As with all their bags, The Beach Street SC (studs and conchos) is made from high-quality, latigo-grade cowhide and is reinforced with stiffening panels discretely sandwiched between the inner and outer applications of leather. Other fineries include chrome-plated brass studs, nickel-plated rivets, heavy-duty roller buckles and hardened black-on-brass zippers. The Beach Street connects to the sissybar using a large, hook-and-loop adjustable panel, and a smaller, secondary buckle strap at its base. An additional buckle strap is found on the bag's bottom to secure it tightly to the rear rack. (This is a dedicated trunk-type bag. It requires a rack and doesn't double as a rider backrest.)
Just one look...one touch...one sniff of that buttery-soft leather...and you might not even flinch at the $339 asking price. (There's a plain version available for $299). It's that easy to fall in love. And unlike love, this bag carries a lifetime warranty for material and workmanship.
But wait -- since you have your checkbook out, there are some goodies that go along with this bag. For $35 American Eagle offers a tailored, waterproof nylon liner for the bag. And get this, for only $39 you can get the optional/interchangeable cooler bag. It's ideal for cold drinks and snacks, guaranteed not to leak or sweat, and keeps ice solid for a claimed 36 hours. A waterproof cover ($25) keeps all the bootie dry.
This is a luggage system with a huge degree of flexibility. The Rally Pack includes a large sissybar pack/backpack, a roll bag, a vinyl roll bag liner and an attachable bungee net. Both the rugged main bag and the roll bag are made of treated Cordura nylon and incorporate foam panels for insulation and shape retention. An additional application of nylon lines the bags and helps the foam stay in place.
There are three outer pockets on the main bag including a perfectly sized front map pocket. Easy access into the large, 45-quart capacity compartment is supplied via a long, zippered top flap. The roll bag alone can be attached to the sissybar when its 15-quart capacity is sufficient. The cylindrical roll bag features the same trunk-style opening and two side pockets. Either bag attaches to the sissybar using dual, adjustable hook-and-loop straps. Both feature adjustable carrying handles.
The bag's elaborate multifunction strapping assembly ties the whole system together. This network of nylon secures the bags to one another, provides additional anchoring to the bike, and creates the backpack straps when you need them. Extras included with the Rally Pack system are a clear vinyl roll bag liner (presumably to hold wet gear) and a bungee net for added storage capacity -- as if you'd need it with such an enormous system. The net attaches to a plastic D-ring system on the main bag.
The durable, multipurpose Rally Pack retails for about $140 and should fit all sissybar/luggage rack combinations.