hen shopping for saddlebags you want to look for a shape and/or size that will not make contact with the exhaust, you need a minimum of two inches of clearance between the exhaust and the saddlebags. Luggage manufacturers do not consider damage to saddlebags from contact with the exhaust as a product defect or warranty issue, it is viewed as user neglect. Always be sure to review the dimensions listed on the web page in the “Sizing Information” section and compare that to the area on your motorcycle where the saddlebags will be mounted. This is not always easy, but it gives you an idea how much space your motorcycle provides you for mounting saddlebags. Remember that regardless of the style, shape, and size saddlebags you want, the motorcycle you ride will dictate what you can use.

Motorcycles with high mount or undertail exhausts will almost certainly damage any brand or style of saddlebags (with the exception of “hard bags”). The only manufacturer that addresses this situation is Nelson Rigg. They now offer the CL-HSP Saddlebag Heat Shields for the saddlebags in their luggage lineup. If you are looking for luggage and your motorcycle has an undertail or high mount exhaust, I strongly recommend you purchase Nelson Rigg Saddlebags along with their heat shields.

Cruiser style and standard motorcycles should not use saddlebags without saddlebag supports/guards for two reasons. Saddlebags on these motorcycles can and will get sucked into the rear wheel. Most cruiser and standard motorcycles have rear coiled/spring shocks that will make contact with the saddlebags and damage them very quickly, which is not considered a warranty situation by luggage manufacturers. Saddlebag supports/guards prevent these things from happening.

Dual sport, dual purpose, off road, or adventure style motorcycles are almost guaranteed to have an exhaust in a position that will make contact with the saddlebags. Because of this, they require saddlebag supports/guards or luggage racks that provide a mounting platform for saddlebags to keep them away from the exhaust and rear wheel. We offer the TCI Products Dual Sport Luggage Racks for mounting tail bags or saddlebags or both at the same time. These racks require virtually no modifications to install them, can handle heavy off roading, and they don’t look ridiculous! If you are considering luggage for your dual sport and TCI Products manufactures a luggage rack for your make/model of motorcycle, there is no better way to securely mount luggage on your dual sport.

Remember that these are just suggestions, it is solely up to you, the end user to decide if the way you are mounting or setting up your luggage is secure enough to support your cargo and any road conditions you may encounter.

Credit: MotorcycleGear

Saddlebags are bags that are attached to saddles.

Horse riding

In horse riding, saddlebags sit in various positions, on the back, side, or front of the saddle. Most attach to the saddle by straps and ties. They can be made from various materials. Although leather was the traditional material, it is heavier and requires more maintenance than many modern versions. There are several types: Pommel bags (which sit in front of the saddle), traditional paired saddlebags (which lie on the hips of the horse, on either side of the cantle), and assorted smaller bags such as a cantle bag (a small tube-like bag that sits just behind the saddle), or a single small saddle bag that may be carried on the off-side (right hand side) of an English saddle. A related type of bag or container are pannier-style bags fitted over a pack saddle that is used for packing gear on a horse rather than for carrying a rider.

Bicycle

In bicycling, a saddlebag or seat bag is a bag attached under the saddle or seat. Smaller bags are typically used to hold a few items such as spare inner tubes, puncture repair kit, tools, rain gear, food, first-aid kit, etc. Seat bags are common on touring bicycles, racing bicycles, and cross country mountain bikes.
Bags range from tiny to large (over 25 liters). Smaller bags, known as seat bags, wedge packs, or seat packs fit completely under the saddle. Larger bags which project behind and sideways are usually called saddlebags; a well-known example is the Carradice Long Flap, for many years a staple of British cycle tourists especially on the weekends.
Recumbent bicycles have much larger seats than the saddle of a conventional bicycle, and special bags are available which attach to the seat; these are also called seat bags but are typically the size of small touring panniers.

Motorcycle

On a motorcycle, saddlebags or panniers are mounted behind the seat and on either side of the rear wheel. Saddlebags come in different shapes and sizes and are used as luggage or a container to carry around items.

Die Geschichte der Satteltaschen geht weit zurück.

Sie wurden in der Antike und im Mittelalter gerne eingesetzt. Die Römer haben viele Straßen ausgebaut und hier war es sinnvoller die Pferde und Esel einen Karren ziehen zu lassen. Aber immer dann, wenn das Gelände für einen Karren zu unwegsam wird kommt die Satteltasche zum Einsatz. Diese besteht aus zwei Taschen die über eine Brücke miteinander verbunden sind. Diese zwei Taschen werden über den Rücken des Pferdes oder des Esels gelegt.

Wichtig ist es nun, dass die beiden Seiten der Satteltasche gleichmäßig bepackt werden damit nicht die eine Seite nach unten zieht. Mit großen Satteltaschenkann einiges an Proviant oder Ausrüstung befördert werden. Wenn kleinere Satteltaschen verwendet werden kann noch ein Sattel aufgelegt werden um selber zu reiten. Die Satteltaschen in der Antike und im Mittelalter wurden aus Leder oder Stoffen gefertigt. Wichtig für eine Satteltasche war immer, dass sie robust ist und möglichst bei Regen nicht durchweicht. Deswegen wurde gerne Leder verwendet. Aber wegen den Kosten wurden auch gewebte oder geknüpfte Stoffe verwendet. Je nach Region regnet es auch nicht soviel.

Die Satteltaschen für Pferde werden heute natürlich maschinell und somit besser gefertigt als früher. Sie sind robuster und Wasserdicht. Sie schließen gut ab und bieten einen bequemen Stauraum. Der Markt hat sich aber weiterentwickelt und Satteltaschen werden sehr gerne für Fahrräder und Motorräder verwendet. Besonders wer mit diesen Verkehrsmitteln unterwegs ist wird darüber sehr dankbar sein ein wenig Stauraum zu haben um z.B. den Einkauf unterbringen zu können. Weil die Satteltaschen so praktisch sind werden sie immer gerne verwendet und von der Industrie werden sie auf Maß gefertigt.