Bikes Under 1000cc - Baby Bagger Beatdown!

Building The Baggers, Baby
Despite what you might have read in this or other magazines, the "light touring" models with accessory bags and shields installed from the manufacturer's catalogs, are not just bolt-on betties. The level of R&D that goes into an accessory and that which goes into an actual line model varies quite a bit. Making the leap from accessory item to production model necessitates a ton more testing and evaluation, and it shows.

We asked the manufacturers who were supplying non-tourers for this test for a minimum of two-up seating (with sissy bar), a windshield, and saddlebags. What we asked for at minimum and what we got varied a bit. Honda went with the bare minimum, other than adding a piece of chrome trim. However, they did send along a list of other touring equipment for the Aero in case you're looking to upgrade.

Triumph went above and beyond by also installing footboards (they shouldn't have, really), and a luggage rack (which comes with the sissybar). The models with a luggage rack came in handy by giving us a place that was not the rear seat to stow gear.

The Sportster 883 Low was actually at a decided disadvantage compared to the other bikes here, as it didn't even start with a passenger seat or pegs. That said there are cheaper ways to get a passenger on there than switch to a (bad) touring seat, so we dinged them for the footpeg mount, but not the seat.

We divided the parts lists into mandatory items the manufacturers need on their bikes to participate in this test, and optional items that they added of their own accord, or suggested as additional accessories. We list in the specs both the price as tested as well as the minimum to make it a light touring bike.